Vanessa Reiley went to the Veanco Square to update the contract she and Clifford signed."Good morning, Miss Reiley," Gary greeted. She smiled.
"Good morning, Gary. May I know if Clifford is around? I need to discuss something important to him."
"I am sorry but he is not yet around. He has an urgent matter to settle as of the moment. But I"ll usher you to his sister, the Vice President. This way, please." Gary led the way to Rhona"s office.
After some exchange of talk with the VP"s secretary, Vanessa went inside the office.
"Sorry to come here unannounced, I am Vanessa Reiley, nice to meet you."
"Don"t mention it. I am more than pleased to meet you. I"m Rhona Flynn. Have a seat. So, what can I a.s.sist you, Miss Reiley?"
"Uhm, I was just wanted to know the update about the contract we and Clifford signed. We are almost ready to start the collaboration. Just call me Vanessa, by the way." She smiled demurely.
"Oh, okay Vanessa. It is almost prepared, too. It"s on the finishing touches. If you want I could give you a tour." Rhona offered.
"Oh, don"t bother." She declined politely. "I wanted Clifford to do it for me, since I need a direct discussion to him. I hope you don"t mind, Rhona. Can I call you on your first name?" her face is charming.
"S-sure, I won"t mind." Vanessa"s body language did not slip past Rhona"s hawk eyes. "Tsk. Another woman bewitched again." Rhona predicted and she frowned inwardly.
"Thank you for your time, Rhona, hoping to work with you soon." Vanessa dazzled her disappointment with a smile.
"That would be an honor. I"ll lead you to the elevator." Rhona stood up and walked beside the woman. She really wanted to end their encounter. She waved goodbye to the woman as the elevator closed.
As she walked back to her office she mumbled "Oh brother, you"re handsomeness could either be a blessing or a nuisance. Your future wife must really be prepared." Upon saying the last sentence, then she remembered the latest issue involving his brother.
She dialled her mother"s number and called. It didn"t take long when she answered.
"Hi! mom, where"s Clifford? Is he with you now?" her voice is full of concern.
"Yes, he is. He arrived together with Ingrid." She could feel the happiness radiated from her mother"s voice.
"Ingrid? As in Ingrid Howard?" she is shocked.
"The one and only and she brought Clark along. Her parents are here, too."
"Oh, that would be a lovely family affair. Am I hearing wedding bells?" she laughed and Helen chuckled.
"Hope it is."
....
While at the Briggs" mansion...
The four of them, except their mothers, went to the study room. As they seated, Ingrid felt as if she is in a hot seat. She glanced at Clifford and saw no hint of uneasiness in him.
"Let me get straight to the point, Ingrid." It is her father who spoke in a business like tone; she straightened up and faced her father calmly. Her father means business and she is expected to act what is demanded from her. "What exactly happened?"
She told them exactly what happened yesterday in detail, why she reacted and apologized for it. Her father only listened to her, with an unreadable reaction. She felt relieved after she enlightened them.
"Other issues are easy to deal with, but how can we explain Clark"s existence? Diamond Country is not yet ready to accept a single, smart and accomplished woman like you did an IVF. The companies" will be affected negatively." Her father said it as-matter-of-factly.
"There will always a first time, sir. It would be a big issue but I know it will die down in time."
She said confidently.
"And what if not?" his tone confronting her wits. "You know they won"t stop until they know the truth about the child"s father." challenge is up to her father"s sleeve.
"I know it will." Her confidence slowly deteriorated as she thought about her father"s grounds. Clifford could not barge in.
It was Clint"s clue. He cleared his throat.
"I think there is something you all need to know." All of the eyes went to Clint. He pressed some b.u.t.ton and a man in black suit entered together with other two men in suit who seems to be guarding something important.