My Invincible Husband Has Returned

Chapter 197

With a mocking laugh, Cheryl spun on her heel and strutted out, her head held high with arrogance. She paused at the door, shooting a final glance back at Celena, who did not move an inch.

"Just so we're clear—if you even think about spilling this to Liam, I'll make sure you and your kid regret it."

Cheryl's laughter echoed down the hall as she walked away. Only when the sound faded did Celena allow herself to crumble, tears streaming down her face as she crouched on the floor, overwhelmed by the encounter. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

After a few moments, Celena gathered herself, dabbing away her tears and wincing at the sting of a fresh slap mark. She rummaged through her purse, found her makeup, and managed to cover the red imprint before grabbing her bag and heading out to the Rectenwald factory.

Meanwhile, Cheryl swaggered back into her office where her mother, Sherah, was anxiously waiting. Sherah rose to meet her, eager for news.

"Cheryl, what happened? Did you get that little tramp Celena to agree?"

With a sneer, Cheryl replied, "Mom, you can relax. If she even thinks about complaining, I'll take care of her and her kid. She won't dare. She's too attached to the kid, as you well know."

Sherah's head bobbed up and down, her face alight with the glee of a plan coming together. The thought of their little conspiracy had her laughing so hard she could hardly catch her breath.

"That's perfect. Why did that little pest even bother coming back? She's just in the way!"

Amid their self-congratulatory mood, Yafe stepped in with a word of caution, "Don't get too comfortable. Better check in with Mr. Adams to make sure there are no slip-ups."

Cheryl nodded earnestly and hurried over to the desk to call Hayes. The phone barely rang when Hayes's voice, thick with anger, cut her off.

"Ms. Cheryl Stone, I've had it with your calls. The chairman made Ms. Celena Stone the head honcho of the project, so the factory's none of your business anymore. I've returned your $50,000. From now on, I'm taking orders from Ms. Celena Stone, not you!"

With that, Hayes ended the call with a decisive click.

Cheryl, fuming, slammed the phone down so hard it echoed in the room. Her face was a storm cloud of fury, her mood sinking like a stone.

Celena, always Celena, that little pest. Why won't she just disappear?

"What's wrong?"

Sherah, noticing the dark cloud over Cheryl, was quick to ask.

Cheryl's face, usually so composed, was then twisted with anger. Her voice was a growl of frustration. "Dad, Mom. Hayes just told me Celena's the new boss of the project. From now on, the factory will only take orders from her. And he's sent back our $50,000."

At that very moment, Cheryl's assistant burst through the door, out of breath and yelling at the top of her lungs, "Ms. Cheryl Stone, we've got trouble! A whole gang from the factory just showed up out of nowhere, demanding to see you!"

She didn't even get to finish her sentence before a crowd of workers in their uniforms barged in.