The staff here knew Cromwell Group owned the restaurant and the Cromwells were here for a family dinner to celebrate my return.
Serena’s mother stormed up to the security guard and shoved him. “Do you want to get fired? Why haven’t you kicked her out yet? Don’t make me report you!”
I raised an eyebrow and smiled at the guard.
“Miss, would you like me to remove them?” he asked.
Mildred jumped in, thinking it was directed at her. “Get rid of her already! She’s such an eyesore.”
I nodded. “Exactly, get them out of here. They’re ruining the vibe.”
The guard called for backup, and before long, three more guards arrived. They took Mildred and Serena’s mother by the arms and escorted them out.
Mildred and Serena’s mother didn’t see this coming and began yelling Owen’s name as loud as they could.
Less than two minutes later, Owen came running out, looking confused and shocked. ” Paige? What are you guys doing? Let go of my mom!“*
I waved and said, “Sorry, but I’m not Paige. My real name’s Ellie Cromwell.”
He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide. “Wait, you’re the daughter Mr. Cromwell brought back today? The one who’s been missing all these years? Ellie Cromwell?”
“Bingo! That’s me.”
I officially started back at work the next day. I didn’t make any special fuss. My position was the same as before I’d been forced to resign.
Since we worked at the same company, running into Owen was unavoidable.
When I got off work in the afternoon, he grabbed me and pulled me into the stairwell. ” Paige–no, Ellie–I know I messed up. Can you give me a chance to make things right?”
I shoved him away. Was he only doing this because he knew I was rich now? Or was he worried I’d use my status to get revenge and have him fired?
He looked so two–faced it made me sick. I turned and walked away.
Owen quickly caught up and grabbed my wrist. “Please, Ellie, for the sake of everything we’ve been through, give me one more chance, okay?”