Chapter 493: Are You Here To Dig For Information?
"As you know, HG Enterprise has been buried as collateral damage," Michael sneered. "Therefore, you have even less of a choice, don’t you?"
"So, this is why you’re here today?" Christian wore a solemn expression on his face as he took a deep breath.
Looking carefully, one could see his fury as his gaze bore a tinge of agony.
"As I said, I’m here to help you." Michael was all smiles as his eyes scanned Christian from top to bottom.
He continued, expressing a slight sense of pity, "No matter what, you’re my younger brother. While others don’t know that you lack investment funds, how could I be ignorant of it?"
"Look at you. You’re even personally surveying the work right now. Would I still not realize it?
"This is precisely why you should do more for the sake of this project.
"It wouldn’t be nice to be asked to terminate your involvement because of a lack of funds just two months down the road, would it?
"By then, if I took over this project, you would have to forfeit a term’s worth of investments.
"Moreover, if you stop because of a lack of funds, you would be penalized for breach of contract.
"Not only would you lose the money you poured into this project, but you would also likely have to fork out a penalty fee.
"Can’t you see how I would hate to take advantage of my little brother?
"This is why I’m giving you a chance to work with me now.
"In this way, it would not only boost your reputation, it could also be said as a glorious partnership between the brothers of the Lucas family, right?"
"Shut it!" Christian bellowed as he could no longer hold back.
It was the first time Wendy had seen Christian lost his cool in this manner.
She could tell that Michael had pushed him into a corner.
Christian even had his fist raised in agitation.
Yet he could not touch a strand of Michael’s hair as Michael had anticipated his response and dodged easily.
Standing aside, Michael commented casually, "Oh, my baby brother, you’re somehow acting more and more like who I used to be.
"Putting aside how temperamental you’ve become, you’re even trying to use your fists instead of speaking in a civilized manner.
"Are you actually hoping that I call the police on you?"
Michael was obviously threatening Christian.
When DR Group first faced a crisis, he had gotten himself drunk and went into Wendy’s hospital ward in the middle of the night.
At that time, Michael had sent him straight into the public security bureau.
He had been detained for a month before he was released.
By then, Michael had snatched over most of the market share that once belonged to Christian.
If he were to land in the public security bureau once again because of assault, it would affect his reputation.
Although Christian would be given the benefit of the doubt because he was currently overseeing the project supported by the government, the same project acted as a double-edged sword as he had to be even more careful about his public image.
Michael had made a comment laden with intention.
He might enter the public security bureau with no major issues and be quickly released.
However, if the media caught wind of the reason for him to be brought in there, the assault would become a very public matter.
Christian had expanded great pains to have this project in his hands.
He could not spoil his public image in the mere heat of the moment.
He inhaled deeply and suppressed the rage that was rising from within.
His balled fists were so tightly clenched that his knuckles were white.
He was well aware that Michael had come to agitate him.
He had to make sure he did not do as Michael had wished.
"Stop trying to provoke me. I won’t fall for it," Christian responded, reining in his emotions.
"I know what you’re here for now, but it’s impossible that I collaborate with you on this project.
"Not just 50.1% of decision-making authority, even if you asked for just 1% of decision-making power, I will not agree to it.
"As for whether the project will be terminated in two to three months, you can wait and see.
"If you’d like to take over my project, you’d need to have that kind of ability in the irst place.
Still, I suggest that you forget about it. It’s most likely false hope.
...
"I’m quite curious, though, where is all this bravado coming from?" Michael probed intentionally. "HG Enterprise has fallen, and DR Group is on borrowed time. Neither company can support the amount of funds you need to keep this project running.
"Pray tell me, where is your money coming from?"
"Oh my, big brother, are you here to squeeze me for information?" Christian sneered. "You shouldn’t be that dumb to come straight to me and dig information.
"Don’t tell me, you’ve prepared an audio recorder of sorts when you came?"
"There’s no need for me to go that far. I’m simply curious," Michael responded.
"Ms. Stewart," instead of responding to Michael, Christian turned to Wendy, "you seem rather quiet today..."
"I..." Wendy did not expect the attention to be on herself at this point.
She quickly put down her fork, before calmly smiling as she said, "I was so engrossed in your conversation I really had nothing much to add."
"In fact, I wanted to compliment you, Ms. Stewart. I really did not expect that a pawn I selected five years ago would work against me." Christian’s tone turned icy.
"The way Ms. Stewart took down HG Enterprise has filled me with admiration.
"It took you a mere two to three months to bankrupt an international clothing brand.
"Each step that you took was so intricately calculated!"
"You’re flattering me, Mr. Lucas. All I did was replicate the very experience I had myself.
"After all, it never feels good to be treated as a pawn. Don’t you think?" Wendy spoke with cutting acidity.
She had not wanted to say much to Christian.
