Chapter 4
After Drogo slammed down the phone, his face was red with anger. “Unbelievable! That brat got some damn nerve!” he shouted.
In his mind, he fumed about Chelsea–spoiled, ungrateful, and impossible to satisfy, no matter what anyone did for her.
Angela stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a cup of coffee. She handed it to him softly, hoping to cool him down. “Sweetheart, don’t let her get you so worked up. Chelsea’s just… lost right now. She doesn’t mean to act like this.”
Drogo grabbed the coffee, still scowling. “If she’s never faced real–life shit, maybe it’s time she does!”
Angela’s lips curled into a subtle, satisfied smile. Seeing her husband settle down a bit, she made her way upstairs.
Meanwhile, Margot was in her room, finishing up her skincare routine. She looked up as Angela stepped in. “Mom, what’s up?”
+23
Angela leaned in, lowering her voice. “Chelsea’s coming back to the office tomorrow. You need to play your cards right, make her feel out of place. We need your dad to see she’s just not cut out for this.”
Chelsea had been working in the Wise family company since college, slowly winning over the shareholders. If things kept going this way, she might actually take over the family empire someday.
Margot’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll make sure Chelsea doesn’t get too cozy.”
Angela grinned, knowing her daughter had it covered. After a few last–minute pointers, she slipped out of the room.
The second Angela left, Margot eagerly dialed Wade’s number. “Wade, my sister’s coming back to the office tomorrow,” she said, her voice soft with just the right hint of concern. “I think she might still hold a grudge. I thought maybe I’d go apologize… just to keep things smooth.”
“Apologize? For what, Margot? You didn’t do a damn thing wrong,” Wade replied, sounding a bit confused.
At the mention of Chelsea, Wade’s expression darkened–a mix of old memories and resentment.
He and Chelsea had grown up together, and she’d once meant the world to him. But everything changed when they were fifteen.
They’d been in a dangerous situation, and Chelsea had left him behind, saving herself. He’d barely survived, spending months in recovery.
Chelsea hadn’t even shown up at the hospital until three months later, as if she could just waltz back in like nothing had happened.
When she did show up again, Wade tried to keep his distance. But Chelsea confessed her feelings, and what should’ve been a casual fling somehow stretched into four long, tangled years.
In Wade’s mind, one simple apology might have changed everything. But she never gave him that, not once. Now, watching her struggle, he felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Everything coming her way, in his eyes, was exactly what she deserved.
Margot flashed a soft, hesitant smile. “But, Wade…what if my sister totally loses it over this?”
Wade shook his head with an easy grin. “Margot, you’re just too damn nice for your own good. Stop stressing. I’ll go with you tomorrow, alright?”
Wade felt a comforting relief at that, glad he was standing by Margot–the kind, genuine one, not her uptight, drama–loving
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Chapter 4
sister, Chelsea. A warm sense of rightness settled in his chest.
The next morning, sunlight flooded the room.
Chelsea was already up, setting out two hearty breakfasts in the kitchen.
As she took a bite of her food, Winston stepped out of the bedroom, looking every bit the polished professional in a sharp suit, crisp and confident.
“Morning, Winston,” Chelsea greeted, giving him a smile and a nod toward the second plate. “This one’s for you. Come on, give it a try.”
Winston hadn’t really been hungry, but the smell got to him. He pulled out a chair, giving the spread a quick once–over–a simple sandwich with a side of coffee, the rich aroma of cream filling the room.
After a sip, he looked at her, a little curious. “Where’d you get these beans?”
He knew well this kind of coffee wasn’t cheap, and Chelsea’s finances were less than thriving at the moment.
Chelsea just shrugged, smiling slightly. “Coffee’s my thing. Picked these up a while back–they’re imported.”
In truth, it was the last of her stash she’d grabbed on the way out of her old life. She’d used some this morning, leaving just enough for maybe two more cups.
Winston lowered his gaze, set his cup down, and took a bite of the sandwich.
It might’ve looked plain, but the taste surprised him–rich and satisfying. When he was done, he dabbed his mouth with a napkin and downed the last sip of coffee.
“Thanks,” he said, his tone short but not unkind.
“Anytime,” Chelsea replied smoothly.
As he left, Chelsea quietly cleaned up the kitchen, grabbed her things, and drove off to the Wise Group.
The Wise Group had become a powerhouse in the jewelry world, thanks largely to Chelsea’s mom, Zelene, who had partnered up with Drogo back in the day to get the whole thing off the ground.
But in a bitter twist, it was Angela who ended up enjoying the fruits of their hard work.
As Chelsea stepped into the office, the staff greeted her respectfully.
