Chapter 5 Rude Guest

Smoothcorp was one of the top companies in the state. A partnership with Smoothcorp was part of Natalie's preparation to push her company to a bigger stage. She didn't want to be limited to Riverbay.

At first, she made several trips to the state's capital, but she didn't even get to see even Smoothcorp's middle management. Just when she was getting frustrated, someone from Smoothcorp reached out to her and arranged a meeting with their CEO.

The CEO himself met up with Natalie and gave her a huge business deal. He claimed that her efforts moved him. Natalie had always been proud of that. The whole city knew about the story, and the people piled praises on her.

They'd given Smoothcorp the first batch of samples and set up a date for the contract signing, but now the deal was canceled out of the blue. "What on earth happened?" Natalie roared. She was losing composure. This business deal was important for her company.

Putting the very handsome profit aside, this partnership would open up more opportunities for her company to grow.

"I have no idea, Ms. Natalie…" the assistant answered tremulously.

Natalie hurled her phone to the ground, her look dark and stormy. Selene said, "Calm down, Natalie. You told us yesterday that the talks went well. They praised our company, didn't they? Why don't you ask them what went wrong and handle the problem?"

Natalie mused over it and quickly picked up her cracked phone. She called the CEO of Smoothcorp multiple times, but all she got were beeps. "He blocked me!" Stunned and furious, she nearly smashed her phone again.

Natalie had a very high opinion of herself, and she had what was commonly known as the main character syndrome. She would not suffer this insult. Thinking this was all a big joke, she booted up her messaging app and texted a few of Smoothcorp's decision makers, but the messages didn't go through. They'd blocked her as well.

Natalie's face was twisted with anger, and her chest heaved with fury. She took deep gulps of air and called her assistant. "Find out where Smoothcorp's guys are going."

"I was just going to tell you. Apparently, their CEO is in town, and he's going to talk about a deal with the Hudsons," answered the assistants immediately.

"What? The Hudsons?" Natalie thought, 'The same family that took in that piece of trash? That's impossible!'

Selene's eyes were wide as saucers, and she shook her head in denial. "They're on the brink of bankruptcy and are waist-deep in debt. No way Smoothcorp will take any interest in them. And the CEO's meeting up with them himself?"

Natalie gnashed her teeth hard, and her gums almost bled. "Are they out of their minds? No one in this city's big enough to take that deal! No one but us! The Hudsons are nothing!" She paced around angrily and roared at her assistant, "Find out where Smoothcorp's CEO is at right now!"

She demanded, "You're my top assistant, and you bought that ridiculous story? I want answers in half an hour, or you're fired!"

…

Back at the Hudsons' place, Liam and his family were looking at Elijah with worry. He just went out with the Bloodstrides alone. "Are you alright? Where are Mr. Gasteau and his men?"

"I'm fine, and they're gone. Your debt is waived." Elijah nodded at them with a smile.

'They're gone? And the debt is waived?' Liam and Jessica didn't believe it, but they kept their mouths shut. Elijah had just gone through a harrowing experience, and they didn't want to make things harder for him.

"Just catch your breath. We'll clean the place up and cook something up for you. Sorry you had to see this."

Elijah wanted to help, but Liam and Jessica refused his help, and they sent him to his room. Liam and his family cleaned up for a bit, and Cindy's eyes shone. She hopped upstairs into her bedroom and grabbed her box of snacks from under the table and sent it to Elijah.

"This is my collection. They're super nice. You should eat some. I don't want you starving yourself."

Elijah looked at the foodie, and he felt warm and fuzzy. Smiling, he patted her head. Cindy narrowed her eyes like a kitten enjoying a good pat. She then turned bright red and ran away. "I-I need to help my mom with her cooking."

Suddenly, someone banged on the door. Liam and Jessica had just cleaned up, and they were shocked. What little light in their eyes dimmed, and they sighed. "It must be Mr. Gasteau. Don't let him come in. Mr. Elijah has it hard enough already."

Jessica was white as paper, yet she still held her husband's arm and carefully opened the door. They were met with an angry Alicia. "Where are Elijah and that little bitch? Get their asses out here!"

"Mr. Elijah has retired for the night. You'll have to come back tomorrow, Ms. Alicia." Though Liam was angry, he didn't act out. His family used to have its glory days, and they knew a lot of news the small-time families didn't. He knew Alicia was the queen of Riverbay's underworld, and a mysterious, powerful figure was her backer.

Alicia sneered. "Mr. Elijah? He's nothing but an exile. A rogue. A useless piece of trash. He deserves no respect!" She shoved the door open and charged to the second floor.

Veins throbbed on Liam's temple, and he quickly followed Alicia. "What are you doing, Ms. Alicia? This is my house, and I will call the cops for trespassing!"

Cindy just came out of Elijah's room, and she stopped Alicia from coming up. "Who are you? Who let you in?"

Alicia looked at Cindy coldly. "You're Liam's daughter? The whore who hooked up with that piece of trash?"

Cindy was Liam's whole world. He would not take that insult lying down. "My daughter is single and unmarried, Ms. Alicia! You came here in the dead of the night just to tarnish her reputation? I will not stand for that!"

"Single and unmarried?" Alicia spat, and she stared daggers at Cindy. "Tell that piece of trash to show himself, or I'll make him pay!"