Chapter 21
Boom!
In their shabby living room, Patrick felt as though he was struck by lightning, and his mind instantly went blank. Alexander gifted Donovan a casket instead of the small gold Hygieia statue for his 70th birthday?!
“T-The gold Hygieia is right here,” Susanne’s voice trembled as she pointed to the living room corner, feeling a chill running down her spine.
They were done for!
The small gold Hygieia statue they had carefully saved for, using all their money and Amber’s savings from working at the bathhouse, was meant to make Donovan happy at the celebration. However, Alexander did something completely insane and humiliating!
Donovan must be furious with Alexander.
“Miss Chesire, there must be a misunderstanding,” Patrick said, his voice quivering. “Alexander acted on his own, and Susanne and | didn’t know
anything. Please don’t fire us. W—We've worked hard to secure the Severn Group project for Chesire Group for almost half a year! We-”
Zoe’s mocking laughter interrupted Patrick.
Sitting in her grand assistant general manager’s office, she arrogantly said, “Do you really think | don’t know what you're up to? Do you think the success with Severn Group was your doing? It’s mine! Heck, not only did Alexander send a casket to Grandpa, but he even demanded Herbert and | apologize to Olivia on her birthday!”
Zoe chuckled and added, “Anyway, | can’t be bothered with your nonsense. As of today, you and Susanne are no longer employees of Chesire Group. Get out of my sight!”
Zoe immediately hung up after saying that.
“It's all over for us...” Patrick slumped weakly into his chair, his face drained of all color as tears slowly slid down his cheeks, following the lines of his wrinkles.
Everything was over. Alexander’s recklessness shattered their half-year—long efforts and their hopes of returning to the Chesire family.
1/4 +15 BONOS “Dear, what are we going to do now? What are we going to do?” Susanne sobbed, clinging to Patrick's shoulders.
They had only been expelled from the Chesire family, but at least they still had their jobs. With that phone call, however, they lost their only source of income. Without work, there would be no insurance, no retirement plan, and no financial security for their later years.
They were left with nothing!
The couple found themselves overwhelmed by despair and cried.
After some time...NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
Click! The front door lock clicked, and the security door slowly creaked open. A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice called out to them from the doorway. The voice sounded strained and emotional. “Mom, Dad...”
That voice...
“Amber?!” Patrick and Susanne immediately stopped crying, completely stunned!
Amber, who had been mute for five years, was speaking?
She was cured!
“Mom, Dad!” Amber pushed open the door and rushed into Susanne’s arms, crying and laughing, her tears flowing uncontrollably. “My throat is healed, and | can speak! It was Alex! Alex found a flower for me and healed my throat! It’s been five years, a whole five years...”
Behind them, Alexander entered the room, carrying Olivia. He smiled at Patrick and Susanne. “Mom, Dad, | just did what | had to do.”
Patrick and Susanne were a mix of emotions—anger, joy, and indescribable helplessness. They did not hide the complexity of their feelings, but they still tried their best to calm themselves.
Patrick eventually turned away, slamming the coffee table.
Bang!
“Dad?” Amber shuddered, pulling away from Susanne’s embrace and looking fearfully at Patrick. Olivia was also frightened, and she burst into tears. “Grandpa, what’s wrong?
+15 BONOS
“Dear...” Susanne tightly covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She then turned to look at Alexander and Amber, her voice choked with tears as she asked, “Alexander, what have you done today? Zoe called just now...
Susanne repeated the conversation on the phone, her emotions spiraling out of control. Sobbing, she pointed at Alexander. “My goodness, Alexander... You've not only hurt Amber, but now you've hurt me and Patrick, too. Why did we struggle to keep those jobs, enduring humiliation just to keep our positions?”
Between tears, Susanne continued, “All for retirement benefits, for a secure future, for not causing trouble for Amber, for the sake of our family! Now what? Zoe has snatched the Severn Group project, and returning to the Chesire family is a lost hope. We've lost everything... Everything!”
Amber remained tense as the joy drained from her face. She slowly turned to look at Alexander with quivering lips. It seemed she wanted to say something but eventually lowered her head and stayed silent, her beautiful eyes glistening with
tears.
Her husband, her man, Alexander...
He had caused a commotion at Donovan’s birthday party just to vent their mother -daughter’s frustrations, and he even healed her throat.
Was he thus guilty?
If he was, she was willing to share the blame with him.
“It's too late to say anything now,” Patrick said wearily, slumping into a chair at the dining table and laughing bitterly at his luck.
“These past five years, we did consider resigning more than once, but Zoe threatened us with Amber and Olivia. That was why we didn’t dare to quit. Now... Hah! It’s just that the Severn Group’s project...
“Sigh... Forget it. | won’t say more!”
Patrick shook his head. The middle-aged man in his fifties seemed to have aged 10 years instantly. Then, he got up and supported himself on the armrest. The fist that had hit the table had left a bleeding gash, but he seemed oblivious to the pain. He slowly walked back to the bedroom with a heavy heart.
“Dear...” Susanne cried out and hurried after him.
Married for years, the couple shared their sorrow and joy together. In these hard times, Susanne knew she had to be there for her husband. As she shut the
“Zoe’s at it again.” Alexander, holding Olivia, looked at the crying Amber and the closed bedroom door. His eyes flashed with murderous intent as he came up with a ruthless plan.
Alexander had given Zoe seven days to repent. Not only did she not change, but she made it worse by taking revenge on his parents-in-law!
He set Olivia down and walked out of the living room alone. He passed through the hallway, reached the front door of the unit, and took out his phone, sending a message to Maxine.
After sending the message, Alexander slowly exhaled, emanating a terrifying aura. Severn Group, huh?
It was time he showed Zoe what the Lord of War could do.