Chapter 1455
Lewis Doyle, the regional manager, shouted, "This whole district, two streets wide, belongs to the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce! This is our turf. You Wrights don't get to throw your weight around here. Step back right now and stop hurting people!"
Quinton let out a scornful laugh. "You're just a damn regional manager. Even if your so-called Chamber of Commerce chairman showed up himself, you think I'd give a damn?"
Lewis' face turned red with fury. "Quinton, you've gone too far. You're way too arrogant! Back when the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce was under Mr. Keller Senior's leadership, even the Wrights knew better than to mess around here. And now that we've got a new chairman in charge, you still think you can throw tantrums and beat people in public? I'm warning youโif you keep this up, you're not walking away unscathed."
Quinton's expression shifted. "Wait a minute. You have a new chairman?"
Lewis lifted his chin with pride. "That's right. Our new chairman just took office, and our higher-ups gave very clear ordersโno screwups allowed in any territory managed by the Chamber of Commerce. No chaos, no bloodshed. Our new leadership wants a new image, a new structure."
Quinton sneered. "Back when the Kellers ran your Chamber of Commerce, I mightโve shown a little respect. But now? Whoever this new clown isโIโve never even heard of them. So, sorry to disappoint you, but I am causing trouble on your turf. Letโs see what the hell youโre gonna do about it."
Christina's refusal to cooperate had already pushed Quinton's rage to the edge. Now this nobody of a regional manager had the balls to talk back too? Quinton was livid. Since when did the Wrights' name stop meaning something?
Lewis was stunned that Quinton was still being aggressive. He turned to his staff and barked, "Grab something heavyโweโre taking this bastard down! Screw it! The new chairman's in charge now, and the execs have our backs. The Chamber of Commerce is tougher than ever! This spoiled Wright brat wants to act like heโs untouchable? Letโs show him he bleeds like everyone else!"
At once, the employees ran into the back, grabbing whatever they couldโkitchen knives, rolling pins, metal traysโand stormed out, surrounding Quinton like an angry mob. It nearly gave Quinton a heart attack. What the hell? Since when did a bunch of minimum-wage flunkies dare scream at him? Clearly, that new chairman must have filled their heads with confidence.
Quinton gritted his teeth. He believed this new leader would still treat him with respect once they met. After all, no way someone with real power would let their dogs off the leash like this.
Lewis thought that was not enough and pulled out his phone, making a call on speaker. "Boss? Weโve got a situation. Quinton Wrightโs over here in one of our restaurants, nearly killed someoneโand heโs still not stopping! He just called our new chairman a pile of dog shit! Isnโt that a direct insult to the Chamber? Thatโs a death wish!"
A womanโs voice exploded from the other end of the line, and she was obviously furious. โDonโt let that Wrights scumbag leave the building! Iโm on my way. Who the hell does he think he is, insulting our chairman? He wants to start a war on our turf? He must have a death wish!"
Christina and Leroy were temporarily safe, and they stared in disbelief. They had not just drawn the store ownerโs attention, but they had triggered the regional managerโand now, apparently, someone even higher was on the way. Their minds spun with the same question. โWho the hell is this new chairman of the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce?โ Who could inspire this kind of loyalty? Who had a team this bold, this willing to stand up to even Quinton? How much power did they really hold?
Quinton, meanwhile, was starting to sweat. If the Chamberโs upper ranks included tough playersโlike the Irvings or other major corporate bossesโhe really could not afford to mess around. However, it was too late to take back his words now. He had already thrown down the gauntlet, and backing out would make him look weak. No matter what, there was no way the Chamber of Commerce would really lay a hand on him. He was still Quinton Wright, and that name carried weight.
โFine,โ he said, dragging over a chair and sitting down with a smirk. โLetโs wait for your big boss to show up. Iโd love to see what kind of qualifications they think they have to meddle in my personal business.โ He added, โHell, I donโt care if your chairman comes here in person. Letโs see if theyโve got the guts to do a damn thing to me.โ