5 Chapter 5
After a long day, she finally went home to her apartment. It was a small yet luxurious apartment where only she and her 2 assistants live. Lucius and Jiangzhe are always with her so it is understandable that they live with her. Her apartment is only temporary since she really doesn't want to be with her grandfather for the meantime until she finds a way to break off the engagement.
"Well... milady, that was admirable of you to spare the star entertainment," Lucius commented as he received her coat.
"I'm tired from all the drama and Xinyi have always dreamed to sign with that shitty entertainment. Prepare my bath," she said as she massaged her neck.
She sat on the sofa and opened her messages. A message was from her grandfather's assistant, Xuifeng. Her grandfather's assistant was scarier than her own father and in a way, Xuifeng raised her while she was in her grandfather's house.
After reading the message, her blood boiled to the point where she wanted to scream. But instead, she calmed herself.
"Lucius, cancel everything tomorrow evening. My grandfather will be holding a party at the mansion. It seemed like that old man is quite excited to give his granddaughter away," she sighed.
"Of course, milady. Your bath is ready," he smiled.
...
The next day, she sent Lucius to the office to finish everything she left off. It was Jiangzhe's turn to serve her.
"Jiangzhe, schedule," she said as she sipped her coffee.
"I've booked you an appointment with the Z.E Clothing Apparel this morning, milady. By lunch, you have a lunch meeting with your father and by afternoon, all you have to do is to get ready for the party," Jiangzhe said as he poured coffee on her cup.
"Is there any movement from the Xiang Corporation?" she asked as she took a bite from her food.
"Not that I heard of milady," he said.
"I'm starting to get suspicious with that asshole. Check them every once in a while and report to me immediately," she said as she sipped her coffee.
"Yes, milady," Jiangzhe said.
"Jiangzhe, I'd like you to prepare for tonight. I highly doubt that asshole as something up in his sleeve. It's quite suspicious that he hasn't helped that entertainment when Star Entertainment is one of its major stockholders," she said as she continued reading the newspaper. "Tell Lucius to look into this."
"Yes, milady," the servant nodded.
...
Lunchtime came, after choosing her dress for the night she went directly to the restaurant to see what her father's up to these days.
"Papa," she smiled as soon as she saw her father.
Ever since her mother died, her father never remarried. Although her father's young enough to remarry, no one could ever fit the role of Mrs. Tan. And her father's been deadly in love with her mother even she passed away.
"Sweetheart," her father greeted.
After giving her father a warm embrace, they both sat down and ordered their food.
"How was Hongkong, Papa?" she asked excitedly.
"The same as always. I'm really sorry about tonight, sweetheart. I just can't do anything. You know how stubborn your grandfather is," he said as he held her hand.
"It's okay, Papa. I know you were worried about me but I'm fine, really. I'd find that sweet crack myself and break off the engagement," she said.
Her father sighed and looked at her warmly. His daughter has always closely resembled the love of his life and it was the reason why he dotes on her.
"But I'd still try talking to your grandfather. Perhaps he would change his mind if we just convince him enough," he said.
"Papa, I told you, I'm fine. I'm a big girl now," she said.
"Alright. Anyways, let's talk about the company. I heard the company's doing greater than ever," he said as he sipped his wine.
"Yes. I've pushed the employees out of their comfort zones," she said.
"I hope you weren't that harsh on them," he said.
"Oh papa, if I was gentle, the company would have gone to ashes by now," she said. "Besides, I'm not paying them to be comfortable. Workplaces aren't comfortable in the first place."
Her father sighed. He was always away for work when she was still a child and couldn't take care of her. Because of that, she grew up lacking the empathy that a human needs. Since growing up, her only friend was her books and not just fairytale books but business-related and financial books.
"But sweetheart, thinking aside, you're already old enough to marry. I should be lounging in the house with my grandchildren," her father laughed.
It was obvious that her father wasn't against about the marriage but he couldn't see her daughter be in an unhappy marriage.
"If Grandfather won't yield then I'll have no choice but to marry him," she said.
"Oh sweetheart, don't be like that. How about we meet him first before you judge him. And if he isn't to your liking, I'll do everything in my power to cancel the engagement," her father asked.
She took a deep breath first before drinking her wine.
"Fine. I'll do that. I can't say I have nothing to gain from marrying since there's a lot to gain from this marriage. A share in the Xiang's company is one thing," she said.
"See? There's a lot to gain from this marriage. You'll especially gain a stronghold on the economy business in Asia since both of you are considered the superior leaders in terms of businesses," he replied.
"Let's just see, papa," she said as she grabbed her fork and knife.
After that long discussion, the two remained silent during their lunch.
"I'll see you tonight, sweetheart," her father said as he hugged her goodbye. "There's a lot of things I should go see before the party."
"Alright, papa," she said as she watched her father walk away.
"Where to, milady?" Jiangzhe asked when they were already in the car.
"I need to prepare for the party tonight," she said as she closed her eyes to take a short nap. She's been feeling sleepy these past few days and wondered if it was stress that was causing it.
After a while, Jiangzhe woke her up. They arrived in the hotel that her father owns.
"Has Zheng arrived?" she asked as she walked towards the VIP elevator.
"Yes, milady. She's currently in your room, waiting for you," Jiangzhe said.
"And Lucius?"
"He said he sent an email to you and says you should check it yourself later, milady," Jiangzhe said as he led her to her room.
"Fine," she sighed as she entered her room.
"Milady," Zheng greeted.
"My dress?" she asked.
"All prepared milady. I've bought my personal team to assist you for tonight," she said.
"Alright. Let's start now."
