Chapter 53: Chapter 53

The days blurred together as I settled back into work.

Now that I was finally out of the hospital and with some leave under my belt, I was using every spare second I could scrape together to lay the groundwork for my plans—businesses, investments, anything that would build a secure future and fund the revenge I had in mind.

I invested in a few promising stocks I knew would skyrocket in the years ahead, thanks to that unfair advantage called "memory." The extra income would come in handy soon.

And, thankfully, I no longer had to share an office with Jo. I had a private space now, somewhere I could breathe and focus without distractions. Well, almost. There was still the occasional, uninvited intrusion, Gabriel being the worst offender.

I hadn’t seen Jason since my discharge, and despite my better judgment, part of me felt a stupid pang of disappointment. I forced myself to shake off the feeling.

Missing him? Please. It wasn’t like he was going to show up just because I wished it.

And then, of course, there was Gabriel. As much as I’d told him we were done, it was as if the word "breakup" didn’t exist in his dictionary.

Today was no exception.

"So, I’ve got some big news for you," Gabriel’s voice cut into my thoughts, that self-satisfied grin plastered across his face as he leaned against my doorframe.

I glanced up from my screen, masking my annoyance with a raised eyebrow.

I already reported him to security and management but they didn’t see if as anything. As Gabriel had his uncle in HR.

Maybe I would meet Jason...if I see him.

"Gabriel, we’ve been over this."

"Oh, don’t start that again." He waved me off, stepping into the room as if he owned the place. "We’re still together. You’re just going through... something. Maybe it’s your period. Is it?"

My fingers itched to throw something at him. Instead, I folded my arms. "And what exactly is this big news, Gabriel?"

"I’m going to be rich," he announced, grinning like he’d just won the lottery. "I’ve got the inside track on this amazing stock. It’s going to blow up any day now. You remember the company, Harrell BioSolutions?"

I stifled a smile. Harrell BioSolutions. In my past life, Gabriel had banked on those shares, but only after I’d mentioned the company was set to skyrocket.

I’d invested back then, too, and it was the one time he’d actually listened to me. That investment had been the turning point that made him a fortune.

But again he took some of my money, spent it, and the rest I had went into medications.

And bills he piled up.

Awful.

"Harrell BioSolutions, huh?" I asked, feigning mild interest. "And you’re sure about this?"

"Absolutely," he said, looking smug. "So... how about a celebratory dinner tonight? I’ll even introduce you to my family." He gave me that self-assured smile, like he thought it was a done deal.

I bit back a laugh. He really didn’t believe we were over, did he?

"I’ll pass, Gabriel. And we’re not dating, remember?"

He waved me off again. "Come on, Kiara. Just a rough patch." He leaned in, whispering like he was sharing the world’s best-kept secret. "Besides, I’m going to sell those shares for Biosolutions soon and make a killing. Then, I’m buying into a new company—Stegman Corp. Ever heard of them?"

I froze. Stegman Corp. The name was a flash of red in my memory. They were a start-up that went bankrupt within a year, a complete disaster for every investor who bought in. And Gabriel... he’d sunk a good chunk of his fortune into it. It was one of the many bad calls that had eventually led him down the drain.

"Stegman?" I repeated, trying to sound casual. "And... what makes you so confident about that one?"

"Connections, babe," he said with a wink. "I’ve got friends who are already in. They say it’s the next big thing."

I smirked, suppressing the urge to laugh. "Right. Well, good luck with that."

Gabriel grinned, as if he’d just been given my full blessing. He left, humming to himself, already counting his imaginary fortune.

The second he was out of earshot, I grabbed my phone and placed an order for shares in Harrell BioSolutions. No way was I letting him have the advantage.

But Stegman Corp.? I’d let him sink his own money into that one, right where it belonged.

In the trash.

Like him.

A few hours later, I was ready to take lunch. I’d noticed Gabriel was conveniently away from his office, which meant it was the perfect time to dig into his files. I’d overheard things in my last life—rumors of corruption, embezzlement, questionable deals. Things that would haunt him later. But I’d never known the details, never had a chance to find out what he was really hiding. Now, though? Now I’d make it my business to know.

I slipped into his office, my eyes quickly scanning the room. Typical Gabriel—piles of papers, an unorganized mess, and a couple of loose binders on the desk. I pulled the door shut behind me, just to be safe, and started my search.

It didn’t take long to find what I was looking for. A few folders tucked into a drawer, innocuously labeled "Expenses" and "Miscellaneous." Classic.

I flipped through them, my fingers skimming over a list of names, amounts, and vague itemizations. None of it was blatant, but it was enough to make anyone with half a brain suspicious. Some were receipts, some looked like cash transfers, and there were a few strange wire transactions marked as "consulting fees."

I narrowed my eyes, remembering a similar "consulting" habit of his in my past life. Back then, he’d funneled money through this "consultant" to cover debts he was hiding from his family. He was in over his head and trying to keep up appearances, but he couldn’t hide it forever. The debts, the lies, the shady deals—it all caught up eventually.

Then there was an email, printed and tucked into the folder. It was a short chain between him and another executive, discussing "client incentives." But it was clear from the language they were talking about bribes. Little kickbacks here and there to keep contracts under the table. I shook my head. He’d been corrupt even before he had power.

Just then, I heard footsteps outside the door. My heart lurched, and I quickly closed the folder, shoving everything back into the drawer as quietly as possible. I looked around thinking of where to hide.

The more I panicked, the more the footsteps got closer.

"Oh God!" I whispered.

The door creaked open, and I ducked under the table.

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