Kourtney’s frustration boiled over. “I don’t want his lifeline! I want to stand on my own two feet! I’ve worked too hard to let someone else dictate my life!”
Lilian’s expression turned even more serious. “Okay, but let’s not forget that….”
The loud and incessant ringing of Kourtney’s phone cut her off midway.
Kourtney’s frustration simmered beneath the surface as she glared at her phone.
The number was strange yet familiar, like an old song that played in the back of her mind. She hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of Lilian’s eyes on her.
“Just answer it,” Lilian urged, her voice laced with curiosity. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Taking a deep breath, Kourtney pressed the green button. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Kourtney Allen?” The voice on the other end was smooth, almost silken, and Kourtney could sense the authority behind it.
“Yes, this is she,” Kourtney replied, her brow furrowing.
“I’m calling from the HR department of Allen Corporations,” the voice continued, and a jolt of shock coursed through her. “We have an important matter to discuss. Could you come down to our office?”
Kourtney’s mind raced as she swallowed a mouthful of saliva. **The Allen Corporations?** “HR? What do they want from me?” she thought.
“Um, I-” she stuttered, trying to grasp the situation.
“It’s quite urgent,” the voice insisted, unfazed by her hesitation. Can you be here in an hour?”
“Sure I can,” Kourtney said, then glanced at Lilian, who was staring at her with wide eyes, a mix of concern and disbelief.
The speaker was currently set aloud, so Lilian had heard every word.
“But Kourt, did you forget how your own dad forbade you from working there?” Lilian’s voice was thick with worry as soon as the phone call ended. “Why are they suddenly asking you to go there?”
“I don’t know, but I can’t resist this opportunity,” Kourtney said, her curiosity igniting like a match to gasoline. “I need to see what this is all about.”
“Girl…. Are you serious right now? This could be a trap! You don’t even know what they want!”
“Don’t worry, Lilian. I can handle this,” Kourtney said, her voice firm. “I need to go so I can know what they want from me.”
“Fine, but I’m coming with you. I won’t let you walk into a lion’s den alone.”
Kourtney rolled her eyes. “Do I look like a child who needs babysitting? Come on, Lil. Watch some K-drama or something. I’ll be back in a jiffy!”
The next thing Lillian knew, Kourtney freshened up and headed straight for the Allen Corporations as if her whole life depended on reaching there……
Kourtney arrived at the Allen Corporation, still not knowing what to expect. As soon as she stepped into the sleek, glass-walled lobby, she felt the usual unwelcome wave of discomfort wash over her. Once again, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being an outsider, an alien.
The polished marble floors and glass walls screamed success, but to her, they felt like an impenetrable fortress. She was a stranger in her own family’s empire.
And, of course, she was met with the usual bitter stares, accusatory glares, judging whispers, and seething snares.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist at the front desk asked, her tone as cold as the air conditioning that blasted overhead.
“I’m Kourtney Allen, here to meet with HR,” Kourtney replied, forcing a smile despite the rudeness.
“Well. Sign in,” the sharp-tongued receptionist barked, barely looking up from her computer screen, her fingers tapping away like a machine.
Kourtney’s heart sank as she complied, scribbling her name on the visitor log.
It was clear she wasn’t welcome here.
She had never been….
With a disinterested flick of her wrist, the receptionist gestured toward a row of chairs. “Take a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.”
Kourtney sat down and glanced around the waiting area, filled with polished suits and confident smiles. They all knew and respected her sister, Kathlyn, the head of the finance department, but they didn’t give a fuvk about her.
The clock on the wall ticked mercilessly, and with every passing minute, the staff’s indifference chipped away at her confidence. She could feel their judgmental looks piercing through her like arrows.
Laughter erupted from a nearby group of employees, and she caught snippets of their conversation-snide comments about her being “just the other Allen sister” and how she was nothing compared to the amazing and lovable Kathlyn.
Kathlyn!
The name sent a surge of resentment through Kourtney.
Kathlyn was the golden child of the family, the one who had taken the reins of the finance department while she was never even given the chance to prove herself.
She had spent years away trying to find her own path and identity. But it was her company too, and yet here she was, being treated like shit.
She was the rightful heiress, yet they treated her like an intruder.
The thought was laughable and infuriating all at once.
An hour passed, then two. The numerous staff moved about the lobby, barely acknowledging Kourtney’s presence. She sat there like an unwanted visitor waiting to be called upon. It was as if they were purposely wasting her time.
It was laughable, really.
After what felt like an eternity, a flustered intern finally approached. “Uh, Ms. Allen? You’re needed upstairs. Follow me.”
Kourtney followed him up the staircase, each step feeling heavier than the last. Her heart was thumping with both anxiety and anticipation. What could this possibly be about?
A part of her thought maybe after her recent efforts to help revive the Allen Corp and secure the San Bora land, her family was finally going to recognize her as the eldest Allen young mistress by giving her a top position in the company.
But she shook her head, dismissing the hopeful thought. This was probably just a formality, another way for them to brush her off.
At the top of the stairs, the intern pointed to a door. “Wait here for a moment; someone will be out that door and be with you shortly.”