Chapter 4

The doctor urged me to remain hospitalized for close monitoring, but I checked myself out. The hospital's disinfectant smell was unbearable. I preferred returning to Smith Group and immersing myself in work rather than enduring that lifeless environment. After all, fainting from blood loss was nothing new. With only a month until my departure, I planned to settle the company's affairs, easing Racquelle's transition. Beyond that, I had no other responsibilities.

A week later, a call shattered my plans. It was Jack Mitchell, a long-standing supplier. His furious tone stunned me; he demanded to know why we'd terminated our partnership without warning. I attempted to calm him, explaining, "Mr. Mitchell, there must be a misunderstanding. Why would we terminate our partnership with you? You're one of our longest-standing collaborators." He roared, "How would I know what's going on with you people? Somebody at your company decided to start giving me trouble this morning!" He hung up before I could respond.

I immediately called Racquelle's assistant, Lily Hewitt. "I understand our company terminated a contract with Jack. Do you know what happened?" "Mr. Smith, Ms. Smith ordered it," she replied instantly. "Racquelle?" I was taken aback. "Why would she do that?" "Mr. Smith, I'm not sure. After all, she's the boss; I'm just an employee." Her response left me speechless. Racquelle's personality was well-known; questioning her decisions was futile.

I continued sorting documents until 7:00 p.m., finally finishing and stretching my aching shoulders. As I prepared for dinner and rest, Racquelle called. "Come pick me up at the Bengen Hotel. I've been drinking and can't drive!" The line went dead before I could respond. Every conversation with her consisted of a curt directive. She treated me like an assistant, ordering me about. Until Julianna's treatment concluded, I was bound to obey. Sighing, I hailed a cab for the Bengen Hotel, Jutra's most luxurious hotel, where Racquelle had paid for Vernon's month-long stay after his return from abroad. I was familiar with the place, having frequently run errands for them. Upon arrival, I found her in an expensive designer outfit, flushed from alcohol, clinging to Vernon's arm. She immediately slapped me. "What took you so long? Vernon just recovered. Do you want him to catch a cold?"