"Hahaha, it’s alright, don’t be shy. This is a good sign, right, Isaac? Our family will soon be reunited again?" Lewis’s sentence echoed in the room, leaving Bella speechless.
Bella could feel how hot her face was now. And this time, it was not from the fever. She lowered her head and started eating the breakfast that Nick had just served.
The lavish breakfast Nick prepared and the elders’ excellent breakfast company make Bella forget her fever. Or maybe it’s because the medicine is working? She doesn’t care. She enjoyed her breakfast in peace and quiet while listening to these shameless geezers talking about her and Tristan being a couple again.
Gosh!
Shortly after, Nick returned to the dining room to let Bella know that Sam had arrived to pick her up. She immediately excused herself.
"Grandpa," Bella said as she stood up from her seat. "I will go now. And I’ll probably be back before dinner." She bowed slightly and left without giving them a chance to say anything.
As Bella walked quickly towards the main entrance, she tried to calm her mind and heart after hearing a conversation between two grandpas.
Bella still couldn’t believe her grandfather had blessed Tristan so quickly. She remembered her grandfather always said he would repeatedly break Tristan’s legs, but now?
When did they become so close? Is it because their houses are next to each other, and Tristan always dines with them?
She feels puzzled.
Soon, Bella remembered that Tristan and her grandfather always chatted without her after dinner.
Bella’s smile became even more sour, guessing that Tristan had won her grandfather’s heart.
Now, she feels suspicious. Tristan not only wins Grandpa, but he is also already getting Aunty Noora, too.
Unbelievable!
’After Dax, he now won Grandpa and Aunty Noora. What nice progress...Tristan Sinclair!’ She can’t help but feel amused by his determination to win her heart.
Now, she also feels like her heart will soon betray her mind.
...
"Good Morning, Boss," Sam’s voice distracted Bella from her own thoughts.
She greeted her before getting into the car and tried to compose herself, not letting the morning’s events bring her mood down.
However,
Bella was unable to get away from Leo.
Leo greeted her with unusual cheer and said, "Hello, boss. You look beautiful and charming, as always."
"Thank you for your always uplifting compliment, Leo," Bella said, glancing at the new chauffeur behind the wheel.
"Good morning, Ms. Donovan. I’m Randy from Celebes Energy. I’ll be your driver while you stay in this city." The driver greeted her.
"Hello! Good morning. Thank you, Randy... it’s nice to meet you," Bella returned the greeting with a smile and then looked at the view outside.
Last night, even though the moon was bright, she couldn’t see the view toward the Villa clearly. Now, she was amazed to find their Villa surrounded by tall, lush trees.
"Bella, why is your face slightly red? It looks like you’re angry about something..." Leo’s voice suddenly broke the silence. "Did something offend you this early?"
Sitting beside the driver, Sam was surprised to hear Leo’s words. He looked in the rearview mirror at Bella and saw that her face was a little red.
Bella turns her attention to Leo.
"Leo, you should start considering wearing glasses. I don’t think you could even see my face clearly..." Bella said casually while turning her gaze. She looked at the garden their car passed, and finally, the main gate appeared.
After the car reached the main road, Bella noticed no houses near the Villa. About a mile later, she saw another building.
"Boss, come on, spill the tea. Who offended you?" Leo asked again, but Bella didn’t entertain or answer his curiosity—she could only continue looking outside to ease her mind.
As the car journey continues,
Bella’s silence becomes more pronounced. And Leo acted accordingly. He started to talk about the works. Soon, her mind is preoccupied with the busy schedule that Leo had re-updated for her.
They will visit Celebes Energy’s head office to meet the executives and tour a mining site.
The mining location is quite far from the city, which would be a terrible trip if her fever returned. She would likely be unable to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive.
Soon after, they are driven into the commercial street, and later, the car stops at the Celebes Building. It is a ten-story building with a modern architecture.
As the car halted just outside the entrance, Bella spotted Leo’s secretary, Dana, and the CEO of Celebes Energy, Lucian Bloomdale, waiting for them near the main entrance.
Lucian extends his hand to Bella, "It’s great to meet you in person finally, Ms. Donovan," he says, surprised by how beautiful she looks.
Bella accepts his handshake and is also surprised to see Lucian. He is so tall and massive—it’s like meeting the Rock in person.
Before long,
They all gather in the executive meeting room, including a few executive directors whom Bella had already met online.
Celebes Energy is a mining company with oil and natural gas mines on the coast south of Nova City. The area is known for its large energy reserves.
Despite having a potentially profitable business, corrupt local government officials prevent companies from maximizing profits.
This practice has been ongoing for years despite the company’s attempts to intervene. The officials were well-connected to the capital’s military and related government ministry, rendering the company inefficient.
When Andreas Corby was the COO* of Quantum Capital, he made it even worse. He took advantage of the situation to his own benefit. He did nothing to stop the ill practice and the consequent losses and inefficiency.
The company has been operating here for around 20 years; unfortunately, corruption has been a persistent issue.
Even if an old corrupt official retires, a younger one who takes their position continues the cycle. The company loses millions of dollars each year due to these corrupt practices. It’s a smooth and tyrannical system that’s been going on for too long.
Bella listens to their report calmly and composedly without uttering a single word.
----
*COO = A chief operating officer (COO) is the corporate executive who oversees ongoing business operations within the company. The COO reports to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is usually second-in-command within the company.