Chapter 10 WHEN REVENGE BACKFIRES

Natalia's POV

As Beth's words echoed in my head, the air instinctively became too cold- the sort of cold that settled in your bones when something went horribly wrong.

My hands became instantly stiff as my heart began to drum in my chest.

I had no idea what the police could be here for. The only incriminating case we had was safely buried in my emails-

Or had someone taken it out?

A frown settled on my face as I subtly looked around the room. Everyone had gone and only Wesley and about two other members of the board remained.

It made no sense for anyone to leak out that document because the company would be in trouble but surely the one who authorized it was going to be in far worse trouble.

Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I took a deep breath and got to my feet, forcing a smile at Beth- who was sort of acting as my most trusted ally at this moment.

"Let's go see what they want then," I said as I began to make my way out of the conference room.

I could feel her unease and not even my fake calmness worked on her, but I kept pushing. I held my shoulders high, ignoring the stares I felt from Wesley or anyone else.

The echoing sound of my shoes against the tiled floor became in sync with the rumbling fear I felt inside. But I still maintained my warm smile as we got to the reception area.

There were about four officers with steel-cold faces watching as we stepped out from the elevator. Recognizing who I was, one of them stepped out from the group and came towards me.

"You must be Mrs. Natalia Rivers?" He said, with a sharp nod- it almost didn't feel like a question at all.

More like an intimidating affirmation as his hand went to the gun at the sides of his pockets.

My heart skipped a beat but I maintained my exterior composure and let out a sharp breath.

"Yes, I am. How may I help you, officer..." I trailed, purposely waiting for him to fill in the details.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw all the workers watching, their heart literally in their throats as the tension increased.

"I am Inspector Mike, and I am here to take you with us for questioning."

"W-what?" I blurted as my blood shattered in my chest.

It sounded like a joke; like I had misheard but I didn't- and even if I did, the people around us didn't.

They were all on their feet now, whispering in hushed tones. Their eyes darted toward the uniformed men in panic.

Then like I had somehow been pulled back to the situation, his claims echoed in my head once again and my eyes returned to him.

"Excuse me, I am not Mrs. Natalia. I am Ms. Natalia and on what grounds am I supposed to go with you?"

The inspector's grip on his hip gun tightened. "You have been accused of unlawful employment and exploitation of minors in your mines overseas- charges that have resulted in the death of two children."

The words struck like lightning, loud and blinding. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The room started spinning as the words replayed louder in my head.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came. Then I turned, instinctively, and saw her- Ciara.

She was standing just behind the crowd, arms crossed, a wicked smile spread across her lips like she had waited her whole life for this exact moment.

And like an explosive bomb, my heart thundered in my chest as I realized that she had done this.

Straightening my spine, I turned to the officer and tried my best to put on my bravest face. "I'm sorry but you have the wrong information. That's not-"

The inspector raised a hand, instantly silencing me.

"We have evidence. Documents and signed approvals that are more than enough to move the case forward. We are only treating you nicely because of your father's strong reputation. Please come along-"

As his hand reached to lead me out, I slapped it off as my anger exploded inside of me.

"I didn't approve of anything!" I protested, heat rising in my voice.

"Those contracts- those deals- were authorized by Ciara before I became CEO!" I yelled pointing at her. "If you truly have evidence, then you need to check your facts correctly!"

But the officer barely even moved his eyes to the criminal I was pointing at. He simply motioned to one of the other officers behind him. Before long, they handed him a black envelope and he handed it to me.

"Knowing how influential your father is, we suspected that you will try to resist arrest. Please, that's a copy of the evidence which- if you may know has already been handed over to the press- outside," the inspector explained, motioning to the door.

"What?" My eyes instantly flew to the large glass walls that were at the entrance- and true to his words, it was covered by paparazzi.

My heart dropped. No...

My father was going to see this. He was going to see the very scandal he had warned me against!

Tears danced in my eyes as pain, betrayal, disappointment and every negative thought I could think of washed over me.

I should have fucking exposed Ciara when I found out about that cursed deal and not trying to use it as my revenge tool! Now I have placed Diamonds in a very ugly spot!

My hands started trembling as I ripped open the envelope, pulling out the papers inside.

The moment my eyes got to the signature at the bottom of the paper, my heart froze.

It was- my name. My signature.

I widened my eyes as if it would clear away the letters before me. But the scribbling and letters remained the same.

-they remained mine.

It was written in bold ink across the bottom of the document that directly approved the mining conditions in which those children had died.

My heart started hammering as the whole situation became clearer... "I didn't sign this..." I whispered, shaking my head.

But even as I said the words, I couldn't deny that the signature was identical to mine.

The page was official. The ink, wasn't even faded. It was fresh. Crisp.

Panic tore through my chest and vision blurred as I looked up at the officer. "I swear, I don't know how this happened but- I didn't do this."

The inspector only shrugged as he took the papers from my shaky hands. "I am afraid that is something you will have to repeat in court. Please come with us-"

"Wait!" Wesley's voice suddenly filled the space and my heart skipped with a twinkling of hope.

"Wesley, I swear, I don't know how my signature got there... I didn't do it. Check the date, it happened long before I got appointed-" I mumbled, moving towards him.

His jaw was tight but his eyes softened as he held my upper arms and squeezed them gently. "Don't worry, I know you didn't do this."

He gently walked past me and moved to the officers. "May I see that?" He requested and they handed the envelope to him.

Panic shot through my insides and the sounds around me were starting to expand as the excitement outside only grew. But somehow, I held my breath, watching Wesley.

His shoulders tensed as he scanned the file. When he was done, he passed it to his assistant- who had appeared behind him.

Then he turned to the inspector, "This isn't hers," he said to the officer. "There's something wrong here. It's forged."

"It's admissible," the inspector said flatly. "But just like I told Mrs- Ms Natalia, your lawyers will have to prove that in court. For now, we have a warrant and she must obey."

His hand pointed at the exit once again and he looked at me. "Please, I won't continue to be this lenient ma'am, let's go."

The hope inside of me shattered and I felt my body begin to melt into a major breakdown as I began to walk towards the officer.

But Wesley stood in my path, facing the officer. "You can't just-"

"Please sir, do not obstruct the law." The other officers said and I held his gaze.

Silently begging him to let go. The worst had already happened. We just- I just had to find a way to survive this too.

Time slowed as my emotions blurred the whole situation. It suddenly felt like an out of body experience.

My subconscious sat back and watched as I was led out of the company, through the excited paparazzi, the crying crowds and the evil smile that I could still clearly picture from Ciara- and I became numb.

I said nothing, only watching as they led me to their vehicle and we zoomed off to the station.

I saw Wesley, rushing to get to his car as well but my mind couldn't even think. It was like there was a timer that patiently waited till I was alone.

And the moment we got to the station and I was left in a small cell, all alone, I broke.

It wasn't because of the cameras or the arrest. It was the pain. The betrayal, the very root of this problem.

Robert Brook.

If he hadn't cheated on me. If he hadn't lied to me. I wouldn't have taken charge of Diamond. I wouldn't have tried to blackmail nor hurt Ciara.

My judgement wouldn't have been clouded and maybe- just maybe, I wouldn't have found myself here like this...

Heart broken, foolish and ruined.