Chapter 64

The last few words were spat out, Robin’s teeth clenched in fury. Samuel’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze briefly flickering to Isabella. Before he could respond, Robin pressed on, his voice deep and accusatory. “You’re going to fire Wendy over some woman who didn’t even have an appointment? Mr. Howerton, that’s absurd!”

Behind him, Wendy glared at Isabella, her eyes brimming with jealousy. “How dare she sit so close to Mr. Howerton! What gives her the right? That seat should be mine,” Wendy thought bitterly.

Samuel’s expression grew colder. “Mr. Sanchez,” he said sharply, “knowing how I operate, did you consider the consequences of barging in like this?” His presence seemed to chill the room, the air heavy with tension. Robin, who had always used his shares to wield influence in the company, had crossed a line by storming into the CEO’s office. His heart trembled, but he couldn’t back down. This incident could not be tolerated. Samuel had disrespected him enough; in the past, he could turn a blind eye, but this time, it was personal—Samuel had fired his daughter. If word got out, how would he maintain his standing among the other shareholders?

Robin strode into the office and sat heavily in a nearby chair. He looked coldly at Isabella but addressed Samuel. “Mr. Howerton, I’m not here to make things difficult. But my daughter, a simple receptionist, has been fired without reason. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” His tone and demeanor made it clear he wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Isabella, thrown off balance by the intensity, didn’t fully understand the company dynamics but sensed the hostility. “What is this all about?” she wondered, her eyes darting between the men.

Before anyone could speak, Wendy stepped forward, her expression twisted with anger. Accusingly pointing at Isabella, she spat, “Mr. Howerton, it’s because of this woman! She barged in without an appointment, and when I tried to stop her, she had Perry fire me!” Her voice trembled, but she clearly played the victim. Isabella thought, She’s using her father’s presence to shift the blame! Wendy, meanwhile, thought, I believe Samuel won’t protect this woman under these circumstances.

Isabella’s retort was swift and sharp. “Perry fired you not because I lacked an appointment, but because you overstepped your boundaries as a receptionist. You assumed I was here to seduce Mr. Howerton. If I had been an important guest, wouldn’t your behavior have harmed the Howerton Group’s reputation?”

Samuel’s eyes darkened, a chilling coldness settling over his features. His gaze locked onto Wendy with deadly precision. “What audacity,” he said, his voice like ice.

Wendy recoiled, fear flashing in her eyes. She pointed at Isabella again, her voice rising in desperation. “I didn’t! You’re lying!”

Isabella let out a mocking laugh. “Lying? We can check the security footage if you like.”

Robin glanced at his daughter, noticing her nervous eyes. He understood immediately. So, that’s what happened. But does it really matter? He had come with a purpose and wouldn't leave until it was fulfilled.

He turned back to Isabella, his voice cold and condescending. “You sure have a sharp tongue. Just because Mr. Howerton is present, don’t think you can disregard company policy—appointments are required to meet the CEO.” His eyes roamed over her, filled with malicious intent.

Like father, like daughter, Isabella thought, her expression as cold as ice. They’re all the same.

Samuel’s expression grew even colder. He set his chopsticks down, his appetite gone. His voice was like steel. “Baseless accusations, without even bothering to understand the situation—is this something I need to repeat?”

Before anyone could respond, Samuel’s voice cut through the tension. “And since when does she need an appointment to see me?” His words stunned Robin and Wendy. This woman… who is she? they both thought, their shared confusion evident.

The oppressive aura surrounding Samuel intensified. Robin gritted his teeth, but couldn't back down. If he left unresolved, how could he hold his head high again? He slammed his palm onto the table, rattling the food containers. “Mr. Howerton,” he growled, his voice shaking with barely contained rage, “are you really going to protect this woman?”

Samuel remained calm. He’s no longer even pretending to be civil, Robin thought, his anger bubbling. He’s really going to risk everything for this woman?

The tension was palpable, the atmosphere thick with unspoken threats. Isabella smirked, unbothered by their theatrics. So, this is Robin, she mused, glancing at him. I had my suspicions when Samuel first mentioned his last name. She knew this conflict was inevitable; her appearance had merely acted as a catalyst. Sooner or later, the Sanchez family would be ousted at the shareholders’ meeting. This incident could expedite that.

Samuel’s eyes locked onto Robin. “Yes.” A single word. Firm. Unyielding. If I don’t protect my own wife, who will? he thought.

Isabella, surprised by his unwavering support, realized, He didn’t even ask for a reason. Then understanding dawned. Of course. She's his wife.

Robin’s expression twisted with anger. “Fine. Very well. It seems, Mr. Howerton, that you’ve made up your mind to oppose me.” So be it, he thought bitterly. If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for what comes next. Samuel’s uncles had been eyeing his shares, and Robin was more than willing to help them.

Wendy glared at Isabella with undisguised hatred. “Mr. Howerton,” she sneered, “she’s just a woman. You don’t need to take her seriously. Just have your fun and move on. Why risk everything over someone so insignificant?” This woman is nothing, Wendy thought, trying to convince herself. She has no status. She’s just a nobody trying to cling to him. She still believed Samuel would eventually need her father’s support. If they annoyed him, they’d turn around and support his uncle, leaving him to regret it.

But Samuel’s icy aura intensified. Wendy’s body trembled, fear creeping into her heart. Samuel’s voice was like a knife. “You’ll pay for today’s words and actions.”

“Mr. Howerton, you…!” Wendy stammered, disbelief and anger warring in her expression. “Are you really going to throw away everything for her? Think about it! Don’t let an insignificant woman ruin your relationships!” Her words were a thinly veiled threat.

Robin stood protectively beside his daughter. “Mr. Howerton is a smart man. He knows what choice to make,” he said confidently.

They really think they’ve got him in their grasp, Isabella thought with a bitter smile. But they’ve forgotten who they’re dealing with. Samuel is not someone they can control.

Samuel laughed softly, a sound that sent shivers down everyone’s spines. His eyes were icy sharp blades. His voice, a blade, sharp and unforgiving, cut through the air. “Perhaps we should release the security footage from downstairs.”