Drake's Romance for His Wife

Chapter 5

Cheryl felt deeply conflicted. Ashley's suggestion was indeed an opportunity to return to the Sanchez Corporation.

But she was still angry. 'My marriage has already been arranged, and now they handed me a dismissal letter to force me out of the Sanchez Corporation. And now they want to use me again, with Ashley shamelessly coming to ask for my help.'

Just then, Drake gently took her hand.

Their eyes met, and everything was conveyed without words.

Ashley, seeing Cheryl's reaction, felt a sudden chill in her heart, though she still spoke arrogantly. "Fine, Cheryl, don't regret this!"

With that, Ashley turned and left.

***

In truth, Cheryl still wanted to return to the Sanchez Corporation.

After all, she had been working there ever since she graduated, and only she knew how tough those years had been.

The main reason, however, was the high salary the company provided.

Although Cheryl was a member of the Sanchez family, her father, Ian, had been weak and sickly since childhood and wasn't very articulate. This was why Michelle disliked him.

The result of this dislike was that Cheryl's family lived in relative poverty, with no dividends from the corporation.

This meant that the only source of income for Cheryl's family was her salary.

***

After returning home, Ashley stormed straight into the study.

Seeing Ashley's sour expression, Sabrina frowned slightly and asked, "Did things not go well at Cheryl's place?"

Covering her left cheek, Ashley replied angrily, "Mom, that wretched Cheryl refused to return to Sanchez Corporation, and…"

"That d*mn lunatic hit me again! What should we do now?"

Hearing this, Sabrina didn't seem surprised. She glanced at her daughter and said calmly, "Leave this matter to me. I'll figure something out."

"But, Mom, are we really going to let that b*tch Cheryl get away with humiliating me?" Ashley asked urgently.

Sabrina closed her laptop gently, walked over to the couch, and sat down beside her.

She reached out and gently stroked Ashley's left cheek, speaking earnestly, "Ashley, tonight, come with me to Grand Pearl Restaurant. Learn carefully how I deal with it. I'll show you how to handle this situation."

"You're not a child anymore. Remember, Sanchez Corporation will be yours in the future, and no one can take that from you. Don't be so rash in the future. Understand?"

Looking at Sabrina's serious expression, Ashley nodded slightly.

Ashley feared her mother far more than she respected her.

After all, this was a woman who had lost her husband early on yet still managed to hold up an entire business empire.

Such skill wasn't something just anyone could possess.

The best word to describe Sabrina was "femme fatale."

***

That afternoon, Sabrina took Ashley to the most upscale restaurant in Metrobay City—Grand Pearl Restaurant.

At the entrance, a line of doormen bowed as they greeted them. Sabrina smoothly handed over some cash and said softly, "A tip."

The doormen, delighted, showered her with compliments. "Thank you, Ms. Sanchez."

A man wearing a manager's uniform appeared, beaming as he approached Sabrina. "Ms. Sanchez, I'll take you to the private room you reserved."

He bowed and gestured for them to follow as he led the way.

Behind Sabrina, Ashley seemed completely accustomed to the scene and showed no surprise.

***

The two were led to a private room.

In the private room sat a middle-aged man with a round face.

When he saw the elegantly dressed Sabrina, his eyes lit up, and a foolish grin spread across his face.

Sabrina had specially chosen a strapless evening gown for this dinner, accentuating her figure.

With her slender waist, long, fair legs, and refined makeup, combined with her cold, regal demeanor, she was the type of woman every man longed to conquer.

"Sabrina, you're so beautiful," the man gushed.

A flicker of disgust flashed in Sabrina's eyes, but she maintained her professional smile. "Mr. Chandler, you're flattering me. Beauty doesn't pay the bills, after all."

The middle-aged man with the round face was Corey Chandler, a veteran figure in Hargold Group, currently serving as the company's HR manager.

After some small talk, Sabrina's expression suddenly became melancholic.

Seeing this, Corey pulled up a chair and sat beside her, asking softly, "Sabrina, what's wrong?"

Sighing, Sabrina replied, "Mr. Chandler, you're aware of the project between Sanchez Corporation and your Hargold Group, right?"

"Of course. Is there an issue with it?" Corey asked, surprised.

