The glass of wine that Leo was holding fell. It shattered on the floor.
“M-Mara…?” Leo whispered. She turned as pale as paper.
His secretary Sheila let go of Leo’s arm. “That’s your wife?! You said you were divorced?! She’s the owner?!”
Mara kept running her wheelchair to the middle of the stage. The CEO handed her the microphone with great respect.
The entire ballroom was silent.
“Good evening,” Mara greeted. Her voice was full of power. “Many of you, I don’t know. Because often, people like me… are hidden. They are ashamed. They are called ‘burdens’.”
Mara looked directly at Leo’s place.
“There was an employee here who told me just now… that I was not suitable for this party because I couldn’t stand. That his image would be ruined if he had a cripple with him.”
The people murmured. “Who is that? That’s the worst!”
“Mr. Leo Velasco,” Mara said by name. “Please come up on stage.”
Leo’s knees shook. All eyes were on him. He had no choice. He climbed onto the stage, sweating profusely.
As he approached, he tried to smile.
“H-hon! You’re here! Is this a surprise? I love you!” Leo was about to hug Mara and kiss her to cheer her up.
PAAAAAAK!
A strong slap landed on Leo’s face. It echoed throughout the ballroom.
“Don’t touch me,” Mara said coldly.
“Mara…” Leo held her cheek.
“Leo,” Mara spoke into the mic. “The position you were hoping for tonight? The VP position? I gave it to someone else.”
“B-but Hon… I’m the one who worked hard for the company…”
“Worked hard?” Mara laughed. “Who paid for your MBA tuition? Me. Who gave you the recommendation letter to get in here? Me. Who bought the suit you’re wearing now? Me! All of that came from your ‘crippled’ wife’s money!”
Leo knelt down. Not out of respect, but out of fear of losing everything.
“Mara, sorry! Forgive me! I was just carried away by my ambition! I love you! Only you!”
Leo cried at the foot of Mara’s wheelchair in front of 500 guests. The man who had been boasting earlier, now looked like a begging dog.
“Stand up there,” Mara ordered. “A man without integrity is not good for me.”
Mara turned to the audience.
“As the Chairman of Apex Global, I am announcing the immediate termination of Mr. Leo Velasco due to ethical misconduct and moral turpitude.”
“YOU’RE FIRED, LEO.”
The crowd applauded.
“And one more thing,” Mara added as she turned away. “My divorce lawyer is outside. Sign the papers before you leave. I want you out of my house by midnight.”
Mara left the stage with her head held high. Even though she was in a wheelchair, she was the tallest person that night.
Leo was left on the stage, on his knees, crying, and his name ruined. He had lost his job, his money, his career, and the woman who truly loved him, all because he put his image before his heart.
