From Rags to God of War

Demanding Her Return

"Mr. Meyers?" Gilbert tried to salvage the situation. "I-I didn't mean to..."

Victor's stare was piercing. "I asked, who do you think you are, acting like that in my office?"

Gilbert swallowed hard. He knew that in this moment, his arrogance would get him nowhere. He had to suck up. He needed to twist the narrative in a flash.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Meyers! My sincerest apologies! Really!" Gilbert rushed forward, bowing deeply. He glanced at Chery for a second. "I apologize again. I truly got carried away. Your staff here..." Gilbert looked at Chery, then back at Victor, putting on a show of feigned remorse. "She slightly misunderstood my intentions. I needed to see you immediately. This is a very important matter concerning our project. She was blocking me, and well, I just lost my temper for a moment. It's entirely my fault, sir. I should have kept my composure."

Chery Brown stared at Gilbert with an expression of disbelief and anger. But Victor raised a hand, stopping her before she could object. Victor turned to Chery. "Chery, you can return to your post. And make sure this incident doesn't happen again. If any guest acts aggressively, report it to security immediately."

Chery nodded obediently, her face still flushed. She returned to her desk, occasionally shooting Gilbert a furious glare.

Victor shifted his gaze back to Gilbert. His expression remained cold and intimidating. "Follow me to my office."

Gilbert breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wasn't being thrown out right away. He nodded quickly, following Victor as he stepped into a private elevator, heading for the top floor of the building.

...

In Victor's office, Victor sat in his elegant executive chair, while Gilbert stood awkwardly before him, refraining from sitting until instructed.

Victor steepled his fingers on the desk, looking at Gilbert without expression. "What brings you here?"

Gilbert offered a strained smile. "My apologies again, sir. I truly didn't mean anything by it. I was just... so shocked. About the Diamond Group project with the Weber Group. I just heard your company canceled everything. And I know, we were literally one signature away." Gilbert observed Victor carefully. "What actually happened? Why was it suddenly called off?"

Victor snorted. "Canceled. That's the bottom line."

"But why, sir?" Gilbert dared to ask. "I've prepared everything meticulously. We'd agreed on every clause. This is a huge, highly potential project." Gilbert took a slight step forward, trying to convey that he cared deeply about the project, not his personal loss. "The Weber Group desperately needs this collaboration. I'm sure you know our situation. I promise I will personally oversee everything, ensuring no more mistakes from our end."

Victor returned his gaze. There was no warmth whatsoever. "I know this project has potential, Mr. Thompson. And I also know what you need. But I've made my decision. This collaboration will not proceed."

Gilbert's heart sank. "But there's no other way?"

Victor leaned back in his chair. "There is. The only way for me to continue this project is if Isabella Weber returns to her original position as Vice Director. And she will lead this project directly. No one else."

Gilbert's eyes widened. Shocked. Isabella? Why Isabella? What the hell was this? Could Victor be crushing on Isabella? The thought immediately crossed his mind. No wonder, Isabella was indeed beautiful. Victor must be using this to get closer to her. His face showed a confused and slightly amused expression.

"Isabella?" Gilbert repeated, trying to hide a condescending tone. "But, sir, you know yourself, she was just fired. Adam Weber himself did it, at my discretion as CEO, for the good of the company." He tried to make Victor understand that Isabella was incompetent. "Bringing her back would create internal problems at the Weber Group."

Victor didn't budge. "That's your internal matter. For me, if it's not Isabella, then there's no project. It's as simple as that."

Gilbert racked his brain, searching for a way to divert Victor's attention from Isabella, or at least make Victor change his mind. He had to make Victor realize Isabella was 'unworthy'.

"I understand your interest in Isabella, sir," Gilbert said, as if offering friendly advice. "But you know, Isabella is already married."

Gilbert tried to smile as if it were a funny secret. "Her husband is Nicholas Krause. Nobody really knows anything about his background." He fanned his hand, pretending to be casual. "And Isabella is very possessive of her husband. She always defends Nicholas fiercely, even though, well, we know. She's like blindly captivated. Maybe you should look for another woman who's more available, Victor."

