Chapter 5 - The Fall of Damian Cross
At ten o'clock sharp, Damian Cross walked into the glass executive suite on the forty-fifth floor of Sterling North Capital.
He had spent the entire night sweating in his apartment, trying to convince himself that Alexander Sterling’s announcement at the gala had been a mistake—or a cruel practical joke. Ava Knox couldn't possibly be engaged to the richest man in the city. She was a nobody!
"Damian," his manager, Marcus, called out from his corner office, gesturing coldly for him to step inside.
Damian adjusted his tie, trying to maintain his usual confident posture. "Morning, Marcus. Listen, about that incident at the gala last night—there was a huge misunderstanding with Mr. Sterling—"
"Save it, Damian," Marcus interrupted, throwing a thick paper folder onto the desk. "You're fired."
Damian stopped dead in his tracks. "What? Fired?! You can't fire me! I’m the lead analyst on the Langford real-estate merger!"
"Not anymore," Marcus said flatly. "An hour ago, corporate security flagged your company card. You’ve been expensing private dinners, weekend resort rentals, and luxury jewelry under client entertainment for the last ninety days. Total amount: ninety-four thousand dollars."
Damian went white as paper. "That... those were legitimate client expenses!"
"Save your lies for the district attorney," Marcus sneered, standing up and pointing toward the door. "Two detectives from the NYPD financial crimes unit are waiting for you in the lobby down on the ground floor. Pack your desk."
"No! This is because of her!" Damian screamed, his face twisting in rage. "This is because of Ava!"
"It's because you're a thief, Cross," Marcus snapped. "And you picked a fight with the wrong man's woman."
Two heavy corporate security guards stepped into the office, grabbing Damian by his arms and dragging him out through the open bullpen. Dozens of his former colleagues stared, whispered, and took photos on their phones as the disgraced analyst was marched toward the elevator.
Down in the main lobby, a crowd had gathered near the entrance doors.
As the security guards escorted Damian out into the street, a sleek white Bentley pulled up to the curb. The chauffeur stepped out and held the door open.
Ava Knox stepped out onto the sidewalk, dressed in a breathtaking lavender coat, holding a leather handbag. Beside her stood Alexander Sterling, his hand resting possessively on her waist.
Damian broke free from the guards' grip, rushing toward the curb, his eyes wild with desperation.
"Ava!" Damian yelled, his voice cracking. "Ava, tell him to stop! You know I didn't mean it last night! I was drunk! Tell him to drop the charges!"
Ava stopped. She slowly turned around, looking at the man she had once given four years of her life to.
She looked at his disheveled hair, his wrinkled suit, and the utter desperation in his eyes. For six months, she had wondered what she would say if she ever saw him on his knees.
Now, standing beside Alexander, she felt no hatred. She felt no anger. She felt only profound pity.
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"You told me six months ago that I didn't fit into your future, Damian," Ava said, her voice cool, calm, and completely distant. "You were right. I belong in a much bigger one."
Alexander didn't say a word. He simply placed his hand against the small of Ava’s back, guiding her past the flashing news cameras toward the high-end boutique across the street, leaving Damian to be handcuffed by two police officers in front of the entire financial district.
