Gasps arose from people around them, their gazes now focused on Ava and Ethan. Ava was aware of the attention, and knew right away that Susie wanted to humiliate her publicly.
“ You're aware we're trying to get a deal with Emerald Group, yet you still came here to get a deal for your company. The same company you stole money from us to set up? You're the reason dad died” Susie lamented, shedding crocodile tears. “How shameless” someone commented. The comment was followed by several exclamation of agreement. “What an unfilial daughter?” “She should be ashamed of herself” Ethan was not left out of the ugly comments. “ He's a bad man” “He's so greedy” “He's very useless” “They don't deserve to be here”. “They should be sent out of here” another person suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement. Ava looked at Ethan, his face had deepened with visible anger. This wasn't the first time a member of her family has tried to humiliate him in public. Susie wiped some more fake tears beneath her eyes, and then she moved to Ava, she threw the file in her hands at Ava's feet “ Take the file, take everything. Enrich yourself. We've suffered so much in your hands. Just kill mum, like you killed dad” Ava bent down and picked up the file that was lying at her feet, she didn't open it. She stood up, then calmly she looked at Susie. “In that case, I should tell everyone the reason the company is bankrupt, or should I tell them about your brother's crimes and how it's always covered?” Susie's jaw all but fell to the ground, “wh…what?” “You said she's here to steal the family's company spot,” Ethan clarified, “but you have no appointment with the vice chairman, or should I ask the receptionist?” Ethan questioned. “Liars” Susie said she knew if she allowed them to say more she'd end up embarrassing herself. “Someone call the security, they need to be sent out of here”. She added in tears. She finally got the sympathy she needed. Susie rushed to Ethan and held his collar, “ haven't you and your wife done enough? You told lies about me and my fiancé left me. You ruined my life”. The receptionist had already sent a mail to the vice chairman's office, notifying her of what was happening. Ethan took out his phone and called Mabel. “Will you put that phone away?” The security guard barked as he got close to them. The moment she saw the security, she tightened her grip on Ethan, he was able to talk to Mabel on the phone before the security guard hit the phone off his hands. “Why are you disturbing the peace of this company?” The security guard asked. Ethan smiled, “ my wife is here to see Miss Mabel Josh, I don't know what else you're talking about”. “Will you shut up? Do you know Miss Josh?” The security guard sneered, as he took a quick look at Ethan's dressing. “I don't wish to use force on you, please, leave immediately” Ava moved but Ethan held her hand, “ what are you doing? What about your appointment here?” Ethan looked at the security,” we have an appointment, we're not leaving here until we see Miss Mabel”. The security guard turned to Ava's free hand, held her and dragged her but Ethan held onto her firmly. “Get your hands off her!” An unfamiliar voice came, everyone turned to the direction of the voice. They saw a man dressed in black suit walking towards them. The security guard recognised the face and let go of Ava's hand. The moment Susie saw him, she smiled, “ Mr Duke, thank goodness you're here”. Duke narrowed his eyes, and a flash of greed was seen deep in his eyes. He smiled, “ leave the young lady and send the young man out. The lady is my wife-to- be”. Ava and Ethan were stunned by his announcement. What's he talking about? Ava knew Duke had met her mother but saying this without her consent is ridiculous. Duke pulled Ethan's hand from Ava's and dragged her towards his office. “Let me go, what kind of nonsense did you just say? I don't know you”. Ava rebuked him softly as she pulled away from him and went to stand beside Ethan “this is my husband, we're legally married”. “Come back here!” Duke was feeling slightly awkward. Now, he was engulfed in deep wrath Susie was shocked, things were becoming heated and interesting, she stood with other on-lookers to watch things unfold. “She's so heartless” “She ruined her family” “She ran off with another, her fiancé must be disappointed in her”. A new murmur rose amongst the on-lookers. Ava looked around noticing the sentiment of the people. If she allowed things to go on further, she might end up ruining her opportunity to meet with Miss Josh. “Please, I honestly don't understand what's going on here”, Ava said, squeezing Ethan's left arm tightly.” I am here to meet with Miss Josh, to present a proposal on behalf of my family and this man beside me is my legitimate husband. I don't know the other man”. Duke sneered at Ethan when he heard Ava's defence, “ You're the useless son-in-law of Steve family, you dare hold my lady's hand in front of me”. “How did this bastard get access into this building?” Duke asked with disgust in his eyes. “Get this worthless being out of here!” He commanded, the security guard moved to Ethan and tried to pull him holding onto his trousers tightly. “Get your hands off me” Ethan said with an air of authority that sent chills down everyone's spine. “ I'm not leaving until we meet with Miss Josh*. “What the fuck? Are you stupid? Why would Miss