New Partnership

"When we met with Kris Li, you said his enemy was your enemy. Is it someone from the Yang Family? Andy?"

"No. Andy is a smart man, he wouldn't do something so careless. And besides, Andy and Ming Zhao have no relationship for Ming Zhao to be helping him."

"But you do have someone in mind? I can tell from the look of your eyes."

"I do, but I will let the opportunity arise to confirm my assumption. At the moment, I will play defense."

Lena plopped herself back and lay down on the sofa. "Are you tired? I can get the guest room ready for you."

Lena was tired… from all the crying. "Nah… I am going to leave."

"Did you not say you wanted to stay overnight?"

"I just wanted to brawl out my feelings to a friend. Plus, I don't have any clothes here and I have to work early tomorrow."

"It's late." Gary said worryingly.

Lena got up and walked towards the window. "As I assumed, they are still out there."

Gary got up too and looked out with her. He spotted a black car, hiding peacefully in the dark, not too far from the apartment.

"Where is your bathroom? I'll stay here for a bit until my eyes are not red and puffy then I'll leave. Just in case they think you did something bad to me."

Lena also did not want to show people her in a vulnerable state too. She washed her face and Gary brought her some snacks and they sat and watched some late night news.

Lena was feeling more cheerful and relaxed. It was a good thing to release all that stress. She stayed for a while longer. When it was 3 am, Lena turned off the television. She looked to her side to see Gary already cuddled up on the sofa and asleep.

She smiled. She went to find his room so she could grab a blanket for him. However, lots of his rooms were locked with a security passcode, so Lena just rolled her eyes.

'What did he have here that is so important?'

Lena walked back to Gary who was still sleeping soundlessly. She bent down on the floor and stared at his baby face.

"Thank you." Lena whispered. "Thank you for not leaving me."

With that, she silently left the apartment. The doors auto unlock so it was all good. She walked out of the apartment and her car already drove up front. Noah and Kye already say her the moment she got out. She entered the car and it drove off.

"Just take me to Highland Hotel." It was already late and she does not want to drive all the way back to the mansion. Highland Hotel was near SHYNE so it would be easy to get to work tomorrow. She'll just text Diane to stop by and bring her some clothes in the morning.

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Although Lena only had a few hours of sleep, she looked like she slept for a decade. Her face was still flawless and her energy was to the sky.

Diane came by the morning to give Lena her change of clothes. Lena had a morning meeting with foreign investors. It was important that she was there since SHYNE had hoped to enter the international market. She arrived at the company early so make sure her staff was ready to greet their guests.

Lena was already in the meeting room. Diane had informed her that they had arrived. A middle-aged woman walked into the room shortly afterward. Her blonde hair was beautifully tied into a bun and a few men followed behind her.

"Hello, Mrs. Reynolds." Lena spoke in perfect English to greet the woman.

"Hello, Miss. Shen." The lady replied. Both groups greeted each other and then sat down on the long table.

Angela Reynolds was the head designer of LUX, a high-end jewelry company in the United States. SHYNE's spring jewelry set was a success and hearing that the company wanted to expand outward, LUX offered a partnership with them.

Her team presented a proposal about their partnership. SHYNE wanted to introduce western designs in their products while LUX wants to introduce eastern designs in the States. Merging and sharing of resources will benefit both companies greatly.

But not only that, SHYNE was very few of the companies that produce their own raw materials used for their jewelry. A partnership with SHYNE also means access to these resources.

In the past generations of the Shen family, they had monopolized their raw materials, but times were changing. Lena only accepted to hear the proposal only after getting approval from the Shen elders.

"With our partnership, SHYNE growth output will increase by 40% internationally and an annual profit upped by 26% for the first few years." The main presenter spoke.

The numbers were about the same as Lena had evaluated the proposal. Both parties had already drafted the contract and they only need to review the final draft and sign. They an hour to finalize the agreement.

"It is a pleasure to be in partnership with LUX." Lena shook the hands of Mrs. Reynolds.

"Thank you. I look forward to success!"

Lena had invited them to lunch but Mrs. Reynolds already had an appointment scheduled. Lena walked their new business partners out. Lena went back up to her office. She was deciding if she should go out for lunch or just order in.