âYou? ALL by yourself? Jasper, youâre a laugh.
â Sarah discarded her diplomatic facade.
She moved forward with a commanding stride, her towering heels amplifying her formidable presence.
She responded in a sarcastic tone, âDonât hold yourself in such high regard.
Youâre no match for Ariana.
Evaluate your own shortcomings before pointing out othersâ.
Your track record with Brielle is enough proof of your incompetence.
â
âWatch your mouth, Sarah.
I can ensure youâre shunned in this industry.
Cross paths with the Anderson Group? Letâs see whoâd dare to employ you!â Jasperâs retort was laced with a threatening promise.
âBrace yourself for the penalty!â
On the periphery of the heated exchange, the HR head silently spectated.
His internal sigh was almost audible as he rubbed his forehead in distress.
The companyâs precarious state was more and more evident with each passing moment, yet Jasper seemed to relish his fleeting victory.
He was truly inept, a pale shadow of his predecessor, Theodore.
Watching the volatile showdown, he shook his head in disillusionment.
The Anderson Group teetered on the brink of disaster, a collapse looming ominously.
Any person with a modicum of wisdom would perceive this as a signal to find an alternative escape route.
As Ariana dashed to the office, she found that Sarah and Tyler had already accepted Jasperâs termination contract.
Having agreed to the penalty clause, they were making preparations to leave.
Reaching the office, Ariana met them in the entranceway, locking eyes for a few moments before she asked, âDid you guys sign off?â
At Arianaâs question, Sarah, realizing she was informed, gave a straightforward nod.
âYes, we signed.
â
Ariana hadnât anticipated such a swift resolution, a resolution in which she had no say.
Her frustration found voice as she blurted, âCouldnât you have told me before making this significant decision? Even Betsy kept me in the dark!â
Sarah quickly took Ariana aside, to spare her team any undeserved blame.
âIt was my idea.
They had no part in it.
â Her gentle voice laid out their rationale for the decision.
Ariana listened, and felt her anger melt a bit.
Sarah continued, sighing, âIf youâre seeking someone to blame, point the finger at Jasper.
But for now, letâs focus on resolving this.
Remember, youâre pregnant.
Anger wonât do any good for you or the baby.
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Iâve managed to save a lot, and your guidance has been invaluable to me.
I can handle the penalty.
â
Spotting Aziel standing a little distance away, Sarah leaned closer to Ariana.
âPlus, Azielâs completely on board with my decision to terminate.
His financial status is more robust than I imagined.
Weâre okay.
â
Sarahâs explanation soothed Arianaâs anger, though she couldnât entirely shake off a twinge of guilt.
Sarah was wise to leave the Anderson Group, but the hefty penalty was indeed a hit.
Sensing Arianaâs lingering distress, Sarah added, âMoreover, the companyâs headed for a fall under Jasperâs reign.
SJ Entertainment is akin to a sinking ship.
Our decision wasnât impulsive.
It was in the best interest of everyoneâs future.
Please donât blame yourself.
â
Fully understanding Sarahâs perspective, Ariana composed herself.
âIâm just sorry for you.
â That was all she could say.
Sarah was a star, steadily rising in popularity.
With her standing, she could easily launch a new album and snatch several Grammys.
But this roadblock was stalling her career yet again.
Understanding Arianaâs worries, Sarah tried to reassure her.
âA five-year hiatus is in my past, and this hurdle is nothing compared to that.
Iâve been mulling over starting my own studio, and itâs the right moment now to terminate.
Tyler has a bright future, and staying in SJ Entertainment will only impede his growth.
Letâs not overthink this.
Weâre hoping you bounce back soon and join us.
â
Listening to Sarah, Ariana felt a mixture of gratitude and helplessness, with a wave of guilt washing over her
Itâs one thing to say it, another to live it.
Right now, she felt Like she was floundering, utterly adrift.
Theodoreâs feigned demise had left her unprepared, and even though she had figured out his plan, she couldnât share it with anyone.
All she wished for at this moment was for Theodore to appear, just so she could deliver a punch to him, between bouts of laughter and tears.
âDonât worry.
Weâre owning up to our decisions,â said Betsy, stepping forward to offer Ariana a few comforting words.