Page 4

Alex Sebring

It’s been months since I walked through these doors.

Sebring HQ looks the same as how I left it—sleek, spotless, buzzing beneath a polished surface. A place where ambition dresses in navy suits and every smile hides a strategy.

The executive assistant at the front desk snaps to attention as I step into the lobby, her eyes widening behind thick-framed glasses. “Mr. Sebring. I wasn’t aware you were returning today. Welcome back.”

“Thank you, Beatrice.” But I’ll only be here for a brief moment.

I button my jacket as I walk, not for image but for control. I need to feel tight. Steady. I’m not here for a warm reunion. I’m not here to reclaim the title of CEO.

I’m here for the truth. And Courtney is clueless about what’s coming her way.

It’s almost laughable—the number of calls Magnolia made this morning asking for me.

I’m sorry, Miss Steel. Mr. Sebring doesn’t wish to speak to you ever again.

Miss Steel, you really should stop calling this office. Mr. Sebring isn’t accepting your calls.

You can forget it, Miss Steel, if you’re hoping someone else is going to answer and put you through to him.

I heard Courtney’s every response with my own ears.

I never imagined the woman I trusted to guard my privacy was the one who weaponized it. The one who sold my personal information to people who wanted to ruin me. Who conspired with Tyson McRae and Celeste to burn my life down from the inside out.

And the worst part? I’ve known her for two decades. She’s been part of this company since I was a boy. She watched me grow up. And still—she chose money over loyalty and morality.

That kind of betrayal stings. It rots.

I head upstairs, nodding at the familiar faces who give me warm smiles and respectful hellos. It’s strange how quickly people fall back into line as though I never stepped away. But I’m not here to be anyone’s boss. Never again.

My office door is open. And there she is.

Courtney rises the second she sees me, all smiles and surface shine. And she looks… upgraded. Tighter blazer. New hairstyle. Maybe even a new gym routine. There’s a glow to her now. She’s been spending—sleek blazer, designer heels, fresh haircut that probably came with a glass of champagne.

This is what she has to show for cashing in on betrayal. Enjoying the spoils of a deal made in the dark. She’s dressed herself in the fallout of my life.

“Alex!” Her voice is bright—too bright—and she’s already crossing the room, arms open. “You’re back. It’s so good to see you. We’ve all missed you so much.”

She goes in for a hug, and I allow it.

She pulls back, smiling the way old friends would, picking up where we left off. “How was the States?”

I sit, gesture for her to do the same. “Turns out distance is good for perspective. I see some things a lot more clearly now.”

She babbles on—project updates, internal memos, how the staff kept things afloat in my absence. I nod, interjecting with the occasional hum, playing the part of the returning CEO just enough to keep her comfortable.

“So tell me… did any special young lady reach out to me while I was gone?”

Her posture stiffens, and she glances down at her hands. “Well, yes. Celeste reached out. She’s worried about you.”

My jaw flexes, but I keep my smile in place. “Only Celeste?”

She nods. “Yes, she called a few times.”

“Magnolia hasn’t called?” I ask.

Courtney’s face doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t twitch.

“If Miss Steel called, she didn’t speak to me.”

Liar.

She doesn’t know how deep she’s burying herself.

Time to dig it all up.

Just when Courtney finishes her speech—full of tight smiles and crafted lies—the office door swings open behind her. She turns, and the color drains from her face. “Miss Steel?”

Magnolia comes into the room. Calm. Measured. Eyes locked on Courtney.

She doesn’t smile. Doesn’t blink. “Guess you didn’t expect to see me again.”

Courtney scrambles to stand. “I—I didn’t know you were back.”

“Oh, she’s more than back. She’s my fiancée. And as of this morning, the newest employee of Sebring Hotels.”

Courtney’s mouth opens, then closes again.

I keep my voice calm. “You didn’t only screen Magnolia’s calls, Courtney. You lied to her. Lied to me. You blocked her real number in my phone. You changed her contact info. And worst of all—you fabricated texts. You built the lies that tore us apart.”

Still, she says nothing.

“You made me believe the love of my life had walked away with someone else. And you made sure she thought I wanted nothing to do with her. You didn’t protect me. You fucking destroyed me.”

I lean forward, voice low and unflinching. “You sold your soul to Tyson McRae and Celeste Worthington.”

She falters for a moment.

“I was protecting you. Celeste said Magnolia was a gold digger, and she was after the Sebring name and money.”

Magnolia’s expression doesn’t flinch. Her voice is steady, almost too calm. “You really believe that? That I was after what I could get from Alex?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never wanted Alex’s name or his money. I love him with my whole heart.”

She meets Courtney’s eyes, unblinking. “But you didn’t care. You took one version of a story—one fed to you by people who never wanted to see us together—and ran with it. You let their lies rewrite our love story. And it nearly destroyed us.”

Courtney’s face crumples, voice cracking, as she looks to me. “I was protecting you. I’ve been loyal to this family and company for years.”

“Look at me. Not him.” Magnolia’s voice sharpens, low and cutting. “You didn’t protect him. You betrayed him. And you don’t get to call that loyalty.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” Courtney whispers.

I keep my gaze locked on hers. “But you did. And now you aren’t to be trusted.”

“Alex, please,” she says, pleading. “I need this job.”

“You’re fired,” I say, standing now. Calm. Final. “Effective immediately.”

Her voice cracks. “Please don’t do this. I didn’t know who to believe.”

“No,” I cut in, my tone cold. “You knew who to believe, but you chose the side that was paying out bonuses.”

Her eyes well with tears, but neither of us look away. Neither of us flinches.

Because this?

This moment is justice.

And justice doesn’t apologize.

I don’t raise my voice because I don’t need to. “Effective now, you’re no longer employed by Sebring Hotels.” I say, ice running through every word.

Courtney’s face crumples. “Please… you don’t understand. I didn’t mean to?—”

Magnolia doesn’t even blink. Her voice is quiet, steady, unforgiving. “You were aware of what you were doing. And now you’re done.”

Courtney’s voice pitches, desperate now. “You can’t do this. Alexander won’t allow it. He knows what I’ve done for this company.”

The door opens behind us.

Leilani strides in, sharp in a tailored suit that says she runs the show—because now, she does.

Arms crossed, chin high, looking like karma in heels, she fixes Courtney with a cool smile.

“Hi, Courtney. I’m the new CEO of Sebring Hotels.

As for a severance?” A casual shrug. “Yeah… that’s not happening. ”

Courtney turns to me one last time, eyes wild with disbelief. But I’m already done looking at her.

I nod once toward the door. “Security will escort you out.”

She hesitates—one beat too long—before storming past Leilani and disappearing down the corridor.

One down.

Two more to go.

Tyson McRae. Celeste Worthington.

Their reckoning’s coming.