An Unbreakable Addiction

He used to be so gentle with her. He had never even raised his voice, not even once.

Now, with a frown and irritation simmering in his tone, Tom snapped, "This has gotten out of control. If the new boss decides one of us has to go, you'll just have to say you were the one who made a move on me. Claim that night was the first time in the office!" Zoe's tears froze in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

Was this still the responsible, caring man she knew? No, she had to have heard wrong.

"You're just a mediator who's never handled a case in court. Leaving HH Law Firm won't ruin your career. But if I get fired for this, finding work elsewhere will be tough. I can support you if you lose your job, but if I lose mine, can you support me?" His gaze was insistent and intense.

She had always been so easy to manipulate and she believed everything he said.

Tears streamed down Zoe's face. "You always told me being a mediator was just as valuable! And now you're asking me to sacrifice my reputation to save you? Have you even thought about what happens to my career if I leave HH Law Firm as the woman who 'seduced her boss'? My entire future as a lawyer would be over!"

What else could she possibly do if she couldn't practice law?

Tom, irritated, cut her off. "Didn't I tell you to stay out of Mia's way? Why do you never listen? If handle her, you're asking for this!"

How had he ever ended up with someone this clueless?

you can't

Zoe's eyes widened in shock. "Tom, what are you even saying?"

If he hadn't insisted that she stay late with him that night, Mia never would have caught them in the first place. Now that everything had blown up, he was pinning the blame solely on her. Was this man really this shameless?This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

"Look, you're too emotional right now. Just go home, cool off, and we'll talk once you've calmed down, okay?" Tom lowered his tone, trying to pacify her, not wanting a scene he couldn't contain: Swiping her tears away, Zoe cast him a deep, searching look, then walked out.

What choice did she have but to trust him?

At 6:30 PM, Mia and Mandy arrived at the restaurant. The others were already seated, and their gazes turned a bit peculiar as Mia walked in.

Mia was used to this from certain people at the firm. As long as they didn't confront her directly, she could keep the peace. Mandy led Mia to a seat and joined the others in their chatter.

Just as the clock struck the hour, the boss arrived, casting a quick look around. Only the seat next to Mia was free, so he made his way over and took it.

The others hadn't expected this.

C-

Mia noticed a few unfriendly looks but stayed calm, greeting the boss politely. During the meal, others took turns offering toasts to him, while Mia quietly focused on her food, detached from the commotion around her.

Zoe watched Mia's unbothered demeanor, seething with frustration. She was about to speak up when Tom shot her a harsh look, silencing her instantly

Mia noticed the exchange, smirking to herself. He was probably plotting to distance himself from the whole incident, leaving Zoe, his long time manipulated puppet, blindly following his lead.

Although Mia was quietly eating, she didn't miss the exchange of looks between Zoe and Tom and smirked to herself. Tom was probably trying to slip out of the whole mess, leaving Zoe, his long-time manipulated puppet, blindly following his lead. Honestly, if she was that foolish, she deserved what she

Zoe might have backed down and wouldn't dare make trouble for Mia tonight. But that didn't mean others would hold back. Just then, another woman stood up, filling a glass of whiskey and setting it in front of Mia with a smile.

7 remember back when Mia first joined the firm, we'd often go out to seal deals with clients. Mia, 1 know you could drink anyone under the table back then! Now that we're all here to toast the boss, how could you not join in for a drink?"