This remark was not exactly kind. Shamar gave an awkward, gentlemanly smile. “Callie is kind enough to be my companion.”
Marilyn glanced at Callie with an unreadable expression. “And I’m not? The old man has been waiting for you for a long time.”
At this, Shamar quickly stepped forward. “How could I let Uncle wait for me? Let’s go in quickly.”
Marilyn and Callie exchanged a look and replied, “Let’s go.”
As they entered the private room, the women walked behind. Marilyn lowered her voice, “Was it you who had Jaquan divert that billion dollars?”
Callie frowned, unable to deny it. “Sort of.”
Marilyn gave her a strange look, seemingly incredulous. “I can’t stand seeing him get into trouble. Keep him out of it.”
Callie was equally puzzled. “Miss Ellison is just as kind to those she doesn’t love.”
She suddenly understood why Jaquan had been infatuated with Marilyn for so many years; it must have involved some degree of playing hard to get.
Marilyn let out a meaningful, cold chuckle.
Her father Ahmad had a meeting today at the Kenker Hotel. Shamar had found this opportunity at the last minute and only had twenty minutes to talk.
Marilyn pushed the door open, her voice sweet. “Father, Shamar is here.”
Callie followed behind Shamar, raising her head in the dim light to look through the crowd towards the main seat. There sat a dignified and composed middle-aged man. Though he appeared aged, his demeanor alone spoke of extensive experience.
A smile played on his lips, but his eyes were scrutinizing, a mix of kindness and shrewdness.
Ahmad glanced at Shamar briefly before his gaze fell on Callie behind him, his expression darkening.
Callie felt a jolt, frowning slightly. She was sure she had never met Ahmad before, yet he seemed oddly familiar as if she had seen him somewhere.
“Uncle, this is a small token of my appreciation. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” Shamar had already stepped forward to exchange pleasantries; he was always adept at social interactions.
Ahmad made some polite remarks to him but spent most of the time speaking softly to his daughter beside him, showing his deep affection for Marilyn.
“I know you, Nelson’s cousin. You look quite young.”
“Yes, I just graduated this year.”
“Marilyn told me you wanted to discuss a project?”
Shamar signaled Callie to hand over the documents. “This is one of the projects we’ve been tracking recently. It has great potential, and due diligence has been completed. In the unmanned supermarket sector, it will definitely be a leader.”
Ahmad flipped through the documents, pausing suddenly with his index finger on a page. “There’s a recent high-profile acquisition case with this name as well. Callie?”
Callie, who had been listening quietly, immediately looked up and forced a smile at Ahmad. “I am Callie, Mr. Ellison.”
She couldn’t very well admit that she was the one who had botched the project.
He squinted at her under the light, scrutinizing her. “Quite capable.”
She smiled politely. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“To make Scott Group lose a billion dollars, you must have some means.”
Callie’s smile froze. It seemed that everyone in Ylosea’s upper circles knew she had messed up a major project and caused Jaquan to lose a billion dollars.
Marilyn laughed out loud. “Father, I’ve researched Shamar’s project. They’ve recently developed a new technology that could capture ninety percent of the market share if successful. I think it’s worth investing in.”
Ahmad closed the documents and tossed them lightly on the table with an imposing air. “If it’s not a sure thing, don’t bring it to me. You can leave now.”