Chapter 4
During this time, Leonard sent plenty of people to cause trouble. Their actions were nothing more than petty, underhanded tactics, all of which I defused with ease.
After years in Glenford, the connections I had built far outmatched Leonard.
Several veteran employees at Black Group whom I had personally trained were already tempted to join me when they heard that I had started my own company. After all, ever since Leonard was parachuted into the company, he had been constantly suppressing them, leaving them miserable and stifled at work.
I didn't rush to have them come over to my side. Instead, I let them stir up minor trouble in their company before they left, as a way to show their loyalty to me.
Leonard thought that losing a few employees was no big deal and even secretly felt relieved that he had cleared out the remnants of my influence. But what he didn't understand was that the departure of certain people could cripple the company at its core.
One project after another fell through, and Black Group's stock price kept sliding.
On my side, I had a strong and well-staffed team. They showed astonishing drive and execution, securing several multimillion-dollar deals in rapid succession.
I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the conference room, looking down at the cheering team, and announced loudly, "Tonight, we're going to Velour. Drinks are on me, and no one leaves sober!"
"Boss, you're awesome!"
Amid thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the building in a grand procession.
At the entrance, a familiar black Rolls-Royce Phantom was quietly parked by the curb. The car door opened, and Clara, cradling her noticeably rounded belly, waved at me.
I didn't glance at her and kept moving with my team. Hazel stepped in to block my path.
Clara caught up to me, her face showing clear displeasure and a trace of anger. "Sebastian, what do you think you're doing? Can't you see me? You've really grown bold now."
I grew impatient and looked at her coldly. "Ms. Black, what do you want?"
She was taken aback by my attitude but still got straight to the point and ordered, "Shut down your small company and come back to Black Group."
Her audacious remark made me laugh in disbelief.
However, she mistook my laughter for hesitation and softened her voice slightly. "Sebastian, I've been really tired lately. Stop acting out of spite, okay?"
She paused for a moment, then spoke as if making a huge concession. "If you really care about Leo, I can arrange for him to move elsewhere for now."
As I looked at the self-important Clara in front of me, I couldn't help but doubt my past judgment.
I cut her off coldly. "I'm not acting out of spite. Ms. Black, we're already divorced. Please don't bother me anymore."
Her patience snapped, and her voice shot up. "I've already compromised! What more do you want? The company needs you right now. Why do you have to make things difficult at a time like this?"
I suddenly realized that it was impossible to reason with her. Did she really think that the world should revolve around her?
I replied, "Ms. Black, if you need anything, you should go to your dear husband, Leonard. I'm just an outsider. I have no obligation to clean up your mess."
It suddenly dawned on her, and a flicker of realization crossed her face. "Is it status that you care about? I'll think about it after I give birth, but you must promise not to make it public. I don't want to upset Leo."
I stared at her, pausing between each word. "I'll say it again. Leave. Don't let me see you again. I don't want to remarry you. Never in this lifetime."
Clara's expression darkened with fury. "Sebastian, don't take my kindness for granted! Don't forget that this is Glenford. Bringing down a small company like yours would be a piece of cake for me!"
At that moment, a clear and slightly lazy female voice cut in.
"Oh? Ms. Black, that's quite a bold claim. Are you not only openly harassing my fiance but also trying to destroy his company?"
Clara turned to look, and her expression faltered.
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