Oops I Banged the CEO novel Chapter 126

The air in the room was thick with invisible tension, the kind that prickled at your skin. Anna was so shaken by Marico’s words that she nearly choked, feeling as if the sky had come crashing down. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed into a chair, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” she wailed, dropping to her knees in front of Yvonne. “Please, Yvonne, I’ll do anything—just ask Mr. Hamilton not to fire me! It was just a stupid prank, I wasn’t thinking straight. Please, I’m begging you, forgive me!”

Yvonne didn’t let Anna’s desperation manipulate her. She refused to play the victim or let guilt sway her resolve.

“If you’re truly sorry for what you did—for offending me—then I accept your apology,” Yvonne said, her voice steady. “But if you’re only apologizing because Mr. Hamilton’s forcing your hand, then I don’t accept it. Because the truth is, you’ve never respected me, not from the very beginning.

A single rumor can ruin someone’s life, Anna. I’m just lucky Mr. Hamilton stood up for what’s right. But words have consequences, and you’ll have to live with yours.”

She didn’t bother to look at anyone else. Instead, she gathered her tray and took it to the bin, then walked out without another word.

As soon as she was out of sight, the tension that had held Yvonne rigid snapped, and she slumped against the wall. A wave of weakness washed over her, and beads of cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Anyone could see how terrified she’d been just moments before. One wrong word, a flicker of the wrong expression, and someone—probably Xenia—would seize the chance to bring her down.

But she’d made it through.

And in that moment, she understood something: the higher you climb, the more people are out there, waiting for you to stumble.

“Yvonne, are you okay?” Grace hurried after her, noticing how pale and shaken she looked.

Yvonne shook her head, trying to steady herself.

“Don’t worry,” Grace whispered, trying to comfort her as Yvonne’s shoulders trembled. “Mr. Hamilton just told Anna to pack her things and leave, right now. He was so angry he didn’t even finish his lunch.”

Something in Marico softened. His tone gentled. “Then let’s step aside and talk.”

“No need. Say it here,” Yvonne replied, refusing to yield an inch.

Marico exhaled, his dark eyes holding hers.

When he didn’t speak, Yvonne added, “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to go home and rest.”

Without waiting for a response, she strode toward the elevator, her expression unreadable.

She’d just caught sight of Xenia’s silhouette approaching. Clearly, Xenia had been listening, and Anna’s earlier outburst had only fueled her suspicions.