Husband With Benefits
Chapter 352: An Assistant

Chapter 352: An Assistant

Ian stormed into his office, the door slamming against the frame with an ominous resonance that reverberated through the room. "Miss North, what exactly are you searching for?"

Tiara jerked around, her eyes widening in trepidation as she met Ian’s cold, piercing gaze.

"No...nothing," she stammered.

"Nothing?" Ian’s voice dripped with suspicion. "Then, why are you in my office at this moment?" He moved deliberately towards his desk, scrutinizing the surroundings for any sign of betrayal.

"What are you hiding behind your back?" He asked softly as he advanced further into the room.

Tiara’s voice quivered. "Nothing, sir."

"Miss North." Ian’s tone turned even more severe. "I don’t like asking the same thing repeatedly. So, enlighten me."

She shivered under the weight of his gaze, her guilt palpable. Meeting his icy stare, Tiara reluctantly placed an envelope on his desk. "I was attempting to keep this here."

Ian glanced down at the envelope, his expression darkening. "What is this?"

"My resignation letter."

"Resignation?" Ian’s eyes bore into hers. "Miss North, why do you want to resign?"

"It’s personal reasons, sir," Tiara stammered.

Ian’s smile took on a more dangerous edge as he replied, "Personal reasons?" Or are you trying to get away? he thought to himself.

His tone softened, a feigned sympathy in his eyes. "Miss North, we’ve worked closely together. If there’s something troubling you, perhaps I can help. Resigning might not be the only solution."

Tiara hesitated, her eyes wavering under the illusion of empathy Ian projected. "I... It’s just complicated, sir."

Ian strode forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "Complicated, you say? People go through rough patches. I believe in addressing issues rather than escaping from them, Miss North. We have a well-established support system in the company. You know you can ask for help."

Tiara swallowed hard, guilt gnawing at her. "I appreciate your concern, sir. It’s just... I never intended for it to come to this."

"Intentions can sometimes be misunderstood," Ian replied, maintaining a facade of understanding. "Why don’t you share what’s bothering you, Miss North? It might be easier to resolve than you think."

Ian shook his head with cynicism as he watched Miss North almost break down as she fell to her knees and apologized," I’m sorry, Mr. Frost. I’m really sorry. I did not mean to. I really did not want to betray you."

Slowly, he guided her to the chair and helped her into it," Explain yourself."

"I... I shared some private information about you and the others with the Winthrop group... I did not want to. But Lady Elena has some..."

As Tiara North continued to cry, Ian sighed and placed a file in front of her," She has these?" Tiara picked up the file from the desk and then threw it with shivering hands as she looked at Ian with shock.

"You... you knew."

"Miss North, this is the internet era. You should know that everything on the internet once will leave a digital footprint."

"When... when did you know?" Tiara asked, her eyes downcast with shame.

"About your antics in university or your betrayal?" Ian asked with a question.

"Both," she said in a small voice.

"The pictures were never a secret, Miss North. The betrayal however, I was unaware of until a few days ago."

Tiara North looked up with hopeful eyes as she realized that the pictures that she had been fearing would surface had never been a problem and she had not been thrown out of the company despite the news of the betrayal. With a trembling voice, she asked," Then..."

Ian scoffed," Miss North. You overestimate yourself. You are well aware of my private life and my own...preferences. So, I am in no position to judge what you do in your personal time or in the past. The betrayal, however..."

"Then why did you not..."

As Tiara questioned him, she came to a realization," You did not fire me because you intend to..."

"You almost made me question your intelligence, Miss North." Ian said calmly.

Tiara fell to her knees once again as she said, "No, please, Mr Frost. If she discovers that I passed on wrong information, she will share those pictures everywhere. It may...I’ll be destroyed, Mr. Frost. My marriage will be ruined! My husband has just transferred to a different city. I’ll move there quietly. Please, Mr. Frost."

"You think you can escape so easily, Miss North?"

"Mr. Frost. Please. My husband is a very orthodox man. I will be destroyed, please I beg you. I wanted to come to you but I was scared. I...Please help me."

Ian sighed," Miss North. You took this decision out of my hands when you betrayed me instead of coming to me. Now, the only way to get even an idea of what Elena is planning is you, so even if I want to let you go, you’re in too deep."

Miss North continued to cry and Ian could only look away. "Miss North, please compose yourself. I’m sure if your husband loves you, he will be able to overlook your past. But, if you are this scared, I’ll try and make sure that these pictures are deleted from the web."

Tiara North stood up and quickly wiped her eyes as she looked at him," You can do that? Of course you can do that. I should have known. Mr. Frost, I’ll do everything you say. I swear I never meant to betray you. I will pass on everything that Lady Elena asks me to do and do everything as you say. You won’t have a complaint in the future."

Ian smiled as he said," Miss North. You are right about one thing. I won’t have a complaint against you in the future. Your resignation has been accepted. Today marks the beginning of your notice period."

As Ian said this and turned around, his eyes widened. The door had not closed behind him and the entire altercation had been noticed by Isabella who stood there frozen and wide eyed.

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