I SET A TRAP AND YOU TWO STUMBLED INTO IT LIKE LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER

A low hiss escaped Dahlia's lips as she gingerly touched her stinging cheek, her fingers grazing over the skin as she swallowed her indignation.

Violet, unable to contain her protective instincts, started to move forward, intent on shielding her boss from further harm. But Gael's hand shot out, catching her by the arm with a gentle but firm grip, silently conveying the wisdom of restraint.

Mrs. Sinclair, her venomous gaze fixed upon Dahlia, continued her verbal assault, oblivious to the growing crowd that surrounded them.

"You think you can just waltz in here and take what's rightfully mine? You have another thing coming, you little viper." Mrs. Sinclair spat, her words laced with a vitriol that seemed to seep into the air itself. "A thief like you should know her place." She retorted, the fury in her words rising like a hot flame. "Don't act like you own this company, because you don't. You're just a parasite, sucking the life out of it."