Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Chapter 143: Facing The Blackmailer Head On

"Oh, don't stop on my account."

Nicole walked fully into the office, her voice laced with subtle sarcasm and mockery.

I refused to give her the pleasure of my attention. Instead, I zeroed in on Adrian- the cause of this mess, the reason I was now stuck in this unpleasant moment with her.

And knowing Nicole, she would never let me hear the end of it.

Meanwhile, Adrian stumbled back, the smugness in his expression fading into regret. His hands lifted in surrender. "Claire, I-"

"Have you lost your fucking mind?" My voice trembled with fury. "How dare you kiss me after I explicitly told you to leave me alone?"

Adrian stepped closer, reaching out as if to touch me-but I lifted my hands, stopping him in his tracks.

"Don't you ever come near me again or pull another stupid stunt like that!"

Nicole scoffed. "Oh, quit pretending. I caught you both kissing passionately, and now that you have an audience, you want to act like Miss Innocent?"

<

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to lash out at her, to tear into her with every ounce of anger burning inside me. But I reminded myself-this was my office, and the last thing I needed was to make an even biggernoveldrama

scene.

firmer.

Just as I opened my mouth to put Nicole in her place, Adrian's voice cut through the tension-louder,

"Nicole, mind your business and stay the fuck out of this."

Nicole turned to him, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Adrian, you're pathetic. She treats you like garbage, and you just take it. She literally just slapped you for a kiss I'm sure she wanted-but of course, here she is, playing the righteous act. Acting like she doesn't crave the attention, just so you'll keep chasing her like a damn fool."

"Shut up, Nicole! You have no idea what you're talking about," Adrian snapped. "I crossed the line by kissing Clairessa without her consent, and I'm trying to own up to it-trying to make things right. So why don't you do us all a favor and leave?"

I shot him a glare. "Adrian, I don't need you to speak for me," I bit out, rejecting

his hypocritical defense- especially when he was the one who had started this

entire mess. Did he really think telling off the woman he had dragged into our lives would somehow erase what he'd done?

again."

"Claire, I'm sorry," he pleaded. "None of this should have happened. Please, forgive me. It will never happen

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Why are you begging her to forgive you?" she sneered. "Adrian, she broke up with you, and now she's playing you-acting all innocent. Why can't you see through this act?"

"Nicole," Adrian growled, his voice dark with warning. "Stay out of this. I won't tell you again."

But Nicole wasn't done.

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"I will not! I'm going to protect you because I care about you. Despite how you dumped me for her, I still care!" Her voice rose with emotion. "Those months we spent together–the passionate nights, the secret meetings, everything-we were happy! It was the best time of my life!"

Adrian's expression hardened. "Shut the fuck up, Nicole, or I swear to God... I'll make you." His tone was deadly. "And for your information-those months were nothing but a mistake. One I've regretted every single day. A mistake that cost me what matters most... Clairessa."

I watched in silence as the drama unfolded, disgusted by how shameless they both were.

Nicole had no shame-none at all. During the Gemia project, I'd let bygones be bygones, hoping her apology meant she had changed. But now, I saw the truth. It had all been an act-a calculated move to get ahead. She was just as conniving as ever, proud of being the other woman, practically throwing herself at Adrian despite his clear rejection.

As for Adrian? His words did nothing to redeem him in my eyes. He called their affair a mistake, but he hadn't denied their secret meetings-after lying, over and over, that it had only happened once. Though I had always known the truth. And that alone told me everything I needed to know.

Now, he stood there with his empty words and rehearsed regret, as if a few insincere apologies could undo the damage he had done.

I was done with the back and forth. His chapter in my life was over, and I no

longer had to deal with him- or Nicole.

"Adrian." My voice was firm, drawing both their attention to me.

Good. Let them listen closely.

"Take your little side piece over here"-I gestured to Nicole-"and get the hell out of

my

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office."

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Chapter 143: Facing The Blackmailer Head On

"Claire-" His face twisted with shame. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-

"Yes, you shouldn't have. But you did, I cut him off, my voice cold. "Because you're just a rich, entitled boy who thinks he can have whatever he wants whenever he pleases. Now, get out."

Nicole stepped closer, trailing a hand down his chest. "I was more than a side piece, and you damn well know it," she purred.

Adrian caught her wrist mid-action, his glare so vicious it sent a wave of satisfaction through me. "You were a mistake I'll never make again.*

Nicole's face contorted with rage. "You foolish boy," she hissed. "Treating me like this because of her? You have no idea how good we could have been together."

Adrian's expression hardened. "I never want to find out." Then his gaze darted to mine, a faint, almost resigned smile tugging at his lips. "Have a good day, Clairessa." And with that, he walked out.

I exhaled, finally rid of him.

But Nicole remained.

I turned to her, crossing my arms. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go run after

him like the pathetic little puppy you are."

wire.

Nicole's eyes darkened. Instead of leaving, she marched straight to my desk, her fury burning like a live

"I should show these men exactly who you are. And I will make you pay for speaking to me this way."

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Chapter 143: Facing The Blackmailer Head On

I squared my shoulders. "I don't take kindly to threats.

"Oh, this isn't a threat. It's a promise."

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Does Adrian know?" she

purred. "That you're also fucking his father?"

My stomach dropped.

Her smirk widened. "And does Mr. Storm know you're fucking his son?"

I clenched my fists. “Nicole, you're insane, and you need to stay out of my personal life. After all, no one is going to believe your made-up stories."

I gritted my teeth, fighting the panic bubbling inside me. The last thing I wanted was for her to sense my fear-to know she had any power over me. Even if, deep down, I was shaking.

"Maybe I am," she mused, letting out a chilling laugh. "Your personal life is none of my business, right? But since it involves my Adrian, you made it my business."

A lump formed in my throat.

"You think you're untouchable, don't you?" Nicole's gaze swept over me, her irritation shifting into disdain. "Sleeping with both father and son. Do you really believe you can have both men at your feet without consequences?"

"Get out," I commanded, standing my ground. I had faced bullies like her before, and the only way to shut them down was to show them you weren't a pushover. If they barked, you roared.

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Nicole hummed, tapping a manicured nail against her lip. "Miss virtuous innocence.." She tilted her head, smiling wickedly. "I wonder what Mr. Storm will

do when he finds out about your little affair with his-"

My blood ran cold.

She was blackmailing me.

Nicole's smirk grew more triumphant. "I own you now, Clairessa. And if you don't

start doing my bidding-like stepping aside on this new project-I'll make sure your

dirty little secret gets out."

I let the silence stretch between us, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.

Then, slowly, I took a step closer, meeting her head-on.

"You could never own me, no matter how much you scheme."

Nicole's smirk faltered.

"And if you want to be the star of a project, earn it," I continued, my voice confident. "Prove you're the best with your work. Not with cheap blackmail. Now, go to hell. And before you do-shut my door."

Her fingers tightened around her phone, knuckles white. But she said nothing.

With a huff of frustration, she turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind

her.

I gripped the edge of my desk as my chest tightened, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps.

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Chapter 143: Facing The Blackmailer Head On

Nicole was surely going to tell Gabriel.

And my life would be over.