Chapter 302
Feeling like a ton of bricks had settled in her chest, Brielle leaned on her cane and climbed back
into her car.
After parking in the downtown core, she hobbled into a nearby diner. Her mind was still a foggy mess. She had skipped meals all day, and now her stomach was punishing her, gnawing painfully from the inside. If she didn’t eat soon, she’d likely pass out from low blood sugar before even making it home.
She propped her cane beside her and ordered some comfort food – a cheeseburger with a side of fries.
This little joint was a stone’s throw away from Dorsey International, drawing a crowd of white–collar workers from the surrounding offices. In the world of finance, the hot topic was always the latest news. So, it was only a few minutes after sitting down that she caught wind of the Haywood family’s troubles.
The news had been buzzing about it for days, but for these folks, the angle was different. With the Haywood family in disarray, who would swoop in to claim their slice of the market? How would the stock market react? Speculations on which stocks would soar and which would plummet fueled the lively debates.
Amidst this chatter, Brielle felt like an outsider. It had been half a month since she’d set foot in Dorsey International, having been on rest since her leg injury. But right now, the last thing on her mind was work instead, she pondered how the Haywood family would handle the funeral arrangements.
After finishing her meal, she grabbed her cane and began the walk back to her car. Just then, a luxury car – one that screamed millions pulled up beside her. Out stepped Catherine, the woman she had met the other day.
–
Catherine’s eyes held a flicker of disdain as they landed on Brielle and shifted to the cane. “How’s the leg? Still not healed? Don’t tell me you’re going to be a cripple,” she sneered.
Brielle paused, turning to see Catherine clutching her designer purse worth a small fortune.
Catherine had felt a sting of guilt after intercepting a call meant for her husband days ago. Indeed, she had seen the Haywood family’s misfortune unfold stock prices were tumbling. contracts were being canceled, and debts soared into the billions.
Meanwhile, Kingston Enterprises had received a termination letter from Dorsey International in the same timeframe, leaving Catherine restless and worried. The rumor mill suggested it was all because Catherine had crossed Brielle. Could Kingston Enterprises face the same fate as the Haywood family? But then, last night, news came in from Dorsey International – the partnership would continue.
With a weight lifted off her shoulders, Catherine felt ridiculous for ever being scared of Brielle, a divorcee. The memory of kicking Brielle’s cast that day and now seeing her with a cane all
15:04
Chapter 302
helped dissipate the gloom a bit..
“Brielle, with your leg like that and the Dorsey family ditching you, you’ll struggle to find a man if you end up a cripple,” Catherine taunted.
Brielle tightened her grip on her cane, noticing Catherine approaching with the same malice as before. Catherine’s kick had resulted in a second fracture for Brielle last time.
Seeing Catherine coming for her again, a sharp glint passed through Brielle’s eyes. As Catherine drew closer, Brielle offered a thin smile. “Even if I were to lose a leg. I don’t think I’d be at a disadvantage.”
Catherine didn’t grasp the meaning behind those words. She strutted forward, and her foot was poised to strike, but Brielle’s cane was quicker, jabbing Catherine in the stomach.
Catherine stumbled backward from the poke, landing squarely on her rear. The bustling street was full of onlookers, and they all turned to see the commotion.
Red–faced with anger, Catherine noticed another figure stepping out of her car – her husband, Bradley, the CEO of Kingston Enterprises.
Bradley looked grim and adjusted his tie. “What’s the meaning of this? We’re here to sign a renewed contract with Dorsey International. There’s no need to provoke others,” he said sternly.
Clenching her fist, Catherine glared at Brielle, the woman who had embarrassed her. “Honey. this is Brielle, Spencer’s ex–fiancée.”
Before she could finish, Brielle interjected, “You could have done without the prefix. I’m the Director at Dorsey International, and that title isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Catherine’s nostrils flared, and she raised her hand to slap Brielle.
Brielle, tired of Catherine’s lack of lessons learned, extended her cane again, this time aiming for Catherine’s leg.
Bradley narrowed his eyes and sneered, “Make another move, and consider the consequences.” Dorsey International’s decision to resume its partnership with Kingston Enterprises suggested that the gossip Connor had heard was false. Max hadn’t canceled the deal with Kingston Enterprises because of Brielle. It might have been a weighing of pros and cons, and now that misunderstandings were cleared, both companies were set to collaborate happily.
As for Brielle? She wasn’t worth a second glance.
