Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1455

Lewis Doyle, the regional manager, shouted, "This whole district, two streets wide, belongs to the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce! This is our turf. You Wrights don't get to throw your weight around here. Step back right now and stop hurting people!"

Quinton let out a scornful laugh. "You're just a damn regional manager. Even if your so-called Chamber of Commerce chairman showed up himself, you think I'd give a damn?"

Lewis' face turned red with fury. "Quinton, you've gone too far. You're way too arrogant! Back when the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce was under Mr. Keller Senior's leadership, even the Wrights knew better than to mess around here.

"And now that we've got a new chairman in charge, you still think you can throw tantrums and beat people in public? I'm warning you—if you keep this up, you're not walking away unscathed."

Quinton's expression shifted. "Wait a minute. You have a new chairman?"

Lewis lifted his chin with pride. "That's right. Our new chairman just took office, and our higher-ups gave very clear orders—no screwups allowed in any territory managed by the Chamber of Commerce. No chaos, no bloodshed. Our new leadership wants a new image, a new structure."

Quinton sneered. "Back when the Kellers ran your Chamber of Commerce, I might've shown a little respect. But now? Whoever this new clown is—I've never even heard of them.

"So, sorry to disappoint you, but I am causing trouble on your turf. Let's see what the hell you're gonna do about it."

Christina's refusal to cooperate had already pushed Quinton's rage to the edge. Now this nobody of a regional manager had the balls to talk back too?

Quinton was livid.

Since when did the Wrights' name stop meaning something?

Lewis was stunned that Quinton was still being aggressive. He turned to his staff and barked, "Grab something heavy—we're taking this bastard down! Screw it! The new chairman's in charge now, and the execs have our backs.

"The Chamber of Commerce is tougher than ever! This spoiled Wright brat wants to act like he's untouchable? Let's show him he bleeds like everyone else!"

At once, the employees ran into the back, grabbing whatever they could—kitchen knives, rolling pins, metal trays—and stormed out, surrounding Quinton like an angry mob.

It nearly gave Quinton a heart attack.

What the hell? Since when did a bunch of minimum-wage flunkies dare scream at him?

Who had a team this bold, this willing to stand up to even Quinton?

How much power did they really hold?

Quinton, meanwhile, was starting to sweat. If the Chamber's upper ranks included tough players—like the Irvings or other major corporate bosses—he really could not afford to mess around.

However, it was too late to take back his words now. He had already thrown down the gauntlet, and backing out would make him look weak.

No matter what, there was no way the Chamber of Commerce would really lay a hand on him.

He was still Quinton Wright, and that name carried weight.

"Fine," he said, dragging over a chair and sitting down with a smirk. "Let's wait for your big boss to show up. I'd love to see what kind of qualifications they think they have to meddle in my personal business."

He added, "Hell, I don't care if your chairman comes here in person. Let's see if they've got the guts to do a damn thing to me."