Chapter 70: A sinking business

Daphne flinched. Tears gathered in her exhausted eyes. "I did the best I could in such a short time. If you’ve given me more time, I could have done it properly."

"So now you are blaming me for your mistakes," Mara spat.

Daphne shook her hands. "No, that’s not what I meant. I only said that..."

"Enough..." Mara silenced her. "You can’t blame others for your own incompetence."

She jabbed a finger at the folder. "Look at this mess. The information is poorly organized. There are mistakes everywhere. Half the details haven’t even been checked. You clearly don’t know how to prepare a proper report."

Daphne couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. "Yes, I don’t know this kind of paperwork. I am a designer. I should be working in the design department, not here."

"A designer? Seriously?" Mara scoffed. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze sharp and unforgiving. "You couldn’t even prepare your own blueprint. You were caught stealing someone else’s work. And you call yourself a designer?"

Daphne lowered her head, humiliated.

"When you were transferred to this department, you were given training on how to prepare reports," Mara continued. "If you had paid attention, you might have learned something. But all you did was waste time gossiping and watching what everyone else was doing."

Mara pushed the folder aside. "You have demonstrated that you are not fit to work in this department."

Daphne looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. "Does that mean I can return to the design department?"

"No." Mara’s reply crushed that hope immediately. "From now on, you will be distributing flyers."

"What?" Daphne exclaimed. "No, you can’t do that to me. Give me another chance. Please. I’ll redo the reports. I’ll do better next time."

"I’ve made my decision. Now get out of my sight. If you keep arguing, I’ll fire you."

Daphne sucked in cold air. She wanted to yell at Mara for deliberately humiliating her. But she swallowed the anger and hurried out.

Her eyes burned with tears, but beneath her exhaustion and embarrassment, resentment continued to shimmer.

She used to be the chief designer in the company. But she had been demoted, forced to work the whole night, and now assigned to distribute flyers like an ordinary temporary worker. And in her mind, none of this was her fault.

"It’s all because of Elowen," she muttered under her breath, turning her resentment toward Elowen. "She snatched my position and turned the CEO against me, and now Miss Mara is treating me like trash."

She clenched her fists. "I will never forget today’s humiliation. I’ll make everyone pay."

At the headquarters of the Vale Corporation...

Soren’s secretary rushed into the office, breathless.

"Sir..."

Soren narrowed his eyes at her. "What is it? It looks like you are running for your life."

"Mr. Green is here," she said between the gasps.

"He has been calling me every single day, asking for an appointment with you," the secretary said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I kept turning him down, but he showed up today anyway. The receptionist told him to leave, but he refused. The guards tried to escort him out, but he started making a scene. He says he won’t leave until he sees you."

Soren thought for a while, struggling to remember who that man was and why he was so desperate to meet him. Then he remembered the incident at Seraphina’s school.

’It’s him.’

A few days ago, Seraphina had been bullied at school. Not only that, but Mrs. Green had arrogantly humiliated Elowen. To teach the Greens a lesson, Soren had ordered Kael to wipe out the existence of the Green Group.

A satisfied smirk appeared on his lips.

In a week, the company’s condition must have deteriorated so badly that its chairman had been forced to come begging for help.

’Kael has done a really good job. In such a short time, he managed to bring the Green Group to its knees.’

Soren leaned back in his chair. "Send him in. I want to hear what he has to say."

The secretary blinked in surprise. She had expected him to order the guards to throw Mr. Green out. Instead, he wanted to talk to him.

"Sure... I’ll send him in."

The secretary hurried out.

Soren picked up the paperweight on his desk and rolled it between his fingers, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

A few minutes later, Mr. Green stumbled into the office. He looked years older than he had just days ago. The sharp edge of his demeanor that Soren remembered was gone.

He looked haggard and desperate. His shirt was untucked, the top two buttons were undone, and his hair was unkempt. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, making it obvious that he had not slept properly in days.

He looked nothing like the chairman of a prestigious company.

Before Soren could say anything, Mr. Green dropped to his knees.

"Don’t do that." Soren felt a bit uncomfortable, his features tensing. "Get up and sit properly in the chair."

Mr. Green remained on his knees. "Please save my company," he pleaded, his voice hoarse and broken. "I’ve tried everything, but nothing is working. Please, Mr. Vale. You are the only one who can save my sinking business. I’ll do anything you ask. Just help me."

"Get up. Then we’ll talk."

Mr. Green hesitated before forcing himself to his feet. His legs trembled slightly as he pulled a chair across from Soren and sank into it.

"Mr. Vale. I’ve already decided to divorce my wife. After one month’s cooling-off period, the divorce will be finalized. She will be gone from my life for good. Please stop targeting my family’s business. I am begging you."

"Divorcing your wife is your choice," Soren said coldly. "I never forced you to do that."

Mr. Green lowered his head. He had come here to beg for help. He couldn’t afford angering Soren.

"Yes, yes. It was my choice. I punished her for her audacity."

He looked up with hope and fear mingling in his eyes.

"But what she did has nothing to do with my company and me. I’ve already distanced myself from her. Please, Mr. Vale. You have to help me."

His throat worked up, and he felt like he was swallowing glass pieces.

"The banks are demanding repayment, the partners have withdrawn, the suppliers are withholding goods, and several major projects are stalled. My company is collapsing."

Soren thought for a while. Then he gave a slow nod. "Alright. I can help you. But on one condition."

Hope flickered in Mr. Green’s eyes.

"Are you willing to invest in my company?"

Soren lifted his chin slightly, the pride exuding from his demeanor. "I’ll provide the necessary funding to stabilize the company and negotiate with your creditors."

Mr. Green released a shaky breath. "Thank you, Mr. Vale. You are generous. I knew you wouldn’t let my company collapse."

"Don’t thank me yet." Soren held up a hand. "I haven’t finished."

He tapped his fingers on the desk. "I won’t let your company go bankrupt. In return, my team will take charge of your finances, operations, and strategic decisions. No major contracts, asset sales, or executive hiring will proceed without my team’s approval."