Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

In the present moment, if Nelson lacked a smug smile lingering on his lips, Leilani would have been skeptical that he had intentionally placed his foot to provoke her.

Reacting swiftly, she grabbed a handful of tissues from the table and offered them to Lucas, “My apologies, sir. Please forgive me,” she pleaded, visibly terrified.

Gently, Lucas wiped the water from his face and suit, “It’s alright, my dear. These things happen, I’ll just clean up,” he reassured her with a soft smile, preparing to stand up.

“What do you mean, it’s expected, Mr. Lucas?” Nelson interrupted, “She has wronged my client and must be held accountable!” he forcefully declared, his tone sending shivers down Leilani’s spine.

“But it’s not my fault, sir. If your foot wasn’t in my way, this wouldn’t have happened,” she stated firmly, maintaining eye contact.

Nelson’s mouth dropped open in shock as he stood up, “So now you’re trying to shift the blame onto me, is that it? And you still have the audacity to talk back,” he seethed.

Leilani didn’t continue to stare at him, but she also didn’t back down.

The intense urge she felt to harm this man was unlike anything she had ever experienced, not even when her ex-boyfriend heartlessly broke up with her.

“Mr. Carter,” Lucas attempted to reason with Nelson, but he simply waved a dismissive hand.

“I assure you, Mr. Lucas, I will handle this situation. No one can disrespect my people and get away with it,” he declared, staring down Leilani with a piercing gaze.

Before Leilani could fully comprehend his words, she heard him ordering the presence of the manager from a nearby staff member.

“Fetch me your superior now!”

Leilani’s heart raced as she attempted to speak, but found herself at a loss for words.

Just then, the manager arrived at the scene and was taken aback to see Nelson in their cafe.

She recognized him immediately, as his corporation was located just across from their establishment, and he was frequently featured on business channels.

Looking from a distraught Leilani to an enraged Nelson, she inquired, “Is there a problem, Mr. Carter?”

“Are you the manager?” Nelson asked sharply.

Mrs. Barbara nodded hastily.

“Do you even know how to do your job?” Nelson lambasted the manager. “How can you hire individuals with such incompetence? Do you realize what this clumsy girl did to my client here?” he demanded, gesturing towards a damp Lucas.

Mrs. Barbara struggled to find the right words when Leilani interjected, “Please believe me, Mrs. Barbara, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Do you know who I am?” Nelson ignored Leilani and turned to face the manager sternly.

“If you don’t want me to escalate this matter, then take the necessary action.”

At his words, Leilani’s chest constricted with intense pain and she fought the urge to rub the uncomfortable spot between her breasts.

“I apologize, Mr. Carter, but how would you like this to be resolved?” Mrs. Barbara inquired politely.

“By terminating her employment,” his deep, husky voice declared proudly, chin lifted in superiority.

Leilani’s breathing stopped in an instant. She couldn’t dispel the raw, agonizing feeling that consumed her like an open wound that refused to heal. She felt exposed and vulnerable.

“You’ve gone too far, Mr. Carter,” Lucas couldn’t help but raise his voice. Now, he was convinced that Nelson was indeed a heartless man.

“The young lady rectified her error and expressed remorse immediately. What more do you want?” he exploded in anger, pinning Nelson with an intense gaze.

“If a mere apology can rectify all mistakes, Mr. Lucas, then why do we even have laws and enforcement in this country?” Nelson inquired casually, fiddling with his nails.

M Lucas’s nostrils flared at Nelson’s remark, visibly trembling with rage. “I cannot believe this, Mr. Carter, and I regret to inform you that I cannot align myself with someone like you,” he declared.

Afterward, Lucas retrieved a significant sum of cash from his wallet and slammed it on the table to pay for his meal, before storming out of the cafe.

Nelson remained unfazed, surprising Leilani, the manager, and the small crowd observing the altercation.

