Aaron just sat down at the table without invitation. He ordered a drink and scrolled through his phone with an expressionless face. Not even a single sign of guilt existed in his gaze. Seth was truly stunned by his action. It looked so cold and cruel.“So, you’re not going to tell me anything?” Seth started the conversation with a displeased tone.“You’re the one who wanted to meet me. I thought you had something to say,” Aaron replied coldly, with a calm demeanour. His phone suddenly rang, and Ryan's name was on the screen. Aaron muted the sound and just put the phone on the table, letting it ring unanswered, deliberately letting Seth see that he was ignoring Ryan’s call.“The four of us had been friends for so long. You, me, Ryan, and Sandra. Is this really how you choose to end our friendship?” Seth satirized him with a chuckle, yet Aaron did not seem offended at all. He just stared at Seth while sipping his coffee for a bit, then put the cup down on the table and let out a short s
Like an obedient servant, Seth complied with her request. He went to Sandra’s ballet academy without a second thought. When he reached there, she was waiting at the entrance, probably had been standing there waiting for his car to arrive.Sandra looked sad, but did not seem like she had lost all hope. She still acted sane and mature, despite being dumped inconsiderately by Aaron. She beckoned him to come inside and they sat at a round table in the pantry. Without saying a word, Seth just offered her his phone, fully aware that was the sole reason she wanted him there.“Thank you,” Sandra said, taking the phone slowly, staring at the screen that already showed Aaron’s contact number.“What did you ask him?” She suddenly had the hesitation to call Aaron. She needed to know the details of the conversation Seth had with him first.“Nothing much. I only asked whether the news about his engagement is true or not. He confirmed it. They will have an engagement party at the Majestic Palace Hot
Kathleen left Aaron’s office abruptly. She knew it was rude for her to behave that way. But she had a feeling that Aaron’s conversation was rather personal, not business matters. So she had the right to walk away and avoid such discussions. She came clean with him regarding her intention to merge with Castell Corporation. Thus, there was nothing else Aaron needed to know from her. She hid nothing from him. The man did not stop her from leaving, and she noticed how Aaron turned speechless by her last words to him. When she returned to the fashion department office, Adrian was still there, as if waiting for her to come back.“Hi again,” Adrian greeted her casually, standing beside her desk when she sat down.“Hi, Adrian,” Kathleen replied kindly.Adrian looked hesitant. His expression showed how much he wanted to ask her something. ‘He’s really not good at hiding his intention,’ she thought, presuming Adrian as someone gullible and innocent, even though the man was older than her.“So…
“I wish you all the best, Mr Castell. Earnestly, I will. I hope you find happiness in the future with whatever decisions you make for yourself. I’m sure a man of your level would know what's best for himself,” she spoke calmly, trying to hide her stirring emotion.“Of course, you did. You changed your name so I couldn’t trace you at all. Of course, you ought to wish me the best. I wish you the best too, Kathleen Jones. Where would you go this time? France? Italy? Germany? Where would you hide yourself again after I marry Nora?” Aaron shot at her, gritting his teeth a bit, feeling annoyed that her emotion seemed unshaken by his words.“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” she honestly affirmed. That irritated him even more.“Good… cause I plan to hurt you bit by bit until you know how painful it was to be lied on, to be abandoned and to be schemed by a person you trusted the most. Next time you see Nora, imagine how your husband’s sleeping with another woman too. What you had with me befor
“Most certainly, yes. It’s nice to meet you again, Mr Castell,” Kathleen replied politely, more poised this time as she was no longer just his secretary; she was now one of his significant clients.“Hmm…” Aaron just hummed, nodding a bit before he released her hand. Then they all just took a seat, and the signing ceremony started without any interruption.Occasionally, Kathleen took a peek at Aaron’s behaviour. He seemed unfazed by everything, saying not a word, just sitting there and letting his half-brother Adrian take care of everything. Once the deal was finalised, everyone had a handshake again with each other. The people inside the meeting room slowly reduced as they all began returning to their respective offices. Aaron excused himself too. In fact, he was among those who went out first.“He didn’t seem to give much reaction today,” Liam whispered in Kathleen’s ear, referring to Aaron, who just stepped out of the meeting room.“And what kind of reaction are you expecting from h
The next morning, Adrian came to work brimming with enthusiasm, bracing himself to meet Aaron first thing. He had been rehearsing the script he wanted to say multiple times in his mind already. ‘No mistake, don’t make it awkward,’ he mumbled inside, advising himself. As he reached the door of Aaron’s office, he took a deep breath before knocking twice.“Come in,” Aaron already knew Adrian was coming because he could see Adrian walking by through the glass wall of his front office.Adrian came in and politely handed him a business proposal and merging collaboration documents between Kate CJ brand and Castell Corporation.“In case you don’t remember… the offer I talked about before during Sandra’s birthday party. Liam’s offer…” Adrian explained timidly while Aaron went through the papers in his hands.Only three names of higher-ups of the fashion company were stated. Liam Campbell, Kate Joell and Lucian Grey. Aaron already had a feeling of who Kate Joell might be, but he did not want t