Chapter 25 Fool
When Adela received the invitation from the Davis Group, she found herself in a difficult position. She glanced at Zachary's schedule—he already had plans for the evening.
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Jennings isn't available tonight," Adela informed them honestly.
"Tell Mr. Jennings that I'm the one asking to meet with him." Harold's voice suddenly came through the phone, steady and carrying an unmistakable tone of authority.
Adela was taken aback and quickly responded, "Of course, I'll tell Mr. Jennings right away."
These types of invitations were usually handled between secretaries—it was rare for executives to personally extend invitations. This was the first time Adela had encountered Harold making such a direct request.
She didn't dare delay and hurried toward Zachary's office. He was leaning back in his leather chair with his eyes slightly closed, hands folded across his abdomen, as if waiting for something.
"Mr. Jennings, Mr. Davis from the Davis Group called personally. He'd like to meet with you tonight."
Zachary didn't open his eyes, responding flatly, "Fine."
Adela felt compelled to add, "But you already have plans tonight—it's the dinner you scheduled a week ago."
Zachary slowly opened his eyes and rose from his seat, saying sharply, "Cancel it."
At seven o'clock that evening, Zachary arrived at Evergreen House. As soon as he stepped out of the black Maybach, he saw Harold waiting at the restaurant entrance with his assistant.
Harold was a few years older than Zachary, tall and elegant with refined features that were every bit as striking as Zachary's—he belonged to the dashingly handsome category.
However, when the two men drew closer, the contrast became obvious. Zachary was stern and unsmiling, with cold eyes—the epitome of an austere elite type. Harold, on the other hand, was the refined gentleman type who smiled while hiding daggers.
"Mr. Jennings, thank you for your generosity," Harold said, extending his hand with a smile, his deep eyes fixed on Zachary.
He was making a friendly gesture. The Davis Group and Apex Global Group had maintained business relationships during their fathers' generation, but for some reason, by the time Harold and Zachary's generation took over, the two companies had become completely unrelated.
Zachary's voluntary surrender of the Westbridge land appeared to the outside world as a signal that the two families were making peace. Harold was a smart man—he'd already guessed Zachary's intentions, but he had his own calculations as well. His friendly gesture was going with the flow, but it was also a test.
As long as Zachary played along, he was happy to return the favor. Rising together benefited everyone. But if Zachary didn't know what was good for him, then...
"I'm not giving it away for free," Zachary said bluntly, making his intentions clear.
His cold gaze swept over the extended hand as if he hadn't seen it, and he walked straight into the restaurant.
Harold chuckled softly and withdrew his hand. He'd reserved a private room toward the back—a tea room outside with a dining area inside. The windows offered a view of the river, where lights twinkled beautifully against the night sky.
A tea master had prepared the tea in advance and withdrew after the two men entered.
"Mr. Jennings, please have a seat," Harold gestured, and Zachary sat down directly.
With only the two of them in the room, the privacy was excellent—perfect for discussing any topic. But two men with conflicting agendas had little time for small talk.
"Spring green tea—try it, Mr. Jennings, and see if it suits your taste," Harold said, still playing the gracious host even after receiving his benefit.
Zachary took a sip but wasn't accustomed to the delicate fragrance, setting the cup back down. "Leave Quinley alone."
He looked up, his gaze sharp as a blade, carrying an intimidating pressure that could pierce the soul.
Harold smiled, pretending not to understand. "Mr. Jennings, what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said." Zachary's voice grew colder.
Harold had touched someone he shouldn't have, and Zachary's anger was building. Harold leaned back in his chair, maintaining his refined tone.
"Mr. Jennings, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Quinley did work under you previously, but she resigned voluntarily. Where she chooses to work is her right—neither you nor I have any authority to interfere. As for her decision to join Skyline PR, that was her personal choice. The hiring process was conducted through proper channels. While Skyline PR is a subsidiary of the Davis Group, personnel decisions aren't directly under our group's jurisdiction."
After all that explanation, what Zachary heard was simply: he wasn't letting her go.
"What will it take for you to leave her alone?"
Zachary had sacrificed such a valuable asset specifically for Quinley's sake. But he hadn't expected Harold to be even greedier than anticipated.
Harold picked up his teacup and took a light sip. "She's performing very well at the company. There's no reason to fire her unless she chooses to resign herself."
The two men's gazes locked, neither yielding an inch.
"One piece of Westbridge land for one Quinley, Mr. Davis. You do the math," Zachary said, tugging at his tie with increased pressure in his voice.
If Harold didn't wise up, Zachary had plenty of ways to take that land back.
How could Harold let something he'd already obtained slip away? He smiled again. "Mr. Jennings, this isn't something you and I can decide—we need to hear her opinion. How about this: I'll have someone bring Quinley here. As long as she's willing to resign voluntarily, I'll let her go immediately."
As he spoke, Harold dialed his phone in front of Zachary. "Ms. Morgan, bring Quinley to Evergreen House." He gave the room number without explaining the reason.
"Understood, we'll be right there."
Quinley was busy organizing materials for a new project when Lauren called from the office doorway, "Let's go."
"Ms. Morgan, where are we going?"
Lauren was focused on getting there quickly. "You'll find out when we arrive."
Skyline PR's office building wasn't far from Evergreen House. Lauren drove personally, and they arrived in less than ten minutes.
When the private room door opened, Lauren entered first while Quinley waited outside. "Mr. Davis, I've brought her," Lauren said, glancing at Zachary.
"Send her in, you can go," Harold instructed.
Lauren immediately withdrew and told Quinley, "Go in—Mr. Davis wants to see you."
Quinley didn't think much of it and pushed the door open. To her surprise, Harold wasn't alone inside—Zachary was there too.
"Mr. Davis, Mr. Jennings."
She clasped her hands in front of her abdomen, kept her back straight, and nodded slightly—maintaining perfect professional posture.
Harold smiled. "Quinley, Mr. Jennings came to ask me to release you. I called you here because I wanted to ask your opinion—would you prefer to go with Mr. Jennings, or continue staying at Skyline PR?"
Harold's voice wasn't loud, but it hit like a thunderbolt from clear skies. She hadn't expected Zachary to create such a scene.
She was desperately trying to distance herself from him, yet here he was, getting entangled again. Wasn't this just making things worse for her?
Zachary's gaze fell on her, burning and stubborn. He was waiting for an answer—an answer to a question he already knew the response to.
"Mr. Jennings, thank you for your kind offer, but since I chose to leave Apex Global Group, I never intended to look back. Mr. Davis has been very supportive of me, so I'd like to continue staying at Skyline PR."
She maintained her composure, refusing decisively.
Harold rested his chin on his hand, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. "Quinley, you'd better think this through carefully. At Skyline PR, you're just an ordinary PR staff member. If you return to Apex Global Group, you'd be Mr. Jennings's executive secretary."
Quinley smiled faintly. "All honest work has dignity. Whether doing PR or secretarial work, the positions may be different, but their value is the same. I believe I can achieve success in the PR field as well."
"Well said!" Harold applauded, his smile growing broader. "As expected of someone who came from under Mr. Jennings—your perspective is truly different."
Harold was pleased, but Zachary was not. He studied Quinley intently—she seemed to be deliberately opposing him. Had she lost her mind?
Fury instantly ignited in Zachary's eyes, burning relentlessly with the intensity of mutual destruction.