“Welcome back, Ms. Wise.”
“Yeah, thanks,” she replied with a polite nod.
She took a steadying breath and headed for the chairman’s office, giving the door a light knock.
“Come in.”
At Drogo’s clipped command, she opened the door to find him sitting behind his desk, looking about as friendly as a storm cloud. He waved her forward. “Get in here.”
“Mr. Wise, you needed something?” Chelsea asked, keeping her tone steady.
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Chapter 4
“You’re off this season’s collection,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Margot’s taking over.”
He leaned back, eyeing her with that nasty little smirk. “And as of today, you’re out of the Wise Group. Don’t even think about coming back.”
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The words hit her like a punch. Everything she’d poured herself into these past months–every design, every idea–was now going to be handed over to Margot, a free pass to boost her career.
“I’ll be taking my designs with me,” Chelsea said, her voice hardening.
Drogo’s eyes flared as he shot up from his chair. “You think you can just walk out with them?” he sneered. “Don’t kid yourself. Margot’s the head of design, and you? You’re nothing but a damn ghostwriter.”
Chelsea’s fists clenched, her face going pale with rage.
Three years ago, she and Margot had competed in a jewelry design contest together. But right when it mattered most, Chelsea was framed for plagiarism, disqualified on the spot, while Margot walked away with the trophy and all the glory.
Since then, Chelsea had been stuck in the background, designing under Margot’s name, watching all her hard work claimed by someone else.
Drogo’s tone softened, though his offer was no less insulting. “Listen, if you’re willing to divorce and marry Mr. Robinson, I’ll let you stay with the Wise Group.”
He knew Chelsea had talent, but he’d never forgive her “mistake.” Still, if she’d play along, he’d cut her a deal.
“Not in a million years.” Chelsea didn’t hesitate for a second. “I’ll be on my way.”
u really want to do this?” Drogo’s voice hardened, a warning hanging in the air. “With your reputation? Good luck finding esign firm that’ll even look at you.”
Chelsea didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response. She turned and walked out, not bothering to look back.
Margot and Wade hovered outside the office door, both tense and jittery.
“Hey, you okay in there, sis?” Margot’s voice was soft, eyes wide with worry, as if she actually cared.
Chelsea didn’t even flinch. “Last I checked, I’m an only child. So where’s this ‘sister‘ crap coming from?” Her voice was icy, laced with disgust. “And quit acting like you give a damn.”
Margot’s face crumpled, tears welling up, and Wade quickly stepped in, his arm protectively around her. “Chelsea, watch it. Margot really does care about you.”
“Care? That’s a joke,” Chelsea scoffed, her tone pure venom. “She stole my boyfriend and now she’s here putting on some pity show. Some ‘caring, huh?”
Wade’s face darkened, his tone hard. “You think I wanted to be with you? Hell, no. You’re the one who kept hanging on!”
Chelsea’s jaw dropped, her chest tightening. ‘Four years of loving him, and he just called me kept hanging on?‘
She felt a hot rage bubbling up and raised her hand, ready to slap him, but Wade was faster. He shoved her back hard, and she stumbled, crashing against the wall.
“Stay the hell away from her!” Wade barked.
Pain flared down Chelsea’s back, but it was nothing compared to the sick twist in her heart. The man who’d once whispered promises under moonlit skies now looked at her like she was nothing.
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Chapter 4
The door behind them flew open, and Drogo stormed out, eyes blazing as he took in Margot’s tears. His face turned hard, and he didn’t hesitate, aiming a swift kick toward Chelsea.
“Touch your sister again, and you’re out–fuck off!” he yelled, his tone deadly cold.
“Agh!” Chelsea gasped, doubling over as a sharp pain hit her stomach. She gritted her teeth, beads of sweat forming on her
brow.
For years, she’d known that Drogo favored Margot, but this? She never thought he’d go this far. She was his daughter too, after all.
Memories flooded back: the days when he’d bring her little gifts from his business trips, the nights he’d comfort her through storms, his laughter when she’d run into his arms…
But that was all over now. He was over. The father she remembered was gone.
She’d given up on him a long time ago, but still, this hurt like hell. ‘Why am I always the one left behind, the one left out in the cold?‘ she thought bitterly.
She steadied herself, swallowing the pain, and spoke softly, barely more than a whisper. “Don’t worry. I’m out. You won’t see me again.”
With that, she turned and staggered toward the exit, clutching her stomach. Drogo opened his mouth, as if to hurl another insult, but held back as Margot’s sobs pulled his attention.
Outside the Wise Group building, Chelsea’s mouth opened to gasp for air, but instead, a thin line of blood slid from the corner of her lips.
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