Chloe Briggs observed the man in front of her. He was young, and his momentary stunned look when he first saw her made her doubt her father's judgment. Was this really the person her father, the feared Warden of Blackwood, had insisted was so powerful? How could someone like this be worth such respect? Maybe her father had lost his foresight?
Though she thought this, she remained polite on the surface. She decided to test him with a relatively minor issue.
"Tonight, I am hosting a charity gala," she explained. "Its true purpose is to recruit a new strategic partner. The right alliance will help me solve my current… difficulties. Perhaps you could attend. You could observe the potential partners and help me decide which one would be the better choice."
Leo knew she was underestimating him. He saw the doubt in her eyes. But her reaction was understandable; he looked like nothing special and somehow, it pleased him. He'd like the reaction on her face when she sees hew so much more than meet the eye. He simply nodded. "I can do that."
Just then, there was a nervous knock on the door. Ms. Higgins peered in. "Ms. Briggs? Mr. Wright and Ms. Vance are still waiting in the VIP room. They are very eager to discuss a partnership. What do I do? Should I… have them removed?"
Leo's expression remained neutral. "What is the nature of their cooperation request?" he asked.
Chloe sighed. "Adrian Wright has been trying to partner with my corporation for months. His family's finances are shaky, and even if they were solid, they lack the necessary strength. I have never had any intention of working with them. And I certainly would not choose them as a partner. I have showed my disinterest in so many ways and still he's yet to get it. Shows he's daft and all the more reason not to work with him."
Leo's face darkened. "I see."
Noticing the change in his demeanor, Chloe leaned forward. "What is it? Do you have a history with these two?" She knew very little about him, unaware that Elena was his ex-wife.
"You could say that," Leo confirmed, his voice cool.
That was all the information Chloe needed. She glared at her secretary. "Ms. Higgins, go inform them immediately that Briggs Corp has decided to permanently sever all current and future business with Ms. Elena Vance's company. As for the Wright family," she paused, considering their established, though fading, influence, "we will postpone any dealings with them for now. Tell them the meeting is canceled."
In the VIP room, Adrian and Elena were happily fantasizing about their bright future.
"Once our families merge resources with B Corp, we'll be unstoppable," Adrian said, puffing out his chest.
Elena smiled coquettishly. "When your family rises to such prominence, you won't forget me, will you?"
The door opened abruptly. Ms. Higgins walked in, her face now a cold mask. "How dare you two impersonate Ms. Briggs's honored guest?" she stated, her voice sharp.
The smiles vanished from their faces.
"I am here to inform you that B Corp is permanently ending all cooperation with Vance Enterprises, effective immediately," she announced, looking directly at Elena. She then turned to Adrian. "And as for you, Mr. Wright, your request for a meeting is denied. You need not wait any longer. Ms. Briggs will not be seeing you."
Elena was shocked. The consequences of a permanent ban were a death sentence for her new company. Desperation and indignation washed over her. "This is a mistake! I demand to see Ms. Briggs right now!"
Ms. Higgins didn't bother to argue. She simply signaled to the two guards by the door. "Please escort these two out of the building. Forcefully, if necessary." (+)
Within moments, Adrian and Elena were unceremoniously removed from the VIP room and marched through the lobby, past staring employees, and shoved out the main glass doors onto the street.
Outside, Elena turned to Adrian, her face pale. "What was she talking about? Impersonating an honored guest? What does that mean?"
Adrian felt a pang of guilt but covered it with bluster. "There must be some misunderstanding. That's all."
Suddenly, Elena remembered Leo's cold words in the prison visitation room: "You will regret this... You have no idea what you've just thrown away." A horrible thought crossed her mind. "Could it… could it have been because of Leo?" she blurted out.
Adrian laughed, a nervous, dismissive sound. "Don't be ridiculous. You're giving your ex-husband too much credit. A man like him has no possible connection to a woman like Chloe Briggs. It must be a competitor. Many companies want to be B Corp's partner. One of them must have interfered."
Elena thought about it and, wanting to believe him, agreed. Her expression turned pitiful. "What do we do now? My company is finished."
Seeing her distress, Adrian puffed out his chest. "Don't worry." He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out two elegant, foil-stamped cards. "I managed to get us invitations to tonight's charity gala. We can find Ms. Briggs there and clear up this misunderstanding in person."
Elena's eyes widened. She had tried everything to get one of those invitations and failed. Seeing that Adrian had obtained them so easily, her faith in him was instantly restored. He must truly be the important guest!
"You're amazing!" she flattered him, clinging to his arm. "The partner position belongs to you and no one else! Please, when you talk to her, can you ask her to restore my family's cooperation? I'll be forever in your debt."
Adrian was flattered beyond measure but felt a deep, sinking guilt. He had no real pull with Chloe Briggs. However, he couldn't show weakness now. He patted her hand confidently. "Of course. Leave everything to me. I'll get it all sorted out." He agreed wholeheartedly, hiding his panic behind a proud smile.