“Sir, if you take a closer look, our company’s sales graph is steadily rising and stabilizing over time. I’m optimistic that within less than a year, everything could bounce back to the way it was before or even surge higher than it is now.”
Darwin appeared to be attentively listening as the project manager and a few expert staff members presented their work results one by one in today’s important meeting. All of them provided positive reports that made Darwin feel increasingly satisfied.
In reality, the Infinix Group has been in a stable and normal state since Damian Ashborne extended a helping hand to Magnus. However, Darwin wants his father’s company to continue progressing and ideally experience rapid growth.
This is in order to swiftly repay all the money and assistance Damian provided, so the Infinix Group wouldn’t be considered indebted. That way, he could end his marriage with Veronica as soon as possible without any burden.
“Well then, keep pushing for further development. Don’t forget to conduct evaluations every week. It’s also crucial to come up with innovative breakthroughs so that the products we export overseas are warmly received by consumers or major investors.”
After dissecting and discussing all the important matters and future work agendas, Darwin finally concluded the meeting. Stepping out, he intended to return to his office.
Just as he exited the elevator, he spotted Kennedy sitting in front of his office from a distance. Approaching her, Darwin then greeted his cousin who seemed busy with her phone.
“Ken.”
The narrow-eyed man in a gray suit today raised his head. Seeing the person he was waiting for right in front of him, Kennedy decided to get up and return the greeting.
“Is your meeting done?”
Darwin nodded.
“Yes, it is. Have you been here for a while?”
This time, Kennedy shook her head.
“Not really. I got here about 10 minutes ago.”
“Alright then. So, shall we have lunch together?” Darwin asked, turning around and getting ready to walk towards his office.
“Sure thing. I’ve been waiting here for a while. Plus, I’m getting hungry.”
Darwin smiled. He then spoke while walking.
“In that case, wait here for a moment. I’ll put away these documents first.”
After he finished putting away all the documents he was holding, Darwin led Kennedy to his car. The two of them then headed to a Japanese restaurant in the city center for lunch.
Upon arrival, as usual after ordering their food, they spent time discussing both personal matters and work. Their lunch today was somewhat lacking since Randy couldn’t join due to being on an out-of-town assignment.
“Tomorrow’s your birthday, right?” Kennedy asked as he took a bite of sushi from her plate.
Darwin nodded. He, who was also eating at the moment, responded to his cousin’s question.
“Yes, that’s right. Why? Planning to give me a gift?”
“What kind of gift do you want? I’ll give you one. Just don’t ask for an island.”
“Come on, don’t be so flashy, Ken.”
“Well, I’m serious. So, are you celebrating it? If you are, I’ll let Luna know so she can come too.”
Darwin chuckled. While enjoying his lunch, he shook his head. After all, he felt he was too old to celebrate birthdays in various ways.
“Nah, not really. I really don’t feel like making a big deal out of it. Probably just going out for dinner.”
“With Veronica?”
“Yeah, with Vivian,” Darwin retorted, seemingly irritated when his cousin mentioned his wife’s name.
Kennedy shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom why Darwin, up until now, hadn’t learned to open his heart to his wife.
However, as Randy had mentioned before, Veronica was nearly perfect. Apart from being wealthy, she was incredibly beautiful. Not to mention intelligent and independent. So, what more was there to consider?
“How long are you going to keep this up, Win?” Kennedy asked straightforwardly. “Honestly, compared to Vivian, I think Veronica is better. Her aura even feels so positive.”
“That’s just your feeling,” Darwin quickly retorted, not accepting that his girlfriend was being belittled by someone else. “I admit, physically, Veronica is far more attractive. But, what I’m looking for is comfort. And I’m very comfortable with Vivian.”
Kennedy nodded. He didn’t deny that. In maintaining a relationship, if you want it to last long or endure, there must be comfort, compatibility, and mutual ownership.
“The problem is, you’ve never tried, right?” Kennedy guessed without hesitation. “Look at my case and Luna’s. Back then, I was very comfortable with Viola. If we didn’t feel comfortable, how could we have maintained our relationship for years? But after meeting Luna and trying to adapt, I eventually felt comfortable and still do now. What does that mean? You can find comfort as long as you have the intention and determination. If you haven’t tried but already underestimate it, how can the relationship progress?”
