Atoning for Her Sins

At an investor banquet, my fiancé Tanner Clarkson’s secretary, Willow Thorne, recklessly throws a glass of wine at an investor and hurls insults without thinking.

In retaliation, the investor demands that Willow make it up to him with her body, or he'll pull his funding.

To ensure the company's successful IPO, Tanner hands me a glass of spiked wine. Then, he pushes me to the investor, expecting me to extinguish his flames of rage.

His eyes are filled with feigned hesitation as he says, "Willow isn't like you. She just graduated—she's pure and innocent. Stop fighting it, Kathy. I'll make it up to you once the company goes public."

When I regain consciousness, I stare at the man across from me, my voice hoarse. "About that deal you mentioned... I'll sign it."

Davin Slade closed the file in his hands, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and glanced at me as though bestowing a favor.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he said, "Well then, here's to a successful partnership, Ms. Leigh."

I stared at his polite demeanor, my face pale as I recalled the events of the previous night.

When John Vaughn, an old investor of my company, was dragging me into a room, the elevator doors chimed and opened to reveal Davin inside, straight-backed and still. Just as the doors were about to close, I cried out to him and pleaded for help.

The image of John sprawled on the ground, beaten bloody, was still vivid in my mind.

I swallowed hard, unsure if I had made the right choice. Pushing down the unease in my chest, I replied with difficulty, "Pleasure working with you."

After I had packed up and was ready to leave the hotel, I happened to run into Tanner Clarkson and Willow Thorne in the lobby.

Tanner had an arm wrapped around Willow affectionately.

When they saw me, Tanner awkwardly retrieved his arm, while Willow rushed forward with concern. Although her face was filled with gratitude, there was provocation in her eyes.

"Katherine, are you okay? Did that old bastard hurt you? I'm so sorry. I should've endured his harassment so that you wouldn't have had to go through that."

The surrounding crowd went quiet for a moment upon hearing her words, and their eyes turned to me. Their gazes were a mixture of disdain and pity.

On the other hand, Tanner's face twisted slightly in disgust as he pulled Willow back to his side and reprimanded her, "What do you mean endure? A woman needs to protect herself first."

His disregard for me stirred a bitter feeling in my chest. I went up to him and looked at him with teary eyes. "Tanner, nothing happened last night. Don't you believe me?"

Tanner paused, and something flickered in his eyes.

Willow tugged at his sleeve and pouted. "But Mr. Vaughn said that if we didn't make it up to him, he'd withdraw the investment. He even called Tanner this morning to