Finally, they arrived at Orchidia Beauty. Jin Chonglin got off the business limousine first after receiving a cold, meaningful look from his older brother. He could only grumble when the vehicle door shut behind him before fixing his expression and flashing his iconic killer smile when the company’s staff approached and welcomed him.
Inside the limousine, the husband and wife were feeling extremely reluctant to part. Iris sat on Jin Liwei’s lap and hugged his neck while his arms were coiled around her body.
“I heard from Ketchup that you have to attend an emergency board of directors meeting when you return to the company later.”
“En.”
Her eyes flashed with cold viciousness, very similar to her husband and their AI son’s expressions earlier that morning. “Those people dare to push you, the President and CEO, into a corner of your own company for the sake of a woman?”
He patted her back, trying to soothe her. “I can handle this. Don’t worry, love.”
“Don’t show any mercy to them. How dare they do this to you?”
“I’m not planning on showing any mercy, nor will I waste time dealing with each of them. I already enlisted Grandpa Lu’s assistance. He’ll handle them. The traitors in our Jin branch families will be sorted out accordingly as well.”
She pursed her lips. “I know that many of them don’t accept me as your wife and that they find me disrespectful for not inviting them to our wedding.”
“There’s no need to care about what any of them think.”
“I didn’t say that I care. I only said I know. There’s a difference.”
His mouth curved. “En.”
She framed his face between her hands and looked at him. “Nobody is allowed to bully my husband.”
His mouth curved even more. “En.”
“I might not be able to do much to assist you right now with my severely lacking energy due to my pregnancy but always remember that you also have Ketchup and Bacon. They’ll always help you to the best of their abilities. They’re stronger now after their configurations and daily training.”
“I know. Our children are amazing because of you.”
“Their father is quite formidable, too.” She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. It was soft and light but lingering and filled with their mutual support for each other.
Later, the husband and wife finally parted with great reluctance. Iris carried the newly-recharged Little Liwei and met with Dom at Orchidia Beauty’s main entrance. She glanced back and saw that the limo hadn’t left yet. She gave her husband who was surely looking at her from the inside a sweet smile and a wave before entering her company with Dom.
Jin Liwei waited until his wife disappeared inside the building. Then he instructed the driver, “To Jin Corporation.”
###
Jin Corporation.
The members of the board of directors already arrived and were waiting at the meeting room. Rose Young also arrived and walked in with her back straight and head held up high, but she also made sure to show everyone the red and slightly swollen rims of her eyes. This little show of vulnerability while still portraying her usual confident self was a careful manipulation to convince the neutral members of the board to take her side. If she could also make Jin Liwei’s supporters to sympathize with her “plight”, then all the better.
“Where’s CEO Jin? Why isn’t he here yet?”
“The President is coming,” Xu Tian replied in a professional tone. Although the other party was an elected member of the board of directors, he wasn’t the least bit intimidated. “There’s still ten minutes before the appointed time.”
Rose Young made eye contact with the members who were on her side. Silent understanding passed between them. Those members used the time that Jin Liwei hadn’t arrived yet to bemoan the unfairness of his decision to fire such a capable Chief Marketing Officer.
Someone tossed a few tabloid papers on the table. “Just because his wife is jealous of women closely working with him, he immediately fired Miss Young just to please his new wife!”
“Sir, the tabloids have never been a source of accurate information,” Xu Tian interrupted in a warning tone. “The President firing Miss Young has nothing to do with Madam Jin at all. Please be mindful before making any accusations.”
Rose Young dug her nails against her palms when Xu Tian called that slut Iris Long “Madam Jin”. How hateful! That title should belong to her! Despite the hatred filling her heart, she maintained a calm expression but made her lips tremble a bit. Some of the board members saw it and started pitying her.
Xu Tian’s phone buzzed. He checked it before excusing himself and leaving the meeting room.
Two minutes before the appointed time, the door opened and in walked a cold-faced Jin Liwei followed by Xu Tian. He nodded only to those who greeted him while completely ignoring those who were obviously set to make trouble for him at today’s meeting. Rose Young tried to catch his eyes but he acted as if she didn’t exist.
Jin Liwei sat at the head of the table and leaned back on his chair, steepling his fingers over his chest in an obvious show of arrogance. This displeased a few of the board members while some already expected that he would give them attitude after their fellow members demanded this emergency meeting today.
“Begin the meeting,” he announced.
“We want to protest the firing of Miss Young. We think that it’s unfair and unreasonable! We want her to return to her position as Chief Marketing Officer.”
There was no preamble which suited Jin Liwei just fine. He already knew what this meeting would be about but it still displeased him to hear these people going against his decision and wanting to overturn it. Then his eyes fell on the tabloid papers lying on the table. His eyes dimmed and turned even colder. Xu Tian already told him while picking him up earlier downstairs that a few sons of bitches openly dissed his wife before the meeting.
“My decision is final. Rose Young is fired. She will not return to her position as CMO. I won’t allow it.”
