The Callous CEO

Chapter 7 Do you know who he is?

Frank couldn't process what was happening. He thought his eyes might be deceiving him, trying to comprehend why the board of directors was showing such respect to Kate. Was he seeing things correctly?

Perhaps it was time to wake up from this terrible dream, he thought. But as he opened his eyes, he realized it was all too real. The board of directors was indeed there, paying great respect to Kate.

"Oh no," he muttered, sweat dripping down his forehead uncontrollably. He was certain they were just friends, but the way they addressed her indicated something more.

Without even looking at Frank, Kate extended her hand towards him and turned to the board of directors, seeking an explanation. "Who is this?" she asked, her voice devoid of the earlier warmth.

The directors exchanged confused glances, trying to recall where they had encountered Frank before. "He doesn't look familiar," one of them replied.

Frank knew he was in deep trouble this time. He was lucky to have witnessed this encounter and learned the identity of the board of directors, but now he had offended someone close to them.

"Is he, by chance, the one sent to welcome us?" Kate asked, her smile fading away.

"No, I've never seen him before," another director responded, looking to his colleagues for confirmation.

They all shook their heads, indicating their lack of familiarity with Frank.

Kate approached him directly, her expression turning icy. Frank instinctively took a step back as she drew nearer.

"Then who are you? I don't believe you introduced yourself accurately earlier, considering you don't even know these esteemed individuals," she said, gesturing towards the board of directors.

Frank knew he was caught and decided to reveal the truth. The intensity of her gaze was unnerving, and he simply wanted to preserve his own life. With trembling knees, he knelt before her, his expression filled with fear.

"I... I..." he stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"I don't have time for nonsense. Speak clearly and get to the point," she snapped, her piercing gaze sending shivers down his spine.

Frank felt his heart pounding in his chest, overwhelmed by fear. The pressure was suffocating, and he couldn't bear it any longer. He was sick and tired of all the trouble he had caused.

But he couldn't place the blame on anyone else. This was entirely his fault.

"I'm just a new manager who started today," he blurted out, his voice trembling with anxiety.

Kate smirked, relishing in his newfound vulnerability. It was clear that his earlier courage had deserted him. He appeared desperate to hide, but she wasn't about to give him that satisfaction. He would pay dearly for the humiliation he had inflicted upon them. Every single one of them would make sure of it.

Remembering the audacious proposition he had made, expecting her to be his escort for the night, Kate couldn't help but scoff.

"And can you please enlighten me about the owner of this plaza? I recall you boasting about your connections and how you could save us from certain doom if I agreed..." she trailed off, waiting for his response.

Before she could finish, he interrupted, cursing himself inwardly for his lack of self-control.

"I'm sorry. I was just talking nonsense, trying to show off. It's not a big deal, really," he stammered, hoping his explanation would save him from the impending trouble.

As the situation unfolded, the board of directors finally grasped the gravity of the matter. This audacious manager had the audacity to speak without thinking, believing he could get away with anything simply because of his title. He hadn't even started his job, yet he had managed to create chaos. Unlike him, they feared her, and they couldn't understand why he didn't.

Realizing they had to intervene before this troublesome employee caused further damage, the directors decided to step in and handle the situation.

"Miss Kate, we sincerely apologize for his behavior. Please accept our heartfelt apologies," they pleaded, bowing slightly as they addressed her.

She tilted her head, a cold smile playing on her lips. "It's not just about him. I'm beginning to wonder if the hiring standards have dropped so low that just anyone can be employed," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of disdain.

The directors caught onto her insinuation, their anger directed at Frank, the source of their troubles. Determined to prevent him from causing more harm, they swiftly took action.

"Well, then allow us to rectify the situation. In light of his actions and his offense toward you, Miss Kate, he will no longer be part of this plaza," they declared, disregarding Frank as if he were insignificant.

Frank stared at them in disbelief. He hadn't even started his job, and they were already casting him aside. How would he explain this to his family? If only he could turn back time and handle things differently, but it was too late now.

Kate glanced behind her, seeking Ethan's input with a single gaze. They both knew that things were about to take an even more thrilling turn.

He nodded in agreement, providing her with the silent approval she sought. Kate understood his desire to keep his identity concealed for now. The board of directors, perplexed by the situation, exchanged confused glances. They were certain he wasn't someone they recognized, yet they could sense that Kate had sought his permission. Intrigued, they wondered who this person was, that even the usually cold and unapproachable Kate would defer to him

Deciding to focus on the matter at hand, they put aside their curiosity for later. "Since you insist, it would be a shame to keep him here any longer. You may proceed as you wish," Kate stated, as if she had no involvement in the decision.

Secretly rolling their eyes at her attempt to distance herself from the situation, the directors called for the on-duty guard and gave clear instructions. "Escort this person off the premises and ensure he is never allowed to set foot here again. Starting today, he is not welcome within these walls," they commanded.

Frank stared at them in utter disbelief. Was he hearing some kind of twisted joke? Had he just been fired? Fired even before his first day of work? It was the most humiliating experience of his life. "No, no, this is all a misunderstanding," he protested, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"You can't do this to me! I'm skilled at what I do. You can't simply cast me out on my very first day. This is beyond humiliating!" he cried out, his pleas ignored as he was forcibly removed by the guard.

Sitting outside, consumed by shame and anger, Frank blamed Ethan for his predicament. Although he still didn't know Ethan's true identity, it didn't change his perception of him. "Ethan, this is all your fa—" he began to say, but his words were cut short as he was unceremoniously thrown out of the building.

Seething with hatred, Frank directed his gaze towards Ethan, who stood triumphantly at the entrance. He held Ethan responsible, convinced that he had spoken ill of him to orchestrate his expulsion. Yet, Frank conveniently forgot that it was his own actions that had brought about this outcome. He glared at Ethan with clenched teeth, vowing to exact revenge on him, dismissing him as nothing more than a gigolo.

"You haven't seen the last of me. I will make you pay," he seethed through gritted teeth. Ethan merely smirked, unfazed by Frank's threats. To him, Frank was insignificant, unworthy of wasting any further attention on.

Without sparing Frank another glance, Ethan turned away and departed, leaving him fuming with impotent rage. Frank had no choice but to stand up, his face burning with anger, and leave the scene.