Chapter 503: Pay Zen A Visit
"Do you mean Zen actually didn’t want to draw, but Christian was the one who forced her to do so? And then he’ll make use of Zen to generate publicity, which would be good for sales when they launch their clothing line in the market," Yonina pondered aloud after hearing Wendy’s analysis.
"It seems exactly like what you did when you were at HG Enterprise back then. HG managed to reap a few billion dollars within a short time by pre-selling a few sets of designer wear.
"But Zen is not you, Wendy. You’re a top designer who’s sought after worldwide.
Zen is well known only within the country. Do you think her designs could achieve what Christian is aiming for?
"I am not very sure about the fashion industry, but I do know that if the clothing line cannot be pre-sold, from the time between conceptualizing the designs to launching the clothing line into the market, it will take more than half a year before he sees the money coming in.
"Christian will need to pump in a few billion dollars in three months. I doubt he can cough up this much money within such a short time. Moreover, this is dependent on whether Zen’s designs are well received.
"Could every designer achieve such high sales and profits? Furthermore, don’t most designers rely on inspiration? How good could the designs be if a designer were working under stress?"
Yonina asked a series of questions in one go. Wendy did not know which one she should first answer to.
"Your questions raised some key points. I think Christian doesn’t really want Zen to design some fast-selling apparel for him to earn quick money," said Wendy.
Yonina was now confused. "If that’s the case, why is he forcing Zen to draw?"
Wendy looked at Michael, hinting for him to continue with the explanation.
"Christian wants to create fake public personas of himself as a caring lover, and Zen as a strong career woman," Michael said simply. "He’s desperate right now. So he intends to use this smokescreen for money laundering."
Yonina was shocked at Michael’s explanation. "Money laundering? Do you mean that Christian is merely putting on an act? He’s still making money from his shady businessses?"
"Bingo!" Michael nodded, "Christian is in a desperate situation now. He can’t suspend the project after three months due to money constraints. He’ll have to pay damages. By then, DR Group will be doomed for sure.
"HG Enterprise had already suffered a downfall. There is no other way for Christian to launder money. DR Group is working with the government for this project. It won’t be easy for him to launder money since everything is under tight surveillance.
"The best way to launder money will be through Zen. Zen is rather famous within the country. Her designs were well received in the past. If they start promoting how passionate Zen is about her designs, many will rush to buy her clothing line when it launches, because Zen worked so hard during her pregnancy that she ended up in the hospital.
"Of course, it’s not a matter of whether anyone would buy the apparel eventually.
The most important thing is, as long as the pre-marketing is good, the sales could be fake.
"By that time, people would feel that Zen had put so much effort into the designs that sales would definitely be good. Nobody would suspect that Christian was actually using Zen to launder money."
"Christian is scheming indeed. He’s still thinking of money laundering even when he’s in such a state," said Yonina as she shook her head. Then, she said in fear, "Fortunately, you managed to see through his plot. If not, he’ll be able to make a comeback three months later."
"These are just our conjectures. As for what Christian is really up to, we’ll have to see whether Christian continues to shape a public persona for Zen," said Michael. "If Zen remains this popular after this incident, we’ll then be pretty sure of what Christian is up to eventually."
...
"I will keep an eye on it," said Yonina as she took a deep breath. "If there is any sign of trouble, I’ll let you know immediately."
Yonina was impressed by Christian. Despite being in such dire straits, he could still think of such a way to survive. If his opponents were not Michael and Wendy, she bet that no one would be able to read his mind at all.
Yonina was glad that she had chosen the right path. Otherwise, she would never know when and how the Collins Group would fall into Christian’s hands.
"Alright," said Michael, "As for the safe, keep looking for it. If we can find it, we might be able to bring Christian down sooner."
"I’m afraid it won’t be easy to find such an important thing," sighed Yonina. She then said, "Christian is cunning. He’ll definitely hide it somewhere safe."
"No matter where he hides it, as long as it still exists, we’ll be able to find it," said Michael confidently.
"Well then, I will ask my men to continue with the search," Yonina nodded.
Michael then turned around and looked at Wendy. Michael knew what was on Wendy’s mind when he saw her face taking on a ghastly expression.
He held her in his embrace and smiled gently at her, "If you are worried, pay Zen a visit at the hospital. If you don’t want to go alone, I will go with you."
In fact, Zen continued to hold a special place in Wendy’s heart. They had known each other for years. Moreover, they were once best friends. Although both of them were now on opposing sides, they were friends after all. She was worried about Zen when she saw her in such a miserable state.
Wendy shook her head, "Forget it. What else can I do for her? She chose this path herself."
Wendy had given Zen more than enough chances. However, she chose to be with Christian eventually. Since she had chosen her path, she would have to bear the consequences on her own.
