Chapter 58
SLAP
Calen staggered back, holding his cheek where CEO Weiss had struck him. His father’s eyes blazed with fury as he closed the distance between them, his movements controlled, yet filled with unmistakable anger. Calen was certain that if they weren’t in a hospital right now, his father would have already punched him.
“What were you thinking?” CEO Weiss demanded, his finger jabbing toward Calen’s chest. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? This isn’t just a mistake, Calen–this is a catastrophe!”
Calen straightened, his expression defiant despite the sting on his cheek. “Father, it’s not what it looks like. Someone set me up. I—”
“Set you up?” CEO Weiss cut him off, his jaw tightening. “Do you think I’m stupid? Everyone in that room saw the videos, Calen! Everyone saw you with her! Do you know what this will cost us? Do you understand the damage you’ve done to this family’s name?”
Calen clenched his fists at his sides. “I made a mistake, alright? But it’s not as bad as you’re making it seem. Izzy will forgive me. She loves me, Father. She knows how much she means to me.”
CEO Weiss stared at him, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “Forgive you? After what you’ve done? You embarrassed her in front of everyone. You sleep with her own cousin! You humiliated her and dragged our family’s reputation through the mud. And you think she’ll just forgive you because she loves you?”
“Yes,” Calen said firmly, meeting his father’s gaze. “I’ll explain everything to her. She’ll understand. Izzy always stands by me. She knows I’m not perfect.”
CEO Weiss shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. He paced in front of Calen, his hands clenching and unclenching. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t about one mistake. This is about your arrogance, your complete disregard for the consequences of your actions. You think love will fix this? Love doesn’t erase betrayal, Calen! How stupid can you be!?”
Before Calen could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted them. A nurse approached, her expression urgent but calm.
“Mr. Weiss,” the nurse said, addressing CEO Weiss. “Mrs. Weiss has woken up. She’s asking for both of you.”
Both men froze, the tension between them momentarily broken Calen’s defiance flickered, replaced by a shadow of worry. He turned to the nurse, his earlier bravado fading. “How is she? Is she alright?”
“She’s stable,” the nurse replied, her hands clasped in front of her “But she’s very weak. Please try to keep things calm when you see her.”
Without waiting for his father, Calen moved in the direction the nurse indicated. CEO Weiss followed his expression still
stern but laced with concern.
Inside the hospital room, Mrs. Weiss lay on the bed, her skin pale and her breathing shallow. Her eyes fluttered open as they entered, and she offered a faint smile. “You’re here,” she said softly, her gaze shifting between her husband and son.
“Of course, we’re here,” Calen said, stepping closer to her bedside. He reached for her hand, but CEO Weiss grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Not yet,” CEO Weiss said firmly. He turned to his wife. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better, she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze settled on Calen. “What happened out there? Where is Lezy! Didn’t she come when she saw me faint? Wasn’t she concern at all?”
16:04 Sun, Jan 5
Chapter 58
“Mom…” Calen flinched–but quickly composed himself. “It was a misunderstanding, Mother. Nothing more. Someone’s trying to make me look bad, to ruin what Izzy and I have.”
Mrs. Weiss frowned, her brows knitting together. “Is that true?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.
75%1
“It’s more than a misunderstanding. He’s been caught with Monica–Izzy’s cousin. In public. On tape. At a professional event.” Mr. Weiss said as he turned to Calen. “What do you think would they think about me and my family, huh Calen? After what you did to a Rossi!? Sleeping with someone is already worse but sleeping with her cousin? Are you out of your damn mind!?”
“How could you–how could you do this, Calen?” Mrs. Weiss said tears started streaming down her face.
“It wasn’t like that!” Calen said quickly, his voice rising in frustration. “Monica came on to me. I never wanted this to happen. I love Izzy! I made a mistake, but I can fix it. I just need time to explain.”
Mrs. Weiss closed her eyes, exhaling shakily. “A mistake? Calen, this isn’t a mistake. Do you have any idea what this has done to Izzy? To our family?”
Calen’s jaw tightened, and he looked down at the floor. “I’ll fix it, he muttered. “I’ll talk to Izzy. She’ll understand.”