He had been abroad recently and had only returned to Metrobay today. Upon his return, he had received Sabrina's invitation to dinner.

In Corey's mind, this was a golden opportunity to get close to Sabrina. He had long wanted to be intimate with this widow, who had lost her husband at a young age. After all, women of her age were at their most charming and knew how to please a man.

Sabrina spoke up, "Mr. Chandler, the Sanchez Corporation's project doesn't go well. I remember you're a senior member at Hargold Group. Could you please help me pass a message to Mr. Gold? Tell him that I would like to invite him for dinner here the day after tomorrow."

Hearing this, Corey smiled, his lips curling as he placed his hand on Sabrina's, massaging it affectionately. He said, "Sabrina, don't worry. I'm happy to help you with this."

Sabrina frowned slightly and quickly withdrew her hand. She raised the wine glass from the table and said, "Well then, Mr. Chandler, I'll thank you in advance for your help!"

Seeing Sabrina's reaction, Corey didn't push further. He simply smiled and raised his glass as well, saying, "Sabrina, you know I'd do anything for you."

***

"What? You met with Sabrina privately?" A furious voice echoed from the Harold's office in Hargold Group, causing confusion among the staff outside.

Corey frowned slightly at the sight of the enraged Harold. "Yes, Mr. Gold. What's the problem? Sabrina just wanted to invite you for a meal. After all, Hargold Group still has a partnership with the Sanchez Corporation..."

"Enough!" Harold roared, cutting Corey off. "You're fired. Pack up your things and get out right now. Security! Throw this man out!"

With that, two burly security guards flanked Corey and dragged him out.

"Mr. Gold, I'm a senior member of this company! How can you do this to me? Mr. Gold, Harold!! You ungrateful wretch!"

The employees outside the office were terrified. They had never seen Harold so angry before, and they feared his wrath would turn on them next.

After all, Corey had been working for Harold for more than 20 years. Yet now, for some unknown reason, he was fired by Harold with no mercy.

***

Knock, knock, knock—a knocking sound echoed from the door of the Sanchez residence.

Mandy opened the door and was pleasantly surprised. "Isaac, you're here? Come in."

Standing at the door was a young man in a suit, named Isaac Lloyd, Cheryl's cousin.

"It's okay, Aunt Mandy. Is Cheryl home? I just wanted to tell her to quickly return to work at Sanchez Corporation."

Hearing the commotion, Cheryl also came to the door. When she heard Isaac's voice, she furrowed her brow and asked, "Isaac, who sent you? Sabrina or Ashley?"

Isaac responded firmly, "That doesn't matter. You must come back to work today. I'll be waiting for you at the office. You'd better show up, or you'll make me look bad in front of the higher-ups. Understand?"

After saying this, he turned to leave.

For years, Cheryl's family had no real status in the Sanchez Corporation, and Mandy's relatives had often sneered at them.

But Isaac had forgotten that Cheryl had begged her superiors time and time again to recruit him. His current position was all owed to Cheryl's help.

How was Isaac's current behavior any different from that of an ungrateful traitor?

At that moment, Drake's voice came from inside the house. "Who do you think you are? How dare you order Cheryl around?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Drake appeared at the door. His expression was cold, and his eyes radiated a murderous aura.

If Cheryl hadn't quickly grabbed hold of Drake's sleeve, Isaac would likely have ended up on the floor.

Mandy frowned slightly, her face full of pain. "Isaac! Back then, Cheryl did everything she could to get you into Sanchez Corporation. Now, not only are you not helping us, but you're kicking us while we're down? Get out of here!"

Isaac was the son of Mandy's brother, and she had watched him grow up. She never imagined that he would join forces with outsiders to hurt her daughter, stirring deep anger in her.

Drake, seeing this, said coldly, "Didn't you hear her? Get lost! Don't show your face around me again. Otherwise, the next time I see you, I'll beat you. If you want Cheryl to return to work, Ashley and Sabrina must personally come here and apologize!"

Isaac felt humiliated and wanted to say more, but when he met Drake's emotionless gaze, a chill ran through him. He felt as if he'd die if he said one more word.

Terrified, Isaac hurriedly left the Sanchez residence, trembling as he went.