Chapter 437: Hatred For All
“Btch, btch! Despicable wretch!” Janessa screamed hysterically as security guards dragged her to the company entrance and unceremoniously dumped her outside. One guard spat on the ground, snarling, “Get lost!”
Cole, his disdain evident, added, “Ms. Janessa, the company’s position should be clear. We hope you won’t embarrass yourself by returning.”
“You, you all!” Janessa raged, unexpectedly angered by Cole and the guards’ disrespect. “You judgmental lot, just because I’ve fallen from grace today doesn’t mean I won’t rise again! Just you wait! I’ll make my comeback, you’ll see! And then you’ll regret this!” she ranted, pointing at them.
Cole offered a refined smile. “We’ll wait expectantly for that day. I hope you won’t embarrass yourself again.” His comment alluded to her previous grandiose, and ultimately inaccurate, pronouncements to the media. Janessa, in everyone's eyes, had lost all credibility. Though reluctant to admit it, she knew this, fueling a fiery rage within her.
Cole, wishing no further interaction with her, turned to return to the company. The security guards, back at their posts, were determined to prevent her re-entry.
“Ugh, it’s driving me crazy!” Janessa muttered, staring at the towering skyscraper, her frustration threatening to overwhelm her. In her mind, she vowed malicious revenge: “Just you wait! One day, I’ll ensure you all are beneath my feet. I’ll trample you harshly, paying back every ounce of humiliation I’ve received!”
Janessa hailed a cab and headed to Ingram Manor. Desperate, she sought help from Rachel. Twenty minutes later, she arrived.
Rachel sat comfortably on the living room couch, watching television, when she heard hurried footsteps. She turned to see Janessa’s ashen face.
“Hold on!” Rachel exclaimed.
Janessa paused. She hadn’t bathed in a day and had planned to freshen up first, but the sight of Rachel crumpled her composure. “Aunt Rachel…” she whimpered.
Annoyed, Rachel glared, seething. “How dare you come back?”
“I…” Janessa recoiled at Rachel’s anger.
“I entrusted you with a perfectly fine company, and you were kicked out immediately! Janessa, what good are you!” Rachel exclaimed, livid and exasperated. “The reason I’ve painstakingly nurtured you is in the hopes that one day you can reclaim Sherritt Group and avenge your late mother! But look what you’ve done! If this is all you’re capable of, you can forget about avenging your mother; I doubt you could even protect yourself!”
Janessa felt profound heartache and helplessness. Her voice broke. “Aunt Rachel, I can’t be blamed entirely. I was schemed against, leading to the negative publicity.”
Rachel’s anger intensified. “Do you think I’m talking about those news stories?”
Janessa was speechless.
“Negative press isn’t a huge problem for a public figure. I can clear your name! But you manipulated the stock market! Unauthorized trading is illegal, and you could’ve gone to jail! My connections bailed you out; otherwise, you'd be in prison!”
Rachel's fury peaked at the mention of the unauthorized trading. For a moment, she wished she could see inside Janessa’s head.
Janessa realized her folly. She apologized, “Aunt Rachel, I’m truly sorry. I was under immense pressure from shareholders and let my emotions cloud my judgment. That’s why I messed up…”
Rachel, growing weary, interrupted. “Enough! Stop playing the victim. Since you’ve admitted your mistake, go to your room. You’re grounded for three days. Stay there and reflect. You’re not allowed to leave.”
“No!” Janessa protested, utterly unwilling to reflect for three days. She pleaded, “Aunt Rachel, I understand my mistake, please don’t ground me!”
Rachel, impatient, shooed her upstairs, “Get moving.”
Janessa knew arguing was futile and headed upstairs. Back in her room, furious, she slammed the door shut. Burying herself in the quilt, she sobbed uncontrollably. Resentment consumed her; she despised everyone and loathed the world.
Why was there always someone obstructing her? Was this fate's deliberate obstacle course? If so, the heavens were surely blind! “Even though I’m not a saint,” she thought bitterly, “Cheryl and Madelyn aren’t angels either.” Why did they succeed while she endured lifelong humiliation as an illegitimate daughter?
“No, this isn’t fair!” she raged silently, cursing in her mind. “You lowlifes are ganging up on me! You think I’m a pushover!”
“All right then, just wait and see! One day, I will repay all the torment I’ve endured a hundredfold—no, a thousandfold! I shall prove that I’m the ultimate victor!”