---- Book 1 Chapter 16 Everything okay, boss? he asked, eyeing me. Great, he probably thinks I stole something. Yes, Matt, everything is fine. You can go, Cyrus said, dismissing him before hitting the button. The security guard stepped away from the doors, and I saw him run a hand over his shaved head, wondering what and if he should do something. As soon as the doors closed fully, Cyrus turned on me. I took a step back, his glare frightening me. His hands were visibly shaking at his sides. Eli called, and you are not quitting, he said, turning back to face the front. That's not your decision to make. You cant make me work here, I told him. He spun on his heel so quickly that he nearly gave me whiplash. He stalked toward me, and my back came in contact with the cold stainless-steel wall when I moved back again. The doors opened, and I looked at them in panic when he suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me out and toward Eli's office. He threw open the door, dumping me on the couch roughly. I watched as Eli rose from his chair behind the desk. He grabbed a manilla folder off his desk before throwing it at me. The contents spilled onto the floor, and I scrambled 3/5 ---- Book 1 Chapter 16 upright in my seat, only to notice a few photos had fallen from the folderphotos of me. I picked it up looking at it; it was a photo of me picking Maya up from school before I found another of me walking inside my house, more photos of me in different places. My blood ran cold. You have been spying on me? I asked before grabbing the folder. I found my birth certificate and a criminal history check, not that I had anything on it. They even had medical files, the deed to my mothers house, my fathers death certificate, and even my bank statements. How did they have all this? Though they were a tech company; it probably wouldn't be hard for them to hack into peoples records. We can do what we want. You belong to us, Eli said, making me look up at him. No, I dont. You have no right looking up my personal information, I told him, standing up and grabbing the file and walking toward the door. You walk out that door, and I will seize every asset you own, including your house, Eli said, making me freeze. What the fuck was he talking about? Excuse me, I told him, spinning around. He walked 4/5 ---- Book 1 Chapter 16 to his desk, grabbing the forms I had filled out the other day and handing them to me. I looked at them before shrugging, not understanding why he was giving them to me. You signed a contract. We own you. You quit, and I will make sure you come running back. It is all in the contract you signed. You would know if you bothered to read it properly, he said. I flicked through the pages, not finding anything that stated I couldnt quit my own job; seeing so many different clauses was making my head spin as the words jumbled together. Take them. I don't care. You can have my car, I told them, turning on my heel. You're forgetting something, Addie. Your mother's house is in your name, and her bank accounts are in your name. Your father left everything he owned to his daughters, and your sister signed her rights over everything to you when you took custody of her daughter. Therefore, you do have assets, and I will take them and run you bankrupt if you quit, Eli said. They wouldn't, would they? But why would they? They could replace me easily. 5/5 ---- Book 1 Chapter 17 Book 1 Chapter 17 Chapter 17 That document. You're under contract for the natural term of your life, Cyrus said, flicking to a page and pointing to it. I read it. The signee of this contract will hereby work exclusively for Mr. Cyrus and Elijah Colten indefinitely. In case of failure or breach of this contract, the signee relinquishes all assets to the company. I would never have signed this. What person in their right mind would? T will fight it in court. No judge would agree to this being upheld, I told them. With what money? We will clean you out long before it ever gets before a judge. We own you now, you belong to us, and we can do whatever we want with you. If you fail to comply, Adeline, I will ruin your familys life, Cyrus threatened me. I looked between them, shocked that they could be so cruel. Not to mention, I will make sure you are unemployable in the future, Eli said, sitting on the edge of his desk and folding his arms across his W/5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!