"Father, can't we consider other options?" Glenn expressed his disagreement.He, who was initially sitting upright, now slouched in the dining chair, losing his appetite for rest as originally intended.His father looked at him, wondering why his son suddenly protested, patiently waiting for an explanation."I... I feel like they might be fraudulent, Father," Glenn added later.His father's face immediately darkened, "Surely you know that I won't jeopardize the fate of the company just because you 'feel' without providing valid data. That's not a wise leader's move, Glenn."Glenn shook his legs while thinking, then stood up from the chair, "Alright, if that's what you want, I'll bring you the evidence you're asking for. What time is the negotiation then?" Glenn asked."After lunch," his father replied."Got it. If I don't show up during the negotiation, you can take over, Father, and I'll admit I was wrong," Glenn challenged.Arthur seemed to ponder for a moment, "Fine," he replied af
Gale Hayes, in his late 40s with thick glasses, wearing a worn-out Christmas-themed sweater patched in several places, paired with fabric pants and equally dismal sneakers.No one would know that he was a high-ranking official in a government institute handling hundreds of billion dollars of state funds.He lived such a low-profile life that not many people knew what kind of person he was. He disliked attending social events and being the center of attention.Making appointments with him was challenging because he only wanted to meet with companies that were clean and salvageable. He didn't like giving false hope to people because of his straightforward way of life.If people thought he was miserable, in reality, he was the happiest and fulfilled person. Content with his own world, he didn't care about others' opinions.How did Glenn get to know this man? Even his parents and Connor couldn't reach out to him for help yesterday.That was because... he accidentally helped the man win an
"Annoying! Why didn't you tell me earlier, Vin? Are you happy to see me become a laughingstock?" Victor pointed angrily at his younger brother.They have arrived back at the hotel and are having an argument in the living room.Vincent sighed heavily, sinking into the soft sofa in the living room. His predictions from this morning proved to be true in the evening, as Victor's cheerful mood turned into fiery anger."How was I supposed to know what Gale Hayes looks like? You drop me out of colleagues before the lecture about him. Talking about it... you should have known him! You just want me to take the blame; not cool and not fair." Vincent retorted, refusing to accept the blame.He stood up, wanting to have dinner and rest his head. "Uh-oh, where are you going?! I haven't finished talking!" Victor pointed, not allowing him to leave."I need to go to the bathroom! My stomach hurts; tired of being scolded by you all the time!" complained Vincent, with an equally annoyed expression.The
"Dad!" Hazel called out to Lucas Walsh.With a bit of running, she searched for her Dad. He was drinking alone behind the kitchen island, where he could observe their interaction earlier.The man knew why his daughter was looking for him, but he remained unmoved."Don't make a scene here; appreciate the host and the event. Dad never taught you to act like a child," the Dad coldly threatened.Her usually warm and embracing Dad suddenly behaved so differently, with no warmth in his tone. Hazel felt like she had encountered a different Lucas Walsh."But what you did was really outrageous, Dad." Hazel still wanted to voice her protest. Tears of frustration had welled up in her eyes.All this time, she had been a good and obedient child to Dad and Mom, but they never seemed to appreciate her feelings and controlled every aspect of her life. Hazel felt like a bird in a gilded cage – beautiful but unable to fly freely."Do you even know anything? You still don't understand anything, Hazel. L
"I'm leaving," Mr Lucas bid farewell to his wife as he stood in the hallway.Miriam paid no attention, continuing her breakfast as if her husband were an invisible creature.Mr Lucas swallowed hard. Since last night's quarrel, Miriam had been silent, even sleeping in a separate room.This morning, after his shower, he couldn't find his usual clothes neatly prepared by his wife in their walk-in closet.He had to prepare them himself, struggling with tying his own tie, realizing he had been dependent on his wife for 25 years. He examined himself in the mirror several times, feeling something was off but not knowing where.Hazel sprayed her tea, seeing her Dad's appearance—blue pants with a black jacket? Then a yellow tie and orange socks? 'Is Dad planning to perform in the circus?' Hazel thought, suppressing a laugh.Fortunately, she quickly realized her mom's indifferent attitude and understood that her parents were on cold war terms.The morning atmosphere became truly awkward. For th
Lucas Walsh sat in the meeting room chair two hours after Mr Gede had left the room, and he still hadn't moved.There was a long, weary sigh from Lucas as he toyed with the whiskey glass that his secretary had brought earlier. The whiskey bottle that was once full beside him was now empty.He was contemplating the actions he would take to cover the significant loss after Mr Gede's departure. He had no backup entrepreneur because he was so certain their collaboration would go through.Time was running out, as the Aurora Skyline Hotel, their buyer, had booked their items six months ago. The opening ceremony for the 50-story luxury hotel in Eagertown was just two months away, and they had ordered high-quality furniture for each of their interiors.With the theme "Earth," Aurora Skyline chose wooden-based furniture with a luxurious and classically artistic impression. Each piece of furniture would have detailed philosophical life-inspired carvings.Lucas had envisioned the moment when his
The sound of the ambulance cut through the busy traffic in Eagertown. Inside, it carried Mr Lucas, still unconscious and being attended to by paramedics.Miriam and Hazel, contacted by Mr Lucas's secretary, quickly followed from home to Seraphim Hospital, where the ambulance would take Mr Lucas. The mother and daughter held hands, providing support for each other."Oh, Hazel, what if anything bad happens? I don't want him to leave knowing I'm still angry," Miriam murmured anxiously, worry evident on her face.Hazel patted her mom's hand, saying, "Hopefully, it's nothing serious, Mom. Maybe Dad just fainted," trying to reassure Miriam.Yet, in her heart, Hazel was also uncertain, considering her father's history of heart problems."I don't know... I feel like my anger since last night means nothing compared to his condition now. He hasn't even had breakfast because of me; maybe that's what weakened his body," Miriam confessed.Tears streamed down Miriam's face again. With a handkerchie
"You don’t know anything about parents think. Therefore, be silent, don't interfere," Arthur commanded Glenn.He turned away from his chair this time, not wanting to see either his son or Hazel. His gaze wandered towards the cityscape visible from his office on the highest floor.There was an anomaly he couldn't understand – why Lucas harbored such hatred towards Glenn. For him, refusing an arranged marriage was a common thing among businessmen, and at that point, there was no agreement from his side whatsoever.'What makes him so angry? As if Glenn has committed such a fatal mistake?'And even Glenn has proven himself in front of him. I don't mind if he dislikes Glenn and rejects him, but to imprison him... That is another matter; my dignity has been trampled upon, as well as my son.''If he did it to ordinary people, maybe it could still be understood, but this is me... Ah, there's one thing I can't shake off from my itchy back.'Arthur was so absorbed in his thoughts that the two y