Chapter_23
Chapter 23
“Yes, Mr. Benjamin,” Ethan stammered, his embarrassment palpable.
Alana smiled sweetly at Benjamin. “Mr. Benjamin, please remember that the Lane family is also a successful corporation. If you have any opportunities for collaboration, we would be happy to discuss them.”
Maxwell joined in, eager to impress. “Don’t forget about the Louise family, too. Just look for me since Ethan’s not working right now,” he said, a hint of smugness in his voice.
Benjamin sighed dramatically, feigning annoyance. “You should have told me earlier!” he said, though his tone was playful.
“Well, it’s not too late to know that,” Alondra snickered, clearly enjoying the situation.
Ethan, mortified, wished he could disappear into the floor.
“The one I trust is Ethan, not Louise Corporation, nor the Lane family,” Benjamin said, placing a hand around Ethan’s shoulders.
“Err…” Maxwell’s mouth fell open, as did Alondra and Alana’s. They were all dumbfounded.
Ethan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was Benjamin hallucinating?
But then, Benjamin’s next words shocked him even more.
“Since Ethan resigned, Adelmar Group will cancel every project with the Louise family and the Lane family. Also, there’s a vacancy at Adelmar Group waiting for Ethan. It comes with an annual salary of two hundred thousand dollars and a bonus,” Benjamin said, his voice smooth and calm, as if he were discussing something routine.
Ethan almost fainted. His head spun, and he felt Emmeline quickly steadying him.
“Ethan, you should thank Benjamin!” Emmeline said with a gentle but encouraging smile.
“I finally can pay off the money you owe Mr. Ryker, Emma,” Ethan stammered, still reeling from the news.
“Don’t worry about me,” Emmeline said softly. “I just hope this will lessen your burden.”
Benjamin, who seemed in no rush, turned his attention back to Emmeline. “Speaking of which, I have an overseas project for you, Ms. Louise,” he said, his tone now serious.
Emmeline laughed lightly, not taking him seriously. “Stop kidding, Benjamin. I’m not capable of running a project.”
Benjamin raised an eyebrow. “You could work together with Mr. Ryker. I’m sure he’s interested,” he said, glancing toward Abel, who had been silently observing the exchange.
Alana’s face twisted with disbelief, her anger boiling over. “Who qualifies Emmeline to get a big project from Adelmar Group and collaborate with Abel?” she muttered to Alondra, her voice tinged with venom.
Alondra’s expression darkened. “This is ridiculous!” she whispered harshly.
“She must have seduced all the men to get this,” Alana sneered, gritting her teeth.
Abel, who had been silent up until then, finally spoke up, his voice clear and commanding. “Great! I’ll cancel the two hundred thousand compensation request if Miss Louise is going to work on the project with me,” he said, making the announcement with a wave of his hand.
At Abel’s words, Alana’s face turned pale. It was too much for her to process. With a faint cry, she collapsed onto the nearest chair, nearly fainting from the shock.
“Find out more about Emmeline Louise. She seems suspicious,” Abel told Luca, his voice low and serious as the meeting concluded.
Luca nodded, already pulling out his phone. “We did that before. Miss Louise was chased away by the Louise family. She suddenly appeared this year after not contacting them for five years. She doesn’t seem to have any suspicious connections,” he reported.
Abel frowned, clearly dissatisfied. “Probably something happened during the five years. Get a more thorough check on her.”
Luca nodded. “Yes, Mr. Ryker.”
~
A few days later, Adrien stood in front of the counter at the café where Emmeline worked. He looked out of place in the casual environment, and Emmeline, who had no desire to see him, shot him a glare.
“Why are you here?” she asked, her tone laced with annoyance. She didn’t want him anywhere near her, especially not now.
“I’m here to bring the kids home. After all, they are my offspring too,” Adrien said with a smile, clearly trying to put on a charming face.
“Dream on and get lost!” Emmeline snapped, using a wooden spoon to knock lightly on Adrien’s forehead.
Upstairs, the voices of the children echoed down to them. “We are not going to leave Mommy!”
Adrien, undeterred, gave a playful grin. “Then, let Mommy marry me! I know Granny’s a little reluctant, but look at her! She’s the most beautiful lady in Struyria,” he said, attempting to charm his way into Emmeline’s favor.
“Get out! Kids, help Mommy chase this old pervert away!” Emmeline called out, waving the wooden spoon threateningly.
“Old pervert? I’m not even thirty!” Adrien protested, his hands going up to protect his head as Emmeline chased him around.
In the middle of their banter, Adrien collided with someone. He glanced down, taking in the shiny leather shoes, the long legs, and then—his gaze landed on the cold, stern face of none other than Abel Ryker.
“Abel?” Adrien blurted out in surprise, his face flushing with embarrassment. “Why are you here?” he asked, still trying to maintain some composure despite the awkward situation.
