Darwin was aware that he had been very selective and had carefully thought through all the materials he would present today. Likewise, Rama had also assessed and even evaluated what he needed to convey and not convey in the presentation.
Realizing that he had mastered all the material, Darwin had never been this confident before. He even believed he could perform at his best and emerge as one of the successful candidates to win the Foxtail tender.
Especially during the Q&A session, he could easily handle all the questions directed at him. So, what else was lacking? Why did Darwin ultimately end up being sidelined like this?
Still seated, Darwin remained motionless. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, observing how Darius, who had just risen from his seat, threw mocking glances and a smirk. Perhaps at this moment, his father-in-law was feeling satisfied because he had successfully witnessed Darwin’s embarrassment for not being able to prove what he had said and promised earlier.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, understanding Darwin’s emotional state, immediately approached. She gently patted his shoulder and then asked him to get up.
“It’s okay, Win. Winning and losing in a competition is normal, right? Who knows, God might be preparing something much bigger than today’s failure.”
Darwin nodded, trying to be resilient and listen to Kennedy’s advice. Yes, even though the reality was very heavy, he couldn’t do anything more now. Foxtail had already delivered the final decision. And it was unlikely that a large company like theirs would make a mistake in evaluating the participants who had previously competed fiercely in the final selection.
“Win…” from another direction, Randy approached. His face was equally gloomy. He even felt bad for his cousin. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by what I said. You know I often joke around. I swear, what I said earlier was nothing more than a joke.”
Here’s the translation of the text into American English:
“Randy couldn’t help but feel guilty. Who would have thought that the jokes she made before the selection process would now become a reality? Even though it was her habit to often tease and joke around with her cousins. From this, she started thinking that she shouldn’t speak so carelessly in the future.
“Deep down inside, I really apologize,” the man said sincerely.
Darwin nodded again. There was no hint of anger on his face. After all, getting angry and upset would be futile. It wouldn’t change the fate that had already befallen him.
“Just forget about it. I’m not angry or offended by your words at all. Maybe, it’s just that my abilities are still below everyone who made it today.”
Kennedy shook her head. Once again, she approached, then patted Darwin on the shoulder. She tried to strengthen and provide support so that her cousin wouldn’t get lost or blame himself.
“No, Win. Your abilities don’t need to be doubted. You’re just as good, if not better than them.”
“Better?” Darwin squinted, then smiled wryly upon hearing Kennedy’s words. “If I’m really better, then why didn’t I make it like they did now? I was so sure I would be one of the candidates for the three selected companies. And now? It seems like I have to prepare to lose everything.”
Kennedy couldn’t say anything else. She knew very well the consequences Darwin would face after today’s failure. It wasn’t just losing Veronica but also the family business that had always been so highly regarded.
Furthermore, Kennedy was also worried. As someone who had once experienced having her name forcibly separated, she knew Darwin would feel lost. Kennedy was afraid that her cousin would sink into despair or even act outside of boundaries.
“Whatever happens to you after this, I just want to emphasize that you have a family, you have cousins who will always support you in anything positive. So, never feel alone. Remember, Win, we’re always here for you, whenever it may be.”
Darwin couldn’t hold back his emotions. At that moment, he instinctively rushed into Kennedy’s embrace. Randy also did the same. They tried to reassure Darwin so he wouldn’t continue to feel sad.
Feeling somewhat better, Darwin decided to leave the meeting room immediately. As he descended to the first floor, from a distance, he could see Sean, who was at that moment receiving congratulations and praises from various parties.
Intending to leave right away, Darwin’s steps were halted when someone from behind pulled his arm. Turning around, he found Veronica, who then asked him to follow her to the garden behind the Colosseum building.
“Veronica…” Darwin whispered with a facial expression that was difficult to interpret.
“It’s okay, Win. You don’t need to say anything,” Veronica said softly, as if she knew what her husband wanted to say to her.
Then, Veronica flashed a smile. Without saying anything more, she approached to bridge the distance between them. Then, without hesitation, she hugged Darwin tightly. For quite some time, as if forgetting the longing she had felt lately.”
Here’s the translation of the text into American English:
“Forgive me…” Darwin whispered once more, still holding Veronica. “I apologize for letting you down. I tried my best.”
Veronica nodded silently. She tightened her embrace and gently patted Darwin’s back.
“It’s okay. No matter what, you’ll always be the winner in my heart.”
Darwin was deeply moved, and tears welled up in his eyes without him even realizing it. His heart ached at the thought of having to face the consequences of parting ways with the woman he now loved so dearly.
He had never imagined it could hurt this much before. When he had parted ways with Vivian in the past to marry Veronica, he hadn’t even cried like he was doing now.
“For God’s sake, I can’t bear to part with you like this, Ve.”
Veronica continued to pat Darwin’s shoulder gently. After a while, she released the embrace, took his hand, and wiped away the tears on his cheeks.
“I don’t want to be apart from you either, Win. You stay calm. After this, I’ll talk to Papa to apologize and ask him to accept you back like before.”
Feeling that it was time to speak with Darwin, Veronica decided to leave. She didn’t want her father to start looking for her after being out of sight for too long.
Meanwhile, Darwin, still in sadness, didn’t know what to do. With heavy steps, he walked down the corridor, intending to leave.
When he reached the lobby of the building, he noticed Magnus’s presence. His father had apparently come directly to meet him.
“Pa…” Darwin greeted with a mournful expression.
“Papa already knows everything, Win,” Magnus replied softly, attempting to smile, though it was faint.
“Forgive me, Pa. Sorry, if Darwin disappointed you.”
Magnus nodded. He then smiled again and embraced Darwin while trying to console his eldest son so that he wouldn’t dissolve into sadness.
“It’s okay, Win. Maybe this is just how it was meant to be.”
“But, what about Infinix Group, Dad?” Darwin asked with concern. He knew that the company was his father’s pride all these years. The man had experienced ups and downs to build and expand Infinix Group into what it is today.
“Don’t worry about that,” Magnus replied. “Perhaps this is how God is asking Dad to start resting and enjoying old age more intensely with the extended family.”
“Dad…” Darwin murmured softly. His guilt was growing. He felt terrible because he had shattered the great expectations his father had placed on him.
“Dad’s okay, Win. Again, you don’t need to worry.”
Darwin then rushed into a hug. Once again, he was deeply moved by his father’s big-heartedness and his efforts to continue strengthening him.