He looked towards Mrs. Barbara and asked, “So now that I have lost a client, what will be the consequences?”

Mrs. Barbara appeared dejected and glanced sadly at Leilani, whose eyes were beginning to well up with tears.

“You have to trust me, Mrs. Barbara. I did not intend for this to happen,” Leilani’s voice broke as she struggled to hold back her tears.

“I’m sorry, Leilani, but there is nothing I can do. Please leave now,” the manager responded, her tone filled with resignation.

Leilani’s shoulders slumped as if her world had come crashing down. She took a quick glance at Nelson and saw nothing but a smug expression on his face.

“Feeling satisfied now?” she directed her question at Nelson.

“Yes, I can see how pleased you are to have me fired, but this is not the end, Mr. Catarrh,” she stepped closer, locking eyes with him. “We’ve only just begun,” she gritted through her teeth, a determined glint in her eyes.

Mrs. Barbara and the other staff members were stunned and could not help but murmur among themselves, “Did they know each other before?”

“And you should also know that I am more than ready for this…” Nelson retorted, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “My dear wife, archeopteryx,” he muttered with a sly wink before turning his back and striding away.

——-

“How can you eat while your wife is still not home, Nelson?” Susan’s sharp voice pierced the air as soon as she entered the dining room and saw her son feasting.

Nelson looked up from his meal and met his mother’s gaze. “She’s not a child, Mother. She’ll come back when she’s ready,” he replied nonchalantly.

Susan’s anger rose, and she strode over to the table, banging her hand on it and causing ketchup to splatter everywhere. “What’s gotten into you, Nelson? You’re becoming more and more unruly,” she scolded.

“The girl told me this morning that she had to urgently meet someone and would be back soon. But now it’s 9 pm, and she hasn’t returned. And you can just sit here without even calling her?” Susan’s frustration seeped through her words.

Nelson couldn’t contain his laughter. “Seriously? Is that what she told you?” Susan’s tension eased a bit, knowing that her son seemed to know Leilani’s whereabouts.

“Did she tell you where she went and when she’ll be back?” she asked.

But before Nelson could respond, the distinct sound of the main entrance door opening could be heard.

“I think she’s home,” Susan said, her voice softened. She quickly left the room to greet Leilani.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

And there she was, Leilani. She looked as though she had been crying all day, her eyes red as if soaked in paint. Susan’s heart ached at the sight of her. “What happened, my dear? Why do you look so broken?” she asked with concern.

Pain pierced Leilani’s heart as she saw the motherly love Susan had for her.

She had expected Susan to bombard her with questions about her whereabouts all day. “I’m sorry for worrying you, Mom. I just want to sleep now,” Leilani said, her fatigue evident.

Susan’s understanding nod brought a faint smile to her face. ”

Just don’t hesitate to tell me anything, okay?” Susan reminded her, and she nodded in response before slowly making her way upstairs.

With unstoppable tears streaming down her face, Leilani cursed her bitter life inwardly as she sprawled the bedding on the floor.

After she lay down and covered herself, the sound of the door opening caught her attention and she hastily wiped her face.

“Hey, where did you go after getting fired?” came Nelson’s gruff voice.

Leilani remained unresponsive, completely ignoring him.

“Do not even think about anything else. I am only inquiring for the sake of my mother. She wouldn’t stop fretting over you, which I do not appreciate at all,” Nelson continued speaking nonetheless.

“Her love, care, and concern are all reserved for me, and if I am to share, it will definitely not be with a foul-mouthed woman like you, is that clear?”

Nelson disliked the way she completely ignored him as if he wasn’t standing there and conversing, but he felt compelled to finish his statement.

“I know you are not asleep and can hear me clearly. Let tonight be the last time you worry my mother, do you understand?” He hardened his voice even more.

However, the only response he received was Leilani shifting positions and shutting her eyes.

“Stupid girl,” Nelson hissed in frustration before striding towards the bathroom.