“And what if she doesn’t, Calen? What then?” Mrs. Weiss opened her eyes again, tears pooling in them.
Calen didn’t answer. He looked away, his fists clenching at his sides.
CEO Weiss stepped closer. “You need to stop lying to yourself and everyone around you. This isn’t something you can talk your way out of. You’ve crossed a line, and you need to take responsibility for it.”
Before anyone could say more, Mrs. Weiss’s breathing hitched, and she winced, clutching her chest. The nurse, who had been standing quietly near the door, immediately stepped forward. “Mrs. Weiss, please try to stay calm,” she said, adjusting
the monitors.
Cecil’s hand trembled as she pointed at Calen. Her breathing was labored, but her fury was clear. “You will not marry Monica! Not in this lifetime, Calen! Over my dead body!”
“Mother, I told you, Monica was a mistake. It was a lapse in judgment. Why do you think I would want to marry her?” Calen’s hands clenched at his sides, frustration etched into every line of his face.
“A lapse in judgment?” Cecil leaned back against her pillows, shaking her head slowly. “That’s your excuse? A mistake is forgetting an appointment. A mistake is misplacing a document. What you did is unforgivable. You’ve shamed Izzy. You’ve shamed this family!”
Her breathing grew heavier. She pressed a hand to her chest. Almost immediately, the nurse stepped forward, adjusting the oxygen monitor. “Mrs. Weiss, please, you need to stay calm,” she urged.
Calen glanced at his mother, his jaw tightening. “I’ll fix it,” he said, “I’ll make it right. I’ll talk to Izzy. She loves me. She’ll understand.”
CEO Weiss, who had been standing silently, stepped closer now, his arms crossed. His eyes burned with restrained anger. “Fix it?” he said sharply. “You think you can fix this with some empty words and a few apologies? Izzy doesn’t owe you anything, Calen. Nothing. And if you think she’ll forgive you after what you’ve done, you’re delusional.”
*111
prove it to her,” Calen shot back, meeting his father’s gaze. ll show her I’m serious. I don’t care how long it takes. I will only marry Izzy”
CEO Weiss’s expression hardened further. “Then you’d better hope she even gives you the time of day. Because right now, you’re nothing but an embarrassment to this family.”
Calen turned to his mother, her chest rising and falling unevenly “Mother, I’m sorry. I will fix this. I promise. He turned abruptly, heading for the door. His footsteps were brisk, the doc shutting firmly behind him as he left without waiting for a
2/3
16:04 Sun, Jan 5 G.
Chapter 58
response.
75%
Calen walked quickly down the corridor, his hand slipping into his pocket for his phone. The screen lit up with Monica’s name, her call coming through again. His jaw tightened as he stared at it. Without hesitation, he declined the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket.
When he reached the parking lot, he slid into the driver’s seat of his car. Before starting the engine, he pulled out his phone again, scrolling to Izzy’s number. He tapped it, but the call failed immediately. He tried again, and the same message appeared–he was still blocked.
Frustration boiling, Calen muttered a curse under his breath and quickly dialed another number. It rang twice before Anna picked up.
“Anna, I need Izzy’s number. The new one.” Calen said, his words clipped. “I need to speak with her. It’s urgent.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Mr. Weiss, I’m sorry, but Miss Izzy specifically instructed me not to give out her number.”
“Anna, I’m your superior. I’m telling you to give me her number. Do you understand?”
“I understand, sir,” Anna replied. “But Miss Izzy was clear. I can’t go against her wishes.”
Calen’s fingers drummed against the wheel as his frustration mounted. “Do you know who you’re talking to?” he snapped. “I’m your superior. You’re supposed to follow my instructions. Now give me her number!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Weiss,” Anna said again, her tone didn’t waver. “I can’t help you with this.” The line clicked as she hung up.
Calen stared at his phone, his knuckles white as he gripped it tightly. With a growl of frustration, he slammed it onto the passenger seat. He started the car and sped out of the parking lot
Each failure replayed in his mind, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. But his resolve only hardened.
This wasn’t over. He would find a way to make Izzy listen. He wouldn’t let it end like this.
由
