310: NO RESPECT
ARIEL’S POV
Not someone I expected to see, but what could I say? God was just showing me things. And by the
way, I couldn’t let this woman continue to walk around freely. Who knew what she had in mind? Who
knew what she was cooking up? Her schemes are to ruin me. I couldn’t let her get out of my sight, no.
Still sitting in my car, I watched Harriet, her figure shrouded in a ck hoodie, trudging along the road
with an air of secrecy. My curiosity piqued. This was how the idiot was going to keep living her life.
Moving here and there, hiding from the people of New Haven. What a life that was! Once a famous
actress, now look at how she was ruined.
Instinctively, I felt the urge to drive in her direction, to uncover the mystery veiled beneath her cloak of
anonymity. But was there actually a mystery? I could ask myself that, but the thoughts were technically
kind of messed up. I knew what was going on in her mind right now. Seeking vengeance, she tried to
follow through with her evil deeds. But apparently, I wasn’t going to let that happen. Well, if I had the
chance, Hold on; I have the chance right now. Things could be really messed up, probably.
So, right now, it was all about following her, and just as I was about to shift gears. my phone interrupted
the moment, buzzing insistently with an iing call from Janice. When my daughter’s sweet voice
called, I sighed and replied, “Why hadn’t I spent the night at home?”
“Oh, sweetheart,” I chuckled. “I’ve just got some things to take care of. But I promise, I’ll join you soon.”
Our conversation was brief but filled with affectionate exchanges, leaving me with a warm feeling in my
heart as I ended the call.
Turning my attention back to the road, I became frustrated when I realized Harriet had vanished from
sight. I mmed my palm against the steering wheel, cursing my luck.
Fuck! Why did that good–for–nothing idiot have to vanish like that? Now, where the hell had she gone?
If only I could spot her right now. I’d start the car without
310: NO RESPECT
thinking twice.
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But I couldn’t let myself get wild by that. I couldn’t think too much or get upset. about losing her. If she
wanted to do something bad, she should go ahead. I wasn’t scared of her, but I was fully prepared for
anything that was about toe.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. And then I started driving.
LUKE’S POV
Stepping into the lobby of mypany, the weight of responsibility pressed.
heavily on my shoulders, as always. Today, I just had this different feeling. I didn’t know, but things
were just different. Everyone was great–same faces, normal activities–but the feeling was different
within me.
I nced at my watch and decided to move further, but before I could even reach. my office, Jack
hurried over, his expression a mix of concern and urgency. Crap, on the way I could actually guess
that.
“You’rete, sir,” he whispered, and his voice was filled with worry, as if we were supposed to depend
on thispany that hade to pay us a visit.
“I know,” I replied tersely, all because I had to. Thoughts of the impending meeting were moving around
in my head, but it wasn’t like I was panicking or something.
“So, I thought you were with them. Where are they?” I nced around, searching for representatives
from the Starkpany. But before Jack could respond, they approached us, their demeanor cold and
disapproving
“Luk Reynold, you’ve been a messtely,” one of them stated bluntly, his tone. dripping with disdain.
“It’s bing increasingly difficult to work with you.”
His words cut deep, and I struggled to maintain myposure. Otherpanies. noticed my erratic
behavior and tendency to avoid meetings and responsibilities. I knew I needed to do better. But, you
see, it has been all about familytely. It was all about Ariel, and I would do everything I could to put
her first. She deserved all the attention, so losing anything just to still have a hold of her was worth it.
“I apologize,” I began, my voice kind of low, and it’s not like I wanted to do this. But it was something I
had to do. To maintain the rtionship I had with these people. My grandfather taught me that. “I’m
committed to improving and making things right,” I added.
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But they were not swayed. Instead, theyunched into a barrage of insults, which was really irritating
and made me sick.
“I didn’t even know why your grandfather handed thispany to you in the first ce. You clearly do
not deserve it,” one of them spat, looking around.
“Exactly,” the other spoke. “I have to admit; the old man was a fool for making
such a decision.”
“What the hell did you just say?” I asked in a cold and threatening tone. Anger boiled inside me,
threatening to erupt. “Don’t you dare speak ill of my grandfather, “I growled, my fists clenched at my
sides. “He believed in me, and I won’t let you tarnish his legacy.”
“Oh, please, don’t think that we’re going to be scared of that face of yours. We’re saying nothing but the
truth right here. Your grandfather was such an idiot to hand Reynold’spany to you. It’s definitely
the biggest mistake someone’s going to
make in a lifetime.”
“Enough!” I snapped incontinently. Their words stung, but I refused to back down. “Leave the
company,” Imanded, my voice low and menacing. “I don’t need your worthless project, and I
certainly don’t need your insults.”
“Don’t start yelling at us, Luke Reynold. We’re just telling you the truth. We all
know the truth hurts.”
“To hell with you and your goddamn truth. You can leave.”
“Is this how you’re going to act now, Luke? Getting angry and terminating projects that are worth
millions? That is so unprofessional.”All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.
“And what’s professional? Youing to my ownpany to throw insults at me and mock my
grandfather’s name?”
“Is that how you see it?”
“How else am I supposed to see it?” My infuriated tone continued.
“We are only correcting you.”
“And in no little kid. I know how things work, mister.”
“You want to know your problem, Luke Reynold? You can’t take simple corrections.
310. NO RESPECT
“And you want to know your problem? Is it that you can’t stop talking sh*t? You both are so annoying.
Like, how do you idiots even run yourpany?”
“Enough with the insults.”
“Oh, shut up! And I don’t want to see the both of you around here anymore.”
“You do know the consequences of your actions, right?”
“Get out!” I spat, my tone final. “Before I lose my patience.”
They both made me angry, but I didn’t care one bit. “Fine, we will leave. But just know that the Stark
company will never work with The Reynolds anymore.”
“Good. Now, bye.” I faked a smiling face, and they both adjusted their suits before walking away.
“That was terrible,” Jack said softly.
I sighed and walked away.