As usual, Lily arrived early in her office with a huge smile on her face. Not even the heavy traffic could affect her mood for the day.
“Christmas is coming.” she stated when she met Mr. Rossi on the elevator. “It is a happy occasion.” As usual, the latter responded with a hum and a slight smile, his eyes crinkled as he thought about Lilian.
Lilian was not big on celebrations but she always gave huge bonuses during the holidays. It had become one of the most anticipated things that every employee waited each year. “I want a silver and gold theme.” He heard Lily add before he could talk about the Corneels. Once again, he acknowledged with a low hum.
“Gold and silver would be perfect.” He walked next to Lily. “Have you heard the news from Yang Mi?” What a silly question, he thought as he followed Lily towards her office. “The pirates got two of their tankers. Their loss was in hundreds of millions.”
“What do you think of that news?” Sitting on her leather chair, Lily asked the older man opposite her. “Please take a seat Mr. Rossi… Now tell me, what do you think about the attacks.”
“I think… signing the contract is a risk.” It was an honest response. This was something that was not influenced by his knowledge about the Corneel’s real goal or about the people behind this elaborate scheme just to get Lily into the oil industry. “A big one,” he added. He could not emphasize how the effects of this contract could influence Lily and her family’s future.
Sadly, he could not say anything in front of her. The walls had ears and he would not want to endanger Lily, especially at such a sensitive time.
“Hmmm… ” Lily turned towards Yang Mi. “Print it out… and please give me your tablet.”
“Yes President.” Yang Mi nodded and left the room.
“What—” Mr. Rossi felt his throat tightened as he accepted the tablet from Lily. “This— half the price?”
“These people underestimated me.” Lily ignored his question.
“You are planning to offer them half of the original price?”
“I am being generous.” With the upcoming two attacks the value of the company would surely decline. Offering them half of the price now was a very generous offer. Of course… she was not really planning to sign it. What she wanted to do was test them. She wanted to see if her initial suspicion about these people were right. “So… let’s talk about the Christmas Decorations this year?” She beamed, ignoring the frown on the older man’s face.
“Of course… but— “
“Hmm? Something’s troubling you?”
“No— no. Of course not.” Mr. Rossi smiled. Worrying would not give them anything. Lilian trained Lily well, there was no way that she would not notice it. Soon— Lily will surely connect all the dots. Soon.
……
Herman fixed his tie as he smiled at his reflection on the huge mirror in front of him. “Are you ready?” He asked his brother. However, his eyes were focused on his coward of a father.
“Hmmm. Are you sure she won’t sign it?”
“Of course.” Confidence laced his tone. Even if their father’s friend said that he would do something about the matter, there was simply no time to fix it. They just lost millions, there was no way that Lily would sign the acquisition after that incident. He beamed. The timing of the pirates was too perfect, he could not help but thank the gods for what happened. To be honest, both he and his brother did not have the guts to attack their own company on their own.
Having other people do it for them, was the only way to stop this contract. However, they decided to thread carefully. After all, both he and his brother were not really aware of the identity of this friend that their father always talked about. Sure, they knew his name but they had never seen the man before. Both he and his brother did not want for this friend to know that they attacked their own company.
He stared at his brother as he shook the thoughts out of his mind. The fact that his father was still hiding something from them was honestly bugging him. However, no matter how much he asked him, Leon Corneel never budged. He only told him that this was a deal. He never told them the details of this deal, or how and why did he owe it to this ‘friend’ of his.
The thought only made him more frustrated. He forced a smile. This was not the time to be frustrated. Not when they were about to force their father to tell them the truth about this contract.
“You don’t know what you are doing.” Leon Corneel uttered as he looked at his two sons. These two… were seeking death. Still, his pride would not allow him to tell them the truth. He could not smear his name. Never.
“There is no more time father. We should go.” Rein smiled at him. “We don’t want to create a bad impression, right?” Leon Corneel gritted his teeth. He could not just accept defeat.
Leon Corneel stood from his seat and walked out of the suite first. His two sons followed him out before they went and dropped by Athalia’s room so she could accompany them.
“Father has gone crazy.” Herman said the moment they were inside the car. Leon Corneel had his own ride towards Facci Group. “Did you already schedule the meeting?”
“I did. They all agreed to keep it a secret. Soon… father will be kicked out of his own company. The moment we arrive home, a doctor from a mental facility will declare that he had some problems in his mind, making him unable to think rationally. Surely, Athalia’s words will be enough to convince everyone that he needs to leave the company ASAP.”
“Good. That is just… good.” Herman smiled before he nodded at Athalia. “You should do your job properly.”
In response Athalia nodded as she bit her lower lip. When it came to money, the brothers had forgotten that the man that they were trying to kick out in their company was the same man who raised them for years. How cruel, she thought as she lowered her head. What a cruel… cruel world.
….
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