Josh want to see your good- for-nothing face?” Duke asked coldly. Duke Is a manager in Emerald Group. He has worked in Emerald Group for four years and he met Miss Josh just once. And Ethan was bluffing about meeting her. How daring of Ethan? Moving close to Ethan, he touched his outfit “ You're very daring, you wish to see her dressed like this? Do you think this is a charity organisation?” Duke smiled at Ava, “Darling, do you still wish to see the vice Chairman? Or do you want me to cancel the appointment I fixed?” *What?” Ava was stunned. Did he really fix the appointment? Duke seemed so sure of himself, “ I promised to help and I kept my promises!” Ethan laughed out loudly, “ you work here, don't you?” Duke nodded, Ethan continued “ when was the last time you saw the vice Chairman?” Duke bent his head, he couldn't say anything. He had no answer. He knew if he allowed Ethan to continue, he might end up getting humiliated. Lifting up his head, he said coldly “ Drag this thing out of here”. “Drag me out for what?” Ethan asked, “did I steal anything?” “Yes, you stole my lady. You don't deserve to see the dawn of another day. Leave now!” Duke replied. He was becoming more agitated by Ethan's presence. “Do you wish to lose your job? Drag that fool out now!” He repeated. This time the security guard rushed to pull Ethan away from Ava. If you dare lift a finger to touch him, you'll lose all ten immediately” a voice came with authority.The sound of the heels on the tiles,showed the gender of the intruder. It was a lady's voice! As she approached them, the air was set aflame by the frail of her perfume. It was a scent that spoke of wealth and sophistication, it was modern, elegant and alluring, like the lady who wore it with such confidence and grace. “What's the meaning of this?” She asked when she got close to them. The whole hall was silent, the voice was one with authority. Miss Josh comes to work early and leaves late, it was difficult for junior staff to see her. Whatever brought her out must be important. The security guard knelt down immediately trembling as he explained everything. She turned to the lady beside her, "Please, lead Miss Steve to my office”. The young lady nodded and led Ava to the office. With Ava gone, she turned to Susie “ young lady, I have no appointment with you. Drag her outside”. The security guard dragged her out of the premises. She freed herself and ran back to meet Miss Jos
Ava nodded, she couldn't believe things could be this easy for her. She quickly followed the assistant who had come to accompany her to Miss Josh's office. The moment Miss Josh saw Ava, she stood up from her chair and greeted her, “ Hi Miss Steve, you're welcome”. Ava was a bit nervous as she shook hands with Miss Josh, she took a deep breath and replied calmly, “Hi Miss Josh, thank you for inviting me again”. She tried to hide how nervous she was about the whole meeting. Miss Josh motioned her to sit down, “Please, have a seat”. After a brief silence, Miss Josh spoke immediately, “would you like a cup of coffee?” “No, thank you” Ava declined the offer. “Okay, Miss Steve, I've gone through your proposal with the team from our fashion industry. The reviews were positive. Your designs are top-notch and I think you're the perfect partner for us to work with as we plan to hit the global market”. Miss Josh said calmly. The news rendered Ava speechless,she blinked several times, an
“Why was Ethan there with you? You two plotted and brought fake documents here”. Susie shouted, her veins pulsating. James sneered, “you even lied about the contract quotation, have you ever made 100 million dollars in your life before?” Susie shifted in her seat, “ your designs are way below standard, you can't deceive us. Everyone knows I'm the best fashion designer in Nova City”. Turning to her mother, Susie said, “I wish I had taken this mission. I would have saved us from this humiliation”. Ava had heard enough, she walked towards Kate with the file in her hands. “Mum, this is the signed contract,my initial quotation was 50 million dollars, but Miss Josh said it was too low for the designs. Since they intend to go into the global market soon”. James curled his lips in disdain, “Ava, your tactics are too cheap, stop fooling around and face reality”. “This is outrageous!” Susie exclaimed, “Ava, you're trying to save your face and you came here to lie to us, is this the best
“Get out” A voice said calmly pointing at the door, “ you're not fit to be here”. “Please ma, you can't do this to me. I really need this job”, James sighed as he pleaded for the umpteenth time. “Young man, you're unfit to work here. So get out”. The young lady shook her head, still pointing at the door. “But !” James said, scratching his head. “Get out quietly before I call security on you!’ the lady banged the table as she stood up in a fit of anger. “Please ma, you have to be considerate. I have everything in the requirements and more”. James sighed as he continued to plead with the lady. The lady before him is the human resource manager of Emerald Group “Leave before I call security on you”, she shouted. “Please ma, you can't do this to me, you didn't even allow me to sit down. I really need this job,” James continued to beg. “A gambler and a spoilt brat? You think if you mess up here, your mother can cover it up with money? Do you even think you're qualified for any job?
