Chapter 46
Marilyn’s eyes turned to ice. My comment hit her where it hurt. She had always been sour about me quitting my job to help Harlan.
When Harlan took over the company, it was a hollow shell.
It was about to crash out of the elite circle. Harlan yanked it back from the abyss.
Well, I played a big role in the process.
That was a slap in the face that Marilyn couldn’t forget.
She glared at me, her eyes blazing. “What’d you say?”
I asked, “Does the truth burn that much?”
Marilyn’s fingers trembled with rage. She pointed at me, hissing at Harlan, “Look at the gem you picked! Trying to give me a heart attack?”
Harlan gave me a lukewarm scolding. “Charlene, tone it down.”
I smirked. “Sure thing. But I’ve always been direct. If you want sweet talk, Mrs. Shannon, maybe start by minding your own words.”
My remark seemed to cross a line. Marilyn shot up, towering over me. “Who do you think you are? Ordering me around?”
Harlan gave me a cool glance. “Apologize.”
I hesitated, my irritation boiling. My temper was about to blow, but then I thought, why not? A few insults for 300 thousand dollars were totally worth it.
I looked up at Marilyn, saying halfheartedly, “Sorry.”
She fumed, ready to fire back, but Harlan cut in calmly, “Mom, we’ve got plans this afternoon. Let’s go, Charlene. She’s all bark and no bite. Don’t take it personally.”
Without a second glance at Marilyn’s face, he wheeled me out.
My stomach was killing me, and cold sweat was pouring down my forehead.
Harlan helped me into the car, his voice flat as he said, “Next time with my mom, tone it down.”
I chuckled. “Sure, extra pay required.”
Harlan’s gaze darkened. He studied me for a beat and then asked, “Are you feeling hot?”
I met his eyes and saw my own mess–hair stuck to my cheeks, pale as a ghost, sweat–soaked.
I looked away. “Yeah.”
He didn’t buy it. He felt my forehead but found nothing unusual.
Then he started the engine.
Pain sapped my strength. I closed my eyes, desperate to get to the office because my desk had my stomach meds.
Ten minutes ticked by, but Harlan didn’t pull over. When I finally looked up, I realized this wasn’t the way to the office.
I couldn’t hold back. “Where are we going?”
‘Hospital,” he said lightly.
I was stunned, not knowing what to say.
The whole ride felt unreal before we got to the hospital.
Harlan handled the check–in and listened intently to the doctor’s instructions. For a moment, I saw a side of him that wasn’t so bad.
When the doctor finished, Harlan glanced at me. “You don’t know your limits? Begging for misery?”
My face fell. Well, I was a fool, thinking that he wasn’t so bad.
When we got out of the hospital, Harlan gave me a half–day off, and I headed straight home.
As soon as I walked in, Marilyn’s message popped up. [Charlene, know your place. Leave Harlan now, or you’ll regret it.]
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Chapter 46
I typed back coolly. [Sorry, Mrs. Shannon, but Harlan can’t live without me.]
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