Their condescending tone made me hang up and block their numbers.
After the call, I saw that employees from the former Thorne company, those who had followed me, were sending me resumes, calling and messaging, expressing their desire to work for my new company. I was incredibly touched, but I told them honestly that my startup was in its initial phase, with only a billion dollars in capital, and there were risks involved. Yet, they all declared their willingness to follow me, reasoning that if I could save the Thorne company, I could surely succeed in a new venture. They all belie-
ved in me.
Hearing this, I was deeply grateful. What I needed most right now was manpower, and they were the most familiar, suitable, and best partners I could ask for. I promised them a higher salary than they received at the Thorne company. In less than a week, my company was fully staffed. All internal and external conditions were met, and we were ready to take on clients. As for business, it was quite simple: we would target the Thorne Group’s clients. After all, most of the Thorne Group’s contracts had been secured by me in the first place. Although my current company was smaller than the Thorne Group, I believed in my own capabilities.
Three nights later, I met with a key partner of the Thorne Group.
I drank until I was almost ready for the hospital, but finally, the other party relented and agreed to transfer their contract with the
Thorne Group to my company. I was ecstatic.
Due to the alcohol, I slept until the next afternoon. Before I had even fully woken up, my phone began ringing frantically. I answered, hearing my assistant’s anxious voice. “Ms. Bellwether, please come to the office immediately! Something has happened!”
22.16 0
apter 2
Hearing my assistant’s words, I quickly got out of bed, dressed, and rushed to the company. The moment I entered, just as I was about to ask what was wrong, someone suddenly grabbed my hair from behind, yanking me to the ground. Then, a stinging slap landed on my face.
“You bitch! Not only did you poach all our employees, you even stole our contracts! How shameless and ungrateful can you be?!”
My face throbbed, a searing pain. Anger surged through me. I raised my foot and kicked the person in the stomach, sending them sprawling off me. I got up and saw clearly: the person who had attacked me was Mrs. Thorne. I charged forward and slapped her across the face.
Mrs. Thorne’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at me, then pointed and shrieked, “You! You dared to hit me? You unfilial child! Hitting your own parents! May heaven strike you down!”
I glared at her, and she flinched, visibly intimidated. Mr. Thorne quickly shielded Mrs. Thorne. “Audrey, stop your intimidating act! No matter what, we are your parents! How can you lay hands on us? This is utterly unfilial!”
V let out a weary laugh, reminding them, “Have you forgotten? We’ve already severed ties. We have no relationship anymore. You don’t deserve to be my parents. Grandpa Thorne was the one who adopted me, and I saved the Thorne family company, working tirelessly and sacrificing so much for it. My debt of gratitude has been repaid. If we must have a relationship, then it’s that of ene- mies.”
Mrs. Thorne hunched down by our company’s entrance and began to wail, “May heaven condemn her! We raised her to adulthood, and just because we want to leave our property to our biological daughter, she’s turning against our company in every way, forcing us into chaos! How can she be so cold–blooded and ruthless?!”
