When Tessa needed a break between meetings and work errands, she headed to a café ready to fuel her energy. On getting there, she finds her father-in-law, Richard. But what happens when his lunch date isn’t Tessa’s mother-in-law?
I never imagined I’d find myself in the middle of a scandal. But there I was, standing in a café on the other side of town, staring at my father-in-law, Richard. He sat there, quite content with himself, as he kissed a woman who was definitely not my mother-in-law. My heart was pounding, and I could feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
I was embarrassed for him and myself.
How did I end up here?
“It’s Charles,” he muttered.
He answered, his voice suddenly soft and careful.
“Charles, hey… yeah. I’m just in a meeting right now.”
I watched his face closely as he spoke. His expression shifted quickly from nervous to terrified.
“What? No, I haven’t seen Elizabeth. Well, I… no… I didn’t. Look, I can explain!”
Richard suddenly pulled the phone away from his ear, his face drained of all color. He stared at it, then back at me, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
“What did you do, Tessa?” he demanded.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Me? I didn’t do anything, Richard. I’ve been right in front of you the entire time. Sounds like your actions are catching up to you.”
It turns out that karma was quick to act that day. Charles had been trying to reach his wife all afternoon, eager to tell her about his reservations to a new restaurant for them that evening.
And when she finally picked up, it was during my showdown with Richard. While Elizabeth lied about her whereabouts, Charles had overheard our entire argument. He didn’t need a full explanation: he knew enough to understand what was going on.
He had been suspecting Elizabeth of having an affair for a long time.
Charles’ reaction was swift. He ended their friendship on the spot and immediately pulled his investments from Richard’s company. Without those funds, I could see Richard’s life quickly spiraling away into bankruptcy.
Meanwhile, I got an unexpected call from Charles later that week.
“I’ll be back at the office tomorrow,” he said. “Let’s meet in my office after lunch.”
“Thank you for your discretion,” he said, though we both knew I hadn’t been discreet at all.
But I did manage to get a photo of Richard and Elizabeth before Richard saw me. And after his confrontation, I sent that photo to Charles and my husband.
“I’d like to offer you a promotion,” he said. “To lead designer. More responsibility, more pay. You won’t have to rely on Richard’s money.”
“Wow, thank you…” I said, stunned.
“Just keep up the good work, Tessa. And don’t let people like Richard push you around.”
So, here I am now, sitting in my office with a view while Richard scrambles to pick up the pieces of his shattered empire. Daniel told his mother, who threw Richard out immediately.
And me? I’m just a happy girl who was in the right place at the right time and making sure that Richard got what he deserved.
What would you have done?
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