The Hockey Star’s Remorse by Riley Above Story

Chapter 169

I sat alone at the corner table of the cozy coffee shop, nursing my cooling cappuccino and trying to drown out the world with the soothing hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. It was my temporary refuge from the storm that had recently swept through my life.

My phone buzzed, shattering the peaceful ambiance. Penny’s name flashed on the screen, and I hesitated before answering. The last thing I wanted was to discuss my latest misadventures, but I couldn’t ignore her call.

“Hey, Evie,” Penny’s voice was gentle, filled with concern. “Have you heard anything from Timothy about that email yet?”

I sighed, running a hand through my tangled hair. “Not a word,” I replied, frustration lacing my voice. Though I’m not sure I would be the first person he’d run to should he come across the email any time soon. Stella and Andy were the main points of interest, after all. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“He mentioned he had a ton of fan mail to sort through,” I added, hopefully casing her distress, as I heard her sigh over the phone. “So who know when he’ll be able to actually read the email.”

Penny’s reassuring tone came through the phone. “Hang in there, Evie. You did nothing wrong. This whole thing is just a mess, but we’ll figure it out.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Thanks, Penny. I’ll update you if anything happens.”

Just as Penny was about to say something more, there was a new disruption. The coffee shop’s door swung open, and a tall, lean figure walked in. Jasper, the very person who had helped force me into this mess, strolled in without a care in the world.

I watched as he approached the counter, seemingly unaware of my presence, and ordered a coffee. I nearly shook with repulsion, watching as he flirted with the barista with that supposed charm and charisma that all my old coworkers boasted

about.

Those qualities had never fooled me. Underneath that polished exterior was a calculating opportunist who had used my work and his family name to boost his career. And now, the same scheming nature that had propelled him upwards was

O

getting him a free coffee.

As he stepped away from the counter and waited for his drink, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He picked it up and answered with an impatient, “Hello“, before the voice on the other end cut him off.

I couldn’t help but listen to his loud, agitated conversation with the person on the other end of the line. His voice carried across the café, drawing curious glances from other patrons. The heated exchange was impossible to ignore.

“What do you mean, you messed it up?” Jasper’s voice dripped with anger as he paced back and forth near the counter. “You were supposed to handle that account flawlessly! You’re jeopardizing my entire case here!”

I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at the corners of my lips. For once, it was Jasper who was in the hot seat, and I was relishing every moment of it. The man who had used my hard work to his advantage was finally facing the consequences of his own actions.

“Look, just figure it out,” Jasper gritted out between clenched teeth, spit flying from his mouth. “And my uncle will be hearing about your poor performance. I will personally have you fired.”

The barista seemed a little less flattered by him now. He had been reduced to a screaming man– child, red–faced and stomping about without any concern on how he appeared. Other patrons were beginning to talk, eyeing him with concern.

“I don’t know, Nigel!” Jasper growled. “Maybe tell your kids that because of their incompetent father, they won’t be having a Christmas this year. “Tis life!”

With a loud grunt, Jasper ended the call with a dramatic tap on the phone screen. He turned to survey the coffee shop, his eyes scanning the room until they landed. on me. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and his lips curled into a condescending smile.

“Well, well, Evie,” he said, striding over to my table. “If it isn’t the prodigal ex- employee herself. What are you doing here?‘

I refused to be intimidated by him any longer. I met his gaze with a cool, determined look of my own. “Just enjoying a coffee, Jasper. What about you? Having a little meltdown, are we?”

0

A

Jasper’s face flushed with anger. “You have no idea what’s going on in my life right now,” he spat out, his voice dripping with venom.

“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea,” I replied, my tone laced with sarcasm. “It seems like you’ve run into a bit of trouble at work, now that you don’t have been slaving away trying to help you with your simple cases.”

Jasper snorted and looked around, like I’d spoken those words just a bit too loudly. “Oh, please. I was just helping you get your practice in. I could’ve done those in my sleep.”

“As you usually do,” I stated. “You sleep, and your paid help does all the hard work. Well, tries to.”

He leaned in closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? You always were a bitter, jealous little thing before I exposed your opportunistic tendencies, you slut.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. The anger that had been simmering inside me for far too long boiled over. I stood up abruptly, knocking my chair back with a loud scrape against the floor. The other patrons turned their attention toward us, curious about the unfolding drama.

“Slut?” I said, my voice trembling with rage. “You have no idea, Jasper. I’m looking at a pathetic loser who can’t function now that he’s lost his cheating buddy.”

The words hung in the air, a tense silence descending upon the coffee shop. Jasper’s face contorted with fury, his, fists clenched at his sides. He was ready to unleash his pent–up anger, but I wasn’t done yet.

I picked up my half–empty cup of cappuccino, took a slow, deliberate sip, and then poured the rest of it over Jasper’s perfectly styled hair. The hot liquid splashed over him, soaking his suit and staining his white shirt beneath.

“Thanks for getting me fired from the firm,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I looked down at him. “It’s been a pleasure, jackass.”

He sputtered, his face red and dripping with coffee. “You crazy…!” he began, but his words were cut off by a chorus of laughter from the other patrons. They were thoroughly enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them.

I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving Jasper fuming and humiliated. As I

111

reached the door, I glanced back one last time to see him attempting to wipe the coffee from his face with a napkin, his face twisted in a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

The cool, crisp air outside was a welcome relief after the heated confrontation. I knew that i had just burned some bridges, but I didn’t care. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of empowerment, as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

0