Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 188

Quennel scrambled to his feet, but all he saw was the taillights of the Cullinan disappearing down the street.

He kicked at a loose stone on the ground, an indescribable frustration churning within him.

A moment later, his assistant Julie called. “Mr. Gonzalez, you’re not at the office yet, are you? Something’s happened. You need to get back here right away!”

Already in a foul mood, Quennel frowned. “What’s so important that you’re panicking?”

“Someone came to the executive office. They said Meridian Consortium has a new owner, and… you might be fired.”

Quennel’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. “A new owner? Who?”

Julie replied, “The name is Vasquez. Someone you know.”

Quennel’s chest heaved, his face a mask of disbelief. “Jonathan?”

“Yes.”

How was this possible?

He had been at Meridian Consortium for seven years, building it into a powerhouse.

It was fair to say the company’s success was entirely due to his efforts. Fired? He had taken over when Meridian was at its lowest, and now that it was finally thriving, they were kicking him out? This was no different than being thrown away after he was no longer useful.

Stephanie would never do something like this. It had to be Jonathan! Yes, Jonathan must have manipulated her!

Thinking back, Quennel realized that Jonathan’s approach to Stephanie was probably calculated from the very beginning!

Why else would two people who moved in completely different circles suddenly cross paths?

Jonathan was after Meridian Consortium, and Stephanie had been deceived by him!

Quennel’s face hardened. “Cut the crap! He’s an old fox, so why is he playing innocent? I bet Jonathan doesn’t dare to show his face, does he? Deceiving an innocent woman for power, climbing the ladder on a woman’s back—even he knows it’s shameful, right?”

Steven didn’t waste any more words with Quennel. He and a few capable assistants began unceremoniously packing Quennel’s personal belongings into boxes.

“Mr. Gonzalez, you need to vacate this office. It’s working hours. If you continue to cause a scene, I’ll have to call security.”

Quennel laughed at that. “Security? Everyone at Meridian Consortium knows who I am. Go ahead, call them. Let’s see if they listen to Jonathan, or to me.”

With that, Quennel leisurely sat down in the CEO’s chair.

He had spent seven years building his influence at Meridian. Many of the company's top executives had been personally promoted by him.

If Jonathan wanted to just drop in, winning over Stephanie wasn’t enough. He’d have to see if those executives would actually fall in line and if the company could even function without him. In that regard, Quennel was confident.