Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

Chapter 71

RYAN

Having the pleasure of having dinner with Lily and engaging in the most random conversations wasn’t something I expected to relish again anytime soon. However, to my surprise found myself thoroughly enjoying our time together. After our meal. I urged Lily to head home and unwind, assuring her that I’d take care of the kids for one more night. Little did I know, the next morning would bring an unexpected call summoning me to an important meeting

With apologies overflowing. I drove the still drowsy kids back to Lily’s place early that same morning. Despite waking her and the boys up so early, Lily was remarkably understanding, offering reassurance that it was no trouble at all. She even mentioned that the boys would likely doze off again soon, and being an early bird herself, she didn’t mind the early start.

By ten o’clock in the morning, I found myself already at the office, grappling with an issue concerning a stolen design. Our company was facing a lawsuit from a rival firm, accusing us of pilfering their design.

Initially, I brushed off the news with nonchalance. After all, this wasn’t our first rodeo when it came to such accusations. Historically, we had always emerged victorious in such legal battles, often counter–suing for defamation of our public image and reputation.

However, as I examined the evidence laid out before me, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. It seemed we were in serious trouble this time. Slamming the incriminating document onto the table, I let out a string of expletives in frustration.

*I believe we can resolve this,” Angelo muttered quietly, but his words only served to fuel my anger further.

Turning my gaze sharply towards Angelo, I shot him a withering glare. “If you don’t have anything meaningful to contribute, Angelo, then kindly keep your mouth shut,” I snapped, my frustration nearing its boiling point. I felt like I was on the of firing anyone who so much as breathed or exhaled incorrectly in my vicinity.

verge

With a resigned sigh, I pinched the bridge of my nose, gesturing vehemently towards the incriminating design laid bare on the table before us. “Who the hell was responsible for this?” I demanded, my voice laced with exasperation. I entrust people with the responsibility of carefully filtering every single design, ensuring its absolute originality before it even reaches my desk. Yet here I am, grappling with a throbbing headache over an issue I shell out paychecks to avoid.

Angelo swiftly seized the document and began flipping through its contents. “It appears to be the handiwork of team H,” he responded, filling the void left by the apprehensive–silence of the others in the room, who seemed too petrified to even meet my gaze, let alone offer a coherent response.

My dark, angry gaze swept across everyone gathered in the room with me, seething with frustration. “And who has the honor of leading team H?” I snapped, my tone laced with indignation. A young lady timidly raised her hand. “Hope? Really?” I scoffed bitterly, my disappointment obvious. To say I was utterly disappointed would be a gross understatement.

Hope had once been regarded as one of our finest employees, but any semblance of praise or admiration I harbored for her had swiftly vanished in the wake of this catastrophic situation. “Could you care to explain how your team managed to provide us with stolen intellectual property for production?” I demanded.

Hope faltered, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly as she struggled to formulate a coherent response. “I… I don’t know how this happened, sir,” she stammered, her gaze pleading for leniency ever as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

“Your ignorance regarding the matter at hand will hardly serve to save us from the impending lawsuit, I retorted sharply. my irritation mounting at the sight of her tear–stained face. “Ignorance, as they say, is no excuse before the law.”

She nodded solemnly. “I swear to you, I will get to the root of this,” she vowed.

Clenching my teeth, I stood with arms akimbo, fixing a piercing stare upon this woman who seemed to underestimate the seriousness of the situation. “Do you think we’re gathered here for a mere jamboree?” I retorted, my tone dripping with disdain. She shook her head in response.

“Do you honestly believe your tenure here is secure enough to allow for leisurely investigation?” I continued, my voice laced with barely contained fury. Her mouth opened and closed wordlessly as she struggled to formulate a response.

Angelo cleared his throat in an attempt to diffuse the tensed atmosphere. “Let’s all calm down,” he advised, earning a withering glare from me in return.

“Interject again, and you’ll find yourself joining her in the unemployment line,” I seethed, my patience wearing thin. Did Angelo even comprehend the immense pressure I was about to face from the board as a result of the catastrophic mess she and her team had wrought?

Returning my furious gaze to Hope, I pointed emphatically at the document containing the incriminating sample. “Pick that up and tell me precisely who the hell submitted that abomination to you,” I commanded.

As she rose from her seat and retrieved the document, my impatience grew with each passing second. Watching her flip through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel my stress levels escalating as her expression shifted from curiosity to sheer

horror.

“What is it?” I snapped. “Why on earth do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” I demanded. She couldn’t possibly claim ignorance regarding the origin of these designs; it should be recorded in our register.

“She quit last month,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

For a moment, I felt as though the ground had shifted beneath my feet. “What the hell did you just say?” I exclaimed.

Hope bit her lower lip nervously, her eyes darting towards Angelo in a silent plea for assistance. Sensing her desperation, Angelo wisely chose to remain silent, refusing to intervene. “I said she resigned last month,” Hope repeated, her voice trembling slightly. “She mentioned something about relocating to an Asian country, although I can’t recall the exact details.”

“Shut up!” I bellowed, causing her to snap her mouth shut obediently. “Who authorized her resignation letter?” I demanded struggling to recall ever approving such a document.

Angelo hesitantly raised his hand. “I did,” he admitted.

Dumbfounded, I froze in place, my gaze fixed on him incredulously. If it had been anyone else, security would have escorted them out the door without a second thought. “Under whose authority did you sign off on a resignation letter?” I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.

He licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting around the room. I didn’t think it was a big deal, considering you were preoccupied with other matters,” he offered weakly, his justification falling flat in the face of my mounting anger.

Arching a skeptical brow, I leveled a piercing glare at him. “You didn’t think it was a big deal?” I echoed incredulously. “You didn’t think it was a big deal to let one of my staff members depart

without my explicit permission?” The realization dawned on me that perhaps I had been granting him too much autonomy within the company. “What could I possibly have been so preoccupied with that you couldn’t spare a few minutes to inform me of her resignation?”

He scratched his beards as though he is uncomfortable with my question. His reaction to my question angered me the more. “I asked you a fucking question Angelo! What was I busy with that you couldn’t bring it to my notice?”

“Your private life.” He answered cryptically. I am guessing he is talking about me going after my family. He doesn’t want others to think that I neglected work because I was going after my ex–wife and my kids.

Honesty, I don’t care what thise seated there has to say. Thereopinion of me is not going to clear this mess. “I have never passed the night at Lily’s place.” I pointed out to him. “you see me almost every night, yet you failed to mention it.”

Understanding his offense, he sighed and avoided my gaze. “I am sorry sir.”

“I’ll address your negligence later, I muttered under my breath, my focus shifting to the matter at hand. “The woman who resigned, what’s her name?” I inquired, directing my question towards Hope.

16:07 MoN, JUIZZ

“Sophia,” she replied promptly. “Sophia Hampton.”

“Angelo, I need you to track down Sophia Hampton before the week draws to a close,” I instructed sternly. “The board and the press will undoubtedly be seeking someone to hold accountable for this problem. Find her and bring her to me.”

“Yes, sir,” Angelo affirmed.

Turning my attention back to Hope, I issued a stern warning. “Should anyone be held accountable, be prepared to face the consequences of your negligence,” I cautioned her. With that, I declared the meeting adjourned and swiftly exited the conference room, my mind already racing with the challenges that lay ahead.

This week is going to be a crazy week, that I am very sure of.

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