오케이, dawabew444! 알았으! 미국 현지인이 말하는 것처럼 스크립트 쫙 뽑아줄게. 좀 더 생생하고 드라마틱하게 느껴질 거야. Let's roll!

Victor glared at Gilbert, his eyes narrowing. A dangerous glint flashed within them. His face hardened, far more terrifying than his previous anger. Gilbert felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

A loud, sharp slap shattered the room's silence. Louder and more painful than the first one. Gilbert's head snapped to the side, leaving a red mark on his cheek. He stumbled backward, his mouth tasting salty with a hint of blood.

"Watch your mouth!" Victor's voice was low and extremely dangerous. "I've never 'crushed' on Isabella! I'm asking for her return because she's the only one at Weber Group whose competence and integrity I trust! And you have no right to insult Nicholas Krause!" Victor rose from his chair, approaching Gilbert. His eyes blazed.

Gilbert felt dizzy, his cheek throbbing with intense pain. He hadn't expected Victor to react so severely.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just speaking out of turn about my assumptions regarding Isabella," Gilbert stammered, trying to defend himself.

"Your comments about Nicholas Krause – that's what infuriated me. Don't you ever dare insult him again!" Victor asserted.

Gilbert furrowed his brow, confused. Why was Victor defending Nicholas so vehemently?

Victor didn't give him a chance. He pointed to the door. "Get out of my office! Right now! And don't you ever set foot in Diamond Group again! I don't want to see your face!" Victor pressed the intercom button. "Call security. Get this man out. And remember, from now on, any business with Weber Group will only be handled by Isabella Weber! Only her! I won't deal with anyone else!"

Security arrived quickly. A battered Gilbert, with a reddened cheek and frightened eyes, was escorted out of Victor's office, out of the Diamond Group building, like a common criminal. He was utterly humiliated.

...

At Nicholas's mansion, the roar of an approaching car could be heard. Isabella was home at the time, looking outside. She was surprised to see her father and Elsa arrive.

Isabella greeted them and invited them to sit in the living room.

Elsa looked tense, taking in Isabella's home. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"This is your house, Bela?" Elsa asked. Her eyes scanned every corner of the room, taking in the displayed luxury. "How could Nicholas afford to set all this up for you?"

Isabella scoffed. "Nicholas isn't as lowly as you think."

Elsa curled her lips into a smile. "Where did he get the money? Maybe this is just a rental, or it belongs to some conglomerate he's secretly crashing at."

Isabella didn't bother to answer Elsa's jab. She looked at her father. "What's up? Why are you suddenly here? I don't recall us having plans."

Adam cleared his throat. He looked uncomfortable. "Isabella, there's something we need to talk about. It's important."

Isabella didn't let them sweet-talk her. She crossed her arms, staring pointedly at her father. "What's so important? Does it have something to do with me getting fired yesterday? If so, I'm not sure I want to hear it."

Adam hesitated for a moment. He sighed. "It's not that, honey. Actually, I have some good news for you."

Isabella just raised an eyebrow. "Good news? After you yourself signed my termination letter yesterday? You think I'm just going to believe that?"

Adam sighed again. "I know this is hard for you to accept. But tomorrow, you can come back to the office. As usual."

Adam's words hung in the air. Isabella didn't blink. Come back? As usual? It sounded like a cruel joke. She clenched her jaw.

"Come back to the office? What the hell is this?" Isabella stared straight at Adam. Her eyes were full of questions and suspicion. "Yesterday I was fired. You kicked me out like I was worthless. Suddenly today, you show up and tell me I can come back? What's really going on?"

Elsa ventured to speak. "There were some mistakes yesterday, yes. But in a family business, isn't internal conflict just... normal?" she said. "If we're asking you to come back, you should just agree without asking so many questions!"

Isabella turned to Elsa. Knowing her own family's behavior, Isabella wasn't going to fall for their games. "I will never step foot in Weber Group again if I don't know exactly what made you change your minds."

Elsa was annoyed by her stubborn sister. "Bela, you're being so arrogant!"

Adam tried to keep his composure, hoping Isabella would comply. "Victor Meyers suddenly canceled the contract with Weber Group, and he'll only proceed with the business if you lead the project."

Isabella didn't even know or had ever met Victor. Why did he want her to run this project?