Kennedy talked at length, making a strong effort to continuously provide advice and insight so that Darwin wouldn’t keep making the same mistakes. Kennedy thought it was also unfortunate for Veronica to be betrayed like this. Because in any case, Darwin had no right to mistreat his wife like he was doing.
“Alright, Ken. Enough with the lecture. It’s really tiring how every time I see you, you’re always defending Veronica.”
“I’m not defending her,” Kennedy retorted. “I’m just saying it as it is. If it’s wrong, then it’s wrong. If it’s right, I’ll definitely support you, Win.”
Darwin sighed. Making sure the food on the table had been finished, he then called the waitress over to pay the bill. After that, the two of them quickly got ready to head back to the office.
However, as they passed by one of the tables, Darwin’s eyes caught sight of Veronica, who was also there. Initially, he intended to act indifferent and pretend not to see her.
Unfortunately, Kennedy wasn’t on the same page. His cousin, without any hesitation, called out, confidently addressing Veronica by name.
“Veronica.”
Hearing her name being called, Veronica reflexively turned. From the look in her eyes, she seemed surprised to find her husband and cousin were in the same place as her.
“Darwin.”
Instead of responding to Kennedy’s greeting, Veronica called out her husband’s name. She and Darwin exchanged a brief glance until Kennedy, who cleared her throat again, spoke up.
“Have you been here for a while?”
Veronica snapped back to reality and turned towards Kennedy.
“Y-yes. Uh, no. I just got here.”
Kennedy nodded.
“Just the two of you?” the narrow-eyed man asked, pointing towards the colleague seated across from Veronica.
“Yeah, just the two of us. By the way, let me introduce him. He’s a coworker of mine.”
Kennedy smiled warmly. The man politely extended his hand towards the one sitting in front of Veronica.
“Kennedy Walters.”
“Sean Galael. Nice to meet you, Mr. Kennedy.”
“Likewise.”
“Have Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Darwin had lunch? Or maybe we could have lunch together?” Sean suggested in a friendly manner, trying to establish a rapport with the two men in front of him.
Kennedy shook his head. Politely, he declined the offer Sean had just made. After all, he was in a hurry.
“No, thank you, Mr. Sean. Darwin and I just finished lunch.”
While Kennedy engaged in conversation with Sean, Darwin, who was also present, seemed to remain silent for a while. Observing briefly, he eventually addressed Veronica, intending to say his goodbyes.
“Just go ahead and have lunch with your friends. Kennedy and I are heading back now because I have another meeting to attend after this.”
Veronica nodded, allowing Darwin to leave.
“Yeah, in that case, take care. See you tonight at home,” Veronica replied warmly. This was how they acted outside their home-trying to appear affectionate like a typical married couple in front of others.
Leaving Veronica and her colleague behind, Darwin and Kennedy both headed towards the car. As the vehicle started moving, Kennedy immediately struck up a conversation.
“Do you know the guy who was with your wife earlier?” Kennedy asked curiously.
Focusing on driving, Darwin shrugged his shoulders.
“To be honest, I don’t really know him. As far as I know, he’s an expert brought in from abroad.”
“That makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” Darwin inquired, now curious.
“From his appearance, he looks smart and authoritative. Plus, he’s good-looking. Even I, as a guy, admit he’s good-looking,” Kennedy said nonchalantly. He was expressing what he felt. Besides, visually speaking, Sean indeed had a face that couldn’t be ignored.
“Aren’t you jealous seeing your wife with a handsome guy? Aren’t you afraid Veronica might be interested?” Kennedy asked.
Darwin chuckled. While driving, Kennedy could clearly see how his cousin repeatedly shook his head.
“Oh my, Ken. Am I jealous of Veronica? I didn’t mishear that, right?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Why would I be jealous? If Veronica wants to hang out with a guy or her boyfriend, I don’t care, Ken. It’s up to her.”
“Sure about that?”
Darwin nodded. “100% sure.”
“Just don’t regret it later, Win. Beware that one day I might hear you complaining or talking continuously about Veronica.”
Darwin chuckled even more. Turning to Kennedy, he replied confidently.
“That’s not going to happen. You can hold me to my word.”
***