At Zhang Corporation, employees met in groups to gossip about the state of the company, even the managers abandoned their work to join in the gossip. The directors of each support team met at the office of Director Ma to air their opinions, great dissatisfaction was clearly hitched on their faces.
"Do you think that President Zhang had a hand in Miss Zhang"s accident?"
One of them asked, as the others debated within themselves whether or not Zhang Tianyu was ruthless enough to make such an elaborate plan.
"I don"t think so, it"s too close to make such a move, how could he have known he would have lost?!"
Director Duan spoke in defense of Zhang Tianyu, some of them seem to agree with him, leaving a few in doubt as to whether that was in fact the case.
During this time, Director Ma kept quiet, he had his phone out and was texting his daughter, who hadn"t shown her face during the trial of the Zhang heiress in accordance to her father"s instruction. Although, she wasn"t the child of the main wife, Director Ma loved his daughter dearly.
"Director Ma, why don"t you join in the discussion? You"ve been on your phone about the time we were talking about President Zhang, are you afraid that what we say in your office will reach his ears?"
Director Ma heard the challenging tone of the director that called him out on not contributing to the discussion, despite agreeing to have the meeting at his office, since he was considered closer to President Zhang than any of them.
"Please pardon my rudeness. As for what I think regarding Miss Zhang"s accident and if President Zhang was involved, I strongly disagree that he had anything to do with it. You are all aware that he went back to Zhang Corporation after losing the case he had with her in court. The time to carry out such a devious plan is too short, only if he was a G.o.d and had foreknowledge could that have happened, but as you can see he isn"t one."
The lie flowed smoothly from the lips of Director Ma, such that the doubts in their hearts was laid to rest. The reality was Director Ma knew that President Zhang was capable of that and more, he wore the mask of a saint but had the heart of a demon. Only a few could see through the ugliness of his heart.
"Now that Director Ma has laid all our fears to rest, I better go deal with a pressing problem at home. Please excuse me."
Director Duan rose from where he sat on the couch that he had to squeeze into with some of the directors, the ones that couldn"t fit into the two long dark couches in Director Ma"s office had to remain on their feet, those were the newer Directors. The meeting couldn"t be held at the conference room, because it was only used when called for by the President of Zhang Corporation, no one had that right to meet inside without the current President"s approval.
They all bade Director Duan goodbye, watching as he left. The meeting came to a dead end, as the main contributor had left and there was really nothing else left to say. Just as they came in, they each left to go back to their various offices, leaving Director Ma to think of the next move to make.
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Duan Mansion
On arrival, Duan Feng and his girlfriend were ushered in by several butlers into the living room where Madam Duan was anxiously awaiting their safe return.
As though he was the only one present, she rushed over to hold her son in a tight embrace. Breaking down in tears on seeing the state at which he was in.
"My poor dear son, see what they did to you! Does crazy reporters! Let me see, turn around, if they hurt a single hair on your body, I will personally sue all them!"
Madam Duan slim figure had on a pink gown and a mink of pink draped across her shoulders, she had on dazzling ta.s.sel earrings and five layers of diamond necklaces of silver. On the same hand, a huge green stone in the form of a ring rested on her index finger, while her platinium wedding band was on a ring finger, her dark glossy hair was in a pixie cut. Both feet was covered by soft cotton indoor slip on.
Duan Feng did as his mother said, turning around in a circle, as her eyes filled with tears anxiously skimmed every angle to see that her son was not harmed.
"Mom! I"m fine, just a little scared that"s all."
That seem to bring down some of her fears, they both continued to chat and laugh together, completely ignoring the other person that was in the room with them.
Meanwhile, the butlers and maid that were present, faded into the background. They were neither supposed to be seen nor heard, only when called for could they be come visible.
Huan Zilin took some steps forward to greet Madam Duan, as though the woman sensed her intent, she grabbed onto her son"s hand leading him to sit at one of the light green couches in the huge living room, whose decor was expensively maintained.
"Did she just sn.o.b me? Or am I just thinking she did?"
Dumbfounded by Madam Duan"s antics, Huang Zilin knew that she had a long battle ahead, the woman that she wanted as mother-in-law was portraying an att.i.tude of subtle dislike. As she looked at the two, Huan Zilin wasn"t sure if Duan Feng knew of his mother"s intention towards her.
They continued to talk, until twenty minutes later, the butlers rushed in to announce that Director Duan was home. Therefore, Huan Zilin who had been on her feet since then, had the butlers not come in, she didn"t know for how long she would have been kept waiting and completely ignored by the mother and son.
A man in his fifties dressed in black suit and red tie, walked into the room, not a trace of gray could be seen on his hair, he had the look of someone that spent time and money to look fit, he could be considered by many to be handsome for his age.
Mother and son rose almost together, including Huan Huan Zilin as they greeted Director Duan.
"Who is this beautiful lady over here?"
The tone at which he spoke held warmth and friendly, as he addressed his son"s girlfriend, already knowing who she was, but just making polite talk.
"Good evening Director Duan, I"m Huan Zilin, your son"s girlfriend."
As she spoke she curtesied in greeting, first impressions are very important and since she hadn"t made a good one on Madam Duan, she wanted to try her luck with Director Duan.
"Is good to see Feng"s girlfriend, you must be tired."
On his way in, Director Duan had instructed a butler to remain by him, to carry out what he had in mind. Looking at his son"s girlfriend with a pleasant look in his eyes, before saying,
" Please show our guest to the visitor"s lodging. A maid will come and get you for family dinner."
What Director Duan meant was that lodging and room were two distinct terms to distinguish who they considered well enough to be treated nicely and who they had little regard for, in this case lodging was a fine way to make the person feel special, but was a plain room in one of the servants quarters.
Feeling happy that Duan Feng"s father thought well of her, she bade them farewell to follow the butler. When he saw she was out of earshot, did the facade of politeness slip off to reveal the fury in his heart.
"I taught you better! Who the h.e.l.l was that? How could you move from an heiress to a n.o.body?!"
Duan Feng was struck speechless by his father"s angry words, his mother slowly took a seat by the couch, mutely staring at the both of them.
"Drag him to his room! No one is to give him a sip of water and food until I say so!"
Right there, Duan Feng was led by a couple of butlers to his room upstairs, as his father stormed off to the study, leaving Madam Duan in another round of tears.