LOSER HUSBAND TO THE OCTOMILLIONAIRE HEIR

CHAPTER 5 SIGN THE PAPERS

The way the boss expressed regret over the treatment Artis Hardy had received, and kept promising him to punish his culprits, was enough to set off the alarm bells in Jack Montgomery's head. 

He had already been slapped in front of the entire office and his subordinates, and now, would he have to endure more humiliation because of this scum named Hardy? 

Mirroring his thoughts and emotions, Emma, too, felt an overwhelming urge to escape the situation. 

She felt a growing sense of regret and despair as she realized the magnitude of the mistake she had made, making her legs tremble with fear as they threatened to collapse under her. 

So this man had really been telling the truth, and all she had to do was to make a simple phone call to confirm it! But she had been too arrogant to even entertain the thought for one second… 

And now, the dignified chairman, one of the wealthiest individuals in Lauderdale, was fussing over Artis Hardy like his own son, leaving both Jack and Emma stunned! 

Just then, a young man wearing glasses approached the chairman and whispered something in his ear before heading back. 

Mr. Holt's next words managed to pull them both out of their daze. 

"There is no need for you to say anything else, Mr. Hardy.

My secretary has already reviewed the security footage and briefed me of the developments."

At this moment, Artis couldn't help but sneer at Emma, who had fallen silent in his presence. Realizing that she still had time to make amends, she began to grovel in front of Artis. 

"Mr. Hardy! Please forgive me for being so presumptuous, I should never have stopped you from meeting Mr. Holt, but you know I didn't have any bad intentions in mind-"

Before she could have said anything else or Artis could have reacted, Samuel Holt intervened.

"Mr. Montgomery, I must say that I am greatly disappointed in your behavior.

Despite being the head of the HR department, is this how you show respect to the company's guests? When you're willing to stoop this low in front of the employees, then I am forced to wonder how you abuse your power behind my back!"

Samuel Holt didn't give him a chance to utter a single peep, and said in anger;

"I can't tolerate this kind of attitude at my company, you are fired! And don't bother to try and defend your actions, because I will not be changing my decision."

Emma felt a sense of dread and helplessness as Mr. Holt, the chairman, looked at her with disdain after firing Jack on the spot.

When such a senior executive like Mr. Montgomery had been fired without any warning, what hope did a minor receptionist like her have? 

She stepped back behind the desk and sank into her chair, dejected and ashamed, regretting her foolish actions that had offended someone held in high regard by Mr. Holt.

Artis was wondering how the events had taken a sudden turn in his favor, and now, how should he deal with his old acquaintance, Jack Montgomery? 

Emma, attempting to flee the situation, tried to slip past the reception desk and down the hall. But the two bodyguards who had accompanied Mr. Holt quickly blocked her path.

Having no other choice, Emma turned around and tried to defuse the situation once again. 

She pleaded with a smile, saying,

"Mr. Hardy, I had no idea who you were, and so I made a small error in my judgment. I am sure you can understand, right?"

Despite receiving no response, she continued, "I had no bad intentions towards you, but I just wanted to make sure that the chairman wasn't approached by any unverified individual-"

"That's enough for now."

To her surprise, the voice that responded wasn't that of Artis, but Mr. Holt himself. 

"You are fired as well, Miss Emma, and I hope this dismissal teaches you to think twice before making such mistakes in the future."

Emma sunk to the ground as tears streamed down her face, overwhelmed by her mistakes.

Artis observed the security guards, who appeared anxious about their job security as well, but Mr. Holt paid no attention to them. 

Instead, he led him to his own office on the sixteenth floor. After making sure that he was seated comfortably, the chairman focused his attention on preparing a pot of Earl Grey tea for Artis, personally serving it to him. 

He then began to speak,

"Mr. Hardy, I am well aware of the challenges you have faced in recent years due to financial constraints.

However, certain conditions have been set by your grandfather regarding your inheritance, and they are supposed to be followed strictly."

Artis fell deep in thought after hearing these words, and he recalled how he had rushed into a relationship with Scarlet during his college days, anchoring his hope for a happy and prosperous life with her. 

He had also founded a successful business, but fortune had quickly turned against him, and he had had to sell it at a low price soon after the birth of their daughter, Eva. 

Seeing him lost in thought, assured him;

"Don't be hesitant, Mr. Hardy. As long as you signed the terms and conditions of the inheritance, you shall receive financial support for any purpose you desire."

Artis, suspicious of the simplicity of the offer, wanted to request Samuel Holt for some time to consider it. 

Sensing his apprehensions, Holt himself offered,

"Mr. Hardy, you don't have to worry about anything else. There are no further conditions, and you can sign the contract with a clean conscience." 

Despite his reservations, Artis eventually agreed to sign the contract to secure his daughter's treatment. 

He needed to prioritize his daughter's well-being above all else, because he could deal with anyone or anything once he had secured her childhood. 

Samuel Holt left to call the lawyer, and Artis felt a mix of relief and anxiety. 

He knew that signing this contract was just the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one filled with new challenges and uncertainties instead of the repeating struggles of a life in poverty.

________

Back at the hospital, Scarlet was pacing outside her daughter's ward, making a phone call.

When Artis entered, he noticed his daughter lying in the bed placed inside, seeming to be asleep. 

But as he settled beside her, he noticed that her sleep wasn't very deep as she stirred occasionally, troubled by occasional signs of pain. 

His heart ached at seeing her tiny body struggling like this, but his relief came from knowing that, regardless of what lay ahead, his daughter's health was the top priority.

Scarlet entered the room, and seeing Artis sitting inside, a conflicted expression descended on her face. 

She approached him with some hesitation, saying,

"Artis, I… I had called Jack Montgomery while you were gone, and he agreed to lend us the money for Eva's treatment."

Artis, feeling reassured that Scarlet was being honest, said,

"It's okay, Scarlet. We don't need to borrow any money anymore, I have a plan…"

Scarlet's hands trembled at her husband's words, and she stared at him in disbelief. 

She couldn't fathom how he could make such a claim, and her confusion was written large on her face. 

Artis, however, was determined to explain his plan and ease her worries.