It was late at night when a sudden downpour began, the raindrops hitting the glass windows with a loud clatter, like beans falling through a sieve.
The room was pitch black, and a faint creak echoed through the silence.
A slender figure moved towards the bed, but before she could get close, the room was suddenly flooded with light.
Gabriela shielded her eyes from the blinding light, thinking the Emperor had already fallen asleep.
But he hadn’t.
The man leaning against the bed cast a cold glance at the scantily clad woman. She wore only a semi-transparent gauzy nightgown, her alluring figure faintly visible and highly seductive.
Her soft skin glowed with a porcelain sheen under the light. As her eyes adjusted, she slowly lowered her hands and gazed at the Emperor with unabashed desire.
Biting her lower lip suggestively, she smiled, “Emperor…”
She reached out to touch his firm chest, muscles that could make any woman scream.
“Bang!” A loud noise erupted.
She was kicked away by a long leg hidden under the thin blanket, crashing hard into the door.
She winced in pain, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. “You… you…”
“Get out,” the Emperor said coldly, turning off the light again.
Gabriela gritted her teeth in anger but had no choice. She painfully got up from the floor and stumbled out of the room.
Damn it!
Her charm had failed.
The Emperor remained seated on the bed, his cold gaze drifting towards the window. He watched the night rain outside as a bolt of lightning illuminated the dark room.
But his heart remained shrouded in darkness.
At Aettosa’s Presidential Palace, a woman in a professional suit, her curvaceous figure elegantly wrapped, stepped out of the elevator with two assistants, her high heels clicking gracefully on the floor.
Her wavy long hair cascaded down her back, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.
Lara raised her chin slightly and spoke arrogantly to the receptionist, “Is today’s meeting chaired by Mr. Maskelyne or Isaac?”
“Lara, the meeting agenda was sent to your assistant. Didn’t you see it?” The receptionist replied with a forced smile.
“I want to hear it from you,” Lara said with a hint of displeasure, her carefully painted eyes showing a trace of discontent.
The receptionist quickly responded, “It’s chaired by Mr. Maskelyne. Isaac will also attend.”
With that, he led Lara and her entourage towards the conference room.
“This project is a joint effort between the Presidential Palace and our Fox family. Lara might become your lady boss in the future, understand?” One of Lara’s assistants said haughtily to the receptionist.
The receptionist was taken aback, wanting to say that Mr. Maskelyne already had a wife. What did this mean? And Isaac even had children…
But he dared not ask too many questions.
He led Lara to the conference room and quickly left.
No way he wanted to stay another minute with such a difficult lady.
The conference room was quiet, with many participants already seated.
Lara took her seat next to the meeting chair as Donald’s adopted daughter and the Fox family’s little princess. On her other side was Isaac.
Isaac gave her an elegant smile, “Lara, you look stunning today.”
“Thank you, Isaac,” Lara replied, flicking her wavy hair and glancing at him. “I heard you have a good relationship with Sylvia?”
Isaac was surprised by Lara’s direct mention of Sylvia. He found her somewhat tactless but didn’t show any displeasure. “Sylvia is my sister. Why do you ask?”
“I’m very interested in Sylvia. How about we all hang out sometime?” Lara raised an eyebrow.
In front of so many people, Isaac wouldn’t embarrass Lara. “Maybe another day.”
Clearly an excuse.
“I’m free tomorrow. How about then?” Lara pressed on, not giving Isaac any way out.
Isaac looked at her, thinking she was overly arrogant. Did she think having a powerful family background allowed her to do whatever she wanted?
He chuckled softly, “Unfortunately, I’m busy tomorrow.”
“You!” Lara’s face flushed with anger. Isaac was being too disrespectful.
Franklin always made things difficult for her; now Isaac too? Who did he think he was compared to Franklin?
But she couldn’t lose her temper. She forced a smile, “What a pity. Another time then.”
She thought anyone would be honored to be invited by her! It infuriated her.
As they exchanged words, Franklin entered with Jasper.
The man wore a black suit, one hand in his pocket, his tall figure striking. His handsome face was nearly flawless.
His appearance drew everyone’s attention immediately.
Isaac’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he looked at Franklin.
Franklin glanced around and took his seat at the head of the table. “Is everyone here?”
Jasper replied softly, “Yes, everyone is here.”
Lara gazed at Franklin dreamily. How could a man be so perfect?
She didn’t hear what he and Jasper were discussing.
Franklin ignored her and opened his folder. “Let’s begin the meeting. Today’s topic is…”
Halfway through the meeting, Franklin looked at Lara. “Lara, how is your preparation going? Please explain in detail.”
Her assistant nudged her awake. She quickly stood up.
Damn! What had Franklin just said?
Her assistant whispered to her briefly before she walked to the podium with her folder and USB drive to present the PPT.
Franklin’s eyes remained on the PPT without giving her any extra attention.
Lara felt uncomfortable. She was attractive and came from a good family. Why did Franklin disdain her?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She wanted to impress him even more.
After about five minutes, she finished her presentation.
The room erupted in applause.
She thought she had done an excellent job…
“Lara, I have three concerns,” Franklin began pointing out issues he noticed during her presentation.
He finished quickly, leaving Lara stunned.
The three questions were very tricky.
She felt lost for a moment before saying, “Mr. Maskelyne, I need to consult my father before answering.”
Franklin’s lips curled in mockery. “Such simple questions require consulting Mr. Fox?”
“Well…” Lara hesitated. She didn’t want Franklin to look down on her but didn’t know how to answer. Her assistant stepped forward and bowed slightly to Franklin. “Mr. Maskelyne, these questions indeed need time. How about we reply tomorrow?”
“Then what’s the point of today’s meeting? Just wasting everyone’s time? Everyone here knows how valuable our time is,” Franklin said lazily, tossing his pen aside and glancing at Lara’s flushed face.
Isaac chuckled softly to ease the tension. “Franklin, no need to be angry. It’s just a few questions; Lara can answer later. We have another meeting in a few days… The deadline is set for the end of the month by our father. No need to be so strict.”
This helped Lara out of a difficult situation.
Lara’s pride couldn’t believe Franklin would make things difficult for her.
She felt uncomfortable but didn’t want Franklin to look down on her or owe Isaac any favors.
Feeling a rush of heat in her head, she blurted out without thinking, “Regarding your profit question, Fox Group will give up another five percent; for raw materials, we’ll reduce by five percent; and shorten the construction period by ten percent.”
Her assistant was shocked. “Miss! That’s not possible! We must discuss this with Mr. Fox.”
“As the project leader, I make the decisions,” Lara glared at him and confidently threw the contract on the table. “Sign it.”
Franklin glanced at it and chuckled softly. “Hope you don’t regret this later. Cooperation is key to success. Don’t let Mr. Fox come crying about unfair terms.”
“Don’t worry; my daddy won’t!” Lara raised her chin proudly.
Her assistant almost cried from her impulsive decision-making. “Miss, impulsiveness is dangerous! Please don’t be impulsive.”
“Shut up,” Lara pushed him aside. “Don’t hinder me.”
Isaac thought Lara was foolish.
Rumors about how capable Miss Fox was in business were clearly exaggerated.
Other attendees were also shocked by Lara’s behavior today; she wasn’t usually like this.
Franklin signed his name on the contract and passed it to Isaac, who also signed it.
“Lara, your decision-making today is impressive.”
Lara smiled confidently. “Of course, as Fox family’s sole heir, my decisions represent my father’s.”