23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
K endra
"Explain what, Kendra?" Antonio's voice was cold, detached.
"Antonio, please listen," I begged, my words rushing out. "I didn't mean for it to happen like this. I didn’t write the whole article—someone must have—"
"Someone?" Antonio interrupted, his voice rising. "Who? Eve? She doesn’t work with ABS Broadcasting, remember?”
“But you were in my home that weekend, and it’s ‘your’ name on the news! You're just digging yourself deeper, Kendra—stop making excuses!"
"No, Antonio, please," I pleaded. "Hear me out. I was investigating a story, and yes, things got out of hand... but I never intended to hurt you or your family. I hadn’t even turned—"
"Intentions don’t matter now, do they?" Antonio's voice cracked with emotion.
"The damage is done. My father was arrested for something he didn’t do. Did you even bother to hear the full story before running your mouth to the public? Our company’s reputation took a hit—all because of your article."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." My voice trembled. I couldn’t seem to get the right words out. Seeing the article on the news with my name attached—alongside the recording—had shocked me too. I’d even told Thompson I wasn’t going to turn it in, knowing full well it would cost me my job. "I swear, Antonio, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wasn’t the—"
"Didn’t mean to hurt me?" Antonio echoed, his words laced with pain.
"You destroyed me, Kendra. I thought you were different, but everything between us was a lie. You used me to get to my family, teamed up with the person you know I detest the most. I’ll never forgive you for that."
"Antonio, no! I promise, I—"
"Don’t." His voice was firm, final. "Just stop. I see it all now—the way you avoided talking about your other job, your reaction to Eve... It was all a setup. A well-thought-out plan from the start. I was the idiot to believe love existed. Thanks for bringing me back to reality."
"Antonio, please." My voice was barely a whisper. My head spun, my thoughts crashing in all directions.
“There’s nothing left to say.” His voice was empty. “Don’t ever call this number again. It’s over.”
The line went dead.
"Antonio?" I called softly, as if saying his name could undo the damage.
Only silence answered.
I stood frozen, phone still pressed to my ear as tears streamed down my face. Tina’s gentle touch on my shoulder brought me back to reality.
"Kendra, did he hang up?" she asked softly.
I nodded, unable to speak as the tears continued to flow.
Tina's expression hardened. "We can’t just sit here and do nothing. We need to find out how that story got out."
"I don’t know," I whispered, wiping my tears.
"Think, Kendra. Who else has access to your laptop?" Tina pressed.
"No one," I shook my head. "It’s password-protected. Only I have the password."
Tina narrowed her eyes. "Someone must have gotten access. That article was finished too professionally for it to have been hacked randomly. It had to be someone in your office."
I sighed. "You’re right. I need to talk to Thompson."
We walked to my department together, whispers trailing us as I headed straight for Thompson’s office. My colleagues’ eyes followed me, and I nearly collided with Anne and Peter as they exited the office.
"Hey, Kendra, what’s wrong?" Peter asked, his face full of concern.
Anne snickered. "Looks like someone’s in trouble."
I ignored her, pushing past them toward Thompson's door.
Tina was already grilling my colleagues, making threats we both knew she had no way of keeping.
I knocked on Thompson's door.
"Come in."
I took a deep breath before stepping inside.
“Kendra! Just the person I wanted to see. Congratulations on the story—it’s a hit.”
"Who sent you the news, sir?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
Thompson’s face shifted from excitement to confusion. "Is this a joke?"
His expression grew serious as he saw my swollen eyes. "Miss Ryan, what’s going on?"
"Please, just answer the question," I pressed, uncaring if I sounded rude.
The worst he could do was fire me, but losing my job was nothing compared to losing Antonio. I'd step on all the toes I had to as long as I cleared things up with Antonio. Even if he didn't want to be with me anymore, I couldn't let him believe I betrayed him.
Thompson furrowed his brow. "I received it from your official work email late last night. I assumed you sent it."
"I didn’t." I held his gaze, my voice firm.
He shrugged. "Well, you’ve been working on that story for months, and now it’s finally out. What’s the issue?"
