Chapter 3 Being a Mistress?
Jennifer quickly asked, "What happened?" It was hard to explain over the phone, so she tried to calm Marlowe down while rushing back home. When she arrived, she found Marlowe sitting on the couch, eyes red from crying. Jennifer comforted her and got the details.
David owned a parts manufacturing company, which was currently upgrading its machinery to expand. Recently, Eugene had introduced him to an investor, and they had agreed on the investment amount, with only the contract left to sign.
David had already ordered the machines, just waiting for the first payment to start work. But today, when it came time to sign, the investor, Glenn, backed out. The supplier somehow got wind of it and came to the Brown family to demand payment. David was now scrambling for a solution, but such a large sum was hard to gather quickly.
Marlowe gripped Jennifer's hand anxiously and asked, "Glenn was introduced by Eugene. Can you ask him for help? He's a manager at an investment bank; he must have connections and funds."
Jennifer gritted her teeth. "He cheated on me, and we broke up." Marlowe's mouth opened, but she couldn't say anything. She had thought they just had a fight and hoped Jennifer could ask Eugene for help. She looked at Jennifer with pity and patted her hand. "Jennifer, I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
Jennifer said, "For Dad's company, I'm willing to contact him and ask." Despite the breakup, they had been together for years, and David had helped Eugene in the past. She didn't believe Eugene would abandon them now.
Jennifer stepped aside and called Eugene. He answered quickly.
Eugene's voice was laced with amusement. "Finally decided to take me off the blacklist?" Last night, after Jennifer had yelled at him, he tried calling back only to find himself blocked. But he wasn't too upset, confident that Jennifer would come back to him soon.
Jennifer took a deep breath and said softly. "Blocking you was wrong, and I apologize. Can you help my dad? His company is his life's work, and he was always good to you."
"You think what he's going through is just bad luck? No, he deserves it!" Eugene's words were filled with hatred.
Jennifer realized immediately. "Did you set all this up? Why? My dad never wronged you!" Glenn was Eugene's introduction, and Eugene knew the company's situation well. He had also pushed David to pre-order the expensive equipment.
Eugene laughed heartily. "Never wronged me? My family went bankrupt because of your dad! If it weren't for him, I would have gone to a private school, inherited my dad's company, and not had to struggle for years, working humiliating jobs to get by. All these years, I played nice to your family just for this moment!"
Years ago, when Eugene was in middle school, his father, Lester Bailey, and David were in the same industry and bid on the same project. Lester initially won, but was reported for bribery, lost the project, and went to jail for three years.
The Bailey family business went under, and Eugene had to transfer from his private school. When Lester got out, he discovered the project had gone to David and believed David had reported him. Laden with debt and watching his rival's business thrive while his own attempts failed, Lester died a few years later. On his deathbed, he made Eugene swear to avenge him.
Eugene's meeting Jennifer was a calculated move, and he ingratiated himself with David to infiltrate the company and strike when the time was right. Destroying David's company would be the ultimate revenge.
Jennifer was shocked, but she didn't know the details from back then. She weakly protested, "No, my dad isn't like that."
Eugene sneered. "Of course, he seems kind to you. But do you really know his business tactics? This is just the beginning. I have more tricks up my sleeve. Watch your dad's company go bankrupt."
Jennifer's tears flowed. "Eugene, please, can you let my dad go?"
"It's not impossible. If you stay with me, I'll go easy on him. But I'll be marrying Aria, so our relationship needs to stay secret." Eugene's voice lowered, making the vile proposition sound almost romantic.
He was asking her to be his mistress. Jennifer trembled with rage. "No way! Eugene, you're disgusting!" She hung up, shaking. Despite knowing Eugene's character, she hadn't expected such depravity. Even with the company's crisis, she knew her father wouldn't want her to sacrifice herself. They would find a way through this together.
Jennifer turned to tell Marlowe, only to see David standing behind her, looking pained. She quickly wiped her tears and asked cautiously, "Dad, when did you get back? How much did you hear?"
"Jennifer, it's my fault. Don't beg him. I'll handle this myself." David's brow furrowed deeply. He had heard everything. It was his failure as a father that had led to Jennifer's humiliation. He had sought help from friends all day, but no one could assist him. Realizing Eugene's betrayal, he felt a severe headache.
Jennifer couldn't stop crying. She hugged David. "Dad, it's my fault for dating him. He used me to get to you and ruin your company."
David swayed but steadied himself. He had only heard the latter part of the call, but hearing Eugene's threat to Jennifer had enraged him. He didn't know about the old grudge. He sat down with Jennifer and asked for details, realizing the past connection with Lester. "Twelve years ago, I did win a big contract after initially losing the bid. But I never reported Lester. I don't know what happened in between."
Marlowe asked, "Can we explain this to Eugene and ask for mercy?"
David shook his head. "He won't believe us. Even if I didn't report Lester, I benefited from it. He blames me for his father's imprisonment and death. You don't need to worry. I'll handle it." He patted Jennifer's head and headed upstairs, needing to rest his aching head before figuring out the next steps.
Marlowe sighed. "Your dad's had it tough. Let him rest."
Jennifer nodded, watching David's retreating figure. Suddenly, she screamed, "Dad!"
David, exhausted from the day's efforts and the shocking revelations, had fainted.