Sharp Corporation and Williams Corporation had fought over the same person. Second Young Master Sharp and Eldest Young Master Williams stood in front of Elena at the same time. Two men and one woman, but that woman was freckled-face and extremely ugly too. The image of them together was uncanny, so everyone held their breath for the suspense.
Everyone on the podium was stunned, and that included Elena. The members of September Studio were utterly dumbfounded, and the other studios were also surprised. All of them expected Williams Corporation to pick another team after Sharp Corporation made their choice, but the result was totally out of their expectation. None of them anticipated that both Sharp Corporation and Williams Corporation would select September Studio.
Even though Second Young Master Sharp and Eldest Young Master Williams did not have a close relationship in public, the Sharp family and the Williams family were both prominent families in Bentson. Their families were involved in global businesses. An animation company would have little impact on the overall turnover of their family business corporations. However, they had fought over a small and unsung comic studio. It was simply unreasonable!
Nina gritted her teeth so hard that she almost crushed her teeth! She did not expect to work with Sharp Corporation, but how could her big brother play favoritism at work for the sake of his fiancée? Was the news about how Eldest Young Master Williams liked Second Young Miss Garcia and disliked his fiancée, Third Young Miss Garcia, merely a rumor? Why would he openly fight for that ugly girl? Nina was related to the Williams family. Who was Elena? She was a nobody who would soon be abandoned. Was it worth it for him to do so?
Flora did not know about the relationship between Elena and Michael. She was so furious that she almost vomited blood and died when she saw the two extremely handsome guys openly fight over Elena’s team. If she had known about that earlier, she would have done something to that damn woman! That woman was cunning with her moves! Aryan had pretended to leave the group, so she put all of her attention on Nina. She ended with a broken leg and an upset Nina. What a terrible loss! Elena, the insidious and cunning woman! She should have died!
Elena knew that everyone, the audiences in the arena and those who watched the live broadcast, had the same question in their head-why did Elena not go and die?
She felt helpless. Who would have thought that Eldest Young Master Williams would do something like that? Layla and Lois held hands anxiously; their grips were so tight that they almost shattered each other’s hands. They were nervous because they did not expect their team would be so sought after. They were also torn between the two choices; to choose one over the other would mean upsetting one party! It was a tough choice.
Henry looked at Michael as his lips curled into a smile.
“Eldest Young Master Williams, why the sudden move to venture into animation?”
“Well, since Sharp Corporation is going to do it, that shows that the industry must have a great prospect in Bentson in the near future.” Michael’s cold eyes did not show any emotion, and his explanation sounded like a business talk.
“Williams Corporation has always been happy and eager to venture into a business that holds great future prospective and potential, and we will definitely do it better than others.” He looked at Elena unwaveringly.
“We sincerely want to join forces with September studio. What do you think, Miss Garcia?”
He said that as long as he did it, he would do better than others! Williams Corporation would definitely invest heavily in the project. It was a far-fetching dream for everyone. Work with him! Work with him! Work with him! Layla, Lois, Caleb, and Rufus were extremely nervous! If they were to go with Eldest Young Master Williams, then their future would be bright!
However, Elena wanted to consider further about both choices. She looked at Henry first. “Since the choice is my hand, may I ask some questions?”
Henry waved his hand, a signal for her to do as she wished. Elena asked earnestly, “Second Young Master Sharp, under what circumstances did you decide to invest in an animation company?”
Henry thought for a while before he said, “In the beginning, it was to get close to a girl.”
There was an uproar among the audience. Which girl was so lucky to deserve such an effort from Second Young Master Sharp? Elena said nothing, but her eyes flashed. Did he join the judges’ panel and became the co-organizer of the event to get closer to her intentionally?
Henry continued, “Then, I assigned my assistant to study the market and found that there are apparent signs of a healthy rise in the animation industry within the country.
“I believe that this industry will definitely have great prospects and development in the next two years.”
Elena nodded and then looked at Michael. “What about Eldest Young Master Williams? Under what circumstances did you decide to venture into animation?”
Michael refused to answer her. The luster in Elena’s eyes dimmed instantly.
She asked calmly, “I heard that it was because a girl had wanted to work in animation, so Eldest Young Master Williams decided to allocate funds for her. Is that true?”
It was all because of a girl. There seemed to be no difference between Second Young Master Sharp and Eldest Young Master Williams. It made no difference to the others, but it mattered to Elena.
Michael pursed his lips tightly as his eyes locked onto her face. She had always been so stubborn. She was not willing to bow to him even when they were in public.
He replied casually, “No matter my reasons, if I’ve decided to do it, I would definitely be the best in Bentson. As long as you…”
“So, what I heard was true?”
She did not know why she had her hopes up. He had set up the animation company for Ava, and yet he wanted to invite her to work with him. As long as Ava was in the company, would Elena and her team do well in it? She would rather pick a company that she could put all her effort and work wholeheartedly than a company where she would have to fight for survival under some treacherous schemes.
She smiled at Michael, and then turned to Henry and held out her hand. “Second Young Master Sharp, I hope that we will be able to work well in the future!”
Henry reached out and shook her hand. “My pleasure!”
Everyone was quiet in the auditorium. None of them dared to speak, and they were careful not to breathe too loudly as well. What had just happened? It was unbelievable; Eldest Young Master Williams had been rebuffed on the spot! That might have been the first time that Eldest Young Master Williams was rejected in his entire life! It happened in front of so many people and over live broadcast too.
None videographers dared to point their cameras at Eldest Young Master Williams. None of them wanted to die! None of them wanted their companies to bankrupt the very next day either! None of them wished to destroy their lives in Bentson! He was Eldest Young Master Williams! Who would dare to mock him? Who would not give him respect?
Elena withdrew her hand. Then she looked up and smiled at Michael.
“Thank you, Eldest Young Master Williams, for your recognition, but the visions of our studio and your animation company might be too different for a collaboration.”
“Very well.” Such a proud man like Michael accepted her explanation with an open heart.
Even Elena was taken aback. She tried to think of ways to lessen the embarrassment for Eldest Young Master Williams. However, it seemed like she had underestimated Michael. He needed no help to step down gracefully. If there were something that he wanted to do, he would have his own way to do it.
“I will let you decide on your work matters. As for our private lives, I will talk to you later in the evening at home, behind closed doors.”