Chapter 0037
KIAN’S POV
+25 BONUS
Before the arrival of the Hanson Group’s chairman, I already had my fingers bunched up in a fist, ready to send it flying in my uncle’s face in a frenzy of rage that had been brewing since the night I saw them together at that restaurant one month ago,
I was ready to give it all up–my reputation–Just to teach him a lesson for messing around with my wife and doing God knows what with her for an entire month while I mourned her death like an idiot.
I was deceived. Fooled. Fucking played and I couldn’t for the life of me understand why Leslie would do that. The only explanation was what Beverly had said about the both of them so my brain picks that up and clings to it, logical or not.
And yet another earth shattering news joins in before I can even have a complete reaction to the first one.
The room has grown eerily silent since the announcement and I am forced to blink over and over again before I find my voice.
“Excuse me?” I say, needing to hear him say that again and this time make it make sense. Chairman Hanson sizes me up and there is something about that gaze that says he doesn’t approve of me. He bluntly ignores my existence, turning his mechanical wheelchair around to face Leslie.
“Are you okay?” He asks with a tone of familiarity that leaves me tingling with curiosity and what’s worse? Leslie flashes him a polite smile and nods with that same sense of familiarity.
Running a business for seven years has made me quick–witted, not to mention how I studied business management in school before taking over the company from my grandfather. It’s how I am able to figure “things out quicker than an average human.
It’s how I am able to know that somehow, in a fucking twisted way, Chairman Hanson had something to do with the lies peddled by newshouse about Leslie’s death. But why?
The old man hasn’t been seen in public in years. The only thing that makes the news is how his companies all over the country continue to give other companies a run for their money. But now he shows up and speaks to Leslie like he has known her all his life, and called her his head designer too. I still want to believe that was a mistake and he will correct himself soon.
“I apologize for the trouble sir, I should have been more careful.” Leslie says apologetically but Chairman Hanson shakes his head as he looks from me to Beverly, not even bothering to hide his disapproval. That look makes me want to shrink till I am smaller than even a fleck of dust.
“You have nothing to be sorry about my dear, I understand how difficult such a situation can be and now that I am here, please accept my offer to clear it up.” The man turns to me after saying this. I am barely even aware of Beverly’s presence since she has suddenly gone quiet.
“You must be Klan Winston, CEO of the WS fashion company.” The chairman says and I am not sure what to do. Stretch my hand for a handshake? Nope, the man doesn’t look like he wants to be anywhere near
- me.
I keep my voice firm and steady as I reply, “Yes, sir. It’s a pleasure to finally make your aquaintance.” Even when I am losing my shit.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0037
“I have heard a lot about you, Mr Winston.”
It would be a totally moronic move to reply with ‘good things I hope‘ because if the look that has been present in his eyes since he saw me is anything to go by, he definitely heard only the worst shit about me. It makes me wonder why he would invite me to this gala if he detests the sight of me so much. I decide to give an apology for causing a scene at his gala to at least lessen the weight of his displeasure.
“I apologize sir. It is not in my nature to cause a scene like this at a reputable event but anyone in my position would lose their cool after seeing that their dead wife is actually alive.”
The chairman nods his head like he actually understands, “That was an oversight on my part. I should have informed you about recruiting her.”
“Recruit?” I almost scoff. Is that what he calls faking her death?
at Mu
“Did you not hear me earlier? Miss Leslie Jackson here is the new head designer fashion company. A talented one at that who has been rotting away as a mere secretary.”
His words are so straightforward yet hard to grasp. Maybe because none of what he just said makes any sense. I also don’t miss how he calls Leslie by her mother’s last name instead of mine, the man she is still very much married to.
+35 BONUS
C
