"Global pop star One Love was detained in Min yesterday on charges of undermining national sovereignty. State officials claim the thirty-two-year-old artist was involved in activities tantamount to espionage. . . "
Andrea snapped shut her tablet cover and turned to the window with a frown on her face.
"I don't need this right now" she muttered as she ran her fingers through her forehead as if to wipe away the creases on her brows.
Her eyes followed the paparazzi crowd as a car pulled up a short distance away from her and two figures hurried out of it.
Zina and Aika got out of the car and hurried into the building under the cover of a few bodyguards, but the crowd pressed on anxiously, screaming questions over their heads.
"Mrs Freeman, do you have a statement on One Love's arrest?"
"Mrs Freeman, is One Love a government spy?"
"Why was One Love made an Executive of Lynch Cosmetics?"
"Is this an attack from a competitor?"
"Mrs Freeman, could Extra Technologies be involved in this scandal?"
The questions came pouring in without even a second to breathe but Zina remained composed and ignored them all.
"Those scandalous reporters," Aika hissed as they entered the building, finally shielded from the cameras shoved in their faces.
"This is more than a scandal." Zina shook her head as she stared intently at the figures approaching, her expression turning with a flicker of fury in her eyes.
Among them were two elderly women, one with a cane hobbling forward with a slight hunch, and a middle-aged man.
"Why did you all come here?" She asked, not disguising her displeasure.
"Zina, this is a serious issue that affects all of us," the woman with the cane said.
"Have you seen anyone?" Zina asked, her tone sharp and eyes roving rapidly between them.
"We should all head to the Governor's Office and ask them for an explanation. If we threaten to pull out a few investments, I don't believe they will succumb," the second woman interjected, her eyes frigid. One could still see traces of beauty from her youthful days.
Zina snapped her eyes shut for a few seconds as the other nodded in agreement at the elderly woman's words.
Turning to Aika, she instructed, her expression once again impassive and tone cold.
"Keep them here and make sure they don't see anyone." Her gaze shifted to the guards behind Aika, "Stay with her".
Then she turned around and walked back out of the building, ignoring the calls behind her.
Stepping back out into the open without the protection of her guards, Zina paused as the paparazzi rushed forward, each with a mic in hand and questions blazing, all wanting to be the first to ask a question.
As she stood there, her eyes met a few of the reporters at the front forcing them to come to a stop. The threat in her gaze was undisguised and it seemed to remind all of them who she was. Zina was not a celebrity they could harass; she was a powerful businesswoman!
"I understand you all have many questions, but I will not be giving a statement at this time about One Love until I can find out more about the circumstances surrounding his arrest. What I can tell you, however, is that Lynch Cosmetics does not mingle with the political affairs of any country and will not be dragged into it by ambitious rulers or malicious rivals. Thank you" Zina ended her statement sharply and strode forward after giving the crowd a warning glance.
The reporters all stood there exchanging glances and prompting others to follow with their eyes but no one wanted to be first.
They watched as she got into her car and drove away, but no one dared to follow. A second later, their gaze turned to the building in front of them, a fancy sign above the entrance read in glorious grey colours, "Lynch Cosmetics". They rushed forward again to enter the building and question the staff but they were too late.
As per Zina's instructions, the building was locked.
***
"Big mistake" Andrea muttered as she listened to Zina's statement on her tablet. She raised her head and observed as Zina strode to her car and drove away then turned to the lady beside her.
Wearing a white gown with pretty grey hair, the woman had a small smile on her beautiful features, although her brows gave up a distinct sharpness that could not be hidden.
"I need this taken care of fast so I can return to Arclight. Gabriel will be here soon. I want some results by then," Andrea spoke, her gaze moving from the lady to stare directly in front of her.
"Mrs Freeman already started with a hard hand, we'll have to finish with it. Although this may affect their business in Min long term"
Andrea seemed to hesitate for a moment as she listened to the woman's sweet voice. There was a slight soothing inflection in her tone.
"Lucia" Andrea called, her tone a note lower as she looked outside at the building again.
"Find out what started all this" she instructed with a final note.
"Yes, Miss," Lucia replied promptly. Andrea turned to her, nodded, and got out of the car.
