He quickly rushed to Ethan, he slapped him on his left cheek, “you had the guts to walk in here, I'll treat you like the criminal that you are”.
“You're making a huge mistake” Ethan said coldly, as he dialled Leo's number. “Hello, young master.” Leo said cheerfully, he was hoping to hear everything went well. “I'm at the bank but some dimwits are accusing me of theft, denying me access to the manager, call the manager and tell him to come out in two minutes if he still wants to keep his job” Ethan said with an air of authority as he hung up the call. “Who do you think you're calling, huh? Jasper sneered at Ethan making a call. “We'll see when he comes,” Ethan shrugged as he looked at his wristwatch. “ You're so foolish, you've been caught red-handed and you're still acting innocent” the security guard said as he raised his baton to hit Ethan. “How dare you?” A scolding voice came immediately, the security guard's hand hung in the air. “ You must be the manager, you came out on time. I guess you love your job.” Ethan smiled as he turned to face the owner of the voice. “Young master” the manager smiled bitterly as he walked hurriedly towards Ethan. Jasper was scared, he couldn't believe his eyes. Ethan just commanded his manager and he came running immediately, something their elite clients have never done. This was his third time seeing the manager in the banking hall. He has worked with the bank for three years. The manager hardly met with any staff. Who the hell is Ethan? He knew Ethan as a poor brilliant guy back in college, and now he is known as the useless live-in son-in-law of Steve's family. It turned out Ethan wasn't bluffing about his appointment with the manager. He looked at the card in his hands. It was difficult to believe. Ethan turned to leave, “ I think I'll just head back, your bank doesn't deserve a client like me. I'll have Leo do the needful”. “Young master, please forgive them” the manager forced a smile on his face as he pleaded with Ethan. If truly Ethan was from Leo, then he wouldn't want to lose a client who was worth more than billions of dollars in cash and assets. He had been waiting for Ethan, he was about to call Leo to ask if he was sure about the appointment he never knew someone was trying to annoy his important guest. Ethan sighed as he stopped when he got to the door, he turned back to face the manager, “please sack those fools, it'll serve as a lesson to others” “One more thing, call the police and arrest them for defamation of character”. Ethan said with a frown on his face. “As you wish, young master” the manager replied, turning to face Jasper and the security guard,” clear your desks, your services are no longer required”. He looked at one of the tellers who was watching keenly, “Call the police”. The security guard had been quiet throughout, he glared at Jasper with resentment. If only he knew he wouldn't have been the scapegoat. “Please sir, I'm sorry I didn't mean to, I mean i.. “ the security guard stuttered as he knelt down to beg Ethan. Jasper quickly knelt down and begged for forgiveness, explaining that he had a sick child and family to cater for. If he lost his job, life would be very difficult for them. Ethan looked at them,” moments ago, you were on high horses, look at you now, you're on your knees begging me. Please, get out of my sight”. Ethan walked behind the manager as he led him to his office, he turned back and collected the black card from Jasper, “ you don't deserve to touch this”. Ethan walked into the manager's office, a lady with a captivating appearance stood up the moment Ethan entered the office. She quickly behaved herself and greeted him respectfully,” welcome Mr Ethan”. Ethan knew she must be the one with the company's document. He had to admit she was a very beautiful young lady. The manager motioned Ethan to sit, “ I'm sorry about what happened out there.” Ethan nodded, “Let's get into the business of the day”. He brought out his black card, “ I want the card activated, all accounts activated with my fingerprint.” He handed the card over to the manager and turned to face the young lady before him, “and who are you?” “I'm sorry Mr Ethan, let me introduce myself to you. My name is Mabel Josh. I'm the Vice Chairman of Emerald Group”. She replied politely. “And here is the document of Emerald Group ownership and it's subsidiary”. She handed over the documents to him. He scanned through everything, satisfied with what he saw, he signed it and handed it over to her. He adjusted his seat and started, “ I will not come to the office often, so I would like you to continue looking over the company on my behalf. In addition, my identity should not be disclosed to the public. That's why I asked you to meet me here”. She was aware of the whole Smith family incident, she knew it would be risky to make his identity known to the public, she quickly replied, “ Okay Mr Ethan, just tell me if you need anything. I'll be at your service”. Ethan turned to the manager, “I want footage of what happened today deleted”. The manager stared at him before nodding, “ consider it settled, young master”. The manager handed over the black card to Ethan, “please sir, I'll need your biometrics now”. Ethan stood up and walked over to the machine, he placed his palms and it got activated. When he had finished with his biometrics he asked, “is that all?” . The manager nodded, “ yes, young master”. “Alright then, thank you for your services”, Ethan said walking to the door. He stopped in his tracks and turned back, “ Miss Josh, tomorrow morning someone from the Steve family will bring new designs for the fashion industry. Give her all the assistance she needs but do not agree to the proposal yet. Wait for further instructions from me”. Mabel startled in shock for a while, Steve family? He must be crazy, why would he want to help the same people who made him a laughing-stock in the whole City. This was something she couldn't understand. She nodded and said, “ Okay Mr Ethan. Don't worry. Just let me know when the person is on the premises. So I'll instruct my secretary to ensure the person is allowed to see me”. Ethan nodded in satisfaction as he walked out of the office. Outside the office, the moment he came out everywhere was quiet, none of the bank staff dared to look at his face. *** Meanwhile, Ava was working tirelessly at home. She was determined to ace the deal. A deal with Emerald Group would be a dream come true for her. She is very good with designing outfits but this deal would help her advance her skills and build more experience to help grow her brand to the global market. Steve's family owns a fashion design company, Sterling Fashion. She worked as lead designer and director before her stepmother took over, she replaced Ava with her daughter Susie.Ava had sketched a few designs but none looked worthy of a contract. She drew the last one and laid down on the couch with her laptop beside her. She fell asleep, she didn't hear when Ethan walked in. From the dining table to the living room, papers were everywhere. Ethan smiled at the sight without waking her, he picked up the papers and sat close to her. He picked a few good ones. He was amazed at how she could still make beautiful designs. He studied business management and has an idea of fashion designs. This was why Ava's grandfather had ensured they got married. He believed if they worked together Sterling Fashion would go global. Looking at the designs he knew, Glam Fashion, a subsidiary of Emerald Group, would go global with a change in designs and he would make sure she gets to work with them. He looked at the designs thoroughly, he took the laptop beside her. He was about to check out her contract proposal when Ava opened her eyes. “Hi, when did you get back?” She
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 eye
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