A Successful Career After Divorce

The ringing phone irritated Brendon, provoking his annoyance. But the abrupt rush of anger felt like a cold, sobering shower that washed over him, momentarily quelling his irritation.

He finally answered the call.

“Mm-hmm,” he responded, his face impassive, while a sweet, muffled female voice spoke on the other end. Ranita strained to hear the words clearly, but Brendon’s inscrutable expression gave nothing away.

The conversation was brief, just two minutes, yet for Ranita, it stretched out like an eternity. Every fiber of her being throbbed, as if she were being sliced by an invisible blade, causing a silent, excruciating agony in her heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys.

“I can’t make it to lunch today. I have some things to attend to,” Brendon said coldly before ending the call.

Although Ranita had no intentions of having lunch with Brendon in the first place, Shannon had already interrupted their plans, an uneasy feeling lingered.

“Mr. Stuart, you can drop me off here,” she told him, getting out of the car at a roadside stop.

Just as she stepped out of the car, about to call Olivia, her phone rang. “Ranita! Come back to the studio!”

“What’s going on?” Ranita inquired urgently.

“A woman came with two people… Oh my, it’s too chaotic to explain over the phone. Just come back,” Olivia responded. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to elaborate, but the situation was too overwhelming, and Olivia was entirely bewildered.

Ranita hailed a taxi back to the studio, and as she approached the door, she heard a familiar and self-assured voice inquiring, “Where’s Ranita? Hasn’t she returned yet?”

Holly?

Ranita quickened her pace, pushing the door open with a chiming bell. Olivia eagerly welcomed her, as if she had encountered a savior. “Ranita, you’re back!” Olivia exclaimed.

Olivia gestured toward something behind them, silently mouthing the words “really scary.” Not many could handle Holly’s personality.

Ranita patted Olivia’s hand, signaling her not to worry, and entered the studio with confidence. Ranita, along with a few others, ran their businesses from this studio, situated on the second floor of a small building within a creative park. With three partners, each having their own office and three assistants, it had a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, with lush green plants adding to its comfort.

“What brings you here?”

Holly settled into her chair with an air of arrogance, flanked by two imposing bodyguards who Ranita recognized as Amiya’s men.

“You’ve finally arrived!” Holly perked up at the sight of Ranita. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Miss Stuart, is there something you need?” Ranita clenched her teeth and shot a discreet glance at Olivia, silently urging her to call the police if things took a turn for the worse.

Olivia nodded in understanding.

Holly, with a derisive chuckle, rose from her seat and approached with an air of indignation. “You had a ride with my brother a little while ago, didn’t you?”NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Holly and Shannon had been observing Ranita from the window at Sugar Media. Holly had eagerly informed Shannon to prepare, but then they saw Ranita getting into a car that drove away.

Holly’s fury flared instantly, and Shannon’s eyes welled with tears.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my brother? Can’t you understand simple words?” Holly’s face contorted as she raised her hand, preparing to slap Ranita.

Ranita swiftly caught her hand. “Holly, it seems like you’re the one struggling with comprehension.”

“This is my office. I demand that you and your entourage leave immediately, or I’ll call the police!”

Holly’s wrist was held in an unyielding grip. She struggled to free herself, but her efforts were in vain. Frustrated, she shouted at her bodyguards, “Are you all useless? Hurry and come help!”