Chapter 4 Betrayal

• "You ask me why?" Hugh was enraged by Chase's attitude. He shouted, "Because I'm the head of the Saffer family! You, a man with no pedigree or talents, just stumbled into marrying Sydney. Now you think you're royalty? Don't you dare act superior to me!"
• Chase raised an eyebrow coolly. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in getting involved in your family drama."
• 'This good-for-nothing! How dare he keep defying me!' Hugh thought as he jabbed a finger at Chase, his voice booming with anger. "You ungrateful wretch! You just married a Saffer, and now you want to sever ties? How dare you!"
• "Oh? Are you talking about me?" Chase scoffed, gesturing towards Hailey. "The one turning her back, that was actually her idea. A moment ago, she declared my wife would no longer be part of the Saffer family, so we have nothing to do with you anymore. I wonder who's the real turncoat here?"
• "You..." Hugh was left speechless by Chase's comeback.
• He had rushed over without first getting a clear picture of the situation. He had no idea his daughter had already laid everything out. This was a slap in the face he wasn't prepared for!
• Dr. Pearson piped up from the side, "Old Mr. Saffer is allowing you to treat his illness because he sees your potential. If you can cure him, it could be your big break. Don't be ungrateful!"
• Hailey followed up with a firm tone, "That's right! We're giving you a sweet deal, one most wouldn't get. You should appreciate it! Agree to come with us now and treat my grandfather. If you manage to cure him, it'll be an accomplishment you'll remember forever. But refuse, and you can forget ever setting foot in Gemville again!'
• Chase met their intense stares with a sneer. "An opportunity, huh?" he drawled icily. "Honestly, I don't give a damn."
• Hailey's face contorted in anger. "Hey, hick! Don't get all high and mighty! This is Gemville, and we can crush you like a roach whenever we feel like it!" she yelled, jabbing a finger at him.
• Chase's eyes flashed with a cold fury. "Get your asses out of here now!" he spat.
• "You…!" Hailey's face turned red with rage.
• "Hailey!" Hugh shouted, stopping her in her tracks. He then looked at Chase and Sydney with a sneer. "You sure snagged yourself a real prize there, Sydney!"
• "Let's go!" Hugh commanded, leading his people away.
• "Dad, we're just going to let them walk all over us like that? That's way too easy on them!" Hailey argued, clearly not ready to let it go.
• Hugh, now calmer, said in a menacing tone, "What's the rush? This arrogant fool will eventually crawl to our door, begging to treat your grandfather."
• ...
• "Hey, do you have any idea what kind of power the Saffer holds? They are the untouchables here. Pissing them off could make your life a living hell." Sydney sighed, feeling helpless.
• She hadn't planned on Chase being such a bull in a China shop. He'd totally gone off on her uncle Hugh and cousin Hailey.
• "So what?" Chase shrugged nonchalantly. They were bullying you, and there's no way I was going to stand by and watch."
• Sydney couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest. He was sticking up for her. Still, with a mountain of work stress weighing her down, romance was the last thing on her mind.
• Just then, her phone rang. After answering, she frowned and turned to Chase, "Something's come up at the office. I have to head there first. Are you coming?"
• Chase nodded, and they caught a taxi to Komet Corp.
• The imposing Volt-Tec Tower's sixth floor housed Komet Corp's headquarters.
• Sydney and Chase exited the elevator only to be met by a commotion from the reception area.
• "Syd, about freaking time! Tell these clueless employees who I am already! What do they mean by holding onto my order and not delivering it?!" The middle-aged woman, acting like a total snob, grabbed Sydney's arm when she showed up.
• "What's the deal here?" Sydney asked, turning to a young man with glasses.
• "Ms. Saffer," the young man explained honestly, "this lady's company put in a million-dollar order, but they didn't follow the rules and pay the deposit first. So, we couldn't deliver it, and now she's freaking out."
• Sydney opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was drowned out by the booming protest of her middle-aged aunt, Shirley Harte." Hold your horses, young man! Deposits? What do I need with a deposit? Don't you recognize royalty when you see it? I'm the GM's aunt, for goodness sake! Deposits shouldn't apply to me for any purchase. How ridiculous!"
• Pointing at the bespectacled young man, she turned to her niece. "Look at him, Syd! Such incompetence. He should be fired for getting in the way here."
• Sydney's forehead creased. Sure, she might have pulled some strings to get things moving for her aunt, but seeing Shirley act so entitled in Komet Corp was starting to get on her last nerve.
• Nevertheless, she had to deal with Shirley's mess. "I vouch for her order. Just proceed with the shipment."
• "But..." the young man hesitated.
• "Nah. Your word just doesn't cut it." Just then, a heavily made-up woman emerged, exuding arrogance.
• "What's your problem, Marion?" Sydney narrowed his eyes at the woman, clearly unimpressed.
• Marion Bovril was the Sales Manager of Komet Corp. Sydney, the company's General Manager, held ultimate authority. In theory, Marion had no grounds to dispute her decisions.
• Marion shot Sydney a knowing glance before saying, "Cut the crap, Sydney," she said with a smirk. "You got kicked out of your family, and Hailey's taking over as Komet Corp's shareholder rep in two days. You're on your way out the door, so who are you kidding vouching for your aunt?"
• Marion's words hung heavy before the room exploded into chaos. If what Marion said was true, Komet Corp was heading for a major shakeup. This news hit the employees like a bombshell. It meant a power shift within the company and a looming battle for employee loyalty.
• Shirley turned to Sydney, her face etched with disbelief. "Is this true?"
• Sydney was Shirley's lifeline to a comfortable future, and Komet Corp was the company that made it all possible. If Sydney got the boot, Shirley's whole world would come crashing down.
• Notably, Shirley had just made a deal with someone else on this business venture. If she couldn't deliver, she'd be in serious trouble!
• Sydney had bigger issues than her aunt's concerns. Glaring at Marion, she challenged, "I haven't even left yet, and you're already eager to take a swipe at my family?"
• Marion chuckled, crossing her arms. She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Smart folks read the room, my dear. Do you even get 'strike while the iron is hot'?"
• She leaned in, taunting Sydney further, "Your family kicked you to the curb. Without their dough, you're nothing! So what if I went after your aunt on purpose? Got a problem with that?"
• Sydney faltered, "... You..."
• At that moment, A wave of betrayal washed over her. It was a painful realization, a recognition of feeling unappreciated or disregarded despite her efforts.
• "What the hell, Syd?" Shirley's eyes bulged. Her finger jabbed accusingly. "You've really outdone yourself! You didn't even bother to tell me that you got kicked out? Listen here, I'm in deep shit because of you here, and you owe me for this breach of contract!"
• Sydney stared at her aunt, jaw on the floor. As if things couldn't get any worse, Shirley was turning on her? Talk about adding insult to injury!
• "Why stare at me? Fifty grand for the breach of contract. Pay up!" Shirley yelled while reaching for Sydney's bag.
• Before Shirley could touch it, Chase stepped in and smacked her across the face, a sharp crack echoing in the air.