# 25 BONUS Chapter 022 +25 BONUS " More than half of the delegates have turned against Volkan Industries . A prominent human rights activist has also spoken in favor of Julia Volkan . So far , several partners of Volkan Industries have pulled out and this can only be described as- " I turned off the video playing on the tablet and sank back into the car seat . I looked away , tears stinging my eyes as breathing became harder " All along , The Euphoria project was yours , right ? " I whispered , my grip on the door tightening . Atlas glanced at me , before shifting his eyes to the road . If the car sped up a tad bit It more than usual , I ignored it . " Yes . " " Yet , you have me original and allowed me to support him . You gave me all the tools to destroy your frame and credit it to someone else , right ? " This time , 1 turned as much as I could . We locked eyes for a split moment and I swallowed a sob " I mean , " Atlas cleared his throat , his grip on the steering wheel tightening as a tear rolled down my cheek . " Where's the fun in telling you the truth ? I wanted you to waste your time , why not ? " He stopped the car . " You are hurt , right ? " " I'm not the one on the news . I am not the one whose empire is crumbling down . " I hid my face in my hands , guilt gnawing on my insides . This is all my fault . " " Julia- " " No , just shut up This is My voice failed Don't Atlas trailed off . " Don't soak my car in tears okay ? Take , wipe it off . You look horrible with smeared makeup . " he handed me a handkerchief . I took it " He made a fool of both of us ou want Atlas ? Why do you " You let him , " I added . " You let him so I could feel good ? Feel important and in control ? What do you do this ? Why do you risk everything and then … " " If you think I did this for you , you're wrong " he clarified and my breath hitched . "I did this because I wanted to . I felt like it . So what of Volkan Industries gets ruined ? I will build it from the ground up again . Unlike Damien , I don't need a woman to succeed . " He scoffed and got out of the car I got out and followed him , grabbing his arm before he could leave . 1 caused this mess , I will fix it . ' " Isn't that the same thing you told Damien ? Julia you can't go around blaming yourself for stuff and fixing it . Stop being ave I don't need you I never did and besides , what are you going to do ? Mess this up again ? " " What ?" my chest tightened at hus words and he rolled his eyes . Aries closed the distance between us . " If you think you'll crawl into my good graces it will never happen , Julia Volkan . I can get everything but fll never forget my brother is dead because of you No matter what , when or whatever comes , that truth will like a brick wall between us My grip on his hand loosened and remained frozen in my place My stomach churned and I stumbled but he caught met Before I hat the ground A text rolled down my check and just as Atlas in hed to wipe it , someone's voice tore through " Boss There's a problem " +25 BONUS Atlas immediately released me and I hit the ground " Hey ! " I snapped , running my hands through my hair . " Explain , " Atlas said and the man nodded . " A mob is outside , they are threatening to burn the place down if you don't step down as the CEO of Volkan Industries . " My heart dropped and I watched as Atlas ' knuckles turned white . He scoffed " Uno reverse . I burnt down his company , so Damian is coming after mine ? Fair . Well played . " There was silence for a few seconds before Atlas spoke again . " Call Tania , tell her to assemble the best lawyers in Miami Inform Kyle to gather his contacts at the senate and … " He turned to me and his voice faltered . ' Drop her off at uh , " " Drop me off ? " I raised an eyebrow . I am coming to- " " Most definitely not " " Most definitely yes . " I retorted . " This is my mess , Atlas . " " It is my company " A company I built with your I barked and he froze . " I gave my heart and soul to Volkan Industries for years . Yes , I was pissed off and I made mistakes . But that doesn't mean you can sideline mer " So what is your plan ? " he asked and 1 froze . " You want to go there and look pretty ? " 1 stepped forward and slapped him . The guards immediately looked away and the man who spoke earlier stumbled in shock . " Is that what you think of me ? You think L .. I am just a pretty face ? " " Julia . " I shook my head at him and started walking away , as always , Atlas Volkan did not follow me . He did not stop me . He never did . The truth would always be a wall , stopping him , forcing him to hesitate , to second guess and I feared when he gained clarity when his eyes finally opened , I wouldn't be waiting for or him to stop me anymore . Maybe I would be so far , too far to reach I hadled a cab and asked the driver to o take me to Volkan Industries . When I arrived the mob was already present and so was A Atlas He seemed to be speaking to them a and trying to reason with them , but they were only becoming violent " How can we can we trust a who sidelined his wife for or years ? " They all clutched stones and had gasoline and lighters . My fists tightened at my side , a lump grew in my throat This was my fault " Hot just that he parades the city with her sister ! He is married to one and has another warming his bed " Afs jew twitched i blinked away tears , my chest tightening all over again . They were ruining his reputation . " The worst part is , he refuses to let her be at peace Tell us , Mr. Volkan Until now , no one in Miami has dared to question you but after abusing your wide and stealing her design , how can you even call yourself a business- Enough " snapped and everyone turned to me Atlas froze as our eyes locked . I - breath The reporters rushed toward me but I brushed them aside and stopped beside Atlas I turned to them and a shaky escaped my lips = -25 BONUS Not in a million years did I imagine doing this , did I imagine supporting the same man who had hurt me again and again but yet , in some twisted way , kept me entangled with him " Who are you to question him , tell me ! Who gave you that right , huh ? " " Mis . Volkan . You are acting strange . Has he threatened you ? " " There is no need to fear . Your designs were plagiarized and we are all supporting you . You don't have to defend him ! " " I am not defending him . " Atlas turned to me , his eyes burning into my skin . " I am accusing all of you Gasps rippled through the crowd . " Atlas Volkan has managed Volkan industries for over a decade . He spent his twenties . building the empire you have now . This same empire has funded hospitals , orphanages , and systems that support each of you Amenities , allocations , so many things … I trailed off . " Despite not being a political member , He fought for all your rights in the last rigged election . He put his life and Volkan industries at stake so everyone would have a good standard of living " " But " No , buts ! " I snapped " Everyone is always so eager to tear people down . You feed on rumors and I understand it is easier destroy a stack of cards than set it up . But this man is a rock ! He is not a stack of cards ! He …. he has made mistakes but Atlas .. I turned to him and we locked eyes . " Atlas would never risk his reputation . He could risk everything , even me . But this empire , it will always come first " Everyone fell into silence . Atlas ' eyes softened . It was clear I was getting to them . They were realizing the truth … " Do you know why ? " I asked , " Because every year , two hundred thousand people benefit from the profit of this business . I made a mistake and falsely accused him . I was wrong ! He didn't steal anything from me ! Those designs are- * Julia ! ** Everyone turned to see Damien standing there . " I knew it ! I knew this would happen ! I understand Julia , you don't have to be afraid . You don't need to lie . I am here to save you . I know that he blackmailed you and abandoned you on the streets ! Just look , everyone ! " Before I could process everything , photos of me on the roadside calling a cab while Atlas stood by his car flew in the air My breath hitched , Damien had turned the tables .