Lucia watched as Andrea got into another sedan and drove off.
In the second car, Andrea sat with Tony, who held a clump of files in his hand and the butt of a pen in his lips. Andrea glanced at the pen with furrowed brows and sharply looked away.
"I'm on my way to you." A text notification brightened her phone screen, and her eyes lit up as well.
"Did you know Extra Technologies just got a new angel investor?" Tony suddenly asked and Andrea turned to him.
"Who?"
"I don't know, there's a veil over this guy, he's a little creepy. He just showed up out of nowhere six months ago, there's no records of him before that but his money is all over the place"
"All over the place?" Andrea asked, her brows furrowing once again and she glared at Tony.
With a helpless smile, Tony handed over a few files to her.
"He's got hands in a few elections and Justice appointments even some regulations of AROC"
"Find out how he managed to influence AROC" Andrea ordered.
"You know who he is?" Tony asked gazing questioningly at her.
"Don't ask" Andrea sighed.
"You should get some sleep" Tony's expression turned sympathetic as he watched her.
It had been a rough day since they arrived at Min.
***
Velis, the Capital city of Min was a city that radiated the ruthless power of the East mixed finely with its rich cultural heritage. Somehow, the administrative building conveyed that culture and power were a single juice and theme.
The tall walls, the flag of a dragon, and the stern gazes of armed guards mixed finely with gracious statues and majestic art crafts.
Tourists wandered around and indigines wore welcoming smiles contrasting greatly from the frowns of the guards roaming.
Behind Zina, Andrea was let in after a slow verification at the gate that almost seemed deliberate.
Andrea watched as Zina stepped out of her car alone and her frown deepened.
"The f*ck is wrong with her, coming here alone?" She could not hold back the cuss escaping her lips.
Beside her, Tony snickered at the sound of Andrea cussing, his head buried in papers.
Andrea turned to him with a scolding glare, then pushed a button above her head.
"Dion, follow her and step up when she needs it, if she doesn't, just come back"
Zina walked forwards confidently into the building where a figure seemed to be waiting for her at the lobby.
"Mrs Zina Freeman," a man smiled warmly at her, but not before his eyes roamed all over her body.
There was no change in Zina's expression, if she caught his gaze, she did not show it.
"You are?" She asked without reaching for a handshake.
"Elias Rourke" the man smiled and introduced himself with a bow.
"I don't see your husband or boss," he pretended to look behind her, then back at her, but his face fell at her impassive stare.
"My husband is dead, Elias. I assumed the distinguished Min would know this." Zina offered a practiced smile and tilted her head slightly as she looked Elias directly in the eyes.
"Then forgive me, but we cannot talk" Elias shrugged off her attempt to undermine his country.
"May I ask why?" Zina shrugged her shoulders like she was expecting this.
"Well, it's a cultural thing in Min that a man must keep his woman in the wallet. You wouldn't understand," he said the last words with a notable accent.
Zina nodded as if she understood and agreed, then started forward past him and into the building.
"Mr Elias, I seem to recall that the project financed by my husband to build a modern port in Korven is yet to be completed. As you know, I'm in a small battle with a big company in Arclight, and since I can't mingle with power in Min, what do you say, Min continues this project without me?" Zina stopped and turned around with a smile on her face.
She was now standing in front of him, while he stood with the door behind him.
Elias Rourke was stumped as he stared at her. She pulled a big gun without any hesitation! The project she referred to was not something money could complete or Min wouldn't need her or Adam Freeman. It was his technology they were desperate for in the work and thus far, all attempts to duplicate it had failed.
No one negotiated this way. He squinted at Zina, as if wanting to see why she was so much in a rush that she would pull out this card before even getting to the game table.
"Miss Zina, a bottle of sweet wine is best shared in conflict than a cup of gin" he warned.
"Right back at you, Mr Rourke," a cold, calculated voice came from behind him, forcing Zina to look up. Her mouth opened slightly as she noted the person walking in. At the same time, she regained her cool. Elias had successfully riled her up earlier.
Gabriel stopped a few feet behind Elias, too close for the shorter man's comfort but not close enough that it was threatening.
"Mr Auralis!" Elias's eyes widened as he turned around to the figure behind him.