MAKE MISS SUE PAY

Chapter 11

Grace Lang's heels clicked angrily on the sleek tile floor of her mansion. Upon discovering that the woman she had seen with Atlas that fateful night now worked at his jewelry company, her rage simmered just below the surface. It seemed to Grace that this woman, Miss Sue, had cleverly manipulated the situation to her advantage, not only capturing Atlas's attention but also securing his favor. The fact that she now worked closely with Atlas was a bitter pill for Grace to swallow.

"How could you have been so reckless?" Grace's voice trembled with indignation.

Martin Smith, the middle-aged man standing before her, quaked with fear. He dare not refute her words, knowing that Grace was, in his eyes, Atlas Norton's partner. Even if Atlas himself had confronted him, Martin wouldn't have dared mention Grace's name.

"M-Miss Lang," Martin stuttered, "it was Jaxon Dale who approached me."

Grace's anger flared anew. If Jaxon was involved, it was likely Atlas was behind it, pulling the strings. Her mind racing, she wondered why Atlas would do such a thing. Was he falling for that woman? The bitter questions tormented Grace like a malevolent spirit.

Determined to make Miss Sue pay for her perceived transgressions, Grace's anger slowly gave way to a calculating calm. Seizing the opportunity, Martin Smith beat a hasty retreat.

As the night wore on, Riley found herself without a ride home, forcing her to accept Atlas's offer. Securing a taxi in Northdesh at such a late hour was nearly impossible. She gazed out the window, her eyes fixed on the vibrant cityscape, her calm demeanor belied by the faint furrowing of her eyebrows, a telltale sign of her underlying worry.

Atlas noticed her unease but chose not to press the issue, hoping that, given time, she might unravel the mystery of who had attempted to frame her. The silence between them was broken only by the soft beep of Riley's phone. A text from Hazel flashed on the screen: "It's late... Where are you?"

Riley and Hazel had planned to spend the night at Hazel's residence before Riley's return to the capital the following day. Not wanting to alarm her friend, Riley replied with a reassuring message: "I'm on my way. Will be there shortly."

As they approached Hazel Stewart's manor in Aquashire, Riley was struck by the unique architecture that seemed to be a hallmark of the area. The manor itself was an impressive structure, its design a testament to Hazel's refined taste.

As Riley stepped out of the vehicle, Atlas watched her retreating figure, his expression unreadable. Yet, beneath his reserved exterior, a maelstrom of emotions swirled, leaving him struggling to make sense of the turmoil that Riley's presence seemed to stir within him.

Atlas's authoritative voice filled the car. "Drive." Jaxon could sense his boss's foul mood, but he chose to let it slide. He was confident that Atlas would eventually come to terms with his emotions.

Meanwhile, Riley sat with Hazel, recounting the events of the day. Hazel's protective instincts kicked in, and her eyes blazed with anger as soon as Riley finished her story. "Who dared to cross you?" she exclaimed.

Riley, eager to avoid more trouble, decided to downplay the situation. "Atlas is handling it," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Hazel's expression softened slightly at the mention of Atlas's involvement. However, Riley soon regretted her words. Hazel's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Your husband is a true prince charming. It's no wonder every girl in Northdesh is smitten with him."

Hazel's comment stirred up mixed emotions in Riley. While Hazel perceived Atlas as doting on Riley, the reality was far from it. Atlas Norton's disdain for her was deep, and Riley couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider – this time, in her own marriage.

The next morning, Riley stepped into Norton Industries, her footsteps quiet on the marble floor. The reception area was abuzz with anxious employees, their worried glances flicking toward her. Riley's curiosity was piqued, but she didn't linger, instead making her way to the elevator.

On the upper floor, Jacklyn's desk was vacant, so Riley proceeded to her office. She had completed her designs and decided to present them to Atlas personally. With a gentle knock on the door, Atlas's commanding voice bade her enter.

As she stepped inside, the room seemed to grow colder. Riley sensed that Atlas's dark mood had affected the entire office. Moreover, she felt a troubling distance between them, leaving her wondering if she had inadvertently done something wrong.

Riley extended her hand, offering the file to Atlas. But in a sudden, shocking move, he grasped her arm, pulling her close. His strong, masculine arms enveloped her, his warm breath caressing her nose. Riley's body was pressed against his, sending a jolt of surprise through her.

In a fleeting moment of passion, Atlas's hands roamed her body, his caress igniting a spark within her. Riley's initial stiffness gave way to a soft, involuntary moan. The sound broke the spell, and she struggled to free herself from his grasp. However, Atlas's hold remained unyielding. And in a second, Atlas slammed his lips against hers, feeling the soft and smooth surface of her lips.

Riley's breathing grew labored as the prolonged kiss overwhelmed her. Desperate to break free, she bit down on Atlas's lip, drawing a hint of blood. Atlas's eyes flashed with a deadly intensity as he pinned Riley to the couch, rendering her unable to scream.

With calculated precision, Atlas produced a key from his pocket and forced it into Riley's hand. His gaze lingered on her swollen, crimson lips, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. Though visibly entranced, he continued, his voice low and husky, "Meet me at this condo at nine."

Riley's instincts screamed for her to refuse, to escape the toxic pull of this man. Yet, the memory of her mother's sacrifices and her own desperate need for this opportunity held her back. With a sense of resignation, she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper, "Okay."

Atlas's lips twisted into a small, sinister smile as he stood up, adjusting his tie with meticulous precision. He strode back to his desk, exuding an air of confidence and control. In stark contrast, Riley made a hasty exit from the office, eager to escape the suffocating tension.

Later that night, Riley arrived at Glow Field, the prestigious condominium building in Northdesh, owned by the influential Norton family. With the card key clutched in her hand, she approached the receptionist, who looked her up and down with a mixture of disdain and curiosity, no doubt aware of who Riley was meeting.

With Riley's heart racing, she made her way to the penthouse suite. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she took a deep, steadying breath. With trembling hands, she swiped the card against the door lock and pushed the door open.