The Villain's Wife (Book 2)

253

When the four of them arrived in the Facci Group, they expected to be welcomed by the executives with Jennie and Mr. Rossi. Instead, what they got was the cold and suffocating atmosphere at Jennie's office.

"Good Morning!" Jennie beamed the moment she saw the four of them. Contrary to the current atmosphere, Jennie's smile was as brilliant as the sun. This immediately confused Leon and his sons. "Please take your seats." Jennie continued.

"We were expecting to see you with everyone else." Herman's tone was firm. "Is there something wrong?"

"There is," Jennie answered. "Let's discuss it over coffee?" As if on cue, the door of her office opened, revealing Irene with some refreshments.

"Miss Athalia, I asked my staff to include the rarest green tea just for you," Jennie added. "I hope you like it."

"Eh? How did you- "

"I remember," Jennie answered before she turned towards Leon Corneel. However, her answer did not sit well with Athalia. The latter stared at Jennie, a foreboding feeling started to grow inside her as she eyed her fiance who was also giving her a confused gaze. This treatment is surprising for everyone as Jennie had been cold to Athalia throughout the visit. This was the first time that she acknowledged the latter by offering some special tea.

However, they did not have the time to think about this as Jennie already started talking about the contract.

"You will sign it?" Herman furrowed his brows. "After what happened? You will still sign it?" Surprise flashed in his eyes. Was Jennie crazy? How could she even think about signing it? She knew that there had been some tension inside the Corneel Family. While the contract states that the Company will become a subsidiary under Facci Group, it is still technically an independent company that will be run by the Corneels.

However, this setup is hard to accomplish once there is a civil war inside the family that runs it. With the blackmail between Leon and his sons, this arrangement is bound to cause some losses - millions of losses. How could Jennie do this?

"Of course. Why won't I sign it?" she gave them a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Is there something wrong?"

"I - It's just that - we were not expecting you to sign it. After what happened yesterday. The losses are just - its big. And I honestly thought signing it would not be beneficial to you in any way."

"That is true. It is indeed a risk."

"Then?" Rein chimed in. He too did not understand Jennie's point.

"Then... I am changing the contract. I would offer half of the original price. Every executive has signed and agreed to do this. I also- "

"What are you talking about? How could you- "

"Let me finish when I'm talking." Jennie snapped at Leon. "How disrespectful."

"You- "

"I also happened to know that you blocked all the news about the incident yesterday. You paid a lot of money to keep it down so it won't affect your shares. Releasing the news will surely affect your company, no?"

Silence followed Jennie's words as the people opposite her stared at her, half in confusion, half in anguish. Seeing this, Jennie smiled and continued. "A company that prided themselves of having topmost security. A company with the least attacks had been raided by pirates twice in a day." She widened her eyes. "Wouldn't that surprise the whole Oil Industry? Then... of course they will assume that another attack will happen. Many will sell their shares at a lower price, many will panic. What do you think will happen if something like that happens?"