Chapter 191 - Repulsive Name
Chapter 191 – Repulsive Name
Atlantis was the first to arrive at the restaurant. The location was in the heart of Ritan, at one of the highest skyscrapers in the entire city. Well, there was a glaring one even taller than this, not far away. DeHaven Corporation.
From his seat, Atlantis had a good view of the company. DeHaven Corporation's headquarters were dubbed "the building that touched heaven." It was so high up, Atlantis pitied the engineers.
Seated in the most secluded part of the restaurant, Atlantis relaxed and took another view out of the window.. In the past, people would deny him even a glance inside the restaurant. Now, people were eager to give him the best seats. It was funny how coming into wealth immediately changed the way people treated you
Despite being in the quietest spot, Atlantis heard the commotion outside. She always caused one.
"Is that…"
"Lina Yang…"
"I heard she might be second in line for the chairman position."
When the doors slid open, Lina was standing there. Atlantis' gaze swept over her carefully. She was dressed to perfection. He was surprised by her sharply tailored suit and dress pants that still seemed fashionable.
Lina was the picture-perfect chairwoman with her golden buttons and intricate designs. The elegance she eluded was incomparable. In so little time, she had changed.
"Atlantis," Lina addressed.
Atlantis instantly rose out of his chair.
"Lina," Atlantis stated.
Atlantis' mouth tugged into a warm smile. He quickly closed the distance between them. He pulled her for a quick hug, but felt her stiffen in his hold. He broke off the embrace in time for it to be a friendly one.
"Come sit," Atlantis gestured for her.
Atlantis pulled out the chair for her. She gracefully took her position. He was momentarily awestruck by her beauty and independence. Her hair was styled to perfection, falling over her shoulders in neat waves. Even in high school, she was cold and calculating. She always wore a knowing smile, but now, she had completely transformed.
Gone was the teary-eyed Lina from their middle school days. Replacing her was a sharp-eyed woman.
"This seems to be everyone's favorite restaurant," Lina mused.
Lina crossed her legs and peered out the window. Everyone was in the office today. The streets were no longer lonely and colorful. All she saw was the bustle of Ritan. The technology here had developed faster than in any other city in the country.
"What do you mean?" Atlantis curiously asked whilst taking a seat as well.
Right on cue, the waiter came in with the menu of the day. He opened his mouth to make a speech, but Atlantis held up a hand and beckoned him to be quiet.
"Thank you," Lina said when the waiter handed her the menu.
"Welcome again, Miss Yang," the waiter pleasantly told her with a bowed head. Then, he handed Atlantis the menu with two hands as well.
"You've been here before?" Atlantis questioned. He was stunned, but expected as much. Despite being the chairman of Medeor Corporation, he was still placed on a waiting list of an hour.
Atlantis' secretary worked hard for this table reservation.
"Yes, with Kaden," Lina responded. "He booked it on a whim and was able to get a seat right away."
Unbeknownst to her, a gentle smile lifted her features. She fondly stared out the window.
"Is that so?" Atlantis spat under his breath.
Atlantis' heart fell. This was no longer his favorite restaurant. What took him hours to secure took Kaden a mere minute. His eyes were set ablaze. He was the chairman of Medeor Corporation. Kaden was just some Young Master from an unknown background.
Atlantis gritted his teeth. How could he lose to such a man?
"The view was much more melancholic at night," Lina whispered.
Now that everyone was in their office working, she knew they'd be distracted until nightfall. That was when everyone's relief or horror settled in. Relief they could go home, but horror that some didn't have family waiting for them back home.
"Right…" Atlantis trailed off. "I do recall you used to love the night time scenery and how everything blended in together, since not many were in a rush."
Lina vaguely nodded. She returned her attention to the menu. Strands of hair fell, hiding her vision. She tucked her hair behind her ears.
Atlantis didn't miss the flash of the enormous ruby. He felt his eyes go wide with disbelief. Not because she had a ring, but because of the gemstone. The ring caught the splendid light, nearly blinding him with its beauty.
"You're wearing a ring now," Atlantis dryly said. "It must be official."
Atlantis didn't enjoy the sight of the ruby ring. He especially didn't like how it didn't fit her. She deserved better, but didn't even know the truth. However, he wasn't certain of the truth yet. He'd need to do more research into the DeHaven Family heirloom.
"My marriage was always official," Lina lightly laughed. "Didn't you hear from the media a few weeks ago?"
"Unfortunately, I did," Atlantis dismissed.
Lina ignored his disappointed voice. She shifted her attention to the brunch menu. She had enjoyed a hearty breakfast with Kaden… well, he had a heartier one than her. She couldn't fathom how he could eat her out on the kitchen countertop and then, enjoy a breakfast like it was no big deal. This man and his antics…
"Does that mean I don't have a chance anymore?" Atlantis joked.
Lina laughed it off. She knew he wouldn't go for a married woman. He had more morals than that.
"You'll have to get in line," Lina chortled. "There's another person in front of you."
Atlantis rose a sharp brow. "Oh? Who?"
"Everett Leclare," Lina spat out. The name repulsed her.
Atlantis was irritated by the mentioning of another man. He finally remembered the headlines now. Lina was entangled in a scandal between Everett and Kaden. It took a marriage announcement for the rumors to simmer down. Without the announcement, Yang Enterprise would've been heavily affected.
"He wasn't at your celebration," Lina said to Atlantis. "I thought you'd be acquainted with him. Medeor always utilized Leclare lawyers. In fact, many corporations use Leclare lawyers."
"Because so many are using them, I've transitioned to a different company," Atlantis told her. "My acquaintances are doing the same."
Lina hummed in response. "House Leclare's pockets must be heavy with company secrets. They know everything about a corporation. The inside trading, under the table deals, evasions, and the list goes on."
"Indeed," Atlantis mused. "Too bad they can never reveal it or else they'll go bankrupt."
They couldn't reveal it, but they could always blackmail them. The business world was as cruel as the mafia, if not, worse. The victim of blackmail couldn't go to anyone, but themselves. The police would realize the illegal activities. Even worse, the victim couldn't boldly declare the Leclare to reveal the secrets. The consequences were far too high and no one dared to speak out.
"My grandfather used to call them a family of rabbits," Lina commented. "All they do is multiply their supply of secrets."
"Indeed," Atlantis mused.
"Without company secrets as leverage, they're nothing," Lina realized.
Atlantis was alarmed that she pieced things together that quickly. "Yes, how did you—"
"Which course are you getting?" Lina asked, deciding to change the topic.
"Huh?" Atlantis responded. "O-oh, uh maybe course A."
Lina vaguely nodded. "I'd like Course B then."
"Perfect! I'll call in the waiter. I hope you're up for mimosas, I know those were your favorites at parties," Atlantis mused. He pressed a button under the table that'd summon in an employee.
Lina forced a smile and nodded. In reality, she was lost in thought.
Suddenly, Lina had a terrifying idea in mind. It'd be near impossible, but it could work. If she could get her hands on the files that contained the secrets of powerful executives, companies, and the list went on.
If she could get her hands on such a tool… It would be over for Leclare Law Firm.
Leclare Law Firm must've made a lot of enemies by now. Enemies that'd want them gone. That'd want the files wiped out.
What was one way to become the chairwoman with a bang? By taking down one of the largest law firms in the world.