The Windfalls of Love (Roxanne and Harrison) novel Chapter 11

What a pain in the ass!

Roxanne clenched her fists, itching to sock Oliver one. He was so detestable, but she didn't want to cause a scene in the office, giving their employees a show and the impression that the two presidents were at odds with each other. It would affect their work. Plus, she felt like punching Oliver would just dirty her hand.

She slowly unclenched her fist, doing her best to quench her fury, then cut to the chase, "Oliver, I just had Chloe sign a contract and stamped it with the company seal. If you don't let Chloe work, I'll have her take this contract to court and sue you. You are the company's legal representative after all. Labor arbitration is really protective of small companies and their employees right now. If you don't mind a lawsuit, then send Chloe home."

Oliver was aware of this. He hadn't expected Chloe to be so resolute. He fumed, "Roxanne, did you tell Chloe about the business trip?" Otherwise, why would Chloe suddenly insist on coming to work?

"Oliver, how can you even bring up such disgusting stuff?"

"I've got no shame in bringing it up. Nothing really happened between us. Did you badmouth me to Chloe to ruin our marriage?"

"You...I..." Roxanne was at a loss for words. How could there be such an unreasonable man like Oliver in this world? Even she, someone good at controlling her emotions, was pissed off to the point of getting a headache.

Oliver continued to push her, "Why would Chloe pick a fight with me? It's because you've been stirring the pot. Why are you so spiteful? I just said I liked you, it's not like I did anything to you. Are you just happy watching us fight?"

Roxanne was about to blow her top. But it was impossible to communicate with a man like this using common sense. What was there to say to someone who was on a completely different moral level? She didn't want her emotions to be controlled by others. She quickly suppressed her anger, regained her rationality and calmness, and said, "Oliver, Chloe doesn't need me to tell her anything to find her own way. You know exactly how outstanding she was before marrying you. Besides, as long as I, Roxanne, am here, I won't let you bully Chloe. I've turned down your proposal. If you want to get back at me, bring it on. I'm not afraid of anyone."

She said the most resolute and intimidating words in the calmest and most straightforward manner. Oliver indeed didn't dare to underestimate her and started to feel a bit scared. This woman was really tough to deal with.

When Oliver got home that night, he found that Chloe was giving him the cold shoulder. Even when he tried to talk to her, she remained icy. When Chloe was out on the balcony collecting clothes, Oliver followed her out, feeling a bit scared. "Chloe, did Roxanne say anything bad about me to you?"

After taking the clothes, Chloe sorted them one by one, her face expressionless and cold.

"Chloe, did you find out about what happened during the last business trip between me and Roxanne?"

Chloe didn't want to bring up that incident that had completely shattered her.

Oliver started to defend himself, "Chloe, it was Roxanne who seduced me. She wanted to sleep with me, but I rejected her. Chloe, if Roxanne told you anything bad about me, you must not believe it. It's really her who seduced me. Maybe she's just too lonely without a boyfriend and thinks I'm handsome. You can't just trust a stranger over your own husband."

Chloe, who was tidying up her clothes, paused in her movements. She looked at this shameless and despicable man. He was the one pursuing her friend, and now he was blaming her in return? What a shameless bastard!

Then Oliver started to coax and flatter her: "Chloe, don't be mad and come back to work. Just stay home and take care of the kids and mom. Mom's back isn't doing well, and if you leave the child for her to take care of, how can she handle it? Besides, you're such a sensible person, how could you bear to let her work so hard?"

The man in front of her had completely disillusioned Chloe. Every time she had a conflict with her mother-in-law, he would coax her like this, asking her to be more understanding and accommodate the elderly. Was it because she was too easy to compromise, too boundary-less, too kind, that it allowed this family to bully her so brazenly? Now she didn't want to be so unprincipled anymore.

"Oliver, letting your mother take care of the household chores while she's with the kids is a burden, and I should just bear all of this, right? I'm swamped every day, your mother says she can't carry the child, and yet I have to carry the sleeping infant to school. I'm carrying the child every day until my back hurts, have you ever cared about me?"

She had said these things to Oliver before, but he always said she was young and should not compare to the elderly. Later, she got tired of repeating herself.

"Yes, you're a good son, you can't bear to see your mom suffer. The child is mine, and I know I have no right to ask her to help me. But she's your mom, if she doesn't help me, why should I be so kind to her? If you think it's too hard for your mom to take care of the child, then you come back and take care of the child and her, I can go to work, and I can also make money. After all, the child is yours and your mom is yours. I’m not gonna come back to be your free nanny..."

"How can you be so unreasonable..." Oliver was furious, "you are just..."

Chloe firmly said, "And another thing, Oliver, don't try to blame Roxanne for your actions. I don't even want to mention those dirty thoughts in your mind."