Chapter 25: My Husband Is Mine To Keep

Susan's POV

Burying my face in shame and bowing to the overwhelming pressure from the staff, I brought out my phone to FaceTime Ethan upon the staff's request.

It was the only way I could restore sanity in the company.

I've lost numerous battles in the last 24 hours already.

I am not ready to lose the hardworking staff.

They're beginning to lose their confidence in me.

They represent the company's progress.

Without their immense hard work and contribution, Frontline Gold Mine might have suffered a significant setback.

I Face timed Ethan. I was scared that he wasn't going to respond.

I can't imagine being humiliated by Ethan in the presence of the staff.

They will surely mock me for the rest of my life.

“Hey, Susan.

Thank goodness you called.

I've been trying to reach out to you for hours.

I was scared that something had happened to you. It's good to know that you're safe now.” Ethan hurriedly spoke as though he was being chased with a machete.

I haven't been gone for long, and he's already acting like I divorced him.

If only he could use the same energy to forget about Maria and everything that concerns her

I quickly interrupted Ethan to avert him from exposing our marital crises. “The Staff members want to speak with you,”

“You are in the company already? Please stay right there. I am coming to meet you,” Ethan said.

I saw the happiness that rested on his face. He must have missed me already.

“Nope, that won't be necessary. I got this under control. I'll be home shortly,” I turned Ethan down.

I proceed to pass the phone to Pamela to enable the staff to speak with Ethan.

While they spoke to Ethan, I went to stand next to Paul.

The joy in their heart couldn't be contained when they confirmed that Ethan had been granted bail.

I never knew they loved him that much.

I was made to believe that the whole staff despised him so much due to his unfriendly nature.

He's often hostile towards them. Not once have I witnessed Ethan smiling with any member of the staff.

Unlike Ethan's rigidity, I'm quite the opposite.

I treat the staff members like family. Never for once, have I yelled at them.

I don't hesitate to pardon anyone found wanting to violate the company's rules.

“We are sorry for doubting you, ma'am.

We just needed to be certain,” Pamela apologized on behalf of everyone as she returned the phone to me.

I accepted her apology and dismissed the staff without further punishment.

I was more concerned about the effectiveness of the staff and the progress of the company than anything else.

“Problems solved.

Who knows what the next one might be?” I sighed while my arms remained folded.

“Maria has dealt with you a lot.

She's slowly becoming your biggest nightmare. You should do something about that,” Paul said to me.

I depicted a thousand meanings from what he said.

I was still blank. I am aware of the problem. I didn't know how to tackle it.

“I presume you're having difficulty in figuring out a solution, right?” Paul winked at me after watching me pick on my nails like a child.

It's wonderful how he was able to read my thoughts and know what I wanted.

“Sure!

You have a solution.

I don't want to lose Ethan to Maria.

Her kids seemed to be the only thing that occupied his mind,” I confessed.

I saw no need to pretend when I was desperately in need of a way out.

“No way, you just said that. What about the court restraining order?

Did you tell Ethan about it? Is he aware that he might be locked up for good this time?” Paul expressed his shock.

That was precisely how I reacted when Ethan informed me of his decision to hire a private investigator to do the dirty Job.

“Honestly, I don't know. My home is tearing apart.

The moment it turns out that he's the father of those kids, it's over for me.” I cried.

Losing everything wasn't a worry.

The problem is the person behind the loss.

“Well, there might be a solution. You haven't completely lost yet.

You still stand a chance to save your home,” Paul assured me.

When I demanded a better explanation, Paul asked me to follow him outside.

According to him, he doesn't want a third party to eavesdrop on our conversation and know our secret.

“We are here now.

What do you have for me?” I asked Paul after we arrived outside.

“How about you threaten Maria to leave the country?” Paul suggested.

“Threat? Come on, Paul, we shouldn't be a fire when we are yet to put off the previous one.

That's certainly not a good idea. Please recommend another,”

I shook my head in disagreement with Paul's suggestion.

It was below what I expected from him.

“How about you tell me about Ethan's secret plot to hire a private investigator to keep tabs on her sons?

The sound of that will make her abscond with the kids,” Paul added another blunder.

“Are you being serious right now, Paul? You shouldn't be caught saying this in public,” I warned Paul.

The suggestion was a lot worse than the previous one.

I was confident that he would make me proud. Clearly, I was wrong.

I might be heading for my doom should I heed his advice.

“Wait while I figure something out. You have got to be patient because it might take too long,” Paul assured me. He gave me hope that something can still be done.

While I waited for him to come up with a solution, I also racked my head.

I figured it wouldn't make any sense to depend on him for everything when I could still make use of my brain.

Finally, a thought brushed my head.

Although dangerous, it is a smart one.

“Let's abduct the boys and make Maria suffer.

She will be left with no choice but to leave the city,”

I whispered silently.

Before speaking, I scanned the entire area just to be sure no one was approaching or listening to us from a distance.