99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 90

The surveillance room. Security personnel swiftly pulled up all footage from Queenie’s office and the surrounding corridors during the critical timeframe.

The high-definition playback, although the footage was silent, still revealed every damning detail of who was responsible for recording me with Bart this afternoon.

Queenie was behind not only the recording but also the slander online.

“Queenie,” Merlin’s face turned stormy. “do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I-1-” she stammered. Then suddenly, she jabbed a finger at me, her voice shrill.

“It’s all Claire’s fault! I wouldn’t have done any of this if she weren’t the one who was shamelessly throwing herself at some old man! She is ruining the company’s reputation! I was only trying to help warn others by exposing the truth!”

“ENOUGH!” Merlin’s roared, “That old man in question is the head omega of the Crown of Thrones pack.

He is the personal messenger for Alpha Lucien Thorne! He was here confirming that Claire’s injuries sustained on their pack grounds were healed. The gift was a care package, and you have defiled it with this ridiculous pettiness.”

It was clear how terrified Merlin White was at the idea that his cousin had willfully just insulted a respected member of the Crown of Thornes pack.

It was something that Lucien wasn’t known to tolerate.

If Lucien wanted to, he could pull all current and future project plans, potentially costing the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. He could sue Moonves itself, bankrupting the company.

“Get her out. Now. Notify HR and legal, maximum disciplinary action. No exceptions.” Merlin barked at security,

Queenie’s face went slack. “The Thornes? No, I didn’t know.”. Then she erupted in hysterics. “Merlin?! You can’t do this to me. You would turn on your own family?!”

“How many times did I warn you? No more rumours, no more lies! I tolerated your behaviour for your mother’s sake, but this time-” Merlin’s voice dropped like a guillotine. “Queenie, you have crossed a line I can no longer look past.”

Without another glance, he gave a sharp wave of dismissal.

Two security guards swiftly moved in, roughly gripping Queenie by the arms from either side, ready to drag her away.

“Wait!” I raised a hand to stop them. “Mr. White, forgive my opposition, but an internal reprimand will not cut it.”

I turned to Queenie, “She will personally record a video, and within this video, she will publicly take back every word of those lies. Otherwise, this matter will not end here.”

“Not a chance in hell! You think I would help clear your name? Dream on! I would rather die than film that!”

“You are refusing to tell the truth and clear up the mess you caused online? Okay! Then we will settle this in court. What is that?” I tap my chin comedically to mock her with a false ponder.

“I still plan to release the true video, including you as the recorded witness, so the world will still see what really happened. The difference is, you won’t get access on your socials to see behind bars.”

The words behind bars hit Queenie like a sledgehammer blow.

It was over, and she knew it.

Sure, a video confession taking back everything would bruise her ego, but a court case would ruin her completely, her job, her reputation, her future, everything reduced to ashes.

Desperate, Queenie frantically scanned the doorway, as though she were clutching at straws for the person who had promised to help.

But the doorway stood empty.

“Counting on Breanne to rush in and save you? Do not bother. People like her tend to use those available when it is convenient, but they bail at the first sign of trouble. Do not believe me? Call her. See for yourself. You, Queenie, are nothing but a toy to be used by her.”

I saw Liam’s fists clench when I mentioned Breanne’s name as an accomplice.

Instinctively, he opened his mouth to defend Breanne, but the moment his eyes met my piercing stare, the protest withered in his mouth, forced back down with a hard swallow.

“You are lying! Breanne would never abandon me to take the fall! I may have filmed the video, but she is the one who posted it online! She paid to keep it pinned to the top of the trending list. I will call her right now to prove it!”

Queenie scrambled to pull out her phone, dialling Breanne’s number right before Merlin, Liam, and my eyes.

The call connected instantly. Breanne’s sing-song voice rang through, lighthearted and honey-sweet, as if today was just another ordinary day. I arched a brow, unsurprised.

“Hey Queenie! What is up?”

“Breanne! You promised you were on your way to help me out! Where are you? I need you, now!”

Breanne’s reply oozed fake sympathy. “Oh, Queenie, I am up to my neck in work! I will be able to make it. You can handle this on your own, though, can’t you? Thanks, love you!”

Queenie’s face twisted. “Breanne! What the actual f**k? You told me to film Claire! Now she is threatening to take me to court, I could lose my job now, and you’re bailing on me?! This was your idea!”

“What film? Do you mean that nasty clip online? Do not pin this on me! You hated Claire; this was all you! I just gave you a harmless pep talk. Yikes! Good luck with this. Byes!”

The connection was cut off.

The dial tone mocked Queenie in the silent room. Her phone slipped from numb fingers as blood drained from her face.

I knew this would be hard. I remember my first betrayal by someone I thought I could trust. It’s a hard pill to swallow when the realization train hits you full on.

Moving numbly, Queenie turned stiffly toward me.

“Claire, I screwed up. I get it now! I was an i***t! She played me! Please, do not ruin me! Name your price!”

“I won’t sue on the following conditions,” I stared down at her; eyes like frozen steel. “I want every detail of Breanne’s involvement in this mess, along with all the evidence proving her guilt. Do not skip a thing.”

“Claire!” Liam’s stomach dropped as he instinctively grabbed for my arm.

I spun on him so fast my hair whipped through the air. “What now? Gonna white-knight for Breanne again?”

His hand hung suspended between us like a failed peace offering.

Liam clenched his jaw in silence, lowering his head.

“I have got proof! Texts! Voice memos! Everything!” Queenie fumbled with shaking hands, nearly dropping her phone as she scrolled wildly. “It is all here, every shady message, every coded hint about posting it! I saved everything!”

She shoved the glowing screen at me like it was her last hope, the phone clattering as incriminating voice clips and screenshot evidence spilled across the display.