Ethan Lloyd hasn’t been doing well recently. Ever since Melanie Lloyd found out about his affair with Avril, she’s been causing trouble every few days, acting like a lunatic.
They’ve been fighting incessantly at home, and even occasionally coming to blows. Ethan has grown increasingly impatient, and he’s been spending less time at home recently, opting to stay in a hotel instead.
Lloyd Group conference room.
Ethan finally got a rare opportunity for collaboration, and at this moment, he was understandably excited. "President Hayes, you must trust in the capabilities of the Lloyd Group. We can certainly execute this collaboration perfectly," he declared.
"Since President Lloyd, you say so, we have no objections here. Let’s hope for a pleasant cooperation," President Hayes said, signaling his assistant to place the cooperation proposal on the table. Now, all that was needed were signatures from both sides to solidify the deal.
Just as Ethan was about to sign the document, a commotion unexpectedly erupted outside. This update is available on novel•fire.net
"Madam, there are guests inside the conference room now. You really can’t enter...Madam," the receptionist said, bravely standing in front of Melanie Lloyd, who looked furious.
"Guest? You’re trying to deceive me, aren’t you? I want to see what kind of guest this is that keeps your president from coming home for days! Move aside!"
Melanie was trembling with anger. Ethan hadn’t been home for several days, and she could hardly bear the thought of him being entangled with some seductress outside.
The assistant couldn’t stop a furious woman, and could only watch as Melanie pushed open the conference room door.
"Bang!" The door was swung open heavily, making a loud noise as it hit the wall.
"President Lloyd, what is this..." President Hayes glanced at Melanie as she walked in, then turned with a puzzled look at Ethan.
"President Hayes, please stay calm. This is just a minor issue, and I’ll handle it shortly," Ethan hastily reassured.
Then he stood up and looked at Melanie, inwardly wishing he could throw this foolish woman out.
Was she not aware of what kind of occasion this was? Yet she was making a scene.
"Wife, I have something to deal with here right now. Can you wait for me in the office? Avril, can you take Madam to the office?" But in front of President Hayes, to preserve this hard-won cooperation deal, Ethan could only put on a show.
Hearing Ethan’s words, Avril had no choice but to walk over to Melanie: "Madam, I’ll take you to President Lloyd’s office."
Yet as soon as she finished speaking, Melanie suddenly raised her hand and slapped Avril hard on the face: "Where is my husband’s office? Do I need a vixen like you to guide me? You’re still young but already good at seducing married men!"
Avril, caught off guard by the slap and unstable on her high heels, stumbled awkwardly to the floor.
"Melanie! What kind of scene is this? Instead of staying home, why are you causing trouble at the company?" Ethan, seeing Avril on the ground, could no longer suppress his anger, and yelled at Melanie.
President Hayes, witnessing this dramatic scene, suddenly recalled rumors circulating in the industry not long ago.
He quickly gestured to his assistant to pack up the documents from the table.
"President Lloyd, it seems now isn’t a convenient time. Let’s reconsider our cooperation. Since you have matters to attend to, we won’t intrude any further. We’ll take our leave," President Hayes declared as he stood up.
"President Hayes..." Ethan barely had time to speak before President Hayes hurriedly left the conference room.
Watching the opportunity slip away, Ethan desperately wished to throw Melanie out.
"Melanie! Have I been too lenient with you recently? Couldn’t you see what was happening just now? We lost the deal—when will you use your brain!" Ethan raged.
Melanie gradually regained some rationality and realized what she had just done. Seeing Ethan’s expression, she couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.
Avril, adept at reading situations, silently got up from the floor.
She approached Ethan, gently tugging his sleeve and said softly, "President Lloyd, please don’t be angry. I’m sure Madam didn’t do it on purpose. We can find another partner; maintaining peace between you and Madam is what’s most important."
The slap from Melanie burnt on her face, slightly swelling.
But with her long hair cleverly concealing it, she appeared teary-eyed yet still concerned for his welfare, making her appear even more delicate and endearing, which calmed Ethan down.
Seeing Avril’s behavior, Melanie’s anger flared up again: "You vixen! When I’m talking to my husband, is it your place to intervene?"
"I...I spoke out of turn, I’m sorry," Avril replied, feigning hurt, releasing Ethan’s sleeve, and retreating a few steps.
Ethan, witnessing this again, felt his previously subsided anger rise: "Melanie! When did you become so senseless? Avril was speaking on your behalf, and you speak against her? I haven’t even addressed you blowing this deal!"
Seeing Ethan defend Avril, Melanie realized how ridiculous her actions had become.
She suddenly laughed, full of sarcasm, and after giving Ethan a deep look, she turned and left.
As she turned to leave the meeting, she heard Ethan whispering comfort to Avril, suddenly feeling humiliated.
When Seraphina Sinclair and Desmond Fairchild learned about Lloyd Group’s scandal, they were on their way back from the Fairchild family estate.
With New Year approaching and Desmond going on a business trip for the next few days, they weren’t sure if he’d be back in time for New Year’s Day, so they decided with Old Mrs. Fairchild to go home today, treating it as an early New Year celebration.
"This matter has spread again in the circles, and Ethan Lloyd is almost becoming a laughingstock," Quentin Jennings specifically called Desmond Fairchild to tell him, not hiding his schadenfreude.
Even though Desmond only responded coldly with a few words, Quentin didn’t mind and continued to chatter on his own until Desmond hung up the call.
"It seems the Lloyd Group really is in turmoil lately," Seraphina said calmly.
"Alright, let’s not discuss this today," Desmond said, gently stroking Seraphina’s cheek.