CHAPTER 8: HURTFUL WORDS

Sloane always knew that Ms Barbara had always looked for a way to axe her out of the company. The woman despised her enough to want to see her in a miserable state.

Sloane knew this would happen at some point. She just didn't expect the lady to bring it up at such a crucial moment in her life. It was definitely a perfect moment to take it from her.

“What?" Sloane queried her.

Ms Barbara sat down and heaved a sigh. “Well, I believe you heard me clearly the first time."

Sloane cocked her hair. “Come on, mom. You can't do this to me."

Ms Barbara raised her index finger in the air, a signal that Sloane should pause her long talks.

“Firstly, I need to straighten you a bit. To clear the air, I am not your mother. I think I have let you call me mom long enough. It's time to call a spade a spade.”

"What? What are you saying?”

The woman was not moved by the flood of emotions over Sloane's face.

"Come on, you know it's the truth," Ms Barbara pressed on. “Besides, there is no freaking way in this life that I would give birth to a child that is as dull as you."

Sloane swallowed hard. “I am not dull. And you know it!"

Ms Barbara chuckled. “Oh yes, you are, my dear. You can believe you are not just to feel good. You are a selfish bastard!"

The words pierced the heart of Sloane deeper than she expected. Her only crime was to be born. That was it.

“So, if I have made myself clear enough, you, Sloane, should not call me your mom again. If you are so starved of a motherly affection, I think you know the way to the hospital where she is lying without hopes.”

Sloane gritted her teeth. “Don't speak about her."

Ms Barbara giggled. “And if I do, what exactly would you do about it?" She laughed. “Come to think about it, that poor woman may be there thinking that you are sacrificing everything you can just to save her. But somehow, you are too self centered to think about anything other than how to please yourself.”

“Saving my mom is my business," Sloane said firmly. “And I will do it with or without your help."

She paused for a moment and wiped off the tears that had started to trickle down her cheeks. She knew what Ms Barbara was trying to do. The aim was to break her spirit. That way, it would be easy to get her too emotional to think straight. In the end, she would be forced to cut ties with Carlo and go for Bradley.

That would never happen. No way.

Sloane chuckled mildly. “You probably expect me to fall for this wordplay of yours. But no. I know what my mom and dad would want for me in this situation. And that's my happiness.”

Ms Barbara scoffed. "Are you saying staying with a stranger you accidentally signed your marriage with is your way of staying happy? You don't even know him!”

Sloane giggled slightly and wiped tears off her face.

“I will get to know him."

“Damn it, Sloane! It should not be that difficult to give Bradley that same opportunity. Why are you being hell bent on doing what you have in mind?"

“That is because Bradley, unlike Carlo, has spared no single second in showing that he is a scum of the earth. And if we should be honest enough, we both know that if he was actually a great guy, you would not let me have him. As a matter of fact, you would look for the easiest way to push me aside and throw your own daughter to him.”

Ms Barbara knew it was true. She simply gnashed her teeth, but said nothing in respect to that.

Sloane turned and started heading upstairs. At a point, she stopped and said, “About my position in the business, I will be willing to let it go."

With that, she left the angry woman to be alone. Ms Barbara was frustrated by the girl's resilience. Taking Sloane's position wasn't really going to solve the problem at hand. They needed that partnership with Bradley's father. And their only ticket to getting it would be through Bradley.

But somehow, Sloane was ensuring to make it difficult for everyone.

★★★★★

Hours later, Carlo was relaxing in his mansion at night. His thoughts were spiraling around the ordeal of his day. Sloane was occupying every aspect of his mind. It felt more like she had bewitched him.

In his hand was the business card that Sloane had given him earlier on. He was looking for the perfect moment to place a call across to her.

He looked at the wall clock. 8:45pm.

By now, she should be done with her activities and relaxing. Waiting any further would probably get him to call when she would be sleeping.

“Sloane Wentworth," he muttered under his breath while grinning from ear to ear.

Then, he went on to punch in the digits and dialed her line.

One ring….. Two rings…. Three rings.

The call connected. Sloane's sweet voice cooed through the phone.

“Hello," she said.

Carlo adjusted his position.

"Hi,” he said. "Good evening, ma'am.”

"I'm sorry, but who is this?” She asked. "I don't attend to business talks directly at this time. Any business proposals should be forwarded via—”

Carlo cut her off before she could finish.

"This…isn't actually about business," he said calmly.

There was a slight pause on the other side.

“Are you there?" He asked.

“Yes, Carlo," Sloane replied.

Carlo giggled mildly. “You've recognised my voice."

Sloane chuckled partially. “Yes. Sorry I couldn't earlier on. Is everything okay? I don't entertain calls late at night."

Carlo scratched his head. He needed to come up with something.

"Sorry, ma'am. But it's very urgent."

“What's the problem?" Sloane asked in a concerned tone.

Carlo was hesitant for a while before he dropped the bomb.

“I have been chased out of my little apartment. I need a place to stay.”