The official meeting of the cooperation was held today. Bringing the whole crew, Diego went to the Daicom Corporation quite early.
They discussed the concerning issues in the best room. Diego was quite confident. The cooperation was mainly about the opening of the new resort. The Barnett Group was pretty good in this area. He knew the cooperation would work. He just didn’t expect Linford to be more shrewd and capable than he thought. During the whole meeting, Diego felt oppressed. At the end of the session, he almost felt exhausted.
“Mr. Barnett, I think we can call it a day. We can discuss the details when you guys come up with the plan,” Linford seemed bored, cutting Barnett’s manager off.
Diego was quite unhappy about it, but he hid his mood quite well, “No problem, Mr. Bradley. We can surely end the meeting if you’re tired. Actually, I always want to ask you out for skiing. Do you have time this weekend?”
Linford liked skiing. Diego had done his research before this meeting.
To Diego’s surprise, Linford nodded, “Skiing sounds great. I’m not busy this weekend.”
Diego felt a bit relieved, “Cool. See you then.”
Linford nodded almost lazily. Diego didn’t dare to hover. Taking his staff, he left the meeting room soon.
Alfred went back immediately as he noticed Diego had left. He was quite puzzled.
What happened to Mr. Bradley exactly? Why was he extremely intimidating today?
Going back to his office, Linford didn’t sit down immediately. He took the cup of coffee from his table and went to the floor-to-ceiling window, which encompassed the prime view of the city.
Meanwhile, Cristelle was on her way to the factory. The design was completed by her and Fritzi together. Mass production was the factory’s job.
This was the newest edition of Daicom . They couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. Fritzi thus sent Cristelle to do the job. This was also her responsibility as the assistant.
“Cristelle!” Someone called her back when she got out of the office. Cristelle froze on the spot. Her heart pounded violently. She knew the voice.
She could feel that a man was approaching her from behind. Cristelle knew she shouldn’t show any fear. So she turned around rigidly, having a stern look on her face. Her voice was cold and impatient, “Sorry, sir. But I think you take me as the wrong person.”
Diego grabbed her hand before she could turn away, “Cristelle, listen…”
Cristelle pulled away, “Please don’t be like this. I don’t have anything to do with you anymore. We shouldn’t see each other again.”
This man was the only one she had ever loved. But all her love had disappeared that night five years ago.
“Cristelle, I’m so sorry. I… I didn’t mean to hurt you. How have you been lately? Are you well?” Diego’s eyes turned red-rimmed the minute he saw Cristelle. His tone was gentle and careful. He acted just like the young man five years ago.
Linford had witnessed everything from a distance, but nevertheless, he felt repulsed by just looking at Diego’s face.
What the heck was this?
“Alfred, keep an eye on these two, especially Diego. I need you to figure out all his connections immediately. I need to know if he had any business with our company five years ago.”
His lost memories must have something to do with these two people.
Alfred was a bit confused but could only follow his boss, “Yes, sir.”
****
Cristelle left the factory in a daze. After finishing her job, it was already time off. She didn’t hurry back immediately. Tired and worn out, she walked down the street.
Thinking about how Diego looked, she realized he hadn’t changed much during the last five years. All her love for him had disappeared. The only sentiment she held against him was hatred. She didn’t want to have anything to do with that guy anymore. She only wanted to spend the rest of her life with her babies.
But this was only her thought. Someone else clearly had different ideas. Before she could cross the road, however, she was stopped by a fancy car.
Mrs. Barnett rolled down the window, barely hiding the contempt in her eyes, “Cristelle, get in the car. I have something to discuss with you.”
Cristelle ignored her and walked away. Mrs. Barnett’s voice was cold and clear behind her back, “If you refuse to talk to me right now, I’ll go to your company tomorrow.”
Cristelle stopped. She’d like to see what this vicious old woman would say to her.
After Cristelle got in the car, Mrs. Barnett asked the driver to drive, pulling the car out of a fancy restaurant. Mrs. Barnett ordered the most expensive dishes. She looked at Cristelle as if she were some insect, “I only have one purpose for seeing you today. I wish you could leave your company and disappear from this city. I don’t want to see your face anymore.”
Cristelle only thought this was hilariously ridiculous, “Mrs. Barnett, I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m not an employee of your company. Therefore, you have no right to tell me what to do.”
She still remembered that night five years ago. This woman’s vicious face had been imprinted in her memory. She couldn’t hide the boiling anger anymore.
Mrs. Barnett was enjoying her dish, unbothered, “This is the best for you. If you don’t listen, you’ll pay. Our power in this city is beyond your imagination, girl.”
Cristelle sighed, her eyes looking into the distance, “Your power? Do you still remember how your family accomplished all this so-called power? If my family didn’t support your family, you would be nothing. Mrs. Barnett, do you still remember you were just an ass-kisser before my mom? What you got is a result of you betraying my mom and dad. No matter what brand you shrouded yourself with, you can’t change what you have done.”
Mrs. Barnett had never heard anything like this after her house made it to the upper class. She went furious, all her elegant bearing evaporating, “Stop pretending that you’re some kind of lady, whore! Who do you think you are? Who do you think your mom is? Do you still think she’s so noble and untouchable? She was being violated for a long time and committed suicide after suffering from humiliation. And your father, he is still in jail. If you don’t behave, I’ll fucking kill you!”