Anthony took a deep breath and sat up straight. His dark eyes suddenly flashed with a glint of danger. “So according to you, the way for me to repay Marcus was to pay for his company which is currently in a mess at a high price, at a loss to Featherstone Corporation. Is that it?”
His gaze was so fierce it looked as though it would pierce right through me.
I frowned with discomfort at being stared at like that.
Even a company larger than White Corporation had things that they want hidden. The fact that Leonard Yondel had embezzled was not even considered out of the ordinary for someone like Anthony.
It felt like he had already decided that I did not know my boundaries in handling Marcus’s case. He had intentionally exposed these to see the limits of which I would disregard him, my husband, by helping Marcus.
After Rylee, I was more familiar than anybody with Anthony’s possessive nature. I sighed heavily. “I have never thought that there was anything wrong with the situation. Marcus had already thought of a solution. If he hadn’t disappeared, it wouldn’t have turned into the mess it is today.”
After a brief pause, I reached out and touched Anthony’s hand. “Think of how you take pains to protect and advance the interests of Featherstone Corporation. The only thing that Marcus’s parents left for him is White Corporation. I hope that we can help him salvage his family business. It’s not about compelling you to buy his entire company to save it, or to have any foreign company acquire it. Do you think we can do that?”
It was rare for us to be this open and honest with one another.
When we are on the same page talking things through calmly, fate once again gave us the opportunity to deepen our love for one another. Even God had hinted at us to hold hands and walk through life. What else couldn’t we accomplish together?
I clutched his hand tightly and rubbed it in anticipation of his response.
We sat in silence like that for close to a minute. “I’ve told you the answer to this question before. Why else do you think he’s here?”
Anthony jerked his chin towards Holden.
I breathed a sigh of relief at that. The old adage of taking a step back had never been more applicable than it did now.
Men had to be coaxed. As long as a woman was willing to put aside her ego, everything would naturally fall into place.
“But, business isn’t for the fun of it,” Anthony suddenly interjected. “Even if you had a letter of authorization from Marcus, it’s not the same as replacing him. Ultimately, this is the White family business. His prolonged disappearance had caused his staff to worry. If it gets to the point of his company being acquired, then it’ll be the only way out for White Corporation. What I am doing now is just bringing that eventuality forward.”
Anthony spoke with the conviction that Marcus would not return.
I felt uncomfortable. “Do you mean to say that you would buy White Corporation and return it to Marcus when the time comes?”
As soon as I had said that, Anthony scowled. He withdrew his hand from my touch. “Currently, White Corporation has some competition amongst the industry. I could compel the shareholders to begin the acquisition of the project. If I delayed any longer to ensure that all competitors have given up, I may not be able to lobby for any more changes. Upon acquisition, the shares will be diluted. It is an unavoidable outcome; the only consolation of which would be that White Corporation would not fall into the hands of foreign companies.”
Aside from me and Anthony, the shareholders of Featherstone Corporation comprised Joe and several elderly executives who had reached the age of retirement. They only appeared during festivities or corporate events and they virtually did not care about how the company was run. But when it came to money matters, the swiftness of their response was astonishing.
Upon completion of the international acquisition of Eisen Corporation which involved the transfer of tens of billions, the shareholders who planned on having an uneventful retirement may not approve of another massive risk of acquiring White Corporation within such a short time frame.
What Anthony meant was that Marcus would forever be a shareholder in his company, but the company may not belong to his family forever. The decision to return the company to Marcus was no longer within Anthony’s control. It all depends on whether Marcus had the ability to match the price that was paid. I retracted my hand, not quite knowing what to say.
Anthony did all he could, so I couldn’t nitpick. The fate of Marcus and White Corporation could only be unveiled one step at a time. All we could do right now was to be optimistic about Holden’s success in tracking down Marcus.
The atmosphere was dense with an impasse. Anthony’s phone suddenly rang. We could see that it was a call from Joseph. Anthony glanced at it and went out to the balcony to answer the call.
I watched his back, suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding. Instinctively, I rubbed my belly and felt calmer.
The men who had treated me the best in my life were Marcus and Anthony. For them to be experiencing difficulties at this critical time, I believe that God would not deny them the due success, for all the kindness that they had done for me.
I heaved a slow sigh of relief. Suddenly, I felt Holden nudging my arm with his elbow; I had forgotten that he was still here. “Sienna, would you like to go into a business with me?” he asked, with a brisk businesslike expression on his face.
Business with Holden?
My first instinct was Holden bringing over some call girls into the office and basically destroying my innocence.
Instantly, I was on high alert. “What business could we even do together?”
“Don’t say that.” Holden tapped his chest lightly with a fist where he had just placed the dictaphone. “I may be helping Anthony find someone as of right now, but if you have anything to tell Marcus in private, I can ask my subordinates to pass on the message. I can even ensure an instant reply. How does that sound?”
