#25 BONUS
Chapter 022
+25 BONUS
“More than half of the delegates have turned against Volkan Industries. A prominent human rights activist has also spoken in favor of Julia Volkan. So far, several partners of Volkan Industries have pulled out and this can only be described as-”
I turned off the video playing on the tablet and sank back into the car seat. I looked away, tears stinging my eyes as breathing became harder
“All along, The Euphoria project was yours, right?” I whispered, my grip on the door tightening.
Atlas glanced at me, before shifting his eyes to the road. If the car sped up a tad bit
It more than usual, I ignored it.
“Yes.”
“Yet, you have me original and allowed me to support him. You gave me all the tools to destroy your frame and credit it to someone else, right?”
This time, 1 turned as much as I could. We locked eyes for a split moment and I swallowed a sob
“I mean,” Atlas cleared his throat, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as a tear rolled down my cheek. “Where’s the fun in telling you the truth? I wanted you to waste your time, why not?” He stopped the car. “You are hurt, right?”
“I’m not the one on the news. I am not the one whose empire is crumbling down.” I hid my face in my hands, guilt gnawing on my insides. This is all my fault.”
“Julia-”
“No, just shut up
This is
My voice failed
Don’t
Atlas trailed off. “Don’t soak my car in tears okay? Take, wipe it off. You look horrible with smeared makeup.” he handed me a handkerchief.
I took it
“He made a fool of both of us
ou want Atlas? Why do you
“You let him,” I added. “You let him so I could feel good? Feel important and in control? What do you do this? Why do you risk everything and then…”
“If you think I did this for you, you’re wrong” he clarified and my breath hitched. “I did this because I wanted to. I felt like it. So what of Volkan Industries gets ruined? I will build it from the ground up again. Unlike Damien, I don’t need a woman to succeed.” He scoffed and got out of the car
I got out and followed him, grabbing his arm before he could leave.
1 caused this mess, I will fix it.‘
“Isn’t that the same thing you told Damien? Julia you can’t go around blaming yourself for stuff and fixing it. Stop being
ave I don’t need you I never did and besides, what are you going to do? Mess this up again?”
“What?” my chest tightened at hus words and he rolled his eyes.
Aries closed the distance between us. “If you think you’ll crawl into my good graces it will never happen, Julia Volkan. I can get everything but fll never forget my brother is dead because of you No matter what, when or whatever comes, that truth will like a brick wall between us
My grip on his hand loosened and remained frozen in my place My stomach churned and I stumbled but he caught met Before I hat the ground
A text rolled down my check and just as Atlas in hed to wipe it, someone’s voice tore through
“Boss There’s a problem”
+25 BONUS
Atlas immediately released me and I hit the ground
“Hey!” I snapped, running my hands through my hair.
“Explain,” Atlas said and the man nodded.
“A mob is outside, they are threatening to burn the place down if you don’t step down as the CEO of Volkan Industries.”
My heart dropped and I watched as Atlas‘ knuckles turned white.
He scoffed “Uno reverse. I burnt down his company, so Damian is coming after mine? Fair. Well played.”
There was silence for a few seconds before Atlas spoke again. “Call Tania, tell her to assemble the best lawyers in Miami Inform Kyle to gather his contacts at the senate and…” He turned to me and his voice faltered. ‘Drop her off at uh,”
“Drop me off?” I raised an eyebrow. I am coming to-”
“Most definitely not ”
“Most definitely yes.” I retorted. “This is my mess, Atlas.”
“It is my company
“A
company I built with your I barked and he froze. “I gave my heart and soul to Volkan Industries for years. Yes, I was pissed off and I made mistakes. But that doesn’t mean you can sideline mer
“So what is your plan?” he asked and 1 froze. “You want to go there and look pretty?”
1 stepped forward and slapped him. The guards immediately looked away and the man who spoke earlier stumbled in shock.
“Is that what you think of me? You think L.. I am just a pretty face?”
“Julia.”
I shook my head at him and started walking away, as always, Atlas Volkan did not follow me.
He did not stop me. He never did. The truth would always be a wall, stopping him, forcing him to hesitate, to second guess and I feared when he gained clarity when his eyes finally opened, I wouldn’t be waiting for
or him to stop me anymore.
Maybe I would be so far, too far to reach
I hadled a cab and asked the driver to
o take me to Volkan Industries.
When I arrived the mob was already present and so was A Atlas
He seemed to be speaking
to them a
and trying to reason with them, but they were only becoming violent
“How can we
can we trust a
who sidelined his wife for
or years?”
They all clutched stones and had gasoline and lighters. My fists tightened at my side, a lump grew in my throat
This was my fault
“Hot just that he parades the city with her sister! He is married to one and has another warming his bed”
Afs jew twitched i blinked away tears, my chest tightening all over again. They were ruining his reputation.
“The worst part is, he refuses to let her be at peace Tell us, Mr. Volkan Until now, no one in Miami has dared to question you but after abusing your wide and stealing her design, how can you even call yourself a business-
Enough” snapped and everyone turned to me Atlas froze as our eyes locked.
I
– breath
The reporters rushed toward me but I brushed them aside and stopped beside Atlas I turned to them and a shaky escaped my lips
=-25 BONUS
Not in a million years did I imagine doing this, did I imagine supporting the same man who had hurt me again and again but yet, in some twisted way, kept me entangled with him
“Who are you to question him, tell me! Who gave you that right, huh?”
“Mis. Volkan. You are acting strange. Has he threatened you?”
“There is no need to fear. Your designs were plagiarized and we are all supporting you. You don’t have to defend him!”
“I am not defending him.” Atlas turned to me, his eyes burning into my skin. “I am accusing all of you
Gasps rippled through the crowd. “Atlas Volkan has managed Volkan industries for over a decade. He spent his twenties. building the empire you have now. This same empire has funded hospitals, orphanages, and systems that support each of you Amenities, allocations, so many things… I trailed off.
“Despite not being a political member, He fought for all your rights in the last rigged election. He put his life and Volkan industries at stake so everyone would have a good standard of living”
“But
“No, buts!” I snapped “Everyone is always so eager to tear people down. You feed on rumors and I understand it is easier destroy a stack of cards than set it up. But this man is a rock! He is not a stack of cards! He…. he has made mistakes but Atlas.. I turned to him and we locked eyes. “Atlas would never risk his reputation. He could risk everything, even me. But this empire, it will always come first”
Everyone fell into silence. Atlas‘ eyes softened. It was clear I was getting to them. They were realizing the truth…
“Do you know why?” I asked, “Because every year, two hundred thousand people benefit from the profit of this business. I made a mistake and falsely accused him. I was wrong! He didn’t steal anything from me! Those designs are-
*Julia!**
Everyone turned to see Damien standing there.
“I knew it! I knew this would happen! I understand Julia, you don’t have to be afraid. You don’t need to lie. I am here to save you. I know that he blackmailed you and abandoned you on the streets! Just look, everyone!”
Before I could process everything, photos of me on the roadside calling a cab while Atlas stood by his car flew in the air
My breath hitched, Damien had turned the tables.
