Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 273

Chapter 273: Ch 273: I understand
‘You can’t be serious, Mark! How do you not see what is wrong with firing off a department’s staff? Do you think this is some kind of joke?’

Rika’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she looked at her foolish brother. She could tell that her mother reacted similarly since she also looked annoyed.

But the older alpha gathered herself together before looking at her son, her disappointment palpable.

“The fact that you can’t even tell what you did wrong makes me sure you are just a child in an adult’s body. If you wanted to get revenge, there were more brutal ways to do that.

But, to achieve that, we needed to keep those people around. You let them off too lightly.”

Rika looked at her mother with tired eyes.

This was not the main problem with what happened, and Rika knew that. But she did not want to get into an argument with her mother.

“So, what should we do now? I am the only employee left in my department, and I don’t know any work that can be done. Even if you hire new people, who will train them?”

Rika asked with a tired sigh. She decided not to ask her mother unnecessary questions because she did not want to hear her mother’s answer.

Since Rika knew she would be disappointed either way, she decided to keep her sanity for now.

“Hmm, that is a good question. Luckily, we have people in other departments who were transferred out right before this incident. They know how to do your department’s work. I would like you to take charge of the situation, Rika.”

Mark looked disappointed that his mother had not appointed him to handle the situation. But Rika was not surprised by this decision.

It made sense why she was appointed as the leader, not her brother.

‘So, mother does realize how impatient Mark is when making decisions and waiting for the outcome. Somehow, I am not surprised by her insight.’

Rika sighed and knew she had no choice but to agree with her mother. The older woman did not look in a mood to be denied.

“Alright, I will do what I can. But I can’t make any promises about the quality of work I will be able to supervise. As I said, I have no experience in this field.”

Rika confessed once more, and her mother just nodded and sighed.

“That is fine! That is why I will give you my secretary Hong to work with. He already knows all the ins and outs of your department. Use him well and return him once you no longer need him.”

Rika suddenly felt terrible for her mother’s secretary. The poor man was dealing with too much, and as a make omega, Rika was sure that her mother’s secretary had his fair share of problems.

‘Ah, I am sure I will not be well-received by that man. He glared at me every second I stayed with mother.’

Rika wanted to deny her mother’s request or even ask her to change the secretary she was sending.

But Rika could not say anything in the end, and she just let it go. There was no point in prolonging this situation any more than necessary.

“Are we done with hounding me for answers? I admit I made a mistake, but I am not sorry. Those people had it coming after what they did to Rika. I refuse to feel guilty for what I did to them.”

Mark confessed without an ounce of doubt on his face. He firmly believed what he was saying, and Rika sighed.

“That is not the point here, Mark. No one is asking you to feel guilty for what you did. I just hoped you did a better job of making those people suffer more for what they did to Rika.”

Natasha Goodwill spoke just as softly as her son, but her voice was dark and filled with the promise of pain.

Rika could only admit that both people around her were insane, and it was a good thing she had not modeled her personality after them.

Mark finally looked satisfied and sighed before turning toward Rika with an innocent look.

“Ah, by the way, I forgot what I wanted to ask you in the first place. Rika, would you like to come to the Union Conference with me if you are free? This will be your first time, and I want to make it special for you.”

Rika felt taken aback by Mark’s invitation.

Not only was it unexpected for Mark to ask Rika this, but it also made her feel uncomfortable. Rika did not like the feeling she was getting when she looked at her brother’s easy-going smile.

“Are you asking me to be your partner for the union conference? What about Suzie? Don’t you always take her with you? She will feel disappointed if you don’t ask her.”

Rika was half-sarcastic and half-genuine when she asked this question.

Mark made an annoyed face at Rika’s questioning before he sighed and decided to answer her.

“Well, indeed, I often ask Suzie to come with me, but she is now under probation. I don’t want her to break the rules by inviting her out. Besides, I always take Suzie, so I want to take you this year.

I recently realized that being left out like this must have felt unfair to you. So I want to correct this behavior before it is too late.”

It was already too late…that was what Rika wanted to yell. But she held her temper and took a few deep breaths.

‘Tsk, even now I am seconds to Suzie. Mark only asked me to accompany him because he could not accompany Suzie. How is it any different from usual?’

Rika felt hurt and insulted at the same time.

Had it been any other time, she might not have said anything and let this invite disappear. But not this time.

This time, Rika would stand up for herself and reply to her brother’s annoying invitation in a way he did not expect her ever to do.