Ezren led Mrs Rivers and Samantha into Vladimir's office,
"They're here sir" He informed, politely.
Mrs Rivers, who had been brave earlier, turned quiet as a cold chill ran down her spine at the sight of him, even with his back turned. The room suddenly felt so cold and suffocating, and she fought the urge to plead for forgiveness and flee with Samantha.
"G–Good day Mr Vaelmont..." Mrs Rivers greeted, nervously.
"Good day sir" Samantha greeted, softly.
Samantha's curious gaze lingered on the man's broad shoulders and strong back. Though she had never stepped into his office or met him in person before but she had watched him on TV and in the news countless times. No one needed to tell her what he looked like, he must be even more handsome in real life!
Pushing the door open Hazel stepped in, she was quite surprised seeing Samantha and a middle aged woman there too.
As soon as Samantha saw Hazel, a scowl crossed her face. She tilted her chin upward with pride, holding her head high.
Slowly, Vladimir swiveled his chair, his dark gaze settling on the people gathered in the room.
Samantha felt her cheek heat up when his gaze met hers, what a handsome man!
His cold demeanor and commanding aura make her feel an irresistible urge to strip for him.
The thought of Vladimir firing Hazel because of her made Samantha smile, a sugary warmth blooming inside her.
Hazel bowed slightly at Vladimir but refused to meet his gaze which was fixed intently on her.
"Hazel.... Mrs Rivers here complained of you fighting her daughter to the point of almost chopping off her fingers..?" Vladimir retorted, lazily and raised a brow.
Hazel stared at Vladimir surprised.
She wasn't trying to chop off her fingers...!
"Yes sir " Hazel forced out a reply.
"Tsk, tsk. You just started working here and you're already causing problems for me..."
She heard him mutter tiredly.
Is he going to fire her?
With this thought, Hazel grew nervous.
"I– I didn't mean to do it, i only did it for self defense when she tried to hit me..." Hazel stammered.
"Shut your dirty mouth you—
"Mrs Rivers..!" Vladimir cuts her off coldly as her words died down.
"I got the dress first but she did tried to snatch it from me, I tried walking away but she pulled me back, cussed at me and tried to hit me so I did what was necessarily needed " Hazel said, calmly.
"Mrs Rivers, perhaps you should stop pampering your daughter and instead teach her how to stop snatching other people's belongings... only thieves do that," Hazel added calmly, her gaze fixed on Samantha.
Mrs Rivers face flushed red with embarrassment while Samantha gritted her teeth in fury, fighting the urge to gouge out Hazel's eyes.
Vladimir's lips curved in a faint, amused smirk.
"Lies! I saw it first! " Samantha fired, angrily.
"Thankfully I was able to have my men get the CCTV footages. Kael..." Vladimir said, signalling Kael to put on the TV.
Of course they wouldn't find anything, she had already arranged for someone to tamper with it.
Still, Samantha couldn't help feeling nervous.
Of course his ears didn't miss the sudden skip of Samantha's heartbeat which made him to release a serene smile.
Kael switched on the TV and played the video. They all watched from the beginning to the ending, how Samantha had snatched the gown from Hazel, having her girls to praise her while they mocked Hazel.
Even when she tried to leave, Samantha had pulled her back by her hair and cussed at her. Samantha did tried to struck Hazel but she bit down hard on Samantha's palm.
Samantha's eyes widened as she staggered backward..... But she had arranged for someone to...
How?
Mrs Rivers felt ashamed and embarrassed, she quickly went on her knees.
"I'm so sorry sir... I– I didn't know that Samantha was the one who initiated the fight... " Mrs Rivers pleaded, fearfully.
"No... Lies! I'm sure the video was Forged, this bitch here is only trying to set me up!" Samantha said, desperately.
"Like the way you set me up in school? Do you think I'm as cruel as you, framing innocent people just for fun? " Hazel questioned with a slight chuckle.
"Samantha quickly apologize to Hazel!" Mrs Rivers urged, fear and panic lace in her tone.
Samantha shook her head stubbornly, refusing to admit the wrongs she did.
Vladimir stood up slowly, taking long and steady strides towards Samantha, he stared down at her as though she was an ant beneath him.
"I hate it when people try to lie to me, especially when I know the truth already.." Vladimir stated, coldly.
His commanding presence forced Samantha to bow her head, tears welling in her eyes.
"I– I'm so sorry.... I.. I did it. I was the one who caused her trouble first" Samantha stammered, her voice trembling.
"I wasn't the one you wronged little girl, go to her, get on your knees and apologize properly to her" Vladimir stated, his voice cold and commanding.
Hazel stared at Vladimir's back, shocked.
Isn't it too much?
Samantha quickly ran to where Hazel stood and went on her knees,
"I'm so sorry Hazel.... I won't do it again please forgive me" Samantha sobbed.
"It's okay " Hazel replied, slowly.
"Thanks so much Mr–
"You and your daughter can get out now" Vladimir said dryly, cutting Mrs Rivers off. He strode to his chair, and plopped down into it with lazy ease.
"Samantha.." Mrs Rivers called out, slightly embarrassed. Samantha angrily stormed out of the room as Mrs Rivers followed behind.
The room turned silent as a graveyard which felt awkward.
"Thank you so much sir for your help, I'll take my leave–
"I never did asked you to leave yet... Hazel Morgan " Vladimir interrupted, coldly.
Hazel froze.
"Mrs Morgan, you seem to be quite in a hurry. You don't want to even thank me properly... how sad." Vladimir said with a serene smile which made him look like a devil.
"H–How do you want me to thank you sir...?" Hazel asked nervously as her innocent gaze met his.
Ezren chuckled inwardly.
Vladimir was known to be tricky and cunning, but the girl had no idea she was walking straight into the devil's trap.
"Kael... " Vladimir called out, calmly.
Kael shot Ezren a quick look, and together they left the room, leaving only Hazel and Vladimir behind.
"You were bold earlier but now you look so scared, just like a mouse being chased by a cat. Don't be scared, I'm not going to eat you up" Vladimir said with a short laughter.
"You dropped out of Wexford college?" He asked, his sharp gaze piercing her skin.
"No... I was suspended for two weeks" Hazel mumbled slightly surprised.
"What did you do?" Vladimir asked as his lazy gaze met her surprised one.
"I–I did nothing. Samantha threw a party outside the school and framed me for it" Hazel replied slowly and saw how his gaze darkened.
But why all this question? It shouldn't concern him right?
"If that is all, I would like to take my leave now sir" Hazel said, calmly.
"Hmm."
Hearing him hum in response, she turned on her heel to leave.
"You remember everything that happened that night... don't you? " Vladimir asked, his voice cold and dangerously low.
With a sudden skip of her heartbeat, Vladimir's lips curved into a cunning smile.
He had already gotten his answer.