The Bride Widow
Chapter 136: Ch 136: Asking for help Part 1

Chapter 136: Ch 136: Asking for help Part 1

Daniel barely had time to process the unsettling conversation with Lola before his phone rang again, its sharp vibration rattling the table. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the number from his company’s boardroom. A chill ran down his spine. Calls from this particular line usually meant trouble, and he wasn’t in the mood for more problems.

With a resigned sigh, he answered. "Daniel Ross speaking."

"Mr. Ross," the voice on the other end said briskly, without preamble. "We’ve just received the latest quarterly report, and the numbers are... concerning. Your division is projected to dip below the profit margin within the next month. This is unprecedented."

Daniel’s breath caught in his throat. His company, a symbol of his success and control, had always been a fortress of stability. A profit loss? It was unfathomable.

"That’s impossible," he said, his voice tight. "Send me the details. I’ll go over them personally."

"We already have," the voice continued. "But I need to be clear, Mr. Ross—this is not a minor issue. If these trends continue, we’ll be forced to take measures to stabilize the situation, which may include restructuring your leadership."

Daniel’s chest tightened as panic threatened to claw its way to the surface. "I’ll handle it," he snapped, more forcefully than intended. "Give me time to review the situation."

The line clicked dead, leaving Daniel staring at his reflection in the darkened phone screen. His heart hammered against his ribs as the weight of yet another crisis bore down on him.

Needing answers—and fast—he scrolled through his contacts to find the number for the head company, a conglomerate that occasionally bailed out struggling subsidiaries. Surely, they would help him. He’d built too much for them to let him fail.

The phone rang a few times before an automated voice answered, directing him through a labyrinth of extensions and departments. By the time he reached a live representative, his patience was hanging by a thread.

"This is Daniel Ross," he said curtly. "I need to speak to one of the executives. It’s urgent."

There was a pause, followed by the faint sound of typing. "I’m sorry, Mr. Ross," the representative said hesitantly. "But your request doesn’t qualify for executive attention at this time. You’ll need to work through your regional board."

"Excuse me?" Daniel’s voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "I am the regional board. I’m calling because I need direct support."

"I understand your frustration," the representative said, their tone carefully neutral, "but our guidelines are firm. Without meeting specific conditions—"

"What conditions?" Daniel interrupted, his patience finally snapping. "Do you even know who I am?"

The representative hesitated before responding. "Your status doesn’t meet the necessary requirements due to the recent performance evaluations and—"

Daniel hung up abruptly, unable to stomach another second of corporate deflection. He paced his study, running a hand through his hair as his thoughts spiraled.

For the first time in his career, Daniel felt the sting of helplessness. Problems were piling up faster than he could address them, and for reasons he couldn’t explain, every avenue he tried seemed to hit a wall.

Lola’s demands, Sharon’s coldness, James’s complaints, the swirling rumors, his company teetering on the edge—everything was unraveling, and Daniel had no idea how to stop it.

Daniel sat in his office, the tension in his shoulders like steel cables threatening to snap. The silence of the room felt suffocating, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

He stared at his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen. A name he hadn’t dared to call in months stared back at him—Anabella.

With nowhere else to turn, Daniel made the decision. Desperation had a way of eroding pride, and though he hated admitting it, he needed help.

He remembered something Helena, Anabella’s mother, had mentioned during one of their earlier conversations. She had boasted about Anabella’s connections, how her stepdaughter could pull favors from powerful circles if she chose to.

At the time, Daniel had dismissed it as one of Helena’s self-serving exaggerations, but now, it felt like a lifeline.

He tapped the call button, his heart pounding against his ribs. As the phone rang, Daniel leaned back in his chair, trying to summon the words he would say.

"Come on, pick up," he muttered under his breath.

The line rang once. Then twice. Then again. But there was no answer.

His jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Why wasn’t she answering?

Daniel hung up and immediately tried again, this time more insistent, the urgency in his movements betraying his calm exterior. But again, the call went unanswered.

"Damn it, Anabella," he hissed, his frustration morphing into anger. He slammed the phone onto his desk, running his hands through his hair.

Was she ignoring him deliberately? The thought made his blood simmer. How dare she, after everything? After what they had shared, after the chaos he had been forced to endure—she couldn’t even pick up the phone?

He paced the room like a caged animal, his mind racing. If Anabella wouldn’t answer his calls, then he would have to see her in person. It was the only way. He needed her support, and she couldn’t avoid him forever.

But as the thought took root, a new problem emerged. Where did she even live now?

Daniel frowned, realizing with a pang of irritation that he had no idea where Anabella had gone after their separation. She had vanished without a trace, taking her belongings and her quiet presence with her.

He considered reaching out to Helena for answers but dismissed the idea as quickly as it came. The woman was too manipulative to trust, and besides, she had probably orchestrated this distance.

For the first time in years, Daniel felt powerless. He wasn’t used to being denied, wasn’t used to being out of control. The realization that he didn’t know where Anabella was—and that he had no immediate way of finding her—ate at him.

He sat down again, his elbows resting on his desk, his hands cradling his head. His thoughts were a jumbled mess of anger, desperation, and unease. Anabella had always been quiet, almost invisible in his life, but now her absence felt like a glaring void.

And for the first time, Daniel realized that void might never be filled unless he faced the truth: Anabella had no reason to want to help him. And that truth was like a punch to the gut.

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Thank you for reaching the win-win goal. as a result, I will release 5 extra Chapters on 1st. please buy privilege next month as well. I will drop the prices for you.