Chapter 6
The next month was weirdly peaceful.]
Ryan basically became a whole new person.]
Coming home at normal hours, attempting to cook like some wannabe chef. Spoiler alert–he sucked at it.
He deleted Madison’s number right in front of me and got a completely new phone.
Our house almost felt normal again.
Even my parents were like, “Maybe he actually gets it now.“]
But then I saw our latest quarterly reports. The East Coast branch was hemorrhaging cash like crazy
I tapped the ugly red numbers:
“Amy, I need everything on East Coast–every project, every hire, every damn expense from the past six months
“And Ryan’s been flying out there like it’s his second home. Get me all his travel logs.
“You got it, boss.”
Amy practically sprinted out of my office.
A few days later, a thick report landed on my desk
The losses were complicated, but one thing jumped out like a neon sign.
Our East Coast manager–Robert Thompson–had been with Dad for almost thirty years. Guy was rock solid, loyal as hell.[]
Ryan had just forced him into early retirement a month ago. Claimed his “management style was outdated” and didn’t fit the company’s new direction.[]
And guess who got Robert’s job?
Madison fucking Williams! The same girl HR had kicked to the curb
Her new title? East Coast Marketing Manager.
I felt my blood pressure spike.
Ryan, you absolute piece of shit]
He threw Dad’s most trusted guy under the bus just to set up his side piece in a power position.[]
I dialed Ryan’s number, voice tight with rage: “Ryan, get house right now. W We need to talk.”
Background noise crackled through the phone. Ryan sounded distracted and busy:
“VI? Right now? Can’t do it. I’m stuck in meetings at the branch office. Swamped with deadlines, probably won’t even make it home tonight…
“I said get home. Now!”
My tone left zero room for argument.[]
“Seriously, I can’t bail! This project’s at a critical stage, and I’ve got a huge client meeting first thing tomorrow……..
He sounded annoyed: “Let’s talk later, okay? Gotta run!”
“Ryan! Don’t you dare-
0
Click.
He hung up on me.
Tried calling back. Straight to voicemail.
Perfect. Just fucking perfect!]]
Robert got fired for failure to follow company directives“?
Let me find out WHO’S REALLY NOT following orders around here!
I grabbed my keys and bolted downstairs.
My driver took one look at my face and floored it the whole way.
By the time we hit the branch office building, it was past midnight
Most employees had hailed hours ago. Only a few lights were still on in the executive suites.
I stormed straight to the GM’s office, face like stone.
The door was cracked open, warm light spilling out. Along with… was that giggling?
I froze outside the door. Their voices carried crystal clear.
Ryan’s voice:
“…that position was always meant for you anyway. Robert Thompson, that stubborn old–timer, thought he could boss you around just because he’s been with the company forever? Guy had it coming”
Then came Madison’s sickeningly sweet giggle:
“Ry, you’re so good to me- If that bitch Violet hadn’t screwed me over and cost me my graduation, I wouldn’t have to keep bothering you like this…
Ryan let out this cold laugh, voice dripping with contempt.
“She’s paranoid as hell! That uptight control freak at home? Nothing like my sweet Madison. Sterling money, you think I’d waste my time with her?
My vision went white
I forced myself to breathe. Stay calm. Process this.
for back then… If it wasn’t for
So that’s it.[]
He only got close to this “uptight bitch” for my family’s money.
To him, I was never anything more than a fucking stepping stone.
All those apologies, all that remorse–complete bullshit!!]
Rage and disgust crashed over me like a tidal wave.
But weirdly, I felt ice cold inside.[]
I pulled out my phone, hit record, and captured every filthy word from those two pieces of shit.
After a few minutes, I pocketed my phone. Didn’t bother bursting in for some dramatic confrontation.
That would be beneath me.
I turned around and slipped out as quietly as I’d come
Back in the car, I worked on my phone with zero expression.
Uploaded the audio file with a caption:]
[Ryan’s been working so hard at the branch office–mentoring our new manager Madison, who couldn’t even graduate college.
Set it to limited visibility: Dad, Nathan, the entire board of directors, all senior executives, and… Ryan’s grandparents.
Send.
Done.
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.]
The driver silently started the engine.
Crop
