No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 179

ROMAN’S POV

“Sir, I believe it’s Cassandra Boyce,” the manager said.

Her words dropped like a stone into the room sharp, unexpected, unsettling. I raised an eyebrow slowly, confusion flickering across my face. Cassandra Boyce? The name didn’t strike a bell. Was I supposed to know who that was?

“Who?” I asked flatly, my tone cold and clipped.

Lauren, who had been quietly observing until now, leaned forward slightly. “And what makes you think it’s her?” she asked, her voice calm but edged with curiosity.

So Lauren knew who Cassandra was, that much was clear from her tone. I didn’t, and that fact alone annoyed

1. 1. me.

The manager straightened her posture a little, trying to compose herself before speaking. “Sir, Cassandra is my personal assistant,” she began. “She was working as one of the business development managers at our German branch in Europe. A few months ago, she was transferred back here. We thought it would be best for her to work at headquarters as the business development manager, but the company wasn’t doing so well at the time. And with everything Lauren had accomplished at the Italy branch, we decided it would be better if Lauren took that position here instead.”

She paused briefly, maybe to catch her breath or to measure my expression before continuing. “Cassandra told me she needed a job, so I employed her as my personal assistant. She’s been working under me since then.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing every detail, my expression unreadable. “I see,” I said finally, my voice calm but with a quiet edge beneath it. “And why do you suspect that she’s the one?”

It didn’t go unnoticed that she had completely ignored Lauren’s earlier question, and that only made my patience thinner.

The manager swallowed. “Well, because everything adds up,” she said quietly. “And I’m sorry to say this, sir, but it’s kind of my fault too.”

“Your fault?” Lauren cut in, her brows furrowing slightly. “And how’s that?”

The

manager took a shaky breath. Her fingers twisted together nervously. “Well, the day Ethan Black showed up at your house…” she began carefully. “When Mr. Hale asked me to bring down the important document before he drove off with you, I gave Cassandra my access card so she could go into his office and get the file. I… I injured my toe that day, so I couldn’t move around much.”

I folded my arms across my chest, my gaze sharp as glass. “And you think when she got the file, she also got the information that was sold out to Ethan?”

“Sir, I’m sure of it,” she replied quickly, her voice trembling now. “The coincidences are too much, and there are no other explanations. Please, I hope you can forgive me.”

I could feel the storm rising inside me, the weight of anger pressing against my ribs, my jaw tightening as I

1/3

exhaled slowly.

“Don’t,” I said suddenly, my voice cutting through her plea like a blade.

Her head shot up.

“Don’t even do that,” I continued, stepping around the desk toward her. “You can’t make this kind of mistake and then come back begging, trying to make yourself look like the victim.” My voice rose with each word, the restrained fury finally spilling through. “There are rules in this company, and when the rules are broken, consequences follow.”

I could see her trembling. Tears began to well in her eyes, then fell freely down her cheeks.

“I gave you a strict warning,” I continued, my voice low and dangerous, “that you and only you should have access to this office. But you broke that rule. You disobeyed me and, in doing so, put the entire company at risk.”

Her tears dropped to the floor like small glass beads.

“Calm down, Roman,” Lauren’s voice broke through softly, measured and steady.

I turned to her, still breathing hard, the tension burning in my chest.

“I know what she did was wrong,” Lauren continued gently, “but don’t be too harsh on her. Besides, her saying Cassandra is behind it isn’t enough proof that Cassandra actually did it.”

I stared at her, disbelief flickering across my face. “You’re taking her side?” I asked, my tone sharp. “It’s because of her that Ethan found his way to your home!”

I couldn’t understand it. How could Lauren be so calm? She should’ve been furious. But instead, she stood there, collected, almost cold.

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