All she wanted to do was to be a mere instrument that day.
It seemed as though Michael understood Wendy’s thoughts well, so he announced before Christian, "She’s my wife. Of course, she’s admirable."
At this, Michael looked over at Wendy and gave her a flirty wink.
Christian was incensed by this and closed his eyes, holding himself back.
"Are you all going to eat or not? If not, please head off. I need to go back to work," Christian changed the topic, not wanting Michael to say more.
Suddenly, Michael leaned in to Christian, his voice hushed and much more serious than before, "Christian, that safe you’ve got, do hide it well just in case I get my hands on it..."
"You..." At the mention of the safe, Christian’s agitation left his body shaking.
Michael took a few steps back and reached his hand out towards Wendy.
Warmly, he said, "Since my little brother is not sincere about this meal, let’s not force it on him. Let’s go. I’ll bring you somewhere else for better food."
Wendy cooperatively rose from her seat and placed her hand in Michael’s.
An incensed Christian shook as he watched the loving couple took their leave.
Only when Wendy and Michael were out of sight had Christian allowed his rage to show.
In a flash, he swept the dishes laid on the table to the floor.
Wendy and Michael could hear the sound of the dishes and utensils that shattered noisily from the door of the private room in the restaurant.
Wendy laughed and looked up at Michael. "You’ve obviously riled Mr. Christian Lucasup quite a bit."
"Didn’t he use to provoke me like that too?" Michael tightened his grip on Wendy’s hand. "Now the tables have turned."
Cheerily, he asked, "You must still be hungry. Is there anything you’d like to have?"
"How about soup? I’ve not had Lake City’s special soup for a long while," Wendy suggested.
"Sure," Michael responded dotingly.
...
Upon hearing the commotion in the private room, the waiters hurried to check the situation.
At the sight of Christian standing alone by the table with eyes narrowed in rage as shattered smithereens of plates and food were scattered on the floor, the waitress shrieked.
"I’ll pay double for the damages. Now get out!" Christian glared at the waitress and spoke brusquely.
The waitress, too alarmed by the sight before her, instinctively left the room.
Now Christian was alone in the private room.
With both hands clenched tightly, he slammed them against the table.
Michael had come to rile him up on purpose.
It was clear as day to Christian that if he had flared up, he would have fallen right into Michael’s trap.
Yet, he was unable to keep his cool.
After pitting himself against Michael for so many years, was he ultimately doomed to failure?
Christian was unwilling to let that happen.
He was at the brink of a breakthrough in cleansing his records and could return to face the light of day with no shadows in his conscience.
But Michael was forcing him back underground.
He knew that Michael was right.
If in two months he did not find the means to support the operations of this project, he would be forced to halt all operations, and that would be the same as breaking the contract.
All his prior investments would have been poured into this project for nothing.
And if he lost his charge of this project, Michael would most likely take over it.
Throughout Lake City, MC Enterprise was second to none, and no one could take this from them.
Moreover, Yonina was now on Michael’s side.
Christian did not expect to have lost his hold over his painstakingly positioned pawns.
First, it was Wendy Stewart. Then it was Yonina Collins.
He had not expected both women to work together.
He could not understand how they could collaborate.
Wendy had personally witnessed Michael in bed with Yonina.
Even if nothing happened between them, could she really look past what she had seen?
Or had Michael turned the tides after going with the flow of that night’s plans?
At this possibility, Christian saw red.
Had he been walking straight into Michael’s trap since then?
"Mr. Lucas," Christian’s assistant called as he entered the room.
He had waited outside and seen Wendy and Michael leave. He knew that something big had likely happened.
He did not expect to be greeted by such a sight.
"What..." His assistant’s eyes widened as his voice failed him. "What happened here?"
Slamming his fists on the table once again, Christian breathed heavily and responded, "Get Clement on the line."
"Mr. Lucas, you mean?" At Christian’s instructions, his assistant seemed to have guessed what Christian intended to do next and urged him, "It took you so much to sever ties with them. You’re on the brink of cleaning your records. Could it be that you want to..."
Rudely cutting his assistant off, Christian snapped, "Do you not get what I just said?"
Heaving a sigh, his assistant nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Mr. Lucas. I’m on it."
Michael brought Wendy to a reputable restaurant.
This was Wendy’s favorite place while she was a varsity student.
Each ordered a different flavor of soup.
Wendy and Michael did not enjoy spicy foods much, but without a little bit of spice, it seemed like the flavor of soup was lacking.
Therefore, ordering two separate flavors suited them best.
Michael knew how much Wendy enjoyed bread with her soup. Preparing some slices, he placed them on a plate beside her and nudged gently. "Be careful. It’s hot."
Wendy looked at Michael who was all smiles at this point.
Such days were but a dream to her in the past.
It was a good thing that she had weathered through these turbulent few years and could enjoy today.
