Chapter 4 Whistle Blows

"How did the information get out?" Keifer asked.

Shawn looked down. "A reporter released the news this morning."

Keifer frowned. This is not good! Shawn handed over his tablet and showed it to Keifer. It was a story with the headline Divorce of One of the 20 Richest Young Businessmen in Los Angeles Is Inevitable! Who is this person?

Keifer read the news. From the headline, Keifer could guess that the reporter was paid by someone. Keifer tousled his hair in frustration. He had only been developing his company for the last 7 years, and it was starting to peak in the previous 2 years. It also caused Keifer's name to soar and even made it into the Top 20 Richest Entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. No! His company can't afford to go downhill at a time like this.

Keifer read the article. There were many suspicions about their divorce. Keifer and Summer not having children was one of them. Not only that, the article even attached a photo of him and Dyanne walking side by side this afternoon. Dyanne was seen carrying a bag. Another photo showed Keifer taking the bag and smiling at Dyanne.

Keifer threw the tablet on the table. "Shit! Delete that article right now!"

Keifer's voice boomed. Shawn nodded. "Yes, sir! But sir, this news has already spread and is even a hot topic in the company. "

"What?"

Keifer stood up. Dyanne! How is Dyanne doing? If it's already spread, Dyanne must have been targeted. Many people are supporting Summer here. Keifer and Summer opened their company from scratch. They opened an advertising company, and Summer played an important role in gathering their customers. Summer herself won many of those projects. Not only that, but Summer was even able to contact some top artists and convince them to work together so that investors and clients came.

"Give directions to stop gossiping!" Keifer said. "Anyone caught spreading this news, I'll fire them!"

Shawn nodded. "Execute, sir!"

Shawn walked outside. His eyes took in the news. Shawn had witnessed how much Summer had meant to the company. Shawn himself regretted Summer's resignation at that time because she was the secret weapon of SK Ads.

After Shawn's departure, Keifer tousled his hair in frustration. No! Even if the news spread, Archer Ads would survive. Archer Ads even survived without Summer for the past 5 years. Dyanne! Oh, Dyanne! What if something happens to Dyanne?

Keifer hurriedly stood up. He walked towards the room of Dyanne who was now leading the creative division. Keifer quickened his pace. However, at that moment, Keifer saw Dyanne standing on the terrace of her company. Her hands were folded.

"What can I do? I don't want this to happen either, but Sam is too cold," Dyanne said.

Keifer's steps stopped. Dyanne? Keifer peeked out. Dyanne was talking to Isabella. The woman frowned.

"I can't believe this is happening! Sam is so sweet, D!" Isabella said.

Dyanne sighed. Another one of Sam's maids. Isabella was one of Sam's followers. How to change this girl's mind? As Dyanne was thinking, she accidentally saw Keifer's shoes. Why was Keifer standing there and eavesdropping?

"I don't believe it either. But, 5 years is enough time for someone to change, Isabella! I saw it myself this afternoon."

"This afternoon?"

Dyanne pointed out the wound. "Sam threw things at me. Not only that, but Sam was very cold towards Keifer. Even after Keifer left the house, he didn't care at all. This seems impossible. But, I doubt Sam even wants to keep Keifer."

Keifer walked backwards. His memory of Sam, who got angry when he caught them, was replayed. For some reason, hearing that fact was quite painful. Although his feelings for Sam changed in the past 2 years, Isabella was right. Sam was very sweet. Too sweet that Keifer couldn't burden Sam with his problems and thoughts. Until Dyanne became the listener of everything.

"Yes, we pray for the best for them. Hopefully, this is just a rumor," Isabella said anxiously.

Dyanne nodded. "I hope Sam can think more clearly."

Isabella sighed. "I'm sure he can."

At that very moment, Keifer's cell phone vibrated. Shawn sent Keifer a message. The Investors wanted an impromptu meeting this afternoon. Shit! Keifer immediately moved to his room. There, Shawn was waiting.

"The calls have been coming in since earlier today, sir," Shawn explained. "The shareholders are demanding an explanation and even asking for this issue to be resolved as soon as possible."

"The article?"

"The article has been successfully removed by the PR team. Unfortunately, our stock has started to decline significantly," Shawn said.

Keifer glared. He immediately checked his company's stock price. At that very moment, it plummeted. No! How could it be this fast?

"No way! The article wasn't even released until this morning," said Keifer.

"Sir," Shawn called out. "I'm afraid the problem isn't just because of the article this morning."

"So?"

"We're being accused of plagiarism," Shawn replied.

***

Tick tock! It had been several hours since Sam got up from the floor. His eyes watched the clock in the living room, but his thoughts were far away. Dyanna's words and even Keifer's disappearance made him depressed.

"Keif! Is this the end of us?" Sam whispered.

There was no answer. The sound of the clock and the television showing a commercial filled the room. But Sam didn't seem interested in moving. The woman was still unmoving. There was rejection in her heart. They had been dating and even married for 5 years. Should Sam give up as Dyanna suggested?

"Mom! What should I do?" Sam said.

Sam curled up. He hugged his legs, and the tears came again. Keifer! Can't Keifer come home? His memories of Keifer swirled in his head. Their introduction, their first date, the surprises Keifer gave him, and even his hugs. Sam still remembered the warmth of Keifer's embrace. He confessed his feelings and smiled proudly at her. Keifer's warm smile had always been Sam's favorite. Sam sobbed. This isn't fair! Is it only Sam who cherishes their memories?

"Keifer," Sam called with a trembling voice. "Come back! Please come back!"

As Sam sobbed, the bell rang several times. Sam ignored the sound. However, the sound became more and more frequent. Apparently, the guests were starting to lose their patience. Couldn't they just leave Sam alone?

Soon, the sound of the bell disappeared. The door of Sam's apartment began to be banged blindly. Sam wiped her tears roughly. She smoothed her hair with her hands. However, her efforts were in vain. Who was visiting at a time like this?

When Sam opened the door, someone pushed Sam roughly, followed by a hard slap. Sam was shocked. His ears were ringing. In that instant, he saw a figure looking at him angrily. His in-laws and sister-in-law were looking at him in disgust.

"Mom..."

"You have to take responsibility, Sam! What did you do to make the stock price fall?"