Chapter 279
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Chapter 279:
Inside the executive office of the Wolfe Hotel, the climate control kept the air perfectly warm. Jocelyn sat behind her heavy glass desk, staring at a spreadsheet on her monitor — trying to use the dense financial data to quiet the lingering, chaotic flutter in her stomach left over from the weekend.
A sharp knock broke her concentration. Carmen Golden, the hotel’s CFO, shoved the glass door open with uncharacteristic force. She was slightly out of breath, her usual immaculate composure visibly fractured.
“Jocelyn, we have a breach,” Carmen said, locking the door behind her. “It’s Kieran Douglas. He’s on the executive floor. He used an old service elevator code from when his family consulted on the initial construction — he bypassed lobby security completely. They’re on their way up, but he’s already here p>
Before Jocelyn could reply, a commotion erupted in the hallway outside.
“Sir, you cannot go in there!” The receptionist’s panicked voice cut through the glass walls. “Security is on the way p>
The heavy glass door was shoved open with violent force and slammed against the wall stopper.
Kieran Douglas stood in the doorway. He looked feral. His expensive suit was wrinkled, his hair disheveled, his eyes wide and bloodshot. He brought a wave of cold, frantic energy into the room.
Carmen stepped sideways immediately, placing herself between Kieran and Jocelyn’s desk. “Mr. Douglas, this is a private executive office. You are trespassing p>
Kieran ignored her entirely. His manic eyes locked onto Jocelyn with the desperation of a drowning man spotting a life raft.
“Jocelyn, come with me,” he pleaded, taking a step forward, his hands trembling as he reached toward her. “I know I was wrong — about everything. About the attic, about Aspen. I was completely blind. I made a horrific mistake and I have ruined everything. Please. Just give me one chance to make it up to you p>
Jocelyn let out a short, sharp laugh of pure disbelief. “Carmen, go get the security guards p>
𝘙𝘰𝗆𝖺𝗇се 𝘢𝘯𝗱 𝗉𝗮𝘀s𝗂o𝗇 𝘰𝘯
Carmen nodded and slipped past Kieran, moving quickly down the hallway.
Jocelyn stood. She did not retreat. She planted both hands on the glass desk and stared at Kieran with absolute zero warmth. “Is your brain damaged from the car crash, Kieran p>
“I broke the engagement!” Kieran rushed forward, pressing his hands onto the opposite edge of her desk. “I know you were the girl in the attic! I know what Aspen did. I should have been the one to protect you. I saved you that day p>
“You saved me,” Jocelyn said, her voice dropping to a lethal, quiet hiss, “and then you spent the next two years pushing me back into hell so you could play hero to my abuser p>
Kieran went pale. The truth landed hard, but his delusion was stronger. He played his final, desperate card.
“Gaston is gay!” Kieran’s voice cracked. “Everyone knows it! You cannot endure a loveless marriage forever, Jocelyn! You are only doing this for revenge. You won — you destroyed Aspen. Now you can come back to me p>
He reached across the desk, grabbing for her hand.
Jocelyn slapped it away with a loud, stinging crack. “Do not touch me. You are pathetic p>