Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 599

After Wesley's blunt words, the two brothers standing beside him instantly grasped the gravity of the situation. Dylan, the eldest son who harbored a strong dislike for Nicholas, said with agitation, “Perfect, we’ve got a scapegoat. Let Nicholas take the fall.”

Reagan, who had painstakingly built his core team, naturally wasn't willing to sacrifice a member. “He won’t do. If we push him out as soon as he joins the company, who would dare to switch to our company after this?”

Both brothers had their reasons, and the debate was giving old Mr. Walker a headache. “AJ, handle this.”

Both men looked anxiously at Wesley, dreading he might sacrifice one of their own.

Wesley gazed into Reagan’s eyes with authority, “Andre, either Nicholas takes the rap, or you do. Any high-level executive knows too much about the company. If negotiations fail, it could lead to a mutiny. Nicholas is new; he knows nothing. He's the perfect candidate. Besides, you brought him in with a fat salary, and this mess is what we get in return. Why should I keep him?”

Reagan's eyes widened, “AJ, he’s a good asset.”

“A talent that can be lured away with a high salary is not loyal. We can’t have disloyal people here.” Wesley understood Reagan's reluctance to speak up. “Don’t worry, I'll handle it.”

Soon after, old Mr. Walker’s office called Nicholas to come upstairs.

Clueless Nicholas entered saying, “Mr. Walker, sirs, I apologize, but this incident really has nothing to do with me.”

Wesley poured a glass of red wine and handed it to the visibly shaken Nicholas. “Did you know Cedillo Inc. has blacklisted you and your team?”

Nicholas looked up abruptly, then nodded in defeat. He knew. He hadn't realized that the order came directly from the president at Eldoria headquarters. Any company tied to Cedillo Inc. worldwide was forbidden to hire him and his team. This meant that if they couldn't make it in this country, they'd be outcasts everywhere.

Cedillo Group focused on big projects, partnering with international conglomerates. Andre’s order was akin to a dead end for Nicholas and his team, leaving them no escape, no choices.

Now, their only option seemed to be the Walker Corporation.

“If you leave Walker Corporation, your team will despise you, your family will resent you, and you'll never advance. Have you thought about that?” Wesley asked.

Nicholas had gone from a position of choice to one of coercion.

“The Walker family, what are you suggesting?”

“Four years behind bars for a lifetime of stability. What do you say?”

Nicholas looked up in shock, realizing they were pushing him to take the blame.

“Think it over and answer me. You can leave Walker Corporation now. You have a day to decide, of course you can refuse. Then, you will have offended not just Cedillo Inc., but also me.”

Having said his piece, Wesley drained his glass and left Nicholas standing there, bewildered.

That day, Nicholas tried to return to Cedillo Group’s overseas branch, hoping for forgiveness.

But he never even saw the branch manager. His former colleagues only said, “An adult has to take responsibility for their wrong choices,” and then they ignored him.

Because of Nicholas, the Cedillo Inc. employees didn't dare consider leaving.

Meanwhile, in a dingy neighborhood, a man sat huddled in a corner. His hair was unkempt, his beard unshaven, looking like a nondescript beggar, but the real-time international news on his phone suggested otherwise. If not for the scabs on his hands, nobody would know he was the wanted Tom.

After reading the news, Tom used a burner phone to contact Jillian overseas. “Opportunity has arisen.”

…

In Eldoria, at Maplewood Estates.

Wesley entered, witnessing the wrath of his father. Wasn't last night's outburst enough that he was this furious again today?

Mr. Walker's eyes blazed with anger, "Everything about Andre is unknown to us right now."

At that moment, the secretary knocked and entered, "President, there's a Ms. Jillian downstairs asking to see you. She's the one who introduced Tom to you, sir."

Mr. Walker was irritable, "I don't want to see her."

"She mentioned she's known Andre since she was fifteen."

Just as Mr. Walker was about to dismiss her again, Wesley spoke up, "She's been here multiple times? Interesting. Let her come up."

Soon after, Jillian was escorted upstairs.

She found herself facing Mr. Walker again, along with a man around her age.

"You say you know Andre?"

Jillian nodded, "My family's business was acquired by Calder Corporation, led by Andre. Do you remember the Marshal Group from Eldoria?"

Wesley nodded, having heard of it, "So, you're the down-and-out heiress of the Marshal Group. But I've heard your relationship with Andre is quite deep, isn't it?"

Jillian took a seat, "I'm here to discuss a partnership. Not about business, strictly personal."

"Tell me about this Tom you mentioned." Wesley was intrigued.