Addicted To Love

Chapter 5 Meeting Him Again

Renee's heart skipped a beat as she hastily looked away.

"I'm not even employed at the company!"

"Forget it then!" Hans's indifference toward the collaboration was evident in every word. After all, Echelon Empire wasn't their best choice to begin with.

"It's okay," Chase assured. "Mr. Morton, we'll be there tomorrow!"

After Hans left, Chase also led Renee away to prepare the proposal urgently.

Once they were out of Morton Villa, Renee pushed Chase away.

"Chase, what the hell was that? Who gave you the right to make that decision?"

Suddenly, Chase's expression darkened.

"You're one to speak! Why the f**k did Mr. Morton specifically ask for you to go? What's going on between you two?"

She pressed her lips in silence, her mind still on the enigmatic gaze Hans had given her earlier.

That deep, unreadable look left her unable to discern his intentions.

Why did he want her to go?

"I'm asking you a question! Are you deaf?"

Chase grabbed her collar and soon noticed the love marks on her neck.

"Well, well, well. Renee, I've never thought that you were capable of this. Is that why you were taking so goddamn long in the restroom earlier? You're my wife. How dare you cheat on me under my nose? I'm going to f*****g kill you!"

Renee sneered. "Your wife? I guess the wives of the Hastings men are just objects to their husbands, ready to be sold at the best price at any time. Or should I say, we exist only to attract attention, like some kind of trophy wives?"

"Do you have a death wish?"

With that, Chase raised his hand high, ready to strike Renee across the face, and she could almost feel the forceful gust of wind from his swift moment.

But in an instant, he pulled back.

"Trying to push my buttons, huh? Hoping I'll take a swing at you? Dream on! Mr. Morton's waiting, and frankly, you're already a slut so it doesn't really matter," Chase scoffed.

Renee clenched her teeth. "Chase, are you serious right now?"

"Never been more serious in my life before!" With a swift motion, he tossed Renee into the car and sped away into the distance.

From behind the window on the villa's second floor, Hans finally dropped the curtain, his presence fading as the car vanished into the night.

Chase whisked Renee straight to the office, summoning an impromptu meeting to overhaul the proposal.

Those attending the meeting were puzzled to see Renee. They all knew Chase was a ladies' man, but when did he snag such a knockout?

As she lowered her gaze, strands of her hair, like silk ribbons, slipped from their confines, caressing the curve of her rosy cheeks. With her lips slightly parted in contemplation, she exuded an air of elegant melancholy, casting an enchanting spell on all who beheld her. In the hushed ambiance, several young employees found themselves spellbound, captivated by her ethereal beauty.

Chase watched the scene unfold with a brooding intensity, his silence speaking volumes.

They toiled away until the witching hour, hammering out the final details of the proposal.

With the finalized plan in hand, Chase slammed it before Renee and checked the time on his watch with a grim expression.

"You've got two hours to memorize every detail. If there's a hiccup tomorrow, you're going to get it from me!"

Renee remained still, refusing to reach for the document.

One of the young employees nearby couldn't resist speaking up for her.

"Mr. Hastings, it's getting late. Why don't we call it a night? We can review the plan fresh in the morning. Besides, you've got us. It's gonna work out fine."

Chase shot the young man a steely glare. "Get out."

The young man hesitated. "Mr. Hastings..."

"I told you to get the f**k out!"

The young man's face paled, his expression a tumult of emotions. He stood there in a daze for what felt like an eternity before finally awkwardly shuffling out of the room. Witnessing his retreat, the others quickly followed suit, each concocting their own excuses to make a hasty exit.

Only Renee and Chase remained in the conference room.

"Renee, look at you, working your charm effortlessly. All you did was sit here, and people practically tripped over themselves to plead on your behalf. You've got quite the knack for this!"

"You've said enough, haven't you? I'm not going to Archensheen Corporation, so find someone else to do your work!" With that, Renee rose to her feet.

Chase slammed a stack of documents onto the table in front of her.

"Once you're out of here, I'll sign this right away."

Among the documents was a contract regarding Echelon Empire's acquisition of Xyron, finalized just two days prior.

Jack Welch's name stood out as Renee gazed at the contract, and his words from that one fateful day echoed in her ears.

"Renee, help me one last time. I'll bring you home as soon as Xyron gets through this rough patch!"

How ironic!

Flipping through the documents, she found another set detailing the sale of Xyron.

"You don't know yet, do you? Chicago has been undergoing urban redevelopment lately. The government is planning to establish a city-wide waste transfer station, and they've been struggling to find a location. I think Xyron's land would be perfect for it. With just one push..." Chase's smug words grated on Renee's nerves.

With that, she slapped him hard across the face.

"Chase, you bastard!"

Chase licked the blood from the corner of his mouth with a smirk. "I won't hit you today, but I'm not letting you off easy if that's what you imagine. If you don't handle this well tomorrow, you can watch Xyron turn into a pile of garbage!"

"I'll do it!" Renee snatched the proposal. "But I have one demand. If I help you close this deal with Archensheen Corporation, give Xyron's ownership back to me!"

"Renee, are you that naive to think you're in a place to negotiate with me right now? Do you know how much money I wasted buying that mess? Eighty f*****g million dollars!"

"Fine, eighty million it is!" Renee had no other choice.

With a disdainful glance, Chase retorted, "Talk to me when you have the money!"

Renee, a graduate from a prestigious school, had interned at Xyron before marrying Chase. So, she was no stranger to business proposals and quickly grasped the essentials.

Seeing her determination to get the job done, Chase left the room.

*****

The following morning, at the entrance of Archensheen Corporation.

As Chase and Renee pulled up to the entrance, Allen had already received word of their arrival. He pushed open the door to Hans's office and respectfully informed, "Mr. Morton, they're here."

Hans hummed in acknowledgment and slipped a hand into his pocket. He then strolled to the floor-to-ceiling window and gazed outward. The sky boasted a brilliant blue hue, with wisps of clouds drifting lazily, seeming to stretch endlessly.

The weather was truly nice.

Meanwhile, as Renee stepped out of the car and approached the entrance, Chase couldn't resist a cautionary remark. "Xyron's future is in your hands!"

She shot him a sidelong glance before striding confidently toward the imposing doors of Archensheen Corporation.

After stating her name and the purpose of her visit to the receptionist, she was directed straight to the top floor. Standing in the elevator and watching the numbers ascend, she couldn't shake the feeling of being a pawn in someone else's game.

With a ding, the elevator reached the top floor, and its doors opened wide.

Renee tightened her grip on the folder as she exited the elevator, where Allen was already waiting. Upon seeing her, he greeted her politely, "Pleasure to have you here. Mr. Morton is waiting for you in his office. Please follow me."

"What about the others?" Renee asked instinctively.

Allen seemed taken aback. "Pardon?"

"I mean... Aren't we supposed to discuss the tender proposal with the relevant departments today? Don't we need their input before making decisions?"

Allen chuckled as if he had heard an amusing joke.

"No, Mr. Morton can decide everything on his own, as long as he wishes to do so."

Renee chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Right, my mistake."

"Please come this way!"

Allen led the way, his footsteps echoing down the corridor like whispers of anticipation. At last, they arrived at the threshold of an office, where he paused to tap gently on the door. With a subtle nod, he turned to Renee and gave her a gentle smile. "You may head inside now."

Renee stood before the imposing door, feeling the weight of the moment settle upon her. With a steadying breath, she grasped the handle and turned it, ready to face whatever lay beyond.