Chapter 48 - Help You?

Thaddeus gestured aggressively toward the box. "Are you still clueless? What did you say in front of the family yesterday? Our factories and production lines were forced to shut down for rectification right after you took this package from them. The bank has demanded repayment of our loans, and our partners are canceling their contracts demanding payment of our debts to them. Think, Brendan. Who have we offended?"

Brendan froze, the reality dawning on him.

"Grandpa, are you saying that Damien Monroe did this?"

Thaddeus's eyes burned with frustration. "Who else? Everything was fine until you took that box. This is a warning from the Monroes because we took the gifts meant for Charlotte Reed."

Brendan finally realized the Monroes had been watching Charlotte's family closely. His face flushed with anger and embarrassment. He hadn't even suggested stealing the betrothal gifts initially, and now he was being blamed for the fallout.

Thaddeus's voice cut through his thoughts. "Since you brought this trouble upon us, you must fix it. Take the items back and apologize to Charlotte. We need to convince Charlotte that we are apologizing sincerely, and she will forgive us. We need the Monroes to forgive us, or it's over for the Reeds!"

Despite his resentment, Brendan had no choice but to seek out Charlotte. After searching for hours, he learned she was working at Orion Industries. When he arrived, the security guards stopped him at the door.

"My cousin works here! I need to see her!" Brendan demanded.

The security guard remained unfazed. "Call her to come out. You're not an employee or a client, so you can't enter."

Frustrated, Brendan dialed Charlotte repeatedly, but she never answered. He wasn't sure if she'd blocked him, but he couldn't reach her.

"Please leave. Don't disrupt our office," the head security officer warned.

Brendan fumed. Just as he was about to force his way in, he saw a familiar figure—Ethan.

Brendan's rage flared, and he pointed at Ethan. "He's not an employee here! Why don't you stop him?"

To his shock, the security officers bowed. "Mr. Knight, welcome."

Ethan nodded, his gaze cold as he glanced at Brendan.

Gideon Boysen had previously fired the security officers who stopped Ethan, and the new staff knew better than to cross him. They didn't know his exact identity but recognized he was important.

Brendan was nearly speechless with anger. "Why can he enter but not me? He's just a useless son-in-law! What kind of company rules do you have that you allowed goo-for-nothing people to enter your premises and yet not recognize me as Reed?."

Ethan ignored him, but the head security officer stepped in. "This is Orion Industries. If you cause trouble, don't blame us for being rough."

Brendan refused to back down. "I'll file a complaint against you for bias!"

The officer sneered. "Mr. Knight is a valued client of Mr. Boysen. Who are you? Get lost!"

They surrounded Brendan, pushing him away from Ethan.

"This guy? An important client? He's tricked you!" Brendan yelled, reaching for Ethan. "Ethan, get over here! What trick have you done to make these people believe you? Oh come on!"

Ethan grimaced, and the chief security officer intervened. "Mr. Knight, please go inside. We'll handle this."

Ethan nodded and left the security team to deal with Brendan. They dragged him away and threw him to the ground. They threatened him not to get back to Orion Industries, or else dragging him would be the easiest punishment.

Brendan's arm, still healing, throbbed painfully, and he screamed, but no one paid attention.

He cursed and fumed but dared not re-enter the building. He waited, fuming, until he saw Charlotte leaving after work.

"Charlotte! Just off work?" Brendan approached with a forced smile.

"What are you doing here?" Charlotte's eyes narrowed. After the morning's incident, she wanted nothing to do with him. She doesn't want to engage in any conversation on any topic with these people. To her, their presence is a toxin around her that can make her face ugly in an instant

"Charlotte, I'm sorry for what happened this morning. It was a joke, and I've returned the car and the items," Brendan lied, feeling the sting of his own words.

Charlotte remained unconvinced. "A joke? Do you think it's funny to rob us? And you're not my cousin. The Reeds disowned us. We're nothing to each other now."

She tried to leave, but Brendan blocked her path. "Charlotte, we're family. I know I was wrong. Please, have mercy. Help us."

Charlotte's gaze hardened. "Help? What do you mean?"

Brendan swallowed his pride. "The Reeds are in trouble. I know I messed up. Please help us. Don't abandon us."

Charlotte's eyes flashed with anger and pity. "Help you? After everything? You've got a lot of nerve, Brendan. I didn't know that you are really thick-skinned. This morning, you acted like a high and mighty person to us. Taking everything you want even if they are not yours. Now that you are in trouble, you suddenly remember me and tell me that what happened this morning is just a joke?"