The substitute husband who has been insulted

Episode 5

Startled, Velyn heard Richard's demanding and raised voice. The woman fell silent without a word. Only the beads of her eyes followed Richard's movements. This was the first time Richard had raised his voice at her.

The man closed the door and half-ran to take his seat behind the wheel. Gradually, the car started moving at a moderate speed. His expression was stern.

Both remained quiet for a moment, with only the hum of the car's engine prevailing. Velyn appeared to still be in shock. Unlike her usual chatty and protest-prone self, she had remained motionless since earlier.

"From now on, I will be your personal driver!" Richard declared, glancing briefly at the woman beside him.

"No need!" Velyn rejected curtly.

"Don't argue, I don't want anything bad happening to you while driving. Especially with your mind in such disarray!" Richard countered with concern in his voice.

Velyn fell silent again, leaning back as she conceded to Richard's point. She wouldn't be able to focus on driving after the earlier incident. Besides, she didn't want to engage in a headache-inducing debate with her husband.

The car stopped in front of the company lobby. Richard hurried out to open the door for his wife but was too late. Velyn had already strode into the company with long steps, leaving Richard without uttering a single word.

Richard sighed deeply, gazing vacantly at the woman's retreating back as she disappeared behind the elevator doors.

"Morning, Sir!" greeted Richard to the security guard on duty.

The uniformed man nodded, giving a smile and a wave.

In the past, Richard wouldn't even deign to look at his assistant, much less a security guard. Whistling casually, he headed back to his car, moving it from the lobby to the company executives' parking area.

Richard settled into his seat and quickly opened the tablet that had been in his jacket pocket all along. There, he could freely interact with his subordinates through a virtual connection.

"Delon, does Narendra Company also have a contract with us?" asked Richard.

"Yes, Sir. Would you like it terminated as well? Some other investors have withdrawn their shares," Delon said, sitting upright in front of his laptop.

"Mmmm... Send the contract to my email now. Oh, and I've reviewed all the documents. Two of them weren't approved; have them revised immediately and resubmit," Richard instructed seriously.

Delon smiled relievedly from afar. He was glad because his boss was back in charge, leading the company. "Yes, Sir. I will see to it right away!" said Delon.

...=====oooo=====...

If Richard was having a relaxed virtual meeting with his assistant, the situation within the meeting room of Narendra Company was the polar opposite.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the room. Velyn and several managers had convened an impromptu meeting to find the best solution for the company's critical issues.

"Miss, I've already laid off dozens of employees for furlough. They are demanding severance and their last paychecks," said one of the HR managers.

"Our debt at the bank has skyrocketed, Miss. And that's not even covering all the employees' wages," added the finance manager.

"So, what should we do? All our projects have to stop because we need a substantial amount of capital."

One by one, she listened to their reports. Her chest felt constricted by an overwhelming burden. Suffocating, as if draining the oxygen around her. However, Velyn tried to remain strong. She kept a calm face even though her heart was in turmoil.

"Alright, I'll try to ask for help from other major companies. Stevy, prepare the proposal. I reviewed it last night," she said after listening to her subordinates' complaints, remaining calm despite her brain waging war. "Everyone else, please start drafting a work plan for the upcoming month."

...====ooo====...

Day after day passed. Velyn worked tirelessly, visiting each company to propose partnerships, but she faced disappointment after disappointment.

Some didn't even accept her visits, considering the widespread news of Narendra Company's crisis. No company wanted to take such a significant risk.

Richard remained a faithful escort wherever his wife went. He witnessed firsthand the solitary struggle of Velyn's hard work.

As dusk blended into the sky, Velyn slumped into the passenger seat, covering her face with her hands.

"Rejected again?" Richard asked, for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

"Let's go home, Cad," Velyn requested faintly.

"You look very pale. Want to eat first?" Richard offered, looking at her from the rear-view mirror.

Velyn shook her head, leaning back, "I want to go home," she murmured faintly.

"Okay."

The car moved slowly, Richard kept watch over his wife, who now closed her eyes. Her face was deathly pale.

Upon reaching home, Velyn got out immediately. Her steps were sluggish as she entered the house. She seemed weak.

"Still no progress? Incompetent!" Rendra lashed out upon seeing his daughter's return.

"Still trying, Dad," she replied feebly, continuing towards her room.

"Since its establishment, it's the first time the company has faced such a crisis! You really cannot be relied upon, Velyn!" The middle-aged man raged.

Richard, hearing his father-in-law's shouting, quickly went inside. He supported Velyn as she wearily climbed the stairs.

Ignoring him, Velyn's frustration deepened. She continued toward her room with Richard's help. Rendra could still be heard ranting below.

Once in her room, she broke down in tears. The cumulative pressures from her father and the constant rejections from colleagues propelled Velyn into severe stress. She collapsed to the floor, unconscious.