-ˋˏ ༻Chapter 8༺ ˎˊ-

Few hours ago, Sean immersed himself in the pile of documents. The tedious work gave him something to focus on, providing a distraction from the events of the night before and the ever-present ache in his wrists. His hands moved with practiced ease, writing and sorting reports, drafting memos, and organizing data. As the clock ticked away, his eyes grew tired, and his wrists started protesting, but he pushed through, determined to finish the job despite everything.

The ringing phone interrupted Sean's work, the unexpected sound making him flinch. He took a moment to collect himself before answering.

"This is officer Sean." He answered, his voice composed even though he was slightly startled.

"Meet me before lunch time." The deep voice on the other end belonged to the chairman, Layla's father. The sound of that voice immediately set Sean on edge.

Sean stiffened at the command, his grip on the phone unconsciously tightened. He quickly checked the time, realizing he only had about an hour before lunch time. Knowing it was not a request, he replied with a firm tone,

"Understood, Chairman. I'll be right there."

Sean ended the call and took a deep breath, his mind already racing. He knew the chairman was calling him for a reason, but he had a feeling it wasn't going to be a casual chat over lunch.

Sean arrived at the chairman's house right on time and goes straight to his study with the house attendant's lead. His heart beating a little faster than usual. The chairman was known for his stern demeanor and demanding nature, and the last thing Sean wanted was to face his scrutiny.

knock knock The attendants knocked on the door.

"Come in." The stern voice from inside instructed.

The attendant opened the door and lead Sean inside. Sean stepped into the room, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The chairman was seated behind his grand desk, his expression unreadable as he gestured for Sean to come closer. Sean swallowed hard as he stepped closer and stand right in front of his desk.

Sean shook his head, his voice steady despite the nervous feeling in his gut.

"No, Chairman," he replied, meeting the chairman's gaze respectfully.

"I'm not sure why you called for me so urgently."

The chairman leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying Sean intently. There was a moment of silence, the heaviness in the room palpable. Sean waited, trying to keep his composure under the chairman’s unwavering gaze.

The chairman rose from his seat and stood up, towering over Sean as he walked around the desk and stand before him with his eyes fixed on him.

"I definitely told you to follow our household rules the moment you become part of it, didn't I?"

Sean swallowed hard, his unease growing with the chairman's close proximity.

"Yes, Chairman. You did." He responded, his voice unwavering despite the flutter in his heart, afraid of what he is going to hear next.

The chairman circled around Sean for a moment, his intense gaze never leaving Sean's face. Then he said

"And yet you missed the last family gathering?"

Sean forced himself to maintain a composed expression, though his heart clenched at the mention of the gathering he had missed.

"Yes," he managed to say, his voice as steady as he could muster.

"I apologize, Chairman. I missed the gathering due to... sudden sickness."

The chairman's expression darkened, clearly displeasure by the answer.

"Lyla did mention you being sick and couldn't attend, but..."

The chairman paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Sean. Sean forced himself to stay calm as he met the chairman's gaze, bracing himself for what was coming next.

"How interesting that you weren't able to come to the gathering because of 'sudden sickness', yet managed to show up at work just fine two days later." The chairman continued, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Are you sure it wasn't just your excuse to run away?"

Sean felt a pang of guilt mixed with anger at the chairman's words. He had genuinely been sick that he was forced to rest at the hospital and had no choice but to miss the gathering, but he knew trying to explain his predicament is a useless effort. The chairman was convinced that he was avoiding the gathering due to a petty excuse.

"I-" Sean began, trying to defend himself, but the chairman cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Save it." he said, his tone stern.

"I didn't call you here to hear your excuses."

The tension in the room thickened as Sean closed his mouth, knowing that further explanation was futile. He stood silently, waiting for the chairman to continue.

"How is it going with Layla? any news about pregnancy yet?"

The change of topic caught Sean off guard, the unexpected question causing a mix of surprise and unease within him. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure.

"N-no, Chairman," he said, his voice catching slightly.

"Not yet. I'm sorry"

The chairman's expression darkened further at Sean's response, his displeasure evident. Without warning, he brought his hand up and struck Sean across the cheek, the sound echoing through the room.

Sean's head snapped to the side, the unexpected slap catching him off guard. He staggered backward a step, his cheek already beginning to redden and sting.

"Tsk."

The chairman's eyes narrowed as he looked down at Sean, his disappointment written all over his face.

"It's been more than half year. And still no luck with my daughter?" he said, his voice filled with frustration.

"Are you even trying? Or are you simply incompetent in this aspect as well?"

Sean's heart clenched at the chairman's harsh words. The pain from the slap still stung his cheek, but the accusations hurt even more. He bit back a retort, knowing it would only make things worse.

"I'm... We're trying," he managed to say, his voice low.

The chairman couldn't contain his anger and struck Sean again, this time harder than the first. The impact sent him stumbling back, a sharp sting of pain on his lip, and he could taste the metallic taste of his own blood. He staggered, his cheek and lip throbbing, but he forced himself to stay upright.

However, he couldn't hide the flash of anger in his eyes as he met the chairman's gaze, his body trembling slightly from the force of the hit.

"Trying?" the chairman repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And how exactly are you trying? Don't tell me you've been failing miserably for months, yet still consider yourself 'trying'?"

Sean clenched his jaw tightly, trying to keep his anger in check despite the stinging pain.

"It's not that simple, Chairman..." he said, his voice strained. "There are factors outside of our control-"

The chairman cut him off, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"Enough with your excuses!" he snapped.

"I don't care about all those bullshit. Now leave!"

Sean took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing. His cheek and lip throbbed painfully, but he forced himself to keep his face expressionless and composed.

"Yes, Chairman," he said, his voice hoarse. With a slight bow, he turned and walked out of the study.

As soon as Sean stepped out of the study, he noticed Layla walked in the hallway and rushed towards him anxiously. She visibly flinched as she saw his face. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the redness on his cheek and the cut on his lip.

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