You Better Hide Now

Fear overcame her when she heard the threat. Faced with the ruin of her career, the floor manager yearned for the floor to swallow her whole and erase her from this world.

~

Karen Sandoval acknowledged her misdeed in relying on Celia to improve her social standing without considering her loyalty to the Varga family.

How could she overlook the Varga family's conglomerate's significant impact on the country's economic development? In fact, they have the power to manipulate this nation's financial services. One slight gesture from them can propel a business forward or bring it crashing down.

"I'm so sorry, sir! Please give me a chance! I begged you! I will do anything that you want! Just don't fire me. I need this job!"

Ross's eyes burned with anger as he stared down at the floor manager. He said in an indifferent tone, "Did you ever think of the consequences after you took my photos and videos with Yonah and then sent them to Celia? Do you know that Yonah's career depends on her face? Also, you know very well that Celia's habit is to ruin someone's life as long as she sees them as a treat. Yet, you just stood there in the corner, confident that the surveillance cameras wouldn't catch you, wearing a smug expression while Celia confronted Yonah. What punishment should I impose after you side with an outsider rather than your future boss?"

Fear coursed through the floor manager, causing her to tremble. Ross glanced sidelong and frowned as he noticed her disheveled appearance. He glanced at his assistant.

Upon noticing the displeasure on Ross's face, Andrew stepped forward and made decisions on his boss' behalf.

"You are no longer welcome to any Varga and Villegas establishments, Miss Sandoval. Living in the mountains becomes your only option, with branches between the two families across the country. I will explain it to you. The Villegas family owned thousands of stores nationwide, even in small towns. The stores you shop at or even the bank's services where you keep your earned money were all operated under the Villegas family."

Karen Sandoval was in complete disbelief at what she heard. If she had been aware of the Villegas family's higher social status than the Johnstons, she wouldn't have challenged the sisters or sided with Celia. Shenna is who she should hold on to, not a Nouveau Richie like Celia!

"Let this be a lesson for you and your clan, Miss Sandoval. You should appreciate the fact that you were only given a lenient punishment, which means you are indebted to the young miss."

"Yes, yes! I will kneel… No, I will bow down and kiss her feet as my gesture of respect!"

Upon hearing that, Ross snorted in response. Fearing his anger, Karen kept her head down, unwilling to meet his piercing gaze.

Andrew then announced, "Now, you can gather your things and leave the city within three hours."

Karen was stunned. Getting from the restaurant to her apartment would have taken an hour already, not to mention the heavy traffic this time!

"Three hours? How can I gather all of my things by that period?"

"That was not our problem. The clock is ticking, Miss Sandoval." Andrew lifted his left arm and tapped his wristwatch.

Upon understanding that, Karen did not waste another second. She departed from the VIP room, proceeded to her office, and carried the things she could bring.

The year she became the floor manager of this restaurant. She remained on the premises to ensure everything was perfectly managed without going home.

Ross was right when he said she was an excellent floor manager. She was meticulous, and her misfortune was to blame for letting Celia manipulate her!

'This is Celia's fault!'

Karen was gathering her stuff when her phone did not stop ringing. Speaking of the devil, she realized it was Celia when she picked up the call.

"You, bitch! Have you confessed that I paid you to tip me whenever Ross dined at the restaurant?"

"Celia, do you still have the nerve to call, and are you accusing me now? What do you take Mr. Varga for? Didn't you know the police were on their way to apprehend you? I advise you to hide now better!"

"What are you saying, bitch?" Celia roared from the other line.

"It was your greatest mistake to pick on Shenna's younger sister! Mr. Varga was deeply fond of her, and now he is relentless in his pursuit to place you in your rightful place, which is behind the cold bars! It suits you perfectly. Ha ha!"

"Blah, blah... Let's see what they can do. Let them catch me if they can! Whose Shenna anyway? She was just a gold digger who wanted to cling to Ross's power."

"You are wrong, Celia. So let me tell you this one last time, Miss Johnston. The Villegas are superior to the Varga. Do you still hold on to the hope that Mr. Varga will notice you? Who do you think you are to compare to Miss Shenna? Your family is insignificant compared to the Villegas family. The Villegas sisters are in a league of their own, and you can never reach their level!"

Karen's irritating laugh echoed from the other line. Celia was annoyed listening further; thus, she ended the call furiously.

"What is this girl talking about?"

Irately, Celia browsed the news and joined the group chat of her college classmates. She got curious when she was pinged and asked a question, saying,

"Hey, Celia. Isn't Karen Sandoval your close friend during our college days? We noticed you were still hanging out with her. Are you aware that Ross ended her employment at his restaurant? She might be banned from working in any of Varga's businesses throughout the entire nation."

"I heard that too! Just in! An online notice stated that the Varga Corporation and St. Michaels Group of Companies have blocklisted Karen!" Chimed by the others.

"What? Even the SMGC? The leading company in the entire country? Oh, my gosh! This is a severe case! What did she do?"

Upon reading all the chats her former classmates posted on the GC, Celia was shocked. She could not believe that Karen was telling the truth. It looks like Shenna Villegas is indeed from a wealthy family!

"Mom, how rich were the Villegas?" Celia called her mom, who accompanied her dad abroad for a business function.

The question surprised Cora. She contemplated momentarily. Being abroad for a few months, she was out of touch with high-society gossip.

"Wait for a moment. I'll ask your dad about them."

Cora connected the call to her husband, Gerald Johnston, who was in an important business deal with a foreign investor.

When his princess inquired, he immediately confirmed that the Villegas family is indeed a wealthy family on par with Varga's wealth. However, he has never met Antonio again, and neither has his family, especially his daughters.

"Antonio Villegas was too secretive and didn't want his family to appear in the limelight, especially to introduce her daughters to the public. What is this all about? Why are you girls curious to know this? Oh, wait, I heard he was in the country for a vacation. Cora, it would help if you invited Laura and her daughters to your charity events. The family was actively throwing royal parties for charity. You should befriend Laura and her daughters, especially you, Celia."

"You heard your dad, Celia," Cora echoed. She went on,

"I recommend you establish a friendship with the Villegas princesses and remain attached to them. They have control of our economy, and there are speculations about their romantic ties to the Varga princes, so it's best not to get on their bad side. You don't want to be on the wrong side of the two families, correct?"