While the person mimicking me was technically a real human being, there was no way they could copy all my mannerisms and my way of speaking. Marcus was smart enough that he would definitely realize after just a few sentences. If Holden really could get me to talk to Marcus directly, things would go much more smoothly.
Still, I kept in mind that there was no such thing as a free lunch. “What do you want in return?”
Holden’s glad eyes suddenly creased into smiling crescent moons. “I just want some of your help. You’re the general manager of White Corporation after all. A nod from you is all I need.”
I knew from experience that a smile like that from Holden simply meant there was much more to his words. My frown deepened and I asked in suspicion, “Are you sure it is just some help?”
Holden smiled and sat down next to me. He turned to face me with an almost sensual attitude. “To be honest, it will sound a little complicated. The White Corporation tried to take over the phone industry a few years ago and got approval from the communication base station. Since things are quite strictly guarded over there, I was hoping that the White Corporation’s workers could take some of my own technicians over so they can learn a thing or two.”
I looked at him in shock. That wasn’t just ‘some help’. He was clearly trying to worm through a loophole in the system. I hadn’t even taken my bar exam yet, but Holden was being so obvious that even a rookie in law could tell what he was planning.
After a moment of surprise, I shook my head. “That’s impossible. Don’t even think about it. Ask for something else.”
Holden’s expression immediately darkened at my answer. His pale, slender fingers toyed with the glass on the table. Almost nonchalantly, he said, “I guess it’s a no-go then. Business should always be a win- win situation, you see. If you can’t give me what I need, then I suppose we should call it off. Just take it that I have never said anything.”
I knew very well he was trying to trick me using reverse psychology. Despite that, I was still worried for Marcus while being annoyed that Holden practically had me exactly where he wanted. My brows were almost knotted together in my anger.
Anthony came back from the balcony with his phone in hand. He frowned slightly at the sight of my angry expression but quickly rearranged his features into his usual calm mask. He said, “That’s business. There’s no such thing as doing someone a favor. You worked hard to get where you are today too. We can’t change anything between just the two of us. Something happened at the company and I need to make a stop at the hospital. Don’t wait up for me.”
After that, he put his phone into his pocket and picked his jacket up from the living room before walking toward the door.
He stopped right before walking out and looked back. “If you want to actually get your benefits, then come with me.”
That was directed at Holden. He scoffed before following Anthony out. Before he left, he even whispered a reminder to think about our possible exchange.
I glared at him to reinstate my stand.
The month passed by quickly. As I waited for news of Marcus, my bar exam was approaching as well. I also had to rush and get a last prenatal check-up before Professor Zidd left the country.
Anthony was so busy, he only ever showed up every few days. Despite that, he still managed to come back on time on the day of my check-up so he could fetch me to my appointment on time.
Professor Zidd looked through the report and smiled. “Congratulations! Your pregnancy is in a stable condition. In fact, I have more good news. The ultrasound shows that you’re pregnant with twins this time!”
“Really?” Both Anthony and I exclaimed. In my joy and surprise, I felt tears starting to well up in my eyes.
The last month or so of me being stuck at home and having to study for the law exam was wearing me down to the bone. The news of me being pregnant with twins was like a beam of light shining into my life. Could this be God’s way of repaying me? My last two children still managed to find their way back to me after all.
“Did you hear that, Anthony? We are going to have twins! Our babies came back to us!” I pressed Anthony’s hand tightly. My nose felt prickly and it felt like a flood of emotions were crashing against the back of my eyelids. Finally, I ended up collapsing against Anthony’s chest with tears pouring out of my eyes.
Things still hadn’t hit me by the time Anthony brought me to the car. The whole time, I felt like I was in a dream. My legs were trembling and I felt like I was walking on air.
I turned to look at Anthony in a bit of a daze. “I’m not dreaming, am I? Do we really have twins?”
Anthony smiled and brushed my hair behind my ear. His slightly rough hands caressed my cheeks softly. “No, you’re not dreaming. Professor Zidd just told us that we’re having twins. Our kids aren’t angry at us and they’re even willing to be our kids again. I must say, they’re a bit too playful for coming back at the same time. They probably don’t know your condition. I’m actually a bit worried if you’ll be alright.”
I shook my head as I laughed. “That’s nothing. As long as I can give birth to both of them, I don’t care…”
I hadn’t even finished speaking when Anthony suddenly slapped a hand over my mouth. His expression became extremely serious. “Don’t jinx it. I won’t let that happen.”
We had been giving each other the cold shoulder for the past few days, but that was all gone the moment I saw the worry on his face. I smiled coquettishly and replied, “I’m just kidding. I won’t say it again, alright?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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