Chapter 204: The Accident

Holly’s POV

And then...

The world tilted. My heart slammed against my ribs as a sleek black SUV skidded far too close, its bumper grazing mine before I managed to steady the wheel. Metal didn’t crunch. No glass shattered. Just a sickening scrape that rattled through my bones and left Caden crying out in the back seat.

“Caden!” My voice cracked as I twisted around, my hands trembling against the steering wheel. “Are you okay?!”

His little face was pale, eyes wide, but he nodded quickly, clutching his seatbelt with both fists. Relief flooded me in waves so strong my knees nearly gave out. I took a deep breath, forcing the adrenaline down, before guiding the car to the side of the road.

The SUV slowed, then pulled up right behind us.

I swallowed hard, checked Caden again…thank God, unharmed. Kayla would kill me if there's so much as a scratch on his body.

After making sure he's okay, I shoved open my door, fury already boiling up to mask my fear.

The driver stepped out: a tall man in a crisp black suit, posture stiff, expression unreadable. He didn’t even look rattled. His eyes scanned the faint scratch on my bumper before flicking to me with the kind of indifference that made my blood boil.

“Your fault,” he said flatly, though we both knew damn well it wasn’t.

My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a card, and extended it toward me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience. “You can come to the company on Monday. We’ll settle the damages.”

I blinked at the piece of paper like it was an insult carved in ink. “A settlement fee?” My voice shook with rage now, loud and sharp. “You nearly hit my car with a child inside, and instead of apologizing, you’re trying to buy me off?”

His expression didn’t flicker.

I took a step forward, eyes blazing. “Keep your stupid money. I don’t want it. A simple apology would’ve been enough, but clearly, manners aren’t part of your training manual!”

He still didn’t answer. My chest rose and fell sharply, breaths ragged, when suddenly…

The back window of the SUV rolled down.

My gaze snapped toward it, ready to unleash another round of fury. Someone inside lifted a hand and gestured for the driver to return.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I muttered, storming forward before the driver could retreat. “You don’t get to disrespect me and then slink away like a…”

And then my words choked off.

“Mr. Griffin?”

The name tumbled from my lips in a stunned whisper, my angry bee wings snapping shut instantly.

There he was. The chairman of J Coal Group. The same man who had sat across from me weeks ago during the partnership meeting, the one who had backed David’s company with millions and, most importantly, had threatened to pull out if I was removed from the deal.

My lips curled into a grin before I even realized it, my tone softening into something warm and respectable. “Mr. Griffin,” I greeted, almost bowing without meaning to.

Recognition lit his face immediately. “Miss Rodriguez,” he said, his voice carrying that effortless authority. His eyes slid to the driver, cold as steel. “Apologize. Now.”

The driver stiffened. Mr. Griffin didn’t wait. He turned back to me. “Forgive him. He’ll be disciplined appropriately.”

I waved my hands quickly, letting my annoyance melt away like sugar in tea. “No, no, please don’t worry. It’s just a minor scratch afterall. My anger made it worse than it was. Truly.”

“Still,” Mr. Griffin said firmly, “you deserve better than that reckless behavior he displayed.”

I offered him a small, polite smile. “It’s fine. Really. And it was nice seeing you again.”

I turned to walk back toward my car, silently gripping my hand so tightly my knuckles ached. Please. Please ask about work. Please say something. Don’t make me beg for it first.

I was nearly at the door when his voice cut through the air.

“Miss Rodriguez.”

A smile slipped across my face before I turned, carefully arranging it into something polite, not desperate. “Yes, Mr. Griffin?”

His eyes warmed. “I trust you’ll be at the meeting on Monday? I’d like to hear some fresh ideas from you like last time.”

Inside, I was screaming. Perfect. Exactly what I wanted.

But outwardly, I let out a dry laugh, forcing my features into a mask of regret. “Ah… I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I don’t work for Mr. David or Mr. Norman anymore.”

His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I exhaled slowly, letting my voice wobble just enough. “I was fired last week. I’ve been home since then.”

“Why?” His tone sharpened, irritation brimming.

I lowered my gaze, every word laced with carefully measured pity. “It’s complicated. But the truth is, I wasn’t… valued. They decided they could do without me and had me fired.”

Mr. Griffin grunted, his displeasure evident. “Hmph. Then they’ve broken their word. Very well. I’ll withdraw from their company as promised. And—” he leaned slightly forward, his gaze piercing mine, “if you want, bring your documents to my office next week. A position will be waiting for you. With talent like yours, I’d rather recruit you before someone else does.”

My breath caught, but I forced another modest smile. “You’re far too kind, Mr. Griffin. I’ll think about it.”

I bowed slightly. “Thank you, and have a wonderful evening.”

Then I turned, walking back toward my car with every ounce of dignity I could summon. Inside, I was on the verge of bursting into laughter, maybe even skipping like a schoolgirl. That’s settled. Let’s see how long David lasts before he comes crawling back.

I slid into the driver’s seat, glanced at Caden…still safe, still watching me with wide eyes…and started the engine.

Today couldn’t have been any better.

An hour or so later, I slid the car into park outside our building, the engine ticking down to silence. My pulse was still thumping from Griffin’s words…his offer looping in my head like a song I didn’t dare stop humming.

“Caden,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt, “remember what I told you?”

He tilted his little head, curls bouncing, lips pursed in thought.

“The bump on the road wasn’t an accident,” I reminded him, smoothing my voice into calm. “It was just our car saying hi to another person’s car. Nothing serious, okay?”

His big eyes blinked up at me, and then he nodded, solemn as a soldier about to take an oath. “Okay, Mommy.”

“Good boy.” I leaned back, sighing. Crisis dodged. Or so I thought.

I slipped out, opened his door, and unbuckled him. His small hands grabbed for whatever toys he could carry…plastic dinosaurs, one action figure missing a leg, and his stuffed puppy. His arms were full, but he managed, toddling along beside me.

Before I could even take three steps after gathering the shopping bags, the front door flung open.

“Cay Cay!” Kayla’s voice rang out, warm and loud.

He bolted toward her, toys nearly spilling, collapsing into her outstretched arms as if he hadn’t seen her in years. She peppered his cheeks with kisses, fast and relentless, until his giggles bounced off the walls.

“Mommy, stop!” he squealed, squirming in delight.

Kayla finally set him down, brushing a curl from his forehead, before her eyes snapped to me. Sharp. Accusing. “What took you two so long?”

I opened my mouth, ready with some vague excuse…traffic, long queue at the mall, anything. But before I could speak, my beloved traitor struck.

“Mommy!” Caden called over his shoulder as he scampered toward his room. “Our car said hi to a stranger’s car!”

My entire soul deflated.

“Caden…” I clutched my chest, staggering back in mock betrayal. “Really, little man?”

He only giggled harder, disappearing down the hallway with his toys, leaving me stranded with the angry bird herself.

Kayla folded her arms, one brow rising like it had a death wish for me. “Care to explain?”

Oh, boy.