Chapter 5 My Fiancée

The next day, just as work started, the company was in an uproar.

Swift Group had unilaterally announced it wanted to suspend negotiations and reevaluate all collaborations with the Haynes Group.

The representative on the other end of the call had only said "this is too much" on the phone.

Haynes Group convened an emergency meeting, but the main character, Lola, was still absent.

As the Vice President, I instructed Lola's special assistant, Kory, to play the work recording.

Lola's phone conversation from yesterday afternoon with Swift Group's representative echoed throughout the office.

"I am Haynes Group, General Manager of Haynes Group's Strategic Development Department. Your previous offer was too high and must be reduced by at least 15 percent. Otherwise, we'll consider other partners."

This statement caused all the senior executives to be taken aback, and some looked visibly shaken.

Not only did it reveal our urgency and lack of professionalism, but it also exposed our bottom line.

The phrasing was insulting, severely damaging the carefully cultivated collaborative spirit we had worked hard to establish.

One of the senior executives who supported Lola immediately reacted and challenged Kory. "Weren't you supposed to assist Miss Haynes with her work? You're not fulfilling your responsibilities."

Kory was anxious. "I tried to advise her, but she was unconvinced by my words. She wouldn't even let me inform the project leader, Mr. Sutton..."

Marco's legs went weak. Regardless of his previous stance, he could only desperately shift the blame to Lola at this point. "I haven't heard anything about this."

I tapped the table. "Let's not dwell on the past. Who's going to deal with this mess now?"

Everyone looked at each other, and the meeting was momentarily at a standstill.

The door opened, and the secretary whispered, "Miss Haynes is here."

The senior leadership's gaze pierced towards the doorway where Lola stood.

She bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I've caused trouble for everyone, I..."

"What's the point of apologizing?" Marco's voice was stern. This was a project he had painstakingly followed up on, and now it was ruined. He was furious. "Think of a way to make amends!"

"I... I'll make a public apology!"

"Ha!" Someone couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

Lola's face turned even paler as she nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, tears streaming down.

A pair of hands steadied her trembling shoulders. Caden emerged from behind her, his demeanor relaxed. "Molly, it's not appropriate to publicly embarrass her like this."

My gaze turned cold. "The Haynes Group's top management is having a meeting. Mr. Fletcher, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to be here."

Just as I was about to call security to drive him out, he held Lola's hand, standing beside her. "Isn't it just a minor issue with Swift Group? I can step in to mediate."

My expression darkened because I knew Caden indeed had the ability to do so.

The Fletcher Group had deep ties with the Swift Group, and the heads of both companies had a close personal relationship. If the Fletcher Group intervened, it would be easy to deal with.

"What? Miss Wells, would you rather let the company suffer losses to force Lola out of her position?"

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Of course not. Thank you, Mr. Fletcher, for your assistance."

Lola, teary-eyed, looked at him with admiration. "Thank you. How can I repay you?"

Caden gently held her hand. "From now on, your matters are mine. We are a couple, and you don't have to be so polite."

With the crisis resolved, everyone's gaze shifted between the three of us.

Feeling like a spectacle, I was furious, almost snapping the pen in my hand.

"Boom!" Outside, the faint roar of an airplane grew nearer until it hovered above Haynes Group's helipad.

The administrative manager looked surprised. "A helicopter? So strange, I didn't hear about any flight path applications for the company's helipad."

My assistant rushed in, pale-faced. "Miss Wells. A lot of armed police and people in military uniforms have stormed in outside."

Under the helicopter's roar, a series of orderly and powerful footsteps approached.

A team of fully armed police had taken control of all exits. Shortly after, several people in officer uniforms strode into the meeting room.

The leading official's gaze was sharp: "Who is Molly?"

"Has Molly gotten into trouble?" Lola clung to Caden's arm, her eyes full of schadenfreude.

Suppressing my inner doubts, I stood up, trying to maintain composure. "That's me."

He sighed in relief, stepping forward to shake my hand. "This happened suddenly. The Deputy Minister of Economic Development from Yosanda specifically wants to discuss the Future New City international cooperation project with Haynes Group."

Everyone gasped.

The Deputy Minister from Yosanda? The rumored national strategic project with an investment of billions of dollars?

Faces were filled with surprise.

I quickly processed the information, feigning calmness. "Alright, where is the Deputy Minister now?"

"He..." The man glanced at the door. "He just got off the plane."

A swarm of bodyguards in suits surrounded a man in the center as they walked in.

The man was from our country. But his stature was exceptionally tall, a towering six foot three with eyes sharp as an eagle's. He had an innate commanding presence that emanated from him.

Those officers looked serious and respectfully approached him.

Lola's eyes lit up at the doorway, and when the man passed by her, she flashed a sweet smile, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Lola, I'm the manager..."

However, the man walked past her hand without a glance.

Amidst the flashing cameras of the accompanying reporters, he strode up to me.

Inexplicably, when he looked at me, his fierce aura softened slightly.

He extended his hand, his voice clear. "Hello, my fiancée."