Williams stared at Isabelle, his jaw tightening in annoyance.
"Miss Grant..." He began calmly even though he was boiling inside.
"I wouldn't stoop so low as to lay a hand on you. Not because you are a Grant, but because I'm a responsible gentleman." He said through gritted teeth.
Isabelle raised an eyebrow, her hand already lifting again.
"Responsible, huh? Let's test that, shall we?"
As her hand swung toward his face, Williams moved faster. He caught her wrist midair, his grip firm.
"Enough, you will not try that nonsense again." He said sharply and dropped her hand like it burnt him.
Isabelle's nostrils flared. She scoffed loudly.
"You think you can tell me what to do? In my own company?" She snapped at him.
Williams straightened up, his expression unreadable.
"I know this will cost me my job. But I won't stand here and let you treat me like trash." He maintained firmly.
Isabelle laughed mockingly.
"Good. It is nice to see you have accepted your fate. Because, trust me, you are fired. Effective immediately." She snarled.
"Of course, I have been expecting this and I won't argue. But don't think it is because of fear. It is because I have self-respect." Williams informed her coldly.
"Self-respect? Respect is earned, not demanded. You dare to lecture me about respect when you called me out in front of my staff? Do you even realize how degrading and disrespectful your actions were?" Isabelle sneered.
At that, it was William's turn to scoff.
"Well, I only stated the fact. You are selfish and don't know how to take care of the employees as a leader." He shot at her.
Isabelle clenched her fists angrily.
"You dare repeat that? It's like you don't know who I truly am and what I am capable of doing to you." She snarled.
"Of course, I know exactly who you are. Isabelle Grant. The heiress. But that is all you are. The company doesn't even belong to you yet. For all you know, someone else might take it right out from under you." He shot at her.
Isabelle froze, her eyes narrowing.
"What did you just say?" She dared him to repeat his statement.
"You heard me. You are not untouchable. One day, someone might challenge you for this position. Someone smarter, stronger, better suited." Williams maintained firmly.
Isabelle tightened her fists.
"No one would dare. No one!" She hissed, tightening her clenched fists.
"This position belongs to me! If anyone tries to take it from me, I will make sure they regret it. I will wipe out their entire generation!" She declared then let out a sinister smirk.
"Threatening people now, are we? Very professional." Williams commented, raising an eyebrow.
"Get out." Isabelle snapped at the man, exasperated.
However, Williams didn't move immediately. He stared at her for a moment, clenching his jaw. Then he turned and walked to the door.
"Don't ever step foot in my company again." Isabelle called after him.
Williams paused, looking over his shoulder.
"Your company? Not yet, Miss Grant. Not yet. And it is possible it might never be yours." He said and chuckled, satisfied that he had the last word.
With that, he walked out, leaving Isabelle trembling with fury.
~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, back at Elena's mother's house, Elena sat alone in the living room.
Her hands were gripping the armrests of the chair as she stared into space, her mind replaying the chaotic events from earlier.
"What was I even thinking?" She yelled at the empty room then she buried her face in her hands.
"What am I going to do now?"
The questions lingered, unanswered, as her mind drifted to the scene with Adrian and Victor.
*FLASHBACK*
"Since you are so incompetent, Adrian," why not let the lady have a chance at a good life which you obviously can't give her?" Victor had shot at Adrian, looking so relaxed.
"As if he knew..." Elena thought, referring to what she had passed through with Adrian in her previous life.
"You think you are better for her? You criminal? Don't make me laugh!" Adrian snarled, seething.
"Better? Perhaps not, but at least I'm not a coward who chases after a woman who doesn't want him." Victor retorted with a mocking smirk.
"You should leave now, Adrian. Enough of this shameless display of yours." He added seriously.
Adrian's face darkened. His eyes burned into Elena's, but she couldn't muster any words.
"This isn't over, Elena. I will be back." Adrian spat then he stormed off.
Victor chuckled then released Elena's waist after Adrian was out of sight.
"That was… entertaining." Victor said, his tone light.
Elena turned to him, stunned.
"Entertaining?" She scoffed in disbelief.
"Of course, I haven't had that much fun in a long time." Victor replied.
"Fun? You call that fun?" She asked incredulously.
"It is all about perspective, isn't it?" Victor stated with a nonchalant shrug.
He looked around, then back at her.
"Anyway, I should get going. I was looking for an address when I got lost and ended up here. But I'm glad I did." He informed her.
"Oh, really?" Elena blinked.
Victor ignored her question. Instead, his expression turned serious.
"Since you already declared we are dating, what do you think? Should we get married?" He asked.
Elena's mouth fell open, but no sound came out.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"What have I gotten myself into when I am supposed to be working on turning my life around?" Elena screamed at the empty space after reliving the memory.
"Everything about this Victor of a man screams danger... But he is so alluring..." Somehow, Elena found herself wondering about Victor's charm.
Then, her phone buzzed on the center table before her, cutting through her thoughts.
She grabbed it, frowning at the unknown number on the screen.
"Who could this be?" She wondered.
As she opened the message, her breath hitched.
The text was cryptic and had her trembling in fear instantly.
"What does this mean?" She whispered as she read through the message.