LORI

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. Lori's POV .

I left his Cabal, back to my apartment. But I could not push away the moment I had with him some minutes ago. He didn’t care about gratitude. He never asked for it, and he rarely acknowledged it.

That’s how Knight operated. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of something…jealousy maybe? Frustration? I didn’t know. All I knew was that I didn’t like the way I felt when his bodyguard mentioned those bitches prepared for the night. I could picture them in my head, draped in designer clothes, clinging to Knight for status.

Why should I care? I thought to myself as I pulled into the driveway of my apartment. Knight was his own man. He could do whatever he wanted, be with whoever he wanted. It wasn’t my business, and it wasn’t like we were anything more than…what? What were we? Business partners? Not even that. He had helped me, given me a way out of the mess Connor had created, but that didn’t mean I had any claim over him.

I stepped into my apartment, shutting the door behind me and locking it. The dim lighting greeted me as I kicked off my shoes, exhaustion settling into my bones. It had been a long day—my first as the new manager of the mall—and I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through me. The look on Cynthia’s face when she realized I was her boss was priceless. She had tried to undermine me and make me feel small, but I stood tall. For once, I had control, and it felt good.

I padded into the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the steam fill the room. As I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the hot spray, my mind wandered back to Knight. Why was I even thinking about him? He was probably entertaining those women by now, his usual stoic expression hidden behind a mask of indifference as they fawned over him.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. It wasn’t my place to feel this way. Yet, there was a nagging jealousy in the pit of my stomach that I couldn’t shake. I hated the idea of those women being near him, but I hated even more that I cared.

“Get over it, Lori,” I muttered to myself as I scrubbed shampoo into my hair. “He’s not yours. He never was.”

But despite my pep talk, the jealousy lingered. I rinsed off, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around myself, padding into my bedroom. The apartment was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the city outside my window. I sat on the edge of my bed, towel still wrapped around me, my hair dripping wet.

Why did I care? It wasn’t like I had feelings for Knight…right? He was powerful, yes. Mysterious, of course. And he had this way of making me feel safe in a world that was otherwise chaotic. But that didn’t mean anything. He wasn’t the kind of man who wanted someone like me. He probably saw me as a project, someone to fix or use. Nothing more.

I sighed, lying back on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. I didn’t want to think about Knight or his harem of women. I didn’t want to care about who he spent his time with. But deep down, a part of me did. And that was terrifying.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted into a restless sleep.

---

The next morning came too quickly, and I woke up with a groan, the early sunlight spilling through the curtains. I rubbed my eyes, still feeling the weight of yesterday’s emotions. Today was a new day, though. I had to focus on my job, on proving that I belonged at the top of that mall, no matter what Cynthia or Connor thought.

I quickly showered and dressed in a sharp black blazer and fitted trousers, pulling my hair back into a sleek ponytail. I needed to look the part today—commanding, in control. No one could question my authority.

By the time I arrived at the mall, it was already bustling with the early morning crowd. The hum of activity was comforting in a way, reminding me that life was moving forward, that I was moving forward.

As I walked through the main entrance, I spotted Cynthia by one of the store windows. And next to her, Connor. My stomach tightened as I watched them. Cynthia was leaning into him, her hand on his chest, her lips inches from his as she giggled like a lovesick teenager. They didn’t see me at first, too engrossed in each other.

My heart sank at the sight. I had once called Cynthia a friend, and Connor…well, he was the reason I was in this mess to begin with. Seeing them together like that, so openly, was a slap in the face. But I wasn’t the same Lori they had betrayed. I was stronger now.

I straightened my shoulders and approached them, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. They looked up as I neared, Cynthia’s expression shifting from one of surprise to barely concealed disdain.

"Lori,” she sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. “Here to check up on us? I didn’t think the mall needed babysitting.”

Connor chuckled beside her, his arm draped lazily over her shoulder. "I have to admit, I’m surprised they made you manager, Lori. Must have been a charity case.”

I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. “Actually, I’m here to do my job. Cynthia, I need you to gather your things. You’re no longer employed here.”

Her eyes widened, disbelief and anger flashing across her face. "What? You can’t fire me! I’ve been working here longer than you’ve even thought about managing a mall. You’re just a debtor with a low credit score. It's not possible!"She let out a mocking laugh, her voice filled with venom. “You’re good at one thing, Lori, and that’s seducing men. Is that how you got this job?”

I stood my ground, unfazed by her words. "If anyone here knows about seduction, it’s you, Cynthia. Remind me again, which friend sleeps with her best friend’s boyfriend? Oh wait—” I pointed at Connor, my voice cool and calm, that would be you.”

Her face turned red and embarrassed as she took a step toward me, her hand clenched into a fist. "You ungrateful bitch! I was there for you when no one else was! I helped you when you had nothing! And this is how you repay me?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to back down. " You helped me? Is that what you’re telling yourself now? You betrayed me, Cynthia. You and Connor. And now, I’m done with both of you."

Before she could say anything else, Connor stepped in front of her, a smug grin on his face. "Don’t worry, babe,” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You don’t need this job anyway. I’ll just have you employed at my family’s company. Lori can’t touch us there."

I met his gaze, my expression hardening. “Do whatever you want, Connor. But don’t think for a second that I’ll let either of you ruin this for me. I’m in control now.”

Cynthia opened her mouth to protest again, but I cut her off with a wave of my hand. " Your time here is over, Cynthia. Gather your things and leave before I have security escort you out."

Her face twisted in anger, but she knew there was nothing she could do. With a huff, she turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving Connor standing there with a smirk.

" This isn’t over, Lori,” he said, his voice low and threatening. "You think you’ve won, but you haven’t."

I didn’t bother responding. I didn’t need to. As far as I was concerned. They could plot all they wanted, but I wasn’t the same woman they had betrayed. I was stronger now, and nothing they did would change that.