Forced to Watch My Son Call Her 'Mom' - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Erin flicked her wrist dismissively in my direction. "Well then? Pay her back. Put that hat right back on her head."
Christine let out a nervous laugh. "I wouldn't dare."
Erin's voice turned sharp as a blade. "I've made it clear - outside work, we're all equals here. She started it, so finish it. Go on," she challenged, crossing her arms. "With me standing here, let's see if she has the guts to fight back."
A smug grin spread across Christine's face as she pushed up from her seat and stalked toward me.
Before I could react, hands clamped around my arms like vices. Christine loomed closer, that damned hat in her grasp.
Through it all, Victor just watched coldly from the sidelines. "You've really crossed the line this time, Liane," he said, voice dripping with disdain. "Laying hands on Frank? Today you'll learn exactly how pathetic you really are."
I shot him a look that could melt steel. "You backstabbing liar! After years of deception, you dare lecture me?" My gaze swung to Erin. "And you—I'll take back everything you stole from me. With interest."
Erin clutched her chest in mock terror. "Ohhh, I'm shaking in my Louboutins."
Victor's expression turned glacial. "Enough, Erin. She broke the rules assaulting a coworker. Get her out of my sight—permanently."
"Ooooh, did you hear that?" Erin sing-songed, eyes glittering with malice. "Victor never wants to see your pathetic face again." Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Such a shame. Starting now, everything that was yours... isn't."
Then came the death knell—Erin's commanding shout: "She violated store policy and threatened staff! Get this trash off the premises!"
Hands shoved me toward the exit, cruel laughter ringing in my ears—social reject, waste of space, deserves to get hit by a bus. Someone's elbow dug into my ribs as they frog-marched me outside. Then the pavement rushed up to meet me, Erin's designer heel grinding into my hand.
"Your fatal mistake?" she hissed, putting her full weight into it. "Thinking you could compete for Victor. From today onward, you'll never show your face in this town again."
Every inch of me throbbed, but I glared up through the pain—just as a throaty engine roar cut through the chaos.
All heads swiveled toward the approaching Ferrari. In that split-second distraction, I wrenched free from my captors. As some lunged to grab me, the sports car executed a perfect drift, screeching to a halt between us.
The door swung open. Towering over everyone, my brother took one look at the scene—then at my battered face—and his expression turned thunderous.
"Jesus, Liane. What the hell happened to you?"
I gave a weak, bitter laugh. "What are you doing here?"
He hauled me up gently. "What do you think? Dad finally forgave you—we're family." His jaw tightened as he surveyed the gawking crowd. "Good thing I came when I did. These animals might've killed you."
While we spoke, whispers erupted like wildfire:
"That's Brandon Harari—Evolv Group's VP!"
"Why's a billionaire caring about some nobody like Liane?"
"Wait... Harari? They share a last name!"
"Don't be stupid—if she was Evolv royalty, why was she drowning in debt?"
"Probably spread her legs for some sugar daddy. Got lucky for once."
The venomous speculation hung in the air as my brother helped me into the Ferrari, leaving my former tormentors gaping in our wake.