Chapter 130: A Fool’s Victory
Chapter 130: A Fool’s Victory
Debbie arrived outside the towering office building and stood there for a few seconds. Her eyes lingered on the familiar glass entrance. Just looking at it made countless unpleasant memories resurface.
This was where she had spent years working. This was also where everything in her life had begun to fall apart.
Taking a deep breath, she tightened her grip on her handbag before walking inside.
The reception area was just as elegant as she remembered. Several employees glanced in her direction.
Some recognized her immediately. Their expressions became complicated. Whispers quietly spread across the lobby.
"...Isn’t that Debbie?"
"I thought she was fired." "Why is she back?"
Ignoring the curious stares around her, Debbie walked straight to the reception desk.
"I’d like to see Mr. Victor."
The receptionist looked up and instantly recognized her. Unlike the others, she didn’t make things difficult.
Everyone in the firm knew why Debbie had disappeared. Rumors had spread everywhere, but no one knew the full story.
Besides, Debbie had once been one of the firm’s most respected associates. Out of respect for her former position, the receptionist simply smiled politely.
"Please wait a moment."
She picked up the office phone and dialed the managing partner’s private extension. A few seconds later, the call connected.
"Mr. Victor."
"The former associate, Debbie..."
"...is here to see you."
There was a brief silence. Then... Victor slowly leaned back in his leather chair.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
...Debbie?
Ever since she had joined the firm as an intern, Victor had been obsessed with her. He had spent years trying to get close to her.
Subtle hints. Expensive gifts. Private dinners. Career promises.
When none of those worked... He resorted to threats. And when she still refused... He personally made sure she lost everything.
He had always believed that sooner or later, reality would break her pride. Women like Debbie always came back eventually. They all did.
But... He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. The smile on Victor’s face grew wider.
"Send her in." He hung up the phone.
The moment the call ended, Victor practically jumped out of his chair. He began pacing around the office with visible excitement, unable to hide the grin on his face.
"So..." "You finally came crawling back."
"I knew you would."
His confidence swelled. In his mind, Debbie had finally accepted reality. She had nowhere else to go.
And today... She was coming to beg him.
Downstairs, the receptionist looked at Debbie.
"Mr. Victor will see you now."
Debbie nodded softly. "...Thank you."
As she walked toward the executive floor, her heartbeat grew faster with every step. Although Chloe had carefully explained the plan several times... She was still nervous.
Victor wasn’t an easy man to deal with. One wrong move... And everything could fall apart.
Taking another deep breath, Debbie stopped outside the luxurious office.
She stared at the polished wooden door for several seconds. Then... She slowly raised her hand. Knock. Knock.
Debbie froze the moment she heard the familiar voice. That calm, confident tone... She had hoped she would never have to hear it again.
It brought back every unpleasant memory she had tried so hard to bury. Taking a steadying breath, she slowly pushed open the office door and stepped inside.
The office was as luxurious as ever.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline. Expensive paintings decorated the walls. A massive mahogany desk sat in the center of the room.
Behind it... Victor was already staring at her.
The moment Debbie entered, his eyes lit up. His gaze slowly traveled from head to toe without the slightest attempt to hide it.
It lingered on her figure with open greed, making Debbie feel as though she were being stripped apart under his eyes.
The look was so invasive that it made her skin crawl.
She resisted the urge to frown. Instead, she quietly walked to the chair opposite his desk and sat down, keeping her expression as calm as possible.
Victor slowly rose from his chair. He rested both hands on the edge of his desk, studying her with an amused smile.
For several long seconds, he said nothing. Then, with a smile that made Debbie uncomfortable, he finally spoke.
"So..." "To what do I owe this visit?"
"How can I help you?"
Debbie met his eyes. "I came because..."
"I’d like my job back."
The smile on Victor’s face widened immediately. Exactly as he had expected. She had come back. He slowly walked around the desk, deliberately taking his time.
Every step reflected the confidence of someone who believed he had already won.
"I see..."
"I suppose life outside hasn’t been very kind to you."
He folded his arms and looked down at her. "If you want your position back..."
"You already know there are conditions."
Debbie looked at him calmly. "What conditions?" Her tone was steady. As a lawyer, she knew she needed him to say everything himself.
The more he talked... The better.
Victor chuckled.
"Oh?"
"You’re pretending you don’t remember?"
"I think you know exactly what I’m talking about."
Debbie didn’t answer. She simply looked at him. Victor seemed to mistake her silence for hesitation.
The excitement in his eyes grew stronger. He stepped closer until he was standing beside her chair.
Without asking permission, he placed one hand lightly on her shoulder. Debbie’s body stiffened instantly.
Every instinct told her to push him away. But she remembered Chloe’s instructions. No matter what happened... Stay calm.
Victor leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "You don’t have to keep pretending anymore."
"If you agree to stay by my side..."
"I’ll make sure you never have to worry about money or your career again." His lips curved into a smug smile.
"And from now on..."
"You’ll belong to me."
Debbie clenched her fists beneath the table to keep herself from reacting. After a brief silence, she forced herself to nod. "...Okay."
Victor’s eyes widened with delight. For a moment, he could hardly believe what he had heard. Then he burst into laughter.
"I knew you’d make the right decision."
Without wasting another second, he walked back to his desk and grabbed the office phone.
Still grinning from ear to ear, he dialed an internal extension.
"HR?"
"Yes."
"Prepare the paperwork."
"I’m bringing Debbie back."
"And terminate the associate currently occupying her office."
"Effective immediately."
After hanging up, Victor leaned back in his chair with a look of complete satisfaction.