Page 55 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
The wind whips around me as I stride across the tarmac, tears blurring my vision. Three days ago, I thought I'd finally found everything I wanted. Now I'm left with nothing but the taste of betrayal and the sinking realization that some wounds never truly heal — they just wait for the perfect moment to tear open again.
CHAPTER 23
OSCAR
"Mr. Glynn? Are you ready to go, sir?"
My driver’s voice snaps me back to reality. He’s parked next to me, holding the back door open. Meanwhile, I’ve been rooted to the ground, staring at the direction Alice walked away in.
It feels like my heart has exploded and I’m still trying to make some sense of it. The layoffs…
I’ve been betrayed. Jack and Halston went behind my back, those assholes.
"Change of plans," I say, sliding into the seat. "Take me to Glynn Enterprises headquarters. Now."
"Yes, sir."
As the car pulls away, I pull out my phone, scrolling frantically until I find Jack's number. He answers on the third ring.
"Oscar! How was your trip? We've been?—"
"What the hell have you done?" My voice is low, dangerous — a tone my employees know means serious trouble.
There's a brief pause. "I assume you're referring to the Rooted Pantry restructuring?"
"Restructuring?" I laugh, but there's no warmth in it. "Is that what we're calling mass layoffs now?"
"Now, Oscar.” His tone is placating, which only infuriates me more. "This is standard procedure. We've done this with every acquisition?—"
"I never authorized those layoffs," I cut him off. "I want you and Halston in my office in twenty minutes."
"We're actually in a meeting with?—"
"Twenty. Minutes." I hang up before he can respond, then immediately dial Halston's number.
"Oscar," Halston's voice is smooth when he answers, like he was expecting my call. "Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your little vacation."
His tone implies he knows exactly what kind of ‘vacation’ I was on, but I don't have time to care about office gossip.
"Twenty minutes, my office," I say. "And bring the paperwork for the Rooted Pantry layoffs."
"I'm afraid I have another commitment?—"
"Cancel it."
"Oscar, I understand you're upset, but these decisions were made with the company's best interests in mind."
"Not by me, they weren't." My knuckles turn white as I grip the phone. "Twenty minutes, Halston. Don't make me come find you."
I hang up and stare out the window as Seattle speeds by, gray and miserable — a perfect match for my mood. All I can think about is the look on Alice's face before she walked away. The hurt, the betrayal. The absolute certainty that I had played her.
The car pulls up to my building, and I don't wait for the driver to open my door. I'm already striding through the lobby, employees scattering at the sight of my expression. Naomi jumps up from her desk as I approach.
"Good morning! You’re back early. I wasn't expecting?—"
"I need the complete personnel records for Rooted Pantry," I interrupt. "Every termination notice that's been issued in the last week. And get Cole on the phone."
"Right away," she says, eyes wide as she reaches for her phone.
