Chapter 95: Tides of Fear-1
For a long moment, no one moved.
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The door had already swung shut behind Ethan, but the echo of his voice still lingered in the room-sharp, poisonous, clinging to the air like smoke.
You might want to ask him what really happened to Dr. Beckett.
The room felt too still. Too heavy.
Damien didn’t flinch. Didn’t speak. Didn’t even look at anyone.
But Maya felt it-the subtle shift beneath the surface. Like a beast straining against its chains, growling just behind his eyes.
The silence stretched.
Harper was the first to break it, her tone low, uncomfortable. “Well… that was intense.”
No one laughed.
Ashcroft’s gaze remained fixed on Damien, unreadable. “You want me to handle him?”
It took Damien a heartbeat too long to answer.
“No.” His voice was calm-too calm. “He’s already handled.”
Ashcroft didn’t push, but the warning in his eyes said this isn’t over.
Her adrenaline, spiking since the slap, finally collapsed. Her knees felt unsteady. Her pulse
stuttered.
God… what just happened?
She blinked and looked around the dining hall-the crew frozen in various states of shock. Harper. Ashcroft. James. Lee. Her colleagues. Her friends.
Every single one of them looked stunned. Some startled. Some trying to pretend they weren’t watching.
Heat crawled up her neck.
“This is…” she forced out, voice cracking slightly. “I-I’m so sorry.”
They looked at her in surprise, but the words kept tumbling out, breathless and shaky. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Now the entire shoot is ruined and Ethan’s gone. We’ve all
Chapter 95 Tides of fear i
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been working so hard for days and I-” She swallowed, feeling the weight in her chest tighten. “-I ruined everything.”
Harper was the first to move. Her expression softened, eyes gentling as she stepped forward.
“Hey,” she said quietly, voice steady and warm, “you didn’t ruin anything. He did.”
Trina moved in next, tone surprisingly gentle. “Harper’s right. You didn’t ruin a thing, Maya. If anything… you did us all a favor. The way he’s been acting? Someone needed to put him in his place.”
Mary gave a slow nod, her voice calm but firm. “I don’t normally condone violence,” she said, glancing briefly at the spot Ethan had been standing, “but in this case… he got exactly what he deserved.”
Sienna and Jessa exchanged a brief look, then gave Maya a soft smile and a quiet nod-a silent show of support that said, we’re with you.
The words hit something deep inside her.
And just like that-the floodgates opened.
Maya shook her head, trying to speak, but no sound came. Her throat was bone-dry. Her chest tightened, and tears-hot and uncontrollable-welled in her eyes before she could fight
them back.
Her gaze swept the room again, and the weight of guilt crashed over her all at once.
“I… I’m… s-sorry,” she choked out, voice breaking with every word. “I’m really sorry-”
The tears came before she could stop them, spilling over as she shook her head-
and then she turned and bolted.
“Maya!” Damien called sharply, already stepping after her.
Harper’s hand shot out, stopping him with a firm shake of her head. “Boss… don’t. Not yet. I’ll go.”
Damien’s jaw tensed. “But-”
Ashcroft stepped in beside him, calm and unyielding. “Give her space, D. Harper knows what
to do.”
Damien hesitated, muscles taut with instinct to follow-but finally stopped, fist clenched at his side as Harper hurried after Maya.
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She didn’t waste a second.
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Harper slipped out and spotted Maya halfway down the corridor, shoulders trembling as she tried to wipe away the tears with the back of her hand.
“Maya!” Harper called-not sharp like Damien’s, but soft, urgent.
Maya slowed but didn’t turn around. The adrenaline was gone now-leaving her shaky, drained, and painfully aware of the chaos she’d left behind.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.