As he parked his car outside the club, he recalled about this afternoon"s conversation with Samantha. He blamed himself partly because it could"ve been handled better. But he was just human, he wasn"t perfect. His emotions got to him and he couldn"t bring himself to just stand quietly at the side and do nothing. This is when he realized that maybe... Samantha means so much to him more than he thought. Because if not, even after all the incidents, he shouldn"t be affected like this, right? If he didn"t like her so much, he could"ve probably just ignored the things that have something to do with her.So when he knew about it this afternoon, the things that he bottled up and decided to ignore before just exploded. But he didn"t hate her, he couldn"t hate her. He"s just feeling hurt. Although it has just been a month since they dated, the emotions that he felt and is currently feeling isn"t something that he can control. It"s not as if he can dictate himself not to feel this and that. He is hurt, what can he do?
Thinking about it, he still understands her. Though not completely, he understands why she didn"t want to burden others. Aren"t most people like that? Sometimes even if he does not notice it, he"s also like that. Disturbing his train of thoughts, his attention was brought to the noise by the club"s entrance.
"Watch your step, sis.", Seo Joon said as he held Samantha up with her arm draped over his shoulder.
"Seriously, Samantha. Are you trying to kill yourself?", Hannah complained.
Samantha just beamed at her best friend.
Daniel Cho remained seated in his car and watched them from afar. At first, he opened his car door but then he closed it after a few seconds. He thought that maybe this is something that they both need.
When Seo Joon drove home, Daniel turned his car around and headed towards The Fortress. And when Liam saw his brother, he smirked. "Come, I"ll treat you tonight."
"I"ll take you up on that. Also, we need to do something tomorrow."
--
The next day at the Cho Corporation.
a.s.sistant Ahn just entered Daniel"s office and said, "Boss, everything"s ready. Just waiting for your signal."
Daniel nodded, "Let"s wait a little longer."
"Yes, Boss."
2 hours later, Liam came into Daniel"s office with a tablet on his hand. "Look. It"s time.", he said as he handed a tablet to Daniel.
Daniel read the article that was published by Trident"s PR. It contained an explanation and proof to clear their name. At the end of it was a warning that they are going to take legal actions after a thorough investigation against the person who is slandering their company.
When Daniel finished, he turned to face Liam, "Execute the plan."
In Quantum Solutions Company, the CEO and some of his loyal employees were currently on a high thinking about all that they will gain once they successfully have their hands on the new project from Cho Corporation. They were pretty confident that they could win the bidding of the Cho corporation"s project now that their compet.i.tors are in a bind. As they were in the middle of their conversation planning out their next course of action, the CEO"s secretary came and told them about Trident"s statement.
"What the h.e.l.l is this? I thought everything is perfect? You said you"d take care of this?", CEO Nan yelled at one of his people.
The people in the meeting room all fell silent. They actually believed everything that Kevin had said and didn"t think that he would be making up stories. They were so excited to topple their opponents over that they became idiots; idiots who didn"t do any further investigation to make sure their information was true.
A few minutes later, one of the executives dashed inside the meeting room with a very horrified expression. "Sir,..."
"WHAT?!!", the CEO was already irritated because of the article from Trident earlier so his reaction was harsh.
"Sir, Cho Corporation has pulled out their investment on the new project and canceled all our collaborations with them."
The CEO stood up from his seat and stomped angrily, "What did you say?! How is that possible? That"s a breach of contract! If they do that, they have to pay a lot of money!"
"S-sir... they just called. They said they don"t care how much they have to pay. They want to sever ties with us."
The CEO"s face paled. He immediately got out of his office and into his car. He drove towards Cho Corporation. When he got there, he was all sweaty and his appearance is disheveled. He was truly worried that he will lose his company.
When he got to the entrance, he walked hastily and asked the receptionist to see President Daniel Cho. The receptionist recognized the man before her and she was already briefed to not allow him inside.
"I"m sorry, Mr. Nan, the President is busy at the moment."
"B-but, this is something important, please tell him I"m here.", he said as he wiped his face with a handkerchief.
"President will not see anyone today. I apologize."
CEO Nan became nervous, but before he could say anything else, his secretary called him on the phone. "S-sir, Cho Corporation"s PR released a statement. Take a look at their site."
He gulped and clicked on the link that he received, his eyes widened.
In the article were concrete pieces of evidence of Quantum Solutions" CEO and other executives involvement of underhand dealings, and immoral deeds towards their compet.i.tors. The statement says that Cho Corporation will not tolerate this, and the company doesn"t want to be in any way a.s.sociated with corrupt people.
After reading the article, the CEO noticed the stares around him. He was currently inside Cho Corporation"s den and he"s very humiliated. His business is finished. He did not only lose their chance to partic.i.p.ate in the bidding process but he may also have to file for bankruptcy and most probably be thrown into jail; with Cho Corporation"s influence, Quantum Solutions is beyond redemption.
CEO Nan quickly got into his car and sped off.
Meanwhile at the CEO office,
"Boss, CEO Nan was looking for you at the lobby. He ran away just now, I guess he has read the PR"s statement."
Daniel was looking outside through his floor-to-ceiling gla.s.s window as he said, "Send someone to keep an eye on him."
"Yes, boss."
---
Trident Company.
Samantha was lying on the sofa with her arm covering her eyes when a.s.sistant Chen knocked,
"Madam, Vice President Li is here to see you."
"OK"
When Alexander entered her office, his nose scrunched, "Ooof! Rough night? You reek of alcohol."
Samantha didn"t bother to greet him, her head was pounding like someone"s trying to drill a hole. "Shhh... don"t shout."
Samantha heard some footsteps and a sound of metal and gla.s.s clinking. She sensed a shadow hovering above her before she heard a cup being placed on the coffee table.
"Here, get up and drink this."
Though she was reluctant, she got up and sat properly. Alexander pushed the teacup gently towards her, "It"s honeyed water. Finish it.", he said as he sat beside her.
Samantha picked up the cup and took a sip and as soon as she did, the aroma invaded her nose and the warm water relaxed her.
Alexander looked at Samantha from the side. He"s been looking at her for years yet this is the most that he could do. His hand raised as if he wanted to pat her head but he retracted his hand when he realized what he was about to do.
He sighed before he said, "We don"t need to find Minjae. It seems like Quantum will go bankrupt."
"What?"
Alexander showed the article from Cho Corporation"s PR page and Samantha read it carefully.
"It"s great timing actually, they probably noticed the bidding partic.i.p.ants all had been having problems except for Quantum and decided to investigate on the matter. I heard when Cho Corp called off their collaborations with them, the CEO ran away. He might be in hiding somewhere, they won"t trouble us now. Looks like an angel is watching over you, Sam."
Samantha was speechless, she knew how capable Daniel was but to witness it firsthand is still shocking; her admiration for him shot through the roof. Although they aren"t in good terms because of what happened yesterday, she knew very well that he did this for her; and thus she was touched.
"Sam?"
Samantha snapped out of the daze and looked up at Alexander, "Huh?"
"I said an angel must be watching over you."
"Y-yeah."
Oh, he"s an angel all right.
Samantha took out her phone, she thought about calling Daniel to thank him. But if she does that, would that mean she"s surrendering? She"s currently having an internal struggle, a part of her wants to go to him and make things better, admit that she"s at fault and promise that she won"t do it again but her evil side is preventing her to do that. "He left, so why should I go to him?", despite knowing that she may have acted wrongly, she only did what she thought was right at that time. She"s that kind of person, was she just going to change herself for a man? Was he worthy of her?
Another question is bugging her, "Are you worthy of him?"
---------------
(A/N)
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