Chapter 74 You have sixty seconds
At the end of the line, Ryan was nervous, and Max was also waiting in anticipation of the outcome of this phone call. If Ryan gets the chance to go back, then so could he.
“You have sixty seconds,” Roger said in annoyance, his voice hoarse and low as Ryan spoke hastily.
“Mr. Dawson, I’m sorry for not accepting your offer. Please, I’m ready to devote myself and give my all to the RD Group,” he vowed. Roger guessed that Karen’s virus was the cause of this call.
“Why? Are you saying that Silent Chase fell faster than I predicted?”
His direct question caused the shame creeping through Ryan to increase. “Yes, and I’m sorry.”
With a scoff, Roger reminded him. “Did you forget what I said?” He paused. “Let me remind you. The moment your position is occupied, you can’t come back.”
“But…” Ryan was about to say when Roger reminded him, “Your one minute is up.”
Ryan wanted to cry. “Please, Mr. Dawson, let me call another time when you are free to talk. Just mention the time.”
Roger was about to hang up but paused for a moment. “You seem desperate.”
“I am, Mr. Dawson, I don’t mind working for free until you see my sincerity and I can be an asset to you this time.”
Roger found it interesting but thinking critically, he could use Ryan to destroy Brad or whoever was behind the Silent Chase. “Meet me in my office at 10 am.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dawson, you won’t regret this.”
A sigh of relief escaped Ryan when he ended the call. “How did it go?” Max asked anxiously. Ryan smiled. “Well, I have an appointment with Mr. Dawson at 10 am.”
“Please take me along. I’ll do anything,” Max pleaded. Ryan stared at him with pity and informed him, “he only agreed to see me when I mentioned working for free. Can you do the same?”
Max pondered over the question. He had a lot saved up, and even if he wasn’t put on salary, the bonuses were worthwhile. “Sure, I’ll work for free.”
Destiny stared at them with a mix of fury and envy. “If you're willing to work for free, why not just stay here?”
Both Ryan and Max glared back at him. “I'd rather dig my own grave and bury myself,” Max snarled. Ryan smirked and taunted, “The last time I checked, you fired us and didn't even compensate us for our time here today.”
Destiny's expression hardened. “You failed, so why should I pay you?”
Ryan shook his head and turned to Brad. “You and this squint deserve to rot in prison.”
He walked out of the now-closed Silent Chase with Max, with no intention of ever returning. Brad was lost. Everything was gone. He couldn't go back to RD Group, and he no longer had Silent Chase to fall back on.
“I'll start sending out some job applications,” he said and left, feeling the pain and disappointment, but determined not to let Roger win. Unfortunately, he couldn't even bear to face Roger.
At RD Group, Karen woke up in Roger's embrace, her face flushed. They had slept comfortably for a few hours.
Her movement woke Roger, and he looked at her with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine. Did we fall asleep like this?”
A smile spread across Roger's face as he sat up. “Don't you like it? I love holding you in my arms.”
Karen still felt like she was in a dream and spoke earnestly. “Roger, please don't start something you can't follow through on.”
“Excuse me?” Roger was genuinely puzzled as Karen sighed and continued. “I read somewhere that men will do anything to win a woman over, and then they reveal their true selves. I already know how cruel you can be, so there's no need to pretend.”
Her words brought a moment of silence between them, but Roger's expression remained neutral as he asked, “Do you think I'll change once you take me back?”
“It's a common occurrence.”
“No, it's not, Kitten,” Roger said seriously, his voice slightly raised. “I saw my dad treat my mom like a fragile egg, and that's how I've always wanted to treat my woman.”
Karen remembered vividly that when Roger loved Tonia, he was always gentle with her. “Okay, Mr. Loverboy, I hope you don’t go back on your words, and if you don’t mind, I’d love a hot shower right now.”
“I have a better idea,” Roger smirked as he carried her to the bathroom after sending a message to Dahlia.
After a heated moment in the shower, they came out to see the clothes Roger had requested with breakfast served. Karen raised her brows as she sipped the coffee. “This is good. Perhaps I should get used to this.”
Roger was glad she was finally accepting their future together. “It makes me happy to hear you say that, and I can’t wait for you to finish your exams.”
He had so much in store for her, but Dahlia’s presence interrupted them once more. “Sir, I’ve come to introduce Madam to our various departments.”
Roger was astonished. Karen was joking about taking over the company, but Dahlia had taken everything seriously. “Don’t worry. I’ll do that myself,” he replied, not comfortable leaving Karen’s side, but she refused.
“Why can’t I go with her? You are busy, so let your secretary do her job.”
Roger knew he was going to miss her presence, but the women seemed to get along, so he accepted it. Dahlia beamed, looking smarter and refreshed compared to last night.
Even Roger and Karen were looking better than before. “Misses Dawson, I’m so honored to be your guide,” Dahlia said excitedly. Karen smiled at her. “The pleasure is mine, but can you not tell them who I am? I just want to see how they’ll receive me.”
Dahlia froze, but when her gaze met Roger’s approving one, she quickly nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” What happened at the reception had been labelled prohibited so no part of it was circulated.
Their first point of contact was the Cyber team, as that bunch was eager to meet her after what happened last night. However, discomfort swayed Karen the moment the door opened, and she informed Dahlia,
“I think I left something at the office. I’ll be back.” She spun around before Dahlia could make head or tail of her words, and the elevator doors had closed as well.
Upon returning to the office, Karen opened the door to see a woman’s arms wrapped around Roger. Her anger boiled when she realized it was Tonia.