In the peripheral of her eyes, Ava noticed that the two voices belonged to the two shop assistants who stood by in case more help was needed. She was shocked to find that employees at such a popular store were so rude and unprofessional. “So, will you take that one?” the assistant who was accompanying them asked, crossing her arms across her chest and sticking her hip out. She was no longer pretending to be professional and Ava could feel her irritation rising. Ava looked at Ethan who hadn't said anything besides looking at the clothes she picked. His jaw looked tense and she realised that he too was bothered by the attitude the shop assistants were showing. “My previous place of work, shopping was done by appointment only. That way only people who could actually afford the clothes showed up. Here, any beggar from off the street can walk in”. the owner of the voice sighed.“I wish they would make it like that here”. “Yeah, that would be nice,” her fellow assistant agreed. “ A stor
The shoppers who were now paying attention to the argument now looked at Ava and Ethan with judging eyes, with some saying that they should be thrown out. Ava was enraged that the manager painted them as villians, to the extent of making false accusations against Ethan. “My husband hasn't threatened anyone” she snapped at the manager, glaring at him, “ all he did was ask for the staff to treat us with courtesy. He didn't say anything wrong”. “Ma'am, you and your useless husband need to leave now” the security guard said, making his way to Ethan. His intention was grab Ethan's arm but Ava stood between the two and glared at the guard, her eyes darting him to threw them out. “ We're not going anywhere until they apologise to my husband”. “Look at him, he's so useless. His wife is the one protecting him. I pity her. She really must be doing this everywhere”. One of the shopper said nodding her head in pity. “ Thank goodness, I'm not married to a useless man” the other one responde
He stopped his narration when he realised that upon seeing the two customers, his boss had turned pale and was trembling. His eyes were locked on Ethan and were full of recognition. A second later, the boss turned to him. A stern look on his face “apologise right now”. The manager's lips tumbled and his eyes widened like saucers “ what……what?” He couldn't believe what he heard. “ Apologise to the customers” the boss demanded, also turning to the two assistants “ what are you waiting for?” They exchanged shocked glances, obviously not expecting the turnout of events. They had thought the boss would drive the two out, why was he suddenly asking them to apologise? If the two were nobodies the boss wouldn't have been bothered to ask them to do that. It was then it dawned on them that they must have messed with a big shot. Whoever these customers were, they weren't just people the boss knew. Given the boss's reaction, it was clear he was terrified of the man, whoever he was, he must
“Don't let your filthy hand touch me.” A feminine voice could be heard from the sitting room of the villa. “Mother, please I need some dollars to start up a little business”.“Shut your twerp you trash” the disdain in her eyes was evident as she looked at the figure kneeling in front of her.“But mother”.“Don't ever call me mother, I can never be the mother to such an unfortunate trash like you”. The woman, Kate sneered interrupting the man before her.“Wow, look who we have here, my loser brother-in-law, begging?”. a familiar voice spoke behind him. “ What else do you want from us?”Ethan bowed his head in shame. He couldn't meet the gazes of the people before him. One was his mother-in-law, Kate Steve and the other was her son, James Steve.“Mum, you sounded so serious on the phone”. The newcomer stopped in her words and snorted.Ethan was full of regrets. He had made the wrong decision coming to meet his mother-in-law for help. Ever since he graduated from the University three ye