Chapter 492: Leave If You’re Here To Show Off
"Mr. Lucas is over there. Shall I tell him you are here?" asked the construction worker.
"It is fine. You can get back to work. Just pretend you did not see us," said Michael.
The construction worker nodded before he turned to leave. Michael and Christian were arch enemies and it was public knowledge. The construction worker had no intention of lingering either. He did not want to get implicated should they get into a fight. This likelihood had only just dawned on the construction worker.
He was so shocked when he saw Michael and Wendy in person that his mind went blank. Otherwise, he would not have dared to bring Michael to Christian’s territory. It would be best to make himself scarce now.
Michael seemed to be thinking the same thing. He told the construction worker who was walking away, "If you end up losing your job, you can call MC Enterprise and ask for Mr. York."
Michael would give the construction worker a job if Christian decided to punish him.
After all, the construction worker had shown them the way out of goodwill.
The construction worker was caught by surprise when he heard the offer. By the time he turned to thank him, Michael and Wendy had already turned and walked away.
Michael did not look for Christian right away. Instead, he held Wendy’s hand as they found a nice spot to sit and watch Christian work.
Although Christian was wearing a hardhat, sweat could be seen seeping through hiss clothing. Christian’s assistant was next to him. The moment he handed Christian some water, Christian finished it in a single gulp.
Before long, someone went over to Christian and said something to him.
Christian turned his head, his gaze resting on Wendy and Michael. Christian was completely stunned the moment he saw them. He had not seen them in a long while.
Ever since HG Enterprise collapsed, Christian had been busy working. He did not have time to keep an eye on the situation in Rheinsville City. In actual fact, he did not have the time or energy to pay attention to do so. He only knew about Michael going to Rheinsville City, but he did not know Michael was back in town.
When Christian saw that the couple’s hands were tightly intertwined, he clearly looked a little annoyed.
Michael smiled as he waved at Christian and greeted him happily. Christian handed the blueprint in his hand to his assistant and dried his sweat before heading towards Michael and Wendy.
"My dear brother, so much has changed ever since I last saw you. Are you so hard up these days that you have to work as a construction site supervisor?" Michael mocked. "Just look at your face. It’s already gotten a few shades darker."
Michael then scrutinized Christian before walking up to him with a smile on his face.
"My dear brother, you seem to be in good shape. I recall you were in the news for your explosive temper, being harsh with your employees, and firing people for no reason recently," Christian said as he glanced at Wendy. There was a wave of conflicting emotions surging through him, but he did his utmost to conceal them.
"From the looks of it, you have my sister-in-law to thank for this improvement."
The moment he finished his sentence, Christian laughed gently as he slapped his forehead. "No, correction. Since you two are no longer married, she’s not my sister-in-law. I suggest you keep an eye on her. Now that your marriage is history, many are queuing up to steal her away."
Michael deliberately held Wendy’s hand tightly and waved it in front of Christian the moment he heard this. "Don’t worry. I will be sure to hold on tightly to her so that no one else can have the chance to snatch her away."
...
Michael kept an eye on Christian’s face. Even though Christian was very good at concealing his emotions, Michael detected a slight change in Christian’s mood.
Christian was clenching his fists. He was clearly surprised to see Michael.
But he knew why Michael was here. What else could he be doing here with Wendy?
He was simply here to mock and agitate him.
Although Christian had won the bidding, HG Enterprise was no more and he had used the last of its funds to proceed with the construction as required by the project.
Christian checked the time and saw that it was past 11:00 am.
"Since you have come all the way here to visit me, I should buy you lunch," said Christian.
He told his assistant, "Reserve a table at a good restaurant."
Michael did not reject Christian’s offer. Since the construction site was a public place, and people were around, it was not the right place to speak to Christian.
After arriving at the restaurant, the waiter led them into a private room.
Christian handed the menu to Wendy. "Ladies first." Wendy did not stand on ceremony. She thanked him and proceeded to place her orders.
After they were done with their orders, the waiter left the private room. Soon, the food was served. Christian smiled as he said, "It’s hard to find a decent restaurant in this part of town, so I hope this place isn’t too shabby for you and Ms. Steward."
Christian intentionally addressed Wendy by her maiden name. The last thing he wanted was for Wendy to become his sister-in-law.
"It’s perfectly fine," replied Michael as he smiled before he proceeded to serve Wendy food.
