CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
CYREL sat in front of the piano and tried to concentrate. Her tears had not totally dried up, but she needed a distraction so badly. She began to play, and sad music filled the living room.
A few moments later, her phone was beeping non-stop. She picked it up from the top of the piano. It was a message from Herlene.
CYREL, YOU GOT TO SEE THIS.
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?
DID YOUR DAD REALLY DO THIS?
I BETTER LEAVE THIS COMPANY ASAP!
Herlene sent her links. The very first thing that got Cyrel’s attention was the headline.
CEO OF BYRNE SOLUTIONS, ACCUSED OF FRAUD AND ESTAFA
RUSTOM KING OF KINGTECH FILED A CASE AGAINST CHRISTIAN BYRNE OF BYRNE SOLUTIONS.
CEO VS. CEO: CHRISTIAN BYRNE IS FACING A LAWSUIT
Suddenly, her body felt cold. How could the media know about it? How did this happen? Now the world already knew about what her father did.
With her trembling hand, she clicked one of the links.
“The CEO of Byrne Solutions allegedly created a faked foundation and received donations from the benefactors, and one of them was the renowned business genius Rustom King of KingTech. Coincidentally, the two CEOs are in-laws after Byrne’s daughter and King’s son got married this year…
Our anonymous source said that the marriage happened in order to save Byrne’s company from bankruptcy…”
There was another message from Herlene.
ARE YOU OKAY?
Cyrel took a long, exhausted breath.
I’M NOT, she replied.
CAN I CALL?
SURE.
Herlene called.
“Hi. I haven’t heard from you since that incident in your dad’s office. How are you?” Herlene said.
“I’m not all right. I don’t know what to do. I think I’m losing my mind.”
“I should have filed my resignation a long time ago,” she said. “What is your mom doing?”
“I, uh, I actually talked to her this morning. I was trying to convince her to stand as a witness against Dad. I’m afraid she would be dragged into this.”
“Does Casey know about this?”
“I don’t know. Thanks for reminding me that I still have a sister.”
“You were crying.” It was not a question.
“Because I was blaming myself. I should not have trusted Dad. I should not have put my guard down just because he used Lorna, who was very close to me. He knew me. He knew my weakness. And he used it against me. I felt so stupid, Herlene,” she said bitterly.
“Cyrel, Cyrel, listen to me. You did not know your dad was going to steal the money when you agreed to help his foundation. Stop blaming yourself. You are only a victim here.”
“I don’t know. No matter how I try to tell myself, every time I see Ross and his dad, I can only see the betrayal my dad committed because of me. They were nothing but kind to me. I found a family in them.” Her lips trembled. “I know I need to be strong. I will let justice prevail. They could never use the blood is thicker than water card to me.”
“I’m sure they will try to ask you to convince Mr. King to withdraw the case. What are you going to do if that happens?”
“I don’t know. Honestly,” Cyrel sighed, “I just want to disappear.”
“Ross would not love to hear that. You need each other now.”
“I know.” She sniffed. “I hate that I make him worry. I love him so much, and I hate that this is happening. I thought I was going to be finally happy.”
“Don’t let this mess discourage you. If you need a friend, you know I’m one call away.”
“Yeah. I know that. And I’m forever thankful to you.”
“Cyrel, you’ve been through a lot. Hang in there, okay?” Herlene said sincerely.
“Y-yes. I’ll try my best.”
Herlene said goodbye. Not long after that, Cyrel received another message.
SIS, I’M HOME. WE NEED TO TALK.
It was from Casey.
“I’M ON my way to meet Casey,” Cyrel informed Ross. She called him to tell him that Dalton would be driving for her.
“Oh. She’s finally home, huh. But will you be all right?” Ross asked.
“I will be. Don’t worry. Though I already know what she wanted to talk about.”
“Okay. And call me when you’re done talking.”
Cyrel smiled.
“You don’t have to remind me. I will really call you. See you later.”
“See you.”
Dalton parked outside Casey’s favorite coffee shop. She instantly spotted her sister sitting in a corner. She was wearing a tight-fitting dress and sunglasses.
Casey sighed and approached her.
“I see you’re having the time of your life,” Casey remarked. “That was a nice car. And a cute driver, too.”
Cyrel sat down.
“What do you want to talk about?” she asked right away.
“Aren’t you going to say you missed me, sister?”
“Nope. That would mean I have to lie.”
“Do you hate me, too?”
Cyrel shrugged. “I don’t know. I should be thankful to you, actually. Thank you for jilting your groom, I got to be Ross’s wife. And he’s the nicest guy ever. It did not take me long to move on from Raymond. I live in a fancy house now, and my father-in-law is the coolest. Our dad could never.”
“Yeah.” Casey laughed. “I knew you would take my place. You’ve always been the good daughter.”
“And you were always the favorite.”
“Why are you doing this, Cyrel?”
Cyrel arched an eyebrow.
“What about you? Why are you doing this?”
Casey removed her sunglasses. “We are losing our house, and Dad is going to jail. Don’t you have a heart?”
“What about you, guys? Do you only think about yourself? Don’t you have a brain?”
“This is not what I’m expecting when I come home.”
“Oh, were you expecting a red carpet kind of a welcome? I’m sorry, our father faked a foundation and stole money, and it’s my fault because I caught him and wanted to stop him.” Cyrel smirked. “Sure, blame me.”