THE SURTR: SON IN LAW

CHAPTER 04 DELUSION

After leaving the law firm, Ellen asked Emile to leave and he himself returned to the company where he used to do his regular job to support him and his wife.

By the time he entered the bullpen, it was already 10:30, and he was one and a half hour late to work. Seeing him, his colleagues immediately began to gossip amongst themselves.

They had no idea about Ellen's recent divorce, and so they mocked him for his habit of coming late, unknowingly adding salt to his wounds.

"Hey, Ellen, did you break your alarm clock today?"

Another guy chimed in,

"You must be hell bent on setting a new record for being late! Or is there a time zone we don't know about?"

One girl pretended to defend him while actually taunting,

"Guys, be nice. We don't know what he is struggling with, maybe he has a secret life as a night owl, or maybe a superhero!"

"Hm… I don't know about a superhero, but I do know he has a secret life as a dishwasher!"

"Oh yes, didn't Charles see him at the hotel, scrubbing plates? Maybe he is too busy washing dishes at his side job!"

"I am jealous, Willmott! I heard they will be giving you an award for the Employee of the Month in the dishwashing world."

"Yeah, it looks like he is too exhausted while washing dishes, and has no energy left for his main job!"

Laughter echoed through the office, but Ellen completely ignored them all. He just wanted to collect his belongings and move on from this chapter of his life.

After all, the whole reason he had taken up this job in the city was to live an ordinary married life with his beloved wife, where he wasn't a top general, but just himself.

But now, his wife had left him because of this, and he had no more reason to keep up the act.

Pretending like he couldn't hear the sarcastic remarks and whispered gossip, Ellen gathered his personal items from the table and put it all inside a plain brown box.

However, before he could wrap up his stuff and leave, one of the secretaries came rushing towards the bullpen.

"Ellen Willmott?"

"Yeah?"

He asked, raising his head.

"You have been called by the President."

The entire hall became pin drop silent on hearing this, and even Ellen himself was a little surprised.

Still, he followed the secretary into the top corner office, whose door contained the name plate: "Sophie Alexiou".

He strode through the doors, only to find Sophie looking through the files.

"Ma'am, this is Ellen Willmott, whom you asked for."

Saying this, the secretary walked out, leaving them in the room alone.

Sophie raised her blue eyes to meet his, and looked at him with an inscrutable expression.

Ellen had no idea why she had called him, but assumed that it would be better for him to submit his resignation that he was going to hand over to the secretary anyway.

"I know that I was late today, but I have a good reason. I will be leaving the office within two weeks, and this is my official application of resignation."

As he placed the document on her desk, he kept his gaze steady, and then turned around to leave.

But, to Ellen's surprise, he heard Sophie's voice,

"Stop."

Ellen turned around with some surprise, and saw that she was looking directly at him. She said without any hesitation,

"Mr. Willmott, I have always admired your work ethic. You are a dedicated employee who works hard, and I heard that you have even taken up part-time jobs to support your wife. She is also an employee here, if I am not mistaken."

Ellen just nodded solemnly, and he was surprised to see that there was a genuine appreciation for his character in her eyes.

She continued,

"I believe it's time for us to recognize that commitment and dedication. I am considering promoting you to the role of manager within the company. Would you be like that?"

Ellen was genuinely moved by the unexpected offer, and felt some conflict in his heart.

But he had no more desire to work here, and he had already decided to leave the company and planned to return to his past identity.

Thinking this, he politely declined Sophie's proposal;

"I appreciate your offer, Miss. Alexiou. It means a lot to know that my efforts are recognized. However, I've already made a decision to leave the company, as I don't think it is the right time for me to take on a new role."

Once again, Sophie's reaction surprised him. Instead of being angry or irritated, she gracefully accepted his decision.

"I understand, Mr. Willmott. Everyone has the freedom to choose their own path in life, and I respect your choice."

There was a brief moment of calmness, before Sophie's phone began to ring abruptly.

Sophie's expression turned ugly as soon as she answered the call, and Ellen couldn't help but overhear some parts of the conversation.

He could only hear bits and pieces of the dialogue, but the mentions of bankruptcy and an imminent crisis were enough to show that the situation was quite serious.

"Are you sure you know what you're getting into!"

The voice on the other end echoed.

Sophie was whispering urgently,

"Yes, I understand that the financial situation is grim and we need a solution… I know, but-"

"Then I think you also know that time is running out! You don't have forever to save your company, and the only one who can get you out of this mess is me."

Sophie replied calmly,

"I am also willing to save my company at any cost, but not my personal life-"

The man on the other end said in a gruff voice,

"Don't be stupid, Sophie! All you have to do is sign a contract to marry me, and your company will be thriving once again-"

This time, it was Sophie who interrupted him angrily,

"You are delusional if you think I'll ever agree to that. No matter how many times you repeat it, I will never marry you for the sake of the company!"

But instead of accepting her rejection, the person continued to threaten Sophie;

"Don't be so vain, Sophie! Your good looks won't last forever, and then you'll be a miserable old lady living in poverty! Right now, you have the choice to get an outstanding husband and keep your silly company. Don't make a choice that will leave you ruined forever!"

Ellen felt the weight of the uncomfortable exchange, and he understood that it would be rude if he continued to eavesdrop.

Sensing the rising tension, he quietly left the office, giving Sophie privacy to deal with the person.

But as he stepped out into the office space, he found that Marlene had also come into the office. And right now, there was the sound of laughter coming from the bullpen, as Marlene had become the target of taunts from their colleagues.

"Oh, you are also late! Why, did your husband not give you a ride?"

"Haha, maybe she was busy washing the dishes instead of him. True love, you know!"

"How strange that Marlene's husband is not washing the dishes today. Do I sense some trouble in paradise?"

"Maybe that dumbo has finally realized he doesn't need to be her personal servant and dishwasher!"

Ellen stood outside the corridor, waiting to see how Marlene would react.

Marlene felt uncomfortable, and she wanted to save her own dignity.

That's why, she shouted in desperation,

"We're divorced now, okay? It's over between us."

Initially, her colleagues seemed to be entertained by the unfolding drama, but as the fact about their divorce settled in, they fell silent.

The mocking laughter transformed into hushed whispers, and sympathy began to stir among their colleagues, especially male ones.

The tone of murmurs immediately changed, as everyone began to look at her with sympathy;

"They are divorced? Oh no, poor Marlene."

"Yeah, no wonder she's upset. Did you know about this?"

"No, I don't know how or when this all happened. But I can't even imagine how it must feel to go through a divorce, when even breakups feel so hard."

Marlene sensed that the tide was turning in her favor, and she began to accuse Ellen so that they would feel even more sorry for her.

"You know, we just signed the papers this morning, but that wasn't enough for Ellen! He… he even stooped so low as to hire a fake actress to pretend to be his girlfriend! He gave her a fake credit cheque and she came in a hired luxury car—just because he wanted to show everyone that his new girlfriend is much hotter and richer than me. He humiliated me so badly!"