Chapter 85: The Begining of The Fall
Liam’s POV
After days of avoiding Guerrero’s calls, I finally deemed myself fit to return to the office. The seclusion of my mansion had become unbearable—reporters camping outside, jobless people driving by to throw trash at my gate, vandals spray-painting obscenities on my property. With each passing day since Diane’s interview, the public’s hatred had grown more tangible, more vicious.
I adjusted my Tom Ford tie in the rearview mirror as Thomas, my driver, pulled up to the Synergy Sphere building. The reflection that stared back at me looked composed, powerful—a careful illusion I’d perfected over years. Only the shadows beneath my eyes betrayed the turmoil beneath.
"I’ll call when I’m ready to leave," I told Thomas, stepping out into the crisp morning air.
As I strode through the lobby, conversations halted. Employees averted their eyes, their whispers following me like ghosts. Let them talk. Let them wonder. I was still Liam Ashton, and this was still my company.
"What?" I snapped at a group of analysts who were staring too openly. They flinched, scattering like startled birds. Power surged through me at their reaction—at least here, I could still command fear.
The elevator ride to the executive floor was mercifully empty. When the doors opened, my secretary Vanessa nearly collided with me, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Mr. Ashton!" she exclaimed, clutching a tablet to her chest. "We weren’t expecting you today."
"Clearly," I replied dryly, brushing past her toward my office.
She hurried after me, her heels clicking rapidly against the marble floor. "Sir, Mr. Guerrero has been calling repeatedly. He insisted that I inform him immediately if you came in—"
"And?" I interrupted, not breaking stride.