Angela's POV
I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the anger rising inside me. "Ian deserved it," I snapped.
Victoria let out a soft laugh. "Deserved or not, that's not for you to decide. Rules only apply to people with power. And you and your little friend?"
"So because we don't have power, we're not allowed to stand up for what's right?" I shot back.
"I've heard about your father's company," she continued smoothly. "You know how easy it is to destroy something that's already hanging by a thread, don't you?"
I froze. "Are you threatening me?"
"Threatening you? No, I'm just showing you reality. In this world, the weak only survive when they know their place. But you and your friend crossed a line, and you had the nerve to mess with my family."
I opened my mouth to fire back, but she cut me off.
"But I'm feeling generous, Angela. I'm giving you a chance. Tomorrow, you testify as the victim. Think it through. The one who almost assaulted you was Aaron. Ian only stepped in to save you. You tell that story...and you save your family."
My stomach twisted hearing something that disgusting come out of her mouth. "You want me to frame Aaron?" My voice rose, outrage breaking through the fear.
Victoria lifted a brow, that thin smile stretching wider. "Reality isn't as black-and-white as you think. Do what I ask, and the Bennett family will help keep Jones Corporation from collapsing. And when your mother wakes up, she won't be greeted by the ruins of her life."
My breath hitched. Her words sank into me like ice, making my heart pound even harder.
"But if you don't," she added, brows lifting, eyes full of confidence, "then prepare to watch your family fall apart."
Victoria slipped a business card from her wallet and held it out to me. "Think carefully, Angela. If you change your mind, you can reach me anytime."
She turned to leave, but paused just long enough to throw one last line over her shoulder. "Sometimes, to gain something big, you have to sacrifice the small things."
With that arrogant stride of hers, Victoria walked away. I stared at her fading silhouette, my hand shaking as I clutched the card.
I wanted to tear it into shreds, scatter it across the floor, anything to erase her threat. No. I wouldn't betray Aaron. But fear clawed at me. I couldn't let my family be destroyed—not by the Bennetts.
Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. How did my life get to this point?
Time dragged painfully slow. Until the heavy creak of the operating room door made me lift my head.
A nurse stepped out of the ICU. "Are you family of Mrs. Jones?"
I shot to my feet and hurried over. "Yes, I'm her daughter. How is she?" I asked, my voice tight with worry.
"Dr. Smith is finishing her post-op notes," she said. "He'll meet you in his office shortly. I can take you there."
I nodded and followed the nurse to the doctor's office.
"Good afternoon, Miss Jones," Dr. Smith greeted as he walked in.
"Afternoon, Doctor," I replied quickly. "How's my mom? Did the surgery go well?"
"It went smoothly. We were able to clear the blockage in her main artery, and blood flow to her heart is stable now," he said with a reassuring smile.
I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me, even though the anxiety hadn't fully left. "Is she going to be okay?"
"She still needs close monitoring, but if there are no complications, her recovery should be good. We'll be watching her closely for the next 24 to 48 hours," he explained.
I nodded again, feeling slightly lighter. "Thank you, Doctor."
A while later, I was allowed into the ICU. The moment I saw Mom lying there with tubes connected to her body, my chest tightened. Her face was pale, drained of every trace of strength. I walked up and wrapped my hand around her cold one, trying to give her some warmth.
"Mom..." I whispered. "Please wake up. I need you."
I knew she couldn't hear me, but I kept talking anyway, hoping somehow she'd feel me there.
I barely slept last night. After Mom's surgery, my mind wouldn't stop spinning. Dad's company, Victoria Bennett's threat, and the disciplinary hearing at school this morning—all of it tangled inside my head.
The school had contacted Dad to inform him about the assault incident. The moment he heard, he looked terrified. He wanted to come to the hearing today, but I convinced him to focus on the company and Mom instead.
Now I was sitting in the school's disciplinary room. Principal Davies stared at me with sharp eyes, the long table between us feeling like a barrier.
Across the room, Ian sat with his mother, Victoria Bennett—calm and confident. Aaron was in another corner with his mom, Sarah. Both Aaron and Ian still had bruises from last night.
"Angela," Principal Davies finally said, breaking the silence. "We've received a report that you were almost assaulted. We need to hear directly from you. Who did this?"
My hands trembled in my lap. The memory hit me like a punch—Ian's cold stare, his rough hands, the fear choking me. And Aaron, who rushed in, stood up to him, and got beaten for it.
I lowered my head, my voice stuck in my throat. Everyone waited for my answer. I knew whatever came out of my mouth would change everything. Truth—which would destroy Dad's company and Mom's safety. Or a lie—which would destroy Aaron.
I looked at Aaron. At the bruises he earned protecting me. But if I told the truth, Victoria Bennett would crush my family without hesitation.
I clenched both my hands and forced myself to speak.