Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Another spring returned, bringing warmth and blossoms.
Chelsea’s company had moved its headquarters to a premier office tower in the city’s shiny business district.
The spacious, sunlit office occupied the entire floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sweeping view of the vibrant cityscape below.
The company had nearly doubled in size in just one year, with its flagship tech products crushing it domestically and starting to take overseas markets. It quickly became a rising star in the industry.
As the founder and chairwoman, Chelsea’s net worth soared, making her a household name among entrepreneurs in the tech industry. She frequently appeared in business magazines and on talk shows.
No longer the tech genius hidden behind the scenes, she now held court on stage, poised as she shared her rags-to-riches story and vision for the future.
But she never mentioned betrayal or messy drama-only her unstoppable passion for technology, relentless hustle, and all those gritty challenges she overcame.
Those painful memories got boxed up tight and buried in the back of her mind. They transformed into useful fuel for her growth.
20
That afternoon, Chelsea had just wrapped up an important international video conference and was about to take a breather when her assistant knocked.
In a low, hesitant voice, the assistant reported, “Ms. Stewart, the front desk says there’s a Mrs. Quinn downstairs with a Mr. Quinn. They don’t have an appointment, but they’re asking to see you, and they seem rather agitated.”
Chelsea’s fingers tightened slightly around her coffee cup.
Mrs. Quinn and Mr. Quinn.
She knew instantly who it was.
It had been more than six months since the industry forum where she’d last heard about Hayes. How did they manage to track her down here?
Chelsea frowned, irritation prickling at her.
After that clean break last time, they should have known better than to show their faces again.
“Tell security to remove them; I’m unavailable,” Chelsea said calmly.
The assistant bit her lip. “But Mrs. Quinn says if you refuse to see her, she… she’ll just keep waiting downstairs, and she’s threatening to go to the press.”
Chelsea’s eyes turned cold.
So that was their play? Trying to strong-arm her with bad publicity?
Some people just never learned.
After a thoughtful pause, she nodded to her assistant. “Put them in the small conference room. Two guards at the door.”
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Chapter 8
Time to see what tricks they’d got up their sleeves.
Minutes later, Chelsea entered the meeting room.
Janet and Hayes sat stiff inside, visibly ill at ease.
Half a year had passed since their last encounter, yet both looked as though they’d aged a decade.
Janet’s hair had gone half-gray, her well-worn clothes hanging loose. Every wrinkle on her face seemed etched with bitterness.
Hayes reeked of cheap booze, his hair a wild mess, face unshaven, eyes glazed over. He bore zero resemblance to the cocky executive she’d once known.
Seeing Chelsea walk in, Janet jumped up, jabbing an accusing finger at her. “Chelsea! You cold-hearted—”
“Mrs. Quinn,” Chelsea cut in, her tone calm but commanding. “Mind your language. This is my company. If you’re here to make trouble, I’ll have security drag you out immediately.”
Janet was cowed by her commanding presence, the words dying in her throat.
Hayes tugged at his mother’s sleeve, pulling her back down. When he looked up at Chelsea, his eyes were a tangle of shame, silent pleading, and just beneath, a thread of barely concealed resentment.
Hayes croaked, “Chelsea, we’re begging you. Please, have mercy on us…”
“Begging me?” Chelsea arched an eyebrow. “For what, exactly?”
“Please, have some goddamn mercy!” Janet burst out sobbing. “Hayes can’t find work, and my pension barely covers anything. We can’t even make rent. For old times’ sake, could you help him get a job, or… lend us some money? Otherwise, we’ll really end up homeless!”
She actually tried to drop to her knees before Chelsea.
Chelsea sidestepped, her brow furrowing deeper in displeasure.
“Mrs. Quinn, let me make this perfectly clear one more time: Hayes and I are strangers now. His failures aren’t my charity
case.”
She turned that laser gaze on Hayes. “You’ve got two working legs. Why can’t you find work yourself? Ever heard of DoorDash? Security gigs? Anything’s better than making your mom grovel to your ex.”
Hayes’ face burned red, yet he found himself tongue-tied.
“You think I haven’t tried?” he snarled. “But who would hire me? Companies have blacklisted me all because of you! You ruined everything for me!” It seemed he’d found yet another excuse to shift the blame.
“Me? Ruin you?” Chelsea let out a bitter laugh. “Hayes, you cheated on me and tried to steal what was mine. Now I’m the villain? Come on, you did this to yourself!”
“I’m done here.” Chelsea stood up, not wanting to waste any more time on them. “If you’re here to apologize, maybe I’ll listen. But if you’re here to beg, or worse, threaten me, then I’m sorry-please see yourselves out.”
She turned to leave.
“Don’t you dare walk away!” Hayes suddenly lunged forward, trying to grab her. “You can’t do this to me. Everything you have now-you climbed up on my back to get it. You owe me, and you’ll pay me back!”
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Chapter 8
He looked crazed, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
Security burst in and swiftly tackled Hayes to the ground.
“Let me go! Chelsea, you heartless bitch! I’ll make you pay for this!” Hayes screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice raw with fury.
Janet joined the circus, wailing hysterically and clawing at the guards.
Chaos erupted in the meeting room.
Chelsea watched the drama unfold with frost in her eyes. Any last shred of sympathy evaporated.
They might look pathetic, but they had something detestable about them.
She told her assistant, “Call the cops. Charge them with disorderly conduct and defamation.”
If they had to play dirty, she’d turn to the law and sever their delusions completely.
The police arrived fast. Hayes and Janet were still screaming curses when they got dragged out in cuffs.
Silence finally returned.
Chelsea walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the police car below fade into the distance. She exhaled softly in relief.
At last, this farce was over.
The setting sun bathed the office in golden light, casting her long shadow across the floor.
She lifted her coffee cup and took a sip.
The coffee was slightly bitter, but its mellow aftertaste carried a rich aroma, much like her life in recent years.
After swallowing all that betrayal and fighting through every obstacle, she finally got to enjoy her own success.
Her phone rang. It was a new friend inviting her to the long-awaited musical tonight.
With a smile, Chelsea answered the call. “Hey! Sounds great. I’ll be there.”
After hanging up, she grabbed her coat and stepped out of the office.
Outside the window, the city glittered-a whole universe of possibilities waiting.
The past was gone, and the future looked bright.
