Chapter 8
1325words
These actions infuriated Bianca. One day, as I was organizing files, she exploded in front of everyone.
"Who do you think you are?" she screamed, drawing the attention of colleagues around us. "A cleaner daring to seduce my fiancé!"
I stood there in shock, not knowing how to respond to such public humiliation.
"Bianca, what are you saying?" Logan's voice came from the end of the hallway. He strode toward us, anger on his face. "Your behavior is completely unprofessional."
"Unprofessional?" Bianca turned to him, her voice trembling with anger. "She's the unprofessional one! She's trying to ruin our relationship!"
Logan shook his head, his expression serious. "No one is ruining any relationship. But your current behavior certainly gives me a new perspective on you."
Bianca seemed to realize she'd lost control, especially in front of so many colleagues. She tried to compose herself, but it was too late. Her image was already damaged, and she knew it.
"Let's talk in the office," she said quietly, trying to salvage the situation.
But Logan didn't move. "No, we'll talk right here. You just publicly humiliated an employee. You should publicly apologize."
Bianca's face twisted with shock. "Are you joking? I won't apologize to a cleaner!"
"Then we have nothing to discuss," Logan said calmly. "Zoe, are you alright?"
I nodded, though I was still shocked by what had just happened.
"Good," Logan said. "If you need to rest, you can use my office."
Bianca looked like she was about to explode. "You... you're inviting her to your office right in front of me?"
"Yes," Logan simply answered. "Because she needs a safe place to rest, away from harassment."
Bianca turned to leave, but not before everyone heard her mutter: "You'll regret this, Logan. You'll deeply regret it."
That afternoon, Victoria suddenly appeared at the company, coming directly to where I was cleaning. Her expression was serious and cold.
"Zoe, we need to talk," she said, her voice carrying an emotion I couldn't decipher.
I followed her to an empty conference room, my heart racing. I didn't know what she wanted to say, but from her expression, it wouldn't be good.
"Bianca tells me you've been harassing her and Logan," Victoria said bluntly. "She says you claim to be my daughter and are trying to ruin her happiness."
I looked at her in shock. "I haven't harassed anyone, Mrs. Victoria. Bianca has been harassing me."
Victoria shook her head, her eyes full of doubt. "Zoe, I understand you might be jealous of Bianca's background and status. But this behavior is unacceptable."
"I'm not jealous of her," I said firmly. "I just want to know the truth."
"What more truth do you want?" Victoria said coldly. "Bianca is my daughter."
She took an envelope from her bag and placed it on the table. "Here's enough money for you to start a new life in another city. I suggest you take it and leave."
I looked at the envelope, feeling sick and sad. My possible birth mother was treating me like some nuisance, trying to pay me to go away.
"I don't need your money," my voice trembled with emotion. "I only want the truth."
Victoria sighed, looking both tired and disappointed. "The truth is that you need to stop this behavior, Zoe. Otherwise, I'll be forced to take legal action."
I felt tears gathering in my eyes but held them back. "Do you really believe Bianca is your daughter? Even with so many doubts?"
"What doubts?" Victoria countered. "DNA tests are scientific. They don't lie."
"But people lie," I said quietly. "Samples can be switched."
Victoria stood up, her expression turning icy. "Enough. I've given you a decent opportunity to leave. If you choose not to accept it, you'll face the consequences."
She turned and left, leaving me standing alone in the conference room. Passing employees looked at me with contempt as tears finally flowed uncontrollably. I felt so lonely and desperate—even my birth mother didn't believe me.
Just then, the door opened again, and Bianca walked in wearing a victorious smile.
"See?" she said smugly. "No one will believe you. You're just a pathetic cleaner, while I'm the Blackwood heiress."
I looked up at her, tears blurring my vision. "Why? Why do this?"
"Because I deserve a better life," she simply answered. "And you? You're nothing."
Her words cut like knives. I felt a despair I'd never known before.
Just then, Logan walked in holding a folder. Seeing my tear-streaked face, his expression immediately turned serious.
"What happened?" he asked, his gaze moving between Bianca and me.
"Nothing," Bianca quickly said, trying to restore her sweet image. "I was just comforting Zoe. She seems to be having some emotional issues."
Logan glanced at the envelope on the table, then at my tears, immediately understanding what had happened. "Victoria was here, wasn't she?"
I nodded, unable to speak.
Logan took a deep breath, then opened the folder in his hand. "Perhaps this will help clarify some things."
He took out a report and placed it on the table. "These are the results of a DNA test I privately arranged. I compared Zoe's and Victoria's DNA samples."
Bianca's face turned pale. "What did you do?"
"I sought the truth," Logan said calmly. "And the truth is, Zoe is Victoria's daughter, with a 99.9% match."
Bianca grabbed the report, panic filling her eyes. "This is fake! You forged this!"
"Science doesn't lie, Bianca," Logan said coldly. "But people do."
Just then, Victoria appeared at the door, clearly having heard the argument. "What's going on?"
Bianca immediately turned to her, fake tears in her eyes. "Mother, Logan forged DNA test results! He's questioning the test you had done!"
Victoria looked shocked and confused. "What? Logan, is this true?"
Logan nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I arranged a new test because I had reason to believe the original test was manipulated."
Victoria's expression turned icy. "How dare you question me? Question science?"
"I'm not questioning you, Aunt Victoria," Logan tried to explain. "I'm questioning the testing process. The samples may have been switched."
Victoria shook her head, disappointment filling her eyes. "I thought you were more rational than this, Logan. But I see I was wrong."
She turned to Bianca, extending her hand. "Come, dear. Let's leave this place."
Bianca gave me a smug look, then took Victoria's arm. "Yes, Mother. The atmosphere here is too disturbing."
As they prepared to leave, I could no longer control my emotions. "Why doesn't anyone believe me?" I cried out, my voice breaking with pain. "Why does everyone choose to believe lies instead of truth?"
Victoria paused but didn't turn around. Her silhouette appeared stiff and cold.
Logan came to my side and gently took my hand. "I believe you, Zoe. I always have."
He turned to Victoria and Bianca. "You can choose to ignore evidence, but the truth will eventually come to light. And when that day comes, you'll have to face your choices."
Victoria didn't respond, simply leaving with Bianca. Only Logan and I remained in the room, my tears flowing uncontrollably.
"I can't go on like this anymore," I whispered, feeling an unprecedented exhaustion and despair.
Logan gently embraced me, his arms warm and steady. "You don't need to endure this anymore. Come, I'll take you away from here."
He led me out of the company, away from those doubtful gazes and hurtful words. In his car, I could finally cry aloud, releasing years of accumulated pain and grievances.
Logan didn't speak, just drove quietly, giving me space and time to calm down. He knew what I needed at that moment wasn't verbal comfort, but genuine understanding and support.
And that's exactly what he gave me.