I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my anger in check. "It matters to me. I didn’t want that article published."
"Well, it’s done now." Thompson's tone was dismissive.
I turned and left without another word. Whoever sent that story wasn’t him—but it was one of two people. Peter knew my password, and Anne... she was desperate enough.
Tina followed me closely. "Any luck?"
"No. He says it came from my office email, so it must’ve been sent from my laptop."
"What’s next?"
"I need to figure out who had access to it."
We headed to the security office to review the CCTV footage. The officer on duty wasn’t cooperative.
"You need permission from the MD or at least your department head," he repeated, growing irritated by my persistence.
Tina stepped in, flashing him a knowing smile. "Kendra, give us a moment."
I raised an eyebrow but stepped outside as she’d asked. Moments later, Tina opened the door and ushered me back in.
"How did you manage that?" I whispered.
Tina chuckled. "Long story. Let’s just say I’ve been here long enough to know things."
We scanned the footage from the last 24 hours, focusing on when I wasn’t in the office. Then, we saw it—Anne, using my laptop.
Fury surged through me.
I stormed out, Tina following behind.
“Kendra, breathe…” Tina called out, trying to calm me. But I just kept marching.
"Anne!" I yelled, charging toward her.
Heads turned as I approached, my voice echoing through the office.
“What right did you have to send in that story?”
Anne sneered. "The one you refused to send because you were sleeping with your subject?"
I didn’t even realize I’d slapped her until I saw her hand fly to her cheek, now glowing red.
Peter rushed forward, holding Anne back while Tina stepped in front of me, smiling even as she urged me to calm down.
Thompson stormed out of his office, his eyes blazing. "Kendra, what is this nonsense?"
"She slapped me!" Anne screeched.
"And I’d do it again if we weren’t in this building."
"Enough!" Thompson bellowed. "Anne, did you send Kendra’s story?"
She hesitated but finally muttered, "Yes, sir."
"Going through someone else’s property is unacceptable, Thompson told Anne.You’re suspended for two weeks. Pack your things."
Anne’s mouth opened in protest, but Thompson silenced her with a raised hand. "One more word, and it'll be a month."
Then, he turned to me. "Miss Ryan, the same goes for you. Physical violence won’t be tolerated. Take your grievances to HR."
He looked through the faces of my colleagues who were still just standing around. “The rest of you, get back to work…now!” He thundered.
I didn’t bother responding. Tina grabbed my purse, and we left together.
***
Seven days had passed since Antonio hung up on me, and my world was crumbling. I spent every waking moment trying to reach him, but he remained elusive—
I’d tried everything. Countless calls went to voicemail, my texts were ignored, and emails unopened. Visits to his apartment resulted in hours of waiting, with no sign of him. Even Jake blocked me after I tried reaching out through him.
My days blurred together as I sat outside Antonio's apartment, hours upon hours, days after days… tears streaming down my face.
I was sitting outside Antonio’s door once again, tears streaming down my face as I tried to convince myself not to go to his family estate. They’d shown me so much love, and I’d ruined everything.
My phone rang. It was the private detective I’d hired.
"Miss Ryan, I’ve sent the documents you requested regarding Eve Michaelson. You should receive them shortly."
I found it funny that even after the divorce, she had held onto the Michaelson last name. It probably opened more doors than her manipulative brain could.
"Thank you," I replied, already eager to see what he’d found.
I quickly returned to my apartment to review the documents. As I scanned through them, a small smile tugged at my lips—the first time I’d smiled in days.
I texted Tina, asking her to come over after work. I’d need backup for what I was about to do.
Then, I dialed Eve’s number.
"Hello?" Eve’s voice was cool, detached.
"Eve, it’s Kendra. We need to talk."
Eve paused. "What could you possibly want to discuss?"
I could hear the anger in her voice, and she had every reason to be upset. Her plan to ruin George had backfired spectacularly—his public revelations had dragged her reputation through the mud.
But what she didn’t know was that I’d uncovered something much worse.