Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“No way in hell!” Jade clapped back. “I was blind once. I’m not about to blind myself this time!”
Max eased up upon hearing that. “Good. I’d really look down on you if you still did.”
“You haven’t answered me. What are you doing in Bardoff City?” Jade asked.
“What do you think?” Max asked back as he plated a rack of lamb on her plate. Noticing how he was tending to her, Jade blushed. It was pretty clear just from this. “You’re…”
“The Pearsons want to expand into Bardoff City, too,” he said lightly, watching Jade fluster.
“Oh, so it wasn’t because of me,” Jade thought, instantly feeling disappointed. When she looked up again, she saw Max still staring at her as if reading her thoughts. She cleared her throat, then took a sip from a nearby glass. “Really?
That’s good. There are more opportunities in Bardoff.
The moment she swallowed a mouthful of the beverage, she coughed.” What is this?” she asked, staring at the empty glass in her hand.
“White wine. That’s my glass you’re holding.” Max grinned. He hadn’t stopped Jade from drinking because part of him was curious how she’d behave once drunk.
Jade sighed. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
“It was too late.”
Jade rolled her eyes. Liar liar, pants on fire.
Playing with Fire
Jade couldn’t actually hold her weight in alcohol, save for beer, but this was white wine she had. Right now, she was lounging in Max’s lap, hand caressing his jaw and eyes roaming across his face.
“Be careful with those eyes of yours, kid. Else I eat you right up,” she cooed. Max’s heart leaped, but he didn’t show it. “Really? How do you plan to do that?”
“I plan to…” Jade smiled, then gently pressed her lips against Max’s. She had wanted to do this for a long time but never had the chance to while sober. Only when her mind was uninhibited could she let these desires run free.
The moment their lips touched, Max’s temple throbbed. He really was holding back as much as he could.
“You’re playing with fire, Jade,” he groaned. He hadn’t imagined someone as proper as Jade to be such an enchantress after drinking.
Jade ignored him and arched in his lap instead. She huffed. “You’re the one getting burned.”
The next second, Max had lifted her up by the waist. He went upstairs to where the hotel rooms were, asking, “Do you know what’s going to happen from here on out?”
“Hah. I know. Bring it on, kid.” Jade gazed at him seductively. She had actually lusted after Max for some time too. But only his body, of course. It really was hard to restrain herself in his presence.
Max smiled. He opened one of the room doors and entered with Jade in his arms.
The night was still young for the both of them and would be for several long hours.
Meanwhile, Danika hadn’t been able to get even an ounce of sleep back at Zellweger Castle. She didn’t know what was happening. Usually, she’d be asleep by now. If it weren’t for her doctor’s degree, she would’ve thought her palpitation was a sign of a heart attack.
“Is something going to happen?” she thought worriedly. Danika suddenly realized
Eustace hadn’t contacted her today, which was very unlike him. “Did something happen to him?”
With that thought in mind, Danika called his number. Her heart sank when no one answered the call. She then called Vincent’s number. “Have you talked to Eustace today, Vincent?”
“Yes, Miss Danika. I just got off a call with him an hour ago. Is there something I can help you with?” Vincent replied honestly.
Gossip
Danika massaged her aching temples and went to the bathroom. She nearly jumped at her reflection. “I look like I got mugged,” she mumbled, amused. She really did look awful.
Her dreams were lost to her. All that she remembered was the fact that they were nightmares.
After washing up, she put on makeup to hide her exhaustion and went downstairs. Graham was already having breakfast with Rowena and Jolene.
They turned to look at her when she reached the first landing.
“Good morning. Come join us for breakfast,” Graham offered. Danika nodded and went over. Her hunger had tripled from the exhaustion and nightmares last night, so she began devouring her food like a starving beast.
The sight made Jolene cringe internally.
“Hey, Danika, why did you choose to go to the sales department? They have a minimum target to hit every month, don’t they? Aren’t you worried you won’t make any sales? It’s not like you know anyone in Bardoff yet.” Before Danika could answer, Jolene faked a shocked gasp. “You’re not expecting Dad to help you, are you? How would you get trained if that’s the case?”
Danika really was getting fed up with Jolene. She was like a persistent fly, always buzzing around her, insinuating and insulting. All bark and no bite. Danika really had to get her married ASAP.
“Don’t worry, Danika. I have some contacts you can get in touch with. It shouldn’t be a big issue.” Graham wasn’t about to make things difficult for Danika.
Jolene’s face instantly darkened. Her father was even helping Danika to this extent?!
