Page 84 of Dirty Play

“Oh my god,” I whisper, knowing exactly what follows.

I can feel the weight of Rowan’s stare, feel the anger crackling off him like a goddamn wildfire.

“Since when do we have fucking cameras in the stretching rooms?” He turns back to Christina, his voice eerily calm.

“The cameras were installed upon request.” Christina’s lips press into a thin line.

“Whose request?” Rowan’s fingers flex against his thighs like he’s holding himself back from putting his fist through the desk.

Christina exhales slowly like she’s been waiting for this part.

“Funny you should ask,” she says, clicking her pen before leveling us with a look. “The same person who reported you two to HR.”

“Name, Christina,” Rowan barks.

“I can’t give it to you, Rowan. You know that.” Christina shakes her head before turning the laptop back toward her.

The shock is quickly swallowed by pure, consuming humiliation.

My career. My reputation. It’s all about to be ripped out from under me because of the mansitting next to me, because he wanted me gone. Because I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

I knew this was coming, but actually hearing it, having it laid out in front of me like a signed death sentence, it makes me feel like I’m free-falling.

Christina clears her throat. “Livia, I understand this is difficult, but the clause is ironclad. I’m afraid—”

“Don’t.” Rowan’s voice is like a warning shot. He looks like he’s about to murder someone.

“Rowan…” Christina hesitates.

“You think you can fire her over this?” His laugh is sharp, dark. “When the cameras were installed without our knowledge? Do you realize how many laws that breaks? Privacy violations? Unlawful surveillance?”

Christina doesn’t flinch. “Rowan, those are valid concerns, but that doesn’t change the fact that Livia signed a contract. She was aware of the clause when she accepted the job.”

Rowan shakes his head, jaw tightening.

But my mind is elsewhere. This is it. I’ll have to go back home, beg my parents to let me work on their farm, and try to forget about this chapter of my life. This will get out, and no one will ever hire me again.

“So that’s it?” His voice drops. “You’re firing us over some pixelated footage of us stretching?”

Stretching.

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.

“What?” He looks at me, eyes sharp.

“This isn’t about you, Rowan,” Christina says, straightening. “There’s no moral clause in your contract. This is about Ms. Moody. You just needed to be present since you’re involved as well.”

The message is loud and clear. I’m the only one who will bear the consequences of this. I’m the only one who has to leave. I feel relief despite myself. I don’t want to drag Rowan down with me. He’s worked way too hard for this to be fired over a rookie PR who didn’t follow the rules. But God, it hurts.

I finally turn to him. My voice is steady, even though my chest is caving in.

“I broke the rules.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I knew the consequences.”

“No.” Rowan shakes his head. “No, that’s not how this goes.” His eyes burn into mine.

I inhale sharply, keeping my expression neutral, trying not to break as I look back at Christina.

“How long do I have to pack up my things?”

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