Chapter 74 Chapter 74
HENDEIX’S POV
“Mr. Lavarre, bad news,” Roen greeted me. I was currently in the office preparing myself to go to work when he knocked and came in.
“Explain,” I replied shortly.
“The withdrawals haven’t stopped.”
“How many now?” After glancing once, I continued checking the documents I needed to attend to before leaving the villa.
“Another three major investors pulled out this morning. And we’ve received notices from two more, still pending confirmation,” he explained. I heaved a deep sigh as I clenched my fist.
“So it’s still happening.”
“Yes, sir. The reaction… is cascading.”
I slowly nodded as I accepted the news. “Good. Let the weak exit early,” I said sarcastically as I stood up to check myself in the mirror. I fixed my necktie before brushing my hair.
“Should we issue a statement to stabilize the market?” he suggested, maintaining his patience while placing the documents inside the briefcase. I could see the worry on his face.
“No. They’re not afraid of instability. They’re afraid they no longer have access to me.”
Since the news broke about my marriage, several investors have withdrawn their shares because some of them had personal expectations. They wanted an alliance they hoped to form through their daughters.
Back then, offers came from every direction. Each of them proposed that I marry their daughters. No matter how aggressively they tried to sell the idea, I never agreed. Marriage was never part of my considerations.
Trust does not come easily to me. In my experience, once people obtain what they want in business, loyalty becomes optional. Betrayal is not a possibility I ignore; it is an outcome I expect.
But now that those prospects are gone, they no longer see value in maintaining their investments, which I already expected. Of course, they will do that. But it is part of the plan.
“But Mr. Lavarre… they are now forming alliances with your father instead.”
My teeth gritted. Even though I already knew that would happen, my irritation didn’t fade.
“Then they were never loyal to this company to begin with. Let them go where they believe power still listens. Those who leave will never be allowed to return to me.”
I walked out of the office and headed down the stairs. I was about to leave when someone called out to me.
“Huz! Are you leaving already? Won’t you eat first? I woke up early to prepare some food for you!”
The seriousness on my face disappeared when I saw Mori standing in front of me with a wide smile on her lips. My feet instinctively moved toward her, but I was stopped when Roen cleared his throat.
“Mr. Lavarre, we will be late,” he whispered.
I remembered—we have an important meeting at 9 a.m., and we cannot afford delays.
But who would be able to resist such a beauty now walking toward me? She even held my arm and caressed me in a way that could hypnotize me into doing what she wanted.
“Just this once, eat with me. Roan doesn’t eat with me anyway. Please?”
I don't know what's in her eyes. I felt like at this time, I could finally read those sorrowful eyes that were begging me to stay. And I did stay.
Roen had no choice but to follow when I went with my wife to eat. I could clearly see on Mori’s face how happy she was that we were eating together. She was even chatting, which, honestly, I couldn’t understand because I was too blinded by her beautiful smile.
"You know what, Huz? I also prepared lunch for you. Hold on, I’ll just get it," she said before standing up. I watched her pack several vacuum canisters into a lunch bag. She also added some fruits.
Why does she seem different today? So unexpectedly sweet.
"Here, huz! Eat all of this, okay? Don’t starve yourself. I also put vitamins and supplements so you won’t get sick. I know how busy you are, and I want to apologize because I’m taking too much of your time. You even picked me up at the bar last night. I’m sorry. Don’t worry, you don’t have to come home every now and then. Finish what you need to finish. I will be here waiting."
So this is how it feels to have a wife. I thought our driver, Alex, was just telling stories. This is what he’s been bragging to me about his family.
A smile formed on my lips, a genuine one filled with gratitude.
"I'll be home as soon as possible, my wife. Keep yourself busy so you won't miss me too much. No, scratch that, I want you to miss me a lot. Okay?"
I stood up, and she greeted me with a hug. "I will miss you, huz."
A tight embrace, as if she was sending me off with love. I remembered what she told me last night, her wish.
Is she doing this to get what she wants? To have me fall in love with her?
My girl, spare me. I'm down bad already.
I found myself smiling as we traveled toward the city. Roen keeps on staring at me while shaking his head, but who cares?
"She'll definitely be the death of me," I said.
"Yes, Mr. Lavarre. She will," he agreed, full of disappointment.
But my smiles vanished when we finally got into my company building.
My father is there—Henri Lavarre, creating havoc once again.