Chapter 345
Linda didn't say a word when the car pulled up at Greenvale City Military Hospital, the top-notch place in town.
She bolted out of the car, and I got a bit jittery. I thought, 'Why's she in such a rush? What if she trips?'
But with Katherine next to me, I kept my mouth shut.
In the ICU, I saw Steven. Dude was a mess—head and hands all bandaged up, right leg in a cast. He looked like he'd been through hell.
"Steven, you okay?"
Linda went straight to his bedside and grabbed his only good hand. "I'm here for you."
Steven slowly opened his eyes, looking super weak. He glanced at Linda, then at us. "Everyone else, out. Ms. Foster, Ms. Wilson, stay."
As I left the room, I overheard some guys from the Greenvale City branch smoking nearby.
"Man, we're screwed now." one muttered, his face grim.
"Screwed? This is a setup!" another hissed.
A guy in his thirties, Rex Harper, chimed in, "You guys don't get it, do you? Mr. Walton pissed someone off."
I perked up my ears.
"There are a lot of big shots here. Acting all high and mighty is just asking for it."
"Keep it down, man. Don't let anyone hear you." Rex said.
Rex looked around, saw no one, and relaxed. Then someone next to him asked, "Do you know who it is?"
"Seems like it's got something to do with Stellar Media," Rex answered.
They all gasped, "What? Stellar Media? The company owned by some bigwig in Greenvale City? How did Mr. Walton tick them off?"
Rex said all mysteriously, "I know a bit about it."
"What went down?" they asked.
"I heard from someone else it started over a woman, and then..."
I thought it was nuts. 'Over a woman? A jealous spat?'
‘So they wanted to off Steven?'
‘Isn't that a bit much?’
After eavesdropping for over twenty minutes, my phone buzzed.
"Come in." Linda's icy voice came through.
I hesitated, 'Calling me in?'
I felt a bit uneasy, not sure why they wanted me inside.
Walking into the office, Steven said, "John, I've heard Ms. Foster's reports about your time at the company. I'm very pleased. From today, you're the general manager of the Greenvale City branch. You're in charge of everything here!"
What?
I was floored. How did I suddenly become the general manager of the Greenvale City branch?
My gut told me something was off.
I looked at Katherine, who subtly signaled me to refuse. I got the hint. "Mr. Walton, I'm young and green. How can I handle such a big role?"
"John, don't sell yourself short. I have high hopes for you. It's settled. I believe in you."
Ms. Wilson chimed in, "Mr. Walton, this is a big deal. John’s only been an assistant for a short time. Isn't it too soon to make him the general manager of the Greenvale City branch?"
"Ms. Wilson, young folks need challenges to grow. I believe he can do it." Steven smiled weakly.
"Mr. Walton..." Before I could finish, Linda surprisingly backed me up. "Steven, I don't think it's a good idea."
"What's wrong with John?"
"John's too young to command respect. He lacks experience and might mess up in critical situations."
Steven was quiet for a moment, then said in a raspy voice, "You have a point. How about this, you stay here and help him. When he's ready, you can come back."
Linda looked like she'd seen a ghost, and I was just as lost. I thought, 'What the heck is Steven talking about?'
"But I need to take care of you."
He waved it off. "Nah, it's fine. I'm getting transferred back to Sevan City tonight for recovery. The house staff will handle it. The Greenvale City branch means a lot to me. Without someone important here, I won't be at ease."
"Ms. Wilson, you're coming back with me."
Katherine nodded, her face a blank slate. No clue what was going through her head.
"John, any objections?"
I glanced at Linda. Whether I liked it or not, Linda was definitely staying. "No objections!"
"Good, I believe you can handle it."
Leaving the ward, I was all kinds of confused.
Around four in the afternoon, Steven left the hospital. It felt more like he was fleeing than just transferring.
Katherine also took off. Before she did, she told me, "Be careful, safety first. Don't rush into anything. I'll be waiting for you in Sevan City."
She left looking worried.
My unease just kept growing.
Watching them board the private jet, Linda and I headed to the Greenvale City branch.
Greenvale City Business Center, the heart of the city. The branch's office was about 5,000 square feet, not like the four floors we had in Sevan City.
The rent for this 5,000 square feet was over six million bucks a year.
The place was swanky, with all the bells and whistles. Looked like a high-tech company.
Inside were good-looking guys and gals in matching uniforms, all lined up.
"Welcome, Ms. Foster, Mr. Cena."
A middle-aged guy in his forties, Marlow Harrison, walked over, and there was loud applause.
Linda nodded. "I'm Linda, the VP of the headquarters. For now, I'll be managing here. This is Mr. Cena, your new boss!"
I scanned the room, feeling pretty confident. After all, I was now a billionaire with over two hundred employees. "Hey, everyone!"
Thunderous applause.
After the tour, the deputy general manager, Marlow, said, "Ms. Foster, Mr. Cena, please come in."
I followed Linda to the chairman's office.
"Mr. Harrison, get another desk in here. Mr. Cena will be sharing an office with me."
Marlow looked shocked but quickly said, "Ms. Foster, I can give my office to Mr. Cena."
"No need, just do as I say."
Seeing Linda insist, Marlow nodded.
"By the way, bring me all the financial statements and reports from the past year."
"Okay, I'll get them right away!"
Soon, a desk was brought in, placed next to Linda's. I thought, 'Great, now I'm under her watch.'
Then, a mountain of reports was brought in, and Linda started diving into them.
I didn't know whether to sit or stand, feeling super awkward.
"Ms. Foster, can you share some with me?"
I had made up my mind.
She glanced at me. "Are you sure you want to stay?"
I nodded. "With you here, of course, I want to stay."
"What does it have to do with me?"
"Wherever you go, I go. No need for reasons."
Even if she treated me like crap, she was pregnant now. All past grudges vanished at this moment.
"Aren't you afraid, John?" she asked, her eyes searching mine. "Afraid of what might happen?"
"What could happen?" I countered, trying to sound braver than I felt.
"Who knows!" she smirked.Linda gave me a cold look. "Since you've decided to stay, be prepared. Greenvale City is not Sevan City. If something happens, no one can help you."
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