Chapter 37

Aiden drew a slow breath. “Sienna, they quit because they didn’t know you. They were just worried you couldn’t handle things. I’ve spoken to them. They’ll come back immediately if you say the word. You won't find replacements fast. How’s the company supposed to run? Just think about it.”

Sienna’s gaze landed on him, cold and sharp. “So you’re saying I should beg them to return?”

Aiden coughed and turned to the window, not meeting her eyes. “I know it’s hard for you. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to them.”

Sienna dropped into the chair, her posture loose and careless as she waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t bother. You’re not with the company anymore. Might as well stay gone.”

The words stung like a slap. Aiden’s jaw clenched, his voice rough. “Sienna, I’m still your father.”

The threat fell flat. Sienna didn’t even look up. “You don’t have to be. Lana, show him out.”

Aiden stood frozen for a second before turning on his heel and slamming the door behind him.

Reno strode in, grinning. “Miss Enna, they’re here.” Sienna nodded in approval.

Outside, the laid-off workers lingering by the entrance froze as a stream of new employees filed in. One stopped a fresh face to ask what was happening. When reality hit, panic spread. They had never expected to be replaced so fast.

Linda and her fellow ex-managers lounged at home, sipping tea while smugly listing their demands for Sienna when she came begging. They expected double salaries, better benefits, and a formal apology.

The phone rang. One manager turned pale, his hand trembling. “What did you say? You want us to pack our things?” This wasn’t what they had anticipated. They were meant to be negotiating better terms, not cleaning out their offices.

“You heard correctly, Mr. Les Lambert. Collect your things by this afternoon. After that, everything gets tossed out.” The voice on the phone was…

Leo protested instantly. “You can’t do this.” But the voice cut in, “We can and we will. Your replacements are already at their desks.”

At the mention of new hires, the group leapt to their feet, shouting questions, but the line went dead. They raced to Hart Corporation in disbelief, only to find every desk was occupied.

Leo, Linda’s uncle, had always swaggered through Hart Corporation like he owned it. He barged into his former office, only to find a stranger in his chair. “Who the hell are you?” he bellowed. “Out of my seat, now!”

The young man adjusted his glasses calmly. “I'm Hart Corporation’s new finance manager. And you are?”

Leo’s face twisted as the truth hit him. He had quit himself. But the thought that anyone could do his job better was laughable. “I was the manager here for years,” he spat. “Your qualifications? Your degree? Your experience?”

The young man leaned back in the chair. “Maldrin Economics. Han overseas operations as deputy director. Saved a failing company and got them a million a month. Need anything else?”

Leo’s jaw clenched in disbelief. There was no way he was telling the truth. Hart Corporation wasn’t exactly a magnet for top talent. Convinced Sienna had staged this whole thing, he barked, “Take me to Sienna. Now!”

“Mr. Lambert,” the young man said calmly. “Miss Enna doesn’t see uninvited guests. You can leave now, or security will remove you. And since you have resigned, along with your friends, you don’t work here anymore. Please get out.”

Leo charged forward, shouting wildly, until two burly security guards seized him. They hauled him out as he kept yelling. One guard snapped, slapping him hard across the face.

“One more word and we won’t go easy,” the guard growled. “Badmouth Miss Enna? Who do you think you are? You’re not the first we’ve tossed out. They all landed in jail. So think twice before speaking. Really thought Hart Corporation needed you? Pathetic. Every new hire here outshines your whole team. Now get lost!”

The guard shook his head at the absurdity. Seriously! These guys actually thought they couldn’t be replaced! The company wouldn’t even blink if they vanished tomorrow! And just like that, Leo and his gang ended up jobless, facing the consequences of their own actions.

Meanwhile, Sienna listened half-heartedly to Reno’s enthusiastic report, her mind already drifting. She checked the time. “Vivian would be off work soon! Time to pick her up!”

Reno, oblivious, kept rambling. If she knew her usually stern, unshakable boss had zoned out during her briefing, she would have been stunned.

Chapter 37

The Quinn family was in chaos. Sophie’s failed attempt to steal the SIE deal rocked the entire family. When the truth came out, she tried to run overseas. She even pushed her parents to plead for mercy, banking on family ties to save her.

But the Quinns wouldn’t budge. They cut all connections. Then, like falling dominoes, every business that had worked with Sophie out of respect for Quinn Group walked away too.

Sophie didn’t manage to run away. Her company was on the brink of collapse. She had braced for the worst, but not total ruin. Even without the Quinn Group’s support, the speed of her company’s downfall was shocking.

Then came the final blow. Sophie’s dark past exploded online, with school bullying records and dishonest business deals spreading everywhere. The news went viral and became impossible to erase.

Debts piled up. Employees quit in waves. Junior Quinn Group went bankrupt within hours. Sophie’s hands trembled around her coffee cup. It felt like an invisible fist was squeezing her chest. A cold sweat broke out as she wondered who she had crossed. But besides Miles, she couldn’t pinpoint anyone.

Even Miles was stunned by how fast everything fell apart. Losing our partnership shouldn’t have bankrupted Junior Quinn Group this fast. Someone must be behind this.

“Mr. Quinn, Sophie was a backstabbing snake,” his assistant said. “She burned bridges everywhere, hiding behind our name. She brought this on herself.”

Miles folded his hands together. “No. Someone’s behind this. Find out who.”

“Mr. Quinn, are you helping her?” His assistant frowned, puzzled by the boss’s decision to help Sophie after everything she had done.