“No need. I trust in my own capabilities.” Danika wasn’t really concerned about business deals.
Graham frowned. “Danika, the sales department can be highly stressful, though they pay well. It will be difficult for you if you want to settle deals with clients you don’t know.”
“Don’t you have faith in me, Dad?” Danika set down her silverware and glanced helplessly at Graham. The man was about to reply when Danika added, “How can you trust me with Zellweger Inc if I can’t even prove my worth with some business deals?”
Graham grew silent. To be honest, he hadn’t really planned much of what to do once Danika took over the company. All he knew was that Jolene couldn’t be that person, no matter the circumstances.
“Alright. I await your results then.” Graham said and thought, “Maybe I should trust her.”
Jolene ground her teeth together and piped up, “You better not force it, Danika. Otherwise, you’ll end up as everyone’s laughing stock with nothing to show.”
“Jolene,” Danika suddenly said.
Jolene unwillingly met her gaze. “What?”
“Did anyone ever tell you how annoying you are?” Danika rolled her eyes.” Not even food can stop you from jabbering away. We’re Zellwegers, so start acting like one, for God’s sake. All you do is gossip and gossip. It’s unbecoming.”
Jolene got up from her chair, about to swing at Danika. “Who are you calling
“Whoever speaks next.”
“That’s it, Danika-‘ Jolene was about to lunge at Danika when Rowena dragged her back into her seat.
“Sit down and be quiet. Can’t you see she’s trying to get a rise out of you?”
Keep Your Daughter in Check!
Danika was somewhat disappointed when Jolene was restrained. She had been ready to fight back. After all, she needed to show Graham just how much of a bitch Jolene was.
Sadly, Rowena was too sharp a woman. Still, what transpired was enough. Graham’s face had already darkened.
“Dad, I-” Jolene tried to explain, but a stern look from her father silenced her. She looked down at her knees instead, staying quiet.
“Keep your daughter in check!” Graham barked at Rowena, then left the table and went outside, most likely heading for work.
Meanwhile, Danika happily beamed, eating her breakfast. When Graham left, Jolene glared at Danika, her eyes now red and watery.
Danika ignored her, for she never did anything more than glare or fume. After breakfast, she left straight for the office, leaving mother and daughter in the dining room.
Jolene whined to her mother, “Dad’s too biased, Mom!”
Rowena held dearly onto her child, feeling upset and disappointed. “Yes. I’m afraid he only loves that woman’s child now.”
“It’s not fair, Mom. Why can’t I have a chance to take over as the family heir? I’m as much Dad’s daughter as Danika is.” Jolene couldn’t possibly accept Danika as their family’s sole heir. She had been raised as a Zellweger since birth, so everyone, including her, had always assumed she’d take over the family.
Then Danika came into their lives and shook the foundations of everything Jolene had ever known. It was too much for her to cope with.
Rowena gritted her teeth. “If he’s not going to play fair, don’t blame me for doing the same.”
She had thought things through. Graham would rather abandon them for Danika than treat them equally. Hence, they could only rely on themselves if they wanted to continue living a wealthy life.
Things would only get worse once Danika took over, too.
Rowena had already formed her plans. She no longer hoped for assistance or care from Graham regarding Jolene, having permanently lost faith in him.
Danika was oblivious to these plans, though. She was on the way to the office when she called Eustace’s number again. The man should be awake by now and most likely already busy at work. But still, no one answered. After several calls, the phone was powered off.
Did Eustace hear the ringtone?
Why did he switch the phone off?
Did I disturb him?
All kinds of doubts surfaced in Danika’s mind, but she still felt like something was wrong. Eustace wasn’t the kind to switch off his phone while busy at work. Usually, he would send her at least one text to update his status.
Danika called Vincent again, asking him to contact Eustace, but not even the assistant succeeded. Apparently, Eustace hadn’t gone to work at his office in Parrington yet.
Now Danika was distraught. Not picking up the call was one thing, but not going to work? That wasn’t what Eustace would do.
Danika then decided to call Old Mr. Quincey. Eustace might be with the old man right now, too. She was starting to regret not asking Eustace to come to Bardoff City with her in the first place.
Missing
To her shock, not even Old Mr. Quincey picked up the call immediately. It took a while before the call finally came through, much to Danika’s agitation.
“Grandpa-‘
“Miss Danika,” Warren, the family butler, answered.
Danika blinked in surprise. ‘Where’s Grandpa? I need to talk to him about something important.”