Chapter 7 Plan For Revenge

Laurie PoV

My tears fell, when the award in the form of a golden statue in the shape of a star on a half-moon touched my hand.

The guests under the podium all stood up and applauded very enthusiastically, even some rich guests and spontaneously praised.

I felt like floating on a cloud. My four years paid off beautifully when, with this very valuable award on my hand.

It was my first time being in an event as big and magnificent as this and immediately getting this special award that made me proud, while my competitors were large companies that had been established for a long time, including Tommy's company got nothing.

At a glance I saw, he and Jenny, standing side by side with pale faces and blank stares, as if seeing ghosts pass by their faces.

"Ms. Laurie, as a representative of the consortium, I feel very impressed with your achievements. About four years ago when you registered your company as a member of the consortium, your company could be considered a small-scale company that had just started production, isn't that right?" said Mr. Wong, the representative of the consortium who presented the award to me.

"Yes, that's right, Mr. Wong. At that time I was indeed reckless, registering the company. Actually, my company had existed since I was little, founded by my parents, and indeed its purpose at that time was only as a home industry," I said frankly. "Then, after my parents passed away, all their assets were abandoned because I didn't manage them for one reason or another."

"Oh, so you actually started again from zero to develop your company?"

"Yes and no. My parents' plantation continued to operate under the leadership of my uncle and aunt, but they were quite old so the condition was only so-so. Then I came back and together with my friends and several people who believed in my abilities, the decision to start redeveloping the plantation and opening factories, brought me here."

The audience applauded again, more enthusiastically accompanied by compliments from several people. I blushed and nodded my head to the audience as a sign of respect.

"You are young and very beautiful, Ms. Laurie, you should be more suited to a career in the arts as a model or artist," said Mr. Wong again. "But instead you became the queen of fruit processing that dominates the American and European markets, and is even about to expand to Southeast Asia. It is truly amazing!"

I thanked him once again and bowed half-way to the audience before stepping down from the podium.

Valerie greeted me with a face wet with tears and we hugged tightly.

"Oh Laurie, this is like a dream," Valerie whispered while stroking the thirty-centimeter-high award that was quite heavy. "After this, the path to reaching the world market will be even wider for us."

I hugged her with a feeling of overflowing happiness and we stroked the golden statuette together in awe, while occasionally thanking the guests who congratulated us from their table.

"Laurie," someone touched my shoulder.

I turned my head and saw Tommy and Jenny looking at me. Oh, the feeling of happiness made me forget that my ex-husband and his sister were also present at this event and sitting at the same table as me.

Valerie became tense and glared at the two of them. I patted her thigh lightly to calm her down. Valerie held the golden statue tightly and watched my interaction with the two people.

"Y-you reopened your parents' plantation?" Tommy asked nervously.

"Yes," I replied calmly. "What else can I do after you just threw me away?"

Tommy's face looked anxious and Jenny looked like someone who was angry. I could even see her teeth chattering in her mouth.

"Is that why you didn't take my allowance? Did you really plan to start a business while you were still with me, to beat me?" Tommy asked again.

Valerie clicked her tongue in annoyance. Valerie had never known Tommy personally, but she knew all my history with him, so she must have been annoyed by Tommy's words.

"Tommy, who do you think you are? Are you so proud of yourself, thinking that I want your attention so much that I became like this because of that motivation?" I said in a mocking tone.

"Oi, Laurie, you misunderstand," Valerie said in a sarcastic tone. "Mr. Tommy said that because he admitted that he lost to you. Is that right?"

"Don't be too proud of yourself, Laurie," Jenny said in an angry tone. "You're just an amateur who happened to be successful. I don't know who the crazy person who gave you the capital to develop your old company is, but you won't last long. You're just a stupid ex-housewife, there's no way you can continue to develop that company. At some point you'll fall because of your lack of experience and business knowledge!"

"Ohoo, Jenny, how great do you think you are that you dare to say something like that to me?" I said calmly. "Be careful, what you say might come back to you later. Remember, in this day and age, karma happens instantly."

Tommy grabbed Jenny's hand and held it, preventing her from replying to my words. He smiled awkwardly at me.

"I admit you're great, Laurie, but as a more experienced businessman, I don't mind if you want to learn or ask me questions to develop your business. I can share tips and give you advice. For the sake of our past."

I snorted in disgust. "What past? I don't have a past with you, Mr. Tommy. Don't feel too great. You're nothing in my eyes."

Jenny looked angry and was about to stand up, but Tommy pressed her thigh to keep her sitting. I gave her a smirked look and reached for Valerie's arm.

"Let's get some snacks," I said. "Talking to petty and pathetic businessmen makes me hungry."

Valerie and I left the table at a leisurely pace, exchanging smiles and greetings with the other guests. I knew that Tommy and Jenny were staring at me behind me. If their eyes had lasers, I might have been scattered on the floor.

"Seriously, Laurie, if it weren't for the fact that we're in the middle of an event, I would have kicked them both to Africa!" Valerie hissed angrily.

"You may be a black belt in karate, Valerie, but Africa is too far for your kicks," I teased her.

"Tsk! You know what I mean. I wonder how you can be patient talking to them," Valerie snapped.

"It's just a strategy," I said calmly. "I don't want to be a fool in front of them anymore. It's time they found out who Laurie really is and I guess it wouldn't hurt to play them a little bit for revenge."

"I think you did it on purpose to make them even more excited and curious about you, right?" Valerie asked carefully.

"Smart girl!" I said complimenting Valerie. "I know Tommy. He won't give up easily if he wants something and that's the only thing I can praise him for, so I'll take advantage of that."

Valerie grinned. "I knew you were planning something on him."

"Hm. I've been thinking of various ways to get revenge on him and his family since I gave birth to Forest and I guess the universe showed me the way through this event," I said cheerfully. "Let's do it."

My phone rang in my bag and I picked it up, then looked at the name displayed on the phone screen.

"Oh, wait, Val, I have to take this call," I said, showing Valerie my phone screen.

My friend nodded and smiled. "Give my regards."

"Sure!"

I walked to the corner of the hall and touched the green phone icon on the phone screen. It was a call from someone I had been waiting for the past two days.

"Hello...."