Regardless of whether Christian truly loved her or was just making use of her, she should put up with it.
"Just let me know when you feel like going to see her," Michael knew that Wendy still cared about Zen. It was unfortunate that both of them were now on different sides of the battlefield.
Wendy lowered her head without saying anything further. Yonina saw that Wendy was in low spirits, so she approached her and gave her a hug and said, "I will be your best friend. I guarantee that I will never betray you."
"Thank you," Wendy took comfort in Yonina’s words.
"I’m serious," said Yonina solemnly. She had always wanted to befriend Wendy.
Previously, when Wendy managed to make HG Enterprise suffer a downfall, Yonina knew that she was not a simple person. Wendy was smart and she cared about friendships. She was the best friend that everyone wanted.
Yonina wished to learn from Wendy. She wanted to learn how to manage Collins Group and turn it into a bigger and stronger organization.
Wendy smiled when she saw how serious Yonina was, "Aren’t we already friends?"
"Yes, of course," Yonina was so happy that she put on a big smile on her face when she got the assurance from Wendy.
Michael smiled, "You might not know about this. Back then, when you were still in Rheinsville City, Yonina had been praising you every day in front of me. She even asked me to hand MC Enterprise over to you. She said that you’ll be able to manage it better than I do."
Wendy did not know what was on Yonina’s mind. She did not know why she would think so highly of her too. She was rather surprised to hear what Michael said.
She then smiled, "No way! I’m not going to take over MC Enterprise."
"Did you hear that? No matter how much you like Wendy, she’s not going to take over MC Enterprise. So Collins Group will have to cooperate with me," Michael teased Yonina. "Deal with it."
"Pfft!" Yonina rolled her eyes upon hearing what Michael said.
...
For the next two weeks, Wendy paid close attention to news about Zen and Christian. Apart from appearing often in entertainment tabloids, they seemed to be trending on social media these few days too.
Wendy was lying on the bed while scrolling through Twitter. She tapped on a link. As expected, the article was talking about how diligent Zen was.
Wendy was so focused on the article that she did not notice Michael coming out of the bathroom. It wasn’t until Michael laid on the bed and placed his arm around her waist that she noticed him.
"What are you reading? Why are you so serious?" asked Michael gently as he got closer to Wendy.
Wendy knew what was on Michael’s mind right now. But she pushed him away and said seriously, "Knock it off, Michael! Look..." Wendy then handed the cellphone over to Michael, who gave a small sigh. He obliged and took the cellphone.
"It’s been two weeks, but news about Zen is still trending. Now I am pretty sure that Christian is making use of Zen to achieve his goal!" Wendy huffed. She felt so sorry for Zen, "Zen loves him so much. How could he make use of her while she is pregnant?"
"Anyway, it isn’t the first time Christian made use of Zen," said Michael. "He made use of the friendship between Zen and you. Don’t you remember he sent Zen to spy on you?"
"That’s true. There is indeed nothing that Christian can’t do," said Wendy. "I bet he’ll make use of anything he can get his hands on for his own good."
Speaking of which, Wendy suddenly thought of what Michael did in the past. She turned over and looked at Michael. She wanted to remind Michael about the past, "Michael..."
"Yes?" Michael had a bad feeling about it when he saw Wendy’s expression.
"Is this a tradition in the Lucas family?" Wendy chuckled. "Or it simply runs in the family?"
"What?" Michael was a little confused, but he roughly knew what Wendy meant.
"Look at how your father treated your mother. And now, Christian and Zen. Of course, how you treated me back then...Hmm..." Before Wendy could finish her words, Michael sealed her lips with a kiss. He knew that Wendy wanted to rake up the past again.
"I regretted what I’ve done in the past. I swear that I will make it up to you and the kids for the rest of my life," Michael said seriously and confidently.
Wendy was just teasing him. She never expected him to take it seriously. She felt a little bad about it.
"I’m just kidding," Wendy said with a smile.
Michael breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Wendy smiled. He snaked an arm around Wendy’s waist and his other hand started to rove around her body, "How dare you tease me. I want you to make it up to me..."
"Fat hope, you rascal!" said Wendy as she pushed him away. She then changed the topic, "Michael, do you think Christian will fall in love with Zen for real? Just like how you fell in love with me?"
"Christian is a heartless man. It’s impossible for him to fall in love with Zen. Besides, the person he loves is you." Michael did not want to believe in this fact, but Christian did have feelings for Wendy. Michael knew Christian better than anyone else. He knew what kind of person Christian was.
Wendy did not know how to react to the revelation that Christian was in love with her. Whatever he had done did not seem to prove his love towards her at all.