Christian stiffened when he saw Michael’s gestures. He averted his eyes and pretended he saw nothing.
"Is it good?" asked Michael gently as he reached out to help Wendy tuck a strand of loose hair behind her ear.
Christian inhaled deeply. His hand could not help trembling briefly.
"I’m sure it tastes great since you gave it to me," said Wendy sweetly. She sounded like she was in utter bliss.
Christian finally lost his cool and slammed the table hard before glancing at Michael coldly. "What are you doing here? Leave if you’re here to show off how loving the two of you are."
Christian thought he would be able to restrain himself, that’s why he suggested to have a meal with Michael and Wendy. He had wanted to make himself appear generous, to give them the impression that he was doing well. He did not expect them to take their public display of affection so far.
Christian knew they were deliberately trying to agitate him, but he was unable to suppress his anger.
"How could you say that? That’s not what we’re doing," said Michael smoothly.
"We’re like this all the time."
"You..." Christian was so annoyed that he did not know what to say.
Michael was in a good mood when he saw that Christian had been rendered speechless with fury.
Christian remembered that he used to often agitate Michael six years ago. Michael was then unable to compose himself. Each time Christian agitated him, he would blow up and pick a fight.
Now the tables were turned and it was Michael’s turn to agitate Christian.
"Enjoy the meal. Since I have work waiting for me, pardon me for not staying."
Christian felt he might gag if he continued eating with them.
Michael said calmly as Christian got up to leave, "My dear brother, what’s the hurry?
No matter how busy you are, you can’t skip your meals, right?"
...
Christian stopped in his tracks. Michael then said, "Did you really think we’re here to show you how loving we are? I’m here to talk about business. Why else would I go through the trouble and come all the way here?"
Since Christian did not budge, Michael walked up to him and pulled him back to his seat.
Michael pushed Christian’s shoulder and gestured for him to take a seat before he smiled and said, "I’ve heard about how busy you’ve been recently, so I was concerned about your health. I thought I could check on you and show some concern. After all, we’re brothers."
There was no way Christian would buy what Michael said about them being brothers.
However, Christian was not interested in playing along with Michael. He cut to the chase and said, "Why don’t you just get to the point and tell me why you’re here, and stop beating around the bush?"
"Just look at you. Since when did you become such an anxious one? If I recall, you didn’t use to be like this." Michael deliberately mocked Christian as he said, "I used to be anxious like this, and you know, no one likes it when you behave this way. Be it my friends or my subordinates, none of them liked me being so anxious. So you really should learn from my experience."
"Michael!" Christian stood up angrily and said harshly, "What do you want?"
"I’ve already told you. I’m here because I’m concerned about you," Michael smiled as he said. "Just look at you. You have lost so much weight since the last time I saw you. Come on. You really need to eat."
Michael served Christian some food as he spoke.
"Enough, Michael!" Christian threw the bowl on the floor. The porcelain bowl was smashed into smithereens. "If you’re here to laugh at my expense, it’s not time yet.
We still don’t know who’s the winner!"
Wendy quietly sat where she was without saying a word. She knew that she was here to show just how loving she and Michael were to rile up Christian. She had done her job.
"Considering how far we’ve gone, I don’t see a need for us to be pretentious with each other. Since there are no outsiders around, why don’t you come clean and tell me what you’re doing here? If you have nothing else to say to me, I’m going back to work," said Christian as he gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his fury.
Michael watched as Christian held back his anger and knew he had succeeded in achieving what he wanted. Christian was downright infuriated.
Michael smiled as he said, "I’m here to ask if you need my help in any way. I know you’re short of money. I can’t speak for other things, but I definitely have money."
"Are you here to help me?" Christian looked at Michael and scoffed, "Are you here to give me money?"
Michael nodded without hesitation.
"What are the conditions?" Christian simply did not believe Michael would be kind enough to help him. Was Michael not to blame for Christian’s current state? It was impossible for them to exist together in peace.
"You will have to give me a 51% stake in the project," Michael said seriously. He was not kidding.
"Hahahaha!" Christian laughed loudly. It seemed as though he had just heard a joke.
"Michael, are you nuts? If I give you 51% stake in the project, wouldn’t it be as good as giving the entire project to you? I have put in so much time, effort and money. I was even prepared to sacrifice HG Enterprise to win this project. Do you think I would let you steal it so easily? Do you think I’m an idiot? Or are you a fool?"
