Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Clara was in total shock, barely hearing a word around her. Waller had snapped up her company, making him her boss overnight. Thoughts of her commissions and contract flashed through her mind – no way he’d respect those, nor would he agree to her leaving early.
She recalled Walter’s demand the previous night for her to sign an addendum, which she outright refused. Theri today, he had Richard kicked out, trapping her completely
Wonderful, what do I do now? I can’t just not show up and quit. They will label it as skipping work; they could sack me for that. Technically, I won’t be breaking any labor laws, but it will screw over my reputation. Job hunting will be a total nightmare. And my hard–earned commissions–I can’t just walk away from them. I need that cash, She thought.
Thinking back to last night, Clara had an epiphany. That explains his smug comment about me begging him to come back. As if I’d ever beg
Her thoughts were cut off by her phone ringing out of the blue.
Seeing it was her landlord, whom she hadn’t heard from in forever, Clara braced herself for the bad news. She picked up.
Predictably, the landlord came straight to the point. “Uh, you’ve got to move out in a couple of days. I’ve sold the place.”
“But a sale doesn’t end a lease. That’s basic,” Clara countered.
“I get that, which is why I’m paying you to break the lease, plus your deposit. It’s all been transferred to your account. Check it. Just remember, you’ve got two days,” the landlord rattled off.
“Wait, who did you sell it to?” Clara had her suspicions but wanted to hear it.
“Eh, might as well tell you. A Mr. Colon. He didn’t hesitate about the price. His only ask was to get the tenant out. Now, hurry up and pack,” the landlord said, hanging up before Clara could say another word.
Left with the dial tone buzzing in her ear, Clara stood in her office, feeling her thoughts evaporating slowly.
Now homeless with only two days to pack up, she thought desperately, ‘How the hell am I supposed to find somewhere new so last?‘
Achill shot through her, a sickening realization making her skin crawl.
Clara took off, racing from the investment firm in full sprint. Mid–run, her phone rang. It was Jaylee, Marlie’s nanny, just as she feared.
Clara stopped dead, gasping for air, and answered breathlessly.
“What’s up? What’s gone wrong?” she blurted out, panic–stricken.
On the other end, Jaylee’s voice carried a hint of difficulty. “Sorry, I can’t do this after today.”
Clara, thrown for a loop, asked, “Why not?”
“Got some family issues. I’m out,” Jaylee murmured.
Clara cut in sharply, “Jaylee, did someone snatch Marlie?” RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
After a pause, Jaylee sighed. “Listen, As someone who’s been there, I’m telling you straight. It’s tough for a woman alone, especially after a divorce, to raise a child. I mean, just let the dad have her. Why bust your ass fighting? Life is long, it’ll get better.”
And Marlie? Clara asked, phone clenched tight.
lah, someone just took her. Had all the right paperwork; Teuldn’t stop him. Sorry, he has settled up with me, Jaylee rushed, then hung up.
Clara was left standing numbly by the roadside, and cars blurring past her. “I should’ve seen it coming,‘ she thought bitterly.
Walter, the cold–hearted king of Zwingenrath, was merciless. Within hours, he had pushed out Richard, taken over Clara’s company, grabbed her apartment, and now, Marlie too