Over at Duran, Diarmuid met Auric at a 7-star hotel.
The venue was grand beyond description, and the furnishings within were just as extravagant. Crystals, velour, red velvet, and gold were everywhere, and the very air seemed to smell of money and the local anesthetic.
Anyone who did not know better would believe that they had just stepped inside a palace, though the outward architecture was as modern as they come.
Auric Wes, the owner of the world-renowned hotel, was indisputably one of the world’s richest men. Dressed in a white shirt, the facial hair on his visage only served to accentuate the distinct features on his visage.
He sat nonchalantly on a red couch weaved from genuine leather, and there was an open bottle of wine sitting on the table before him.
It was worth well over a hundred grand, but it appeared to be nothing to him.
Taking a deep puff of his cigar, white smoke swirled around his face as he said, ‘I don’t understand. Why are you pulling out?
Our partnership is going to be-‘
‘l know,’ Diarmuid replied.
Though he lacked Auric’s riches, he did not appear to be at a disadvantage -one could even tell that he appeared superior and more composed.
After all, Auric’s accomplishments came from his inheritance, while Diarmuid earned everything himself.
Men weathered by hardship were certainly more compelling, and Diarmuid already made up his mind before he came.
“Here are the papers concerned,” Diarmuid said.
Auric waved to gesture for the pretty attendant nearby to pour a drink while he straightened himself in his seat and studied Diarmuid. “This begs the question-why?”
‘Minerva’s oil supply has been cut because of a war between two other countries. Even if they don’t lack it at the moment and they’ve even exported it, there would soon be a supply shortage and the
prices would shoot sky high. The two oil fields that you own is going to look very appealing-‘
‘Everyone knows that the early bird gets the early worm, but what I want to know is what could be better than our partnership if you’re willing to give it up.”
Diarmuid and Auric were close, and they had been partners before-even old friends.
As such, Diarmuid did not lie. ‘There’s someone I want to get out of Minerva.”
His gaze darkened even as he spoke, while Auric reached for his glass and took a sip. “Who is worth that great a sacrifice?”
“A fellow Zidonian,” Diarmuid replied.
He did not tell Auric about Abigail to avoid unnecessary troubles.
Auric disagreed with Diarmuid’s idea. “Minervan leaders have been trying to halt Zidonian’s progress, and they’ll make a huge fuss if they get any dirt. I really don’t think you should go so far if it’s not anyone important-”
‘They’re important to me, Auric.”
Diarmuid knew that he must sweeten the pot enough for the Minervans to release Abigail and being the ail barons of Minerva, the Raideens would definitely take the deal.He was convinced that the Raideens would talk to the right people despite their personal agenda.
“You could talk to the ambassador-“
“That’s too slow for me.” Diarmuid had not the slightest hope for the Minervan embassy because it meant going through the bureaucracy.He could not wait while Abigail was pregnant-not with all the procedures and intrigue potentially involved!
This was his only option, given the Minervans’ cunning nature.
Naturally, he would lose money because it was such a roundabout solution, but that loss mattered not in comparison to Abigail.
Auric thought it a waste, and while he was fine working with anyone since it meant more money, he disliked Minervans.
‘Hey, I have some beauties ready, and it’s rare you come by. We could have a good time at my private mansion this evening to unwind-“
“No, thanks.’ Diarmuid refused right away.
Auric chuckled. “It’s the same thing all the time. Are you sure you’re fine below the waist?”
Diarmuid got to his feet and sighed. “Not really. It’s just that the missus is scary.”
“…What?” Auric gasped. “When did you get married? I never knew-or were you hiding it from me?”
As far as he was aware, Diarmuid had been single. When did he get a wife?
What was she even like?
“I’ll introduce you next time,” Diarmuid said briskly-he had no time to waste at the moment.
Auric rarely found him rushing, and signed the papers he passed him: a transfer of partnership interest.
Stephen had arrived at Minerva too, since he found out from Mick Gooding that Abigail’s case was a difficult one, and he was the reason everything had happened in the first place.
“How did you manage such a horrific leak?” Mick growled as he stared at Stephen. “Hotmesh could have just kept the research data hidden while building their research based on it. Why publicize it and throw Abigail in such a hot mess? Neither Diarmuid nor I got to see her face so far, you know.”
Stephen was profoundly apologetic. “It’s all my fault. I entrusted the task to someone unreliable which led to this entire mess. I mean, how could I have known that he would go public without telling anyone just for his personal gain? To be fair, he paid the price with his career-“
“What good is that?” Mick growled, his annoyance rising. “We don’t even know where they’re keeping Abigail. This is so worrying.”
‘And you think I’m not? Like I said, I know it’s my mistake and I even came all the way here!” Stephen countered.
“But you’re no help,” Mick said. “You should just go home, the way I see it.”
Stephen scowled right then-what was that supposed to mean?
“Yes, I made a mistake, but are you saying that I don’t have a right to earn my forgiveness too?”
“No, but I’m afraid that Diarmuid would get annoyed when he sees you,” Mick explained. “He’s coming right now, so I should guess that he has a plan…”
“I’ll leave once I see that Abigail is fine.” Stephen said. “And I’ll help however I can.”
“Fine, I won’t talk you out of it,’ Mick told him. ‘Make yourself at home.”
“Now, now-I’m here on serious business, not a pleasure trip.” Stephen then paused as he searched his memory. “Diarmuid must be shorthanded, too-his right-hand man… What’s his name? James, I think. He got caught in an accident and ended up a vegetable. Honestly, he’s still so young, it’s so tragic…”
“What?!” A loud voice resounded right then, and Stephen turned to find the person standing at the doorway!
Erin Gooding strode into the room. “Did you just say James Cross? He’s a vegetable?”
Erin was Mick’s adopted daughter, and Stephen naturally knew her.
However, he had no idea what got her so agitated…
“You know James?” he asked.
Mick was watching Erin too-was there something between her and James that he did not know?
Erin hastily explained, “1 met him when I was trying to ask Diarmuid Althoff where my mother was buried.”
“Oh, I see.” Stephen thought nothing of it.
On the other hand, Mick knew his daughter-if she and James were mere acquaintances, she would not get so agitated after learning that James fell into a vegetative state.
Breathing a sigh, he thought to himself that his child was an adult now, and it was time she left the nest.
‘You should go visit him.”
Erin was actually surprised by Mick’s words. “Dad…?”
“Gol’ Mick waved her off. “Just don’t forget your way home.”
Erin bit her lip. “Thanks, Dad.”
With that, she ran into her room to pack her bags.
Stephen was actually perplexed. “What mischief are you up to this time?”
‘You can tell? She and James Cross…” Mick gave him a look that said ‘you- know-how-it-is’.
Stephen realized with a start. “You mean they’re dating?”
“Shush. Keep it to yourself,” Mick told him.
It was not as if Stephen was being a blabbermouth-the sudden tidbit was simply shocking.
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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