CHAPTER FIVE: Thumbs Down

A tumult of murmurs broke out in the hall. Scott, who was about to pick a fight, could only stare at Zara. He couldn't believe that she came here to make a presentation for the contract. Since when was she involved in business? Besides, when did she even get back?

Finally, Zara faced the crowd and introduced herself. "I'm Zara Hall, the new CEO of Hall Corporations. Most of you may not know me, but I assure you that you will be seeing more of my face from now on."

"Hall Corporations? Isn't that the company that's on the verge of bankruptcy?" someone exclaimed.

Another replied affirmatively, "Yeah. Last I checked, it was about to be liquidated."

Zara didn't utter a word to those comments. After all, they were true. Her company was hanging by a thread now.

"Young lady, who allowed you in here?" a man with a potbelly finally fired with a frown.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I didn't mean to barge in here, but last I checked, every human has the freedom of movement," Zara began. Her eyes scanned all the faces before she continued, "It was a last-minute decision to compete for the deal on the table, but Hall Corporations notified the management of Keystone Group and we were given the go-ahead just this morning."

"How is that possible?"

Another exclaimed in disbelief, "Keystone only works with top companies. How can they approve a small and barely surviving company like Hall Corporations?"

"Something tells me she's lying!" a woman in a corner shouted with a deep frown.

A man who was sitting at the head of a large table crooked his finger at his secretary, and then they whispered back and forth. His eyes were on Zara, who still had a bold expression on her face. A minute later, he said, "Ms. Hall, I'm afraid you will have to excuse us. I didn't receive any notice of your participation. The project on ground is not only a big one but also very important. Your company won't be able to handle it at all. It's best you leave instead of wasting our time and yours."

Zara chuckled and shook her head slightly. "I hate to break it to you, sir. As you can see, I have come too far to abandon everything now. If it makes you feel any better, I'd like to state that my presentation will only take about seven minutes."

"Why are you so stubborn? The project manager just asked you to leave, so do it!" a competitor piped up to the support of the others. Scott, who was now seated, was staring daggers at Zara. His face was also red.

Zara flipped out immediately as she recognized the man who just spoke. He was one of the sworn enemies of her father. "Ha-ha! It's funny that some of you have the nerve to talk when you tore off bits and pieces of my father's company like vultures!" 

"What?" All the guilty businessmen looked horrified. They exchanged glances and then shot lasers at Zara with their eyes.

"You have no manners! Your father must be very ashamed of you. Didn't your grandmother teach you how to—"

"Enough!" A baritone voice suddenly came from the speakers in the hall. "Allow her!"

As the others murmured, the voice—much calmer—came again, "The floor is yours, Ms. Hall."

Zara smiled, recognizing the voice. Under the envious gaze of everyone, she began, "Pictures speak a thousand words, but prototypes speak millions. As you can all see..."

There was an air of jealousy as soon as Zara finished her presentation. Although the officials of Keystone Group didn't have her brief at hand, they had to admit that Zara's idea was one of the best so far. Just as the project manager was about to speak, the side doors swung open again. 

It was as if the temperature dropped as a tall, handsome man walked in with a noble gait. "That was one hell of a presentation, Ms. Hall. I was impressed!"

Zara couldn't help smiling when she saw Jordan Keystone, whom she had accosted at his favorite barber shop a few days ago after over a week of stalking. She stretched out her hand. "Thank you, Mr. Keystone. I promised to wow you and I'm glad I did."

After smiling at her brightly, Jordan faced the small crowd and cleared his throat. "As you may well know, I have been bringing reforms to this company since I took over from my father who recently retired. My father may have only worked with top companies. But I have come to realize that small companies can do wonders too, so Hall Corporations is officially in the race. I'm sure many of you will agree with me that Ms. Hall blew minds with her idea."

Despite the frowns he received, he continued, "Anyway, we will get back to you all on our decision. Do well to turn in any other materials that will give your company an edge. Have a great day."

As soon as Jordan walked out the same way he came, shouts of disapproval broke out in the hall. Zara didn't want any drama, so she picked up her bag and strode out.

Just as she was about to get into the elevator, someone grabbed her wrist. She looked back with a frown. "Let go of me," she commanded with a firm tone.

"What was that stunt you pulled in there?" Scott asked, looking very pissed.

Zara spun around and faced him. "I pulled no stunt, Mr. Brown. Like you and the others, I presented my idea in hopes to get the deal. Do you have an issue with that?"

Hearing this, Scott ran his fingers through his hair, refusing to be baited. He quickly changed the topic. "When did you get back?"

"How is that any of your business?" Zara fired without missing a beat.

Again, he didn't know how to respond. Before he could come up with something else, she snapped her fingers. "Oh, that reminds me! You must have gotten the court summon, right? Do well to show up, so we can get it over and done with. Now, get your hands off me!"

Scott's fingers tightened around her wrist. "I have told you time and time again. You are stuck with me, Zara."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Zara lost it in a split second. "You got married to me because of your grandmother's threat. But recently I heard that she has come to terms with the fact that our marriage failed. We have been separated for a year. Shouldn't we get the paperwork done ASAP?"

"No!" Scott roared. "You don't tell me what to do, Zara!"

"What do you take me for, Scott? Do you seriously think I'll remain linked to you when you are about to get married to Cora?"

Scott furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Where did you hear that?"

"Oh, you thought I wouldn't find out that Cora is pregnant for you and you guys are about to get married? You are a polygamous man, but I will not be numbered as a wife, Scott!"

Zara finally yanked her hand from his grip. "Good luck with your wedding. Just show up in two days!"

As she walked into the elevator, Scott stood on the spot and stared, absolutely lost for words.

Two days later, Zara arrived at the courthouse in the company of her lawyer and ever-supportive friend, Mia at about two o'clock in the afternoon. They sat and waited for a couple of hours, but Scott didn't show up.

Scott's attorney called him several times, but he didn't pick up. In the end, the divorce hearing was postponed. Anger was steaming out of Zara's ears as she walked out of the courthouse. How could he stand her up? Did he take her for a joke or something? Argh!

"Come, Zee. Let's go for a drink," Mia said, dragging her into the car and then driving to a bar nearby. They had countless shots thereafter. 

"Ugh!" Zara grumbled, slamming her glass on the table. She leaned back on the sofa in the private lounge and stared at the ceiling blankly. "I can't believe Scott didn't show up. It seems he thinks I am still that naive girl who will let him get away with anything. I have to show him that I am not, Mia."

"Just let this one slide, Zee." Mia waved her hand. "The judge ordered his lawyer to provide him in court at the next hearing. Let's just wait until —"

"I have been waiting for a year, Mia! Not anymore, I'll go and confront him!" Zara uttered angrily, springing up to her feet.

Before the drunk Mia could dissuade her, she rushed out of the bar and took a taxi to Scott's company. But when she got there, she was told that he wasn't on seat. Unwilling to back down, she rushed to his house.

The gatekeeper surprisingly allowed her in. Zara banged on the front door in a drunken state. "Open up, Scott. I know that you are in there. Come out and face me, you wicked man!"

Her knuckles were hurting by the time she knocked for over five minutes. She had just begun to rattle the doorknob when the door suddenly opened from inside.

Scott appeared on the other side. He was in pajamas. His hair was damp and his eyes were narrowed and a little puffy. He was also sweating even though the weather was extremely cold.

Without noticing this, Zara began to give him an earful. "What took you so long? I have been knocking for a long time. Besides, why didn't you appear in court today? You are playing with me, aren't—"

Suddenly, Scott groaned and fell forward.