Chapter 4 Man At Funeral
“Do you know my fiancée very well?” Jade asked. He sat on the sofa directly across from me, while Irene sat beside him, leaving a noticeable distance between them—as if my words had prompted it.
“Aren’t the two of you quite well-known these days?” I replied, prompting us to exchange sharp glances for a few moments.
“Ah, I think we should get to the main purpose of our meeting, hahaha…” Jessie awkwardly tried to steer the conversation in another direction.
“So, Mr. Jade…” Jessie had just begun to speak when Jade raised one hand, signaling her to stop.
“Could your boss be the one to explain your purpose for coming here?” Jade asked, his gaze never leaving me.
I was certain he felt irritated, challenged, and curious as to why a stranger like me could speak to him this way.
“We’re here to offer a partnership. Our company produces healthy noodles targeted at toddlers, and your company focuses on children’s products. This collaboration could be mutually beneficial,” I said, getting straight to the point.
“May I see the proposal?” Jade asked, prompting me to glance at Jessie to hand it over.
Jade reviewed our proposal and then passed it to Irene for her to see. However, before the woman could touch it, I snatched it back.
“There are company secrets within every composition. I can’t disclose them to anyone outside the core team before the contract is approved.”
I tried to remain professional, even though I very much wanted to make Irene uncomfortable. I handed the proposal back to Jessie, who could only smile awkwardly.
“So, what do you think?” My blunt question made Jessie nudge my arm in disapproval.
Jade smirked, perhaps the first time he had encountered a business partner like me.
“If you’re not interested, we won’t force you,” I added, further surprising Jade, Irene, and Jessie.
It seemed Jade thought this was a waste of time, unable to believe that Viona Leander—the woman he had just met—could be this blunt and impolite.
“Judging by your response, it seems you’re not particularly interested. In that case, we’ll take our leave since we have a very tight schedule,” I said, glancing at my wristwatch to complete the act.
Jessie was overwhelmed by my attitude. She kept smiling and repeatedly apologizing to everyone present before following me out of the room.
Outside, Jessie hurried after me.
“What’s gotten into you, Miss? This isn’t like you. You don’t conduct business this way, let alone involve someone’s personal matters. What you did back there was completely inappropriate.”
“Keep your voice down, Jessie. Besides, I don’t want us to partner with him,” I replied.
“Yes, and now we’ve lost all hope. Jade will definitely blacklist the Leander Group from companies he’s willing to work with,” Jessie said sadly.
“Good. There are plenty of other companies that would be more beneficial to us.”
Unlike Jessie, I actually felt pleased.
However, when we reached the basement of Mason Group, Jessie’s phone rang, and she asked for my permission to answer it.
“What? All right, sir. Thank you very much.”
Suddenly, Jessie became excited again, even jumping with joy.
“Jade Mason asked us to send samples along with product test results proving they are safe for toddlers.”
“What?!”
“Yes—in other words, our partnership has been approved.”
“Damn it!”
I set aside the matter of the Leander Group’s partnership with the Mason Group. Tonight, I met with my subordinate, Collin, to accompany me in tracking down Julian Smith, who had been using my account carelessly.
And this plan must not be discovered by Jessie, who strongly opposes me getting involved in matters concerning Nadine Myer and Jade Mason.
“Miss, I heard Julian Smith lives in this house,” Collin said, pointing at a fairly large residence.
“He seems wealthy. Why would he use Nadine Myer’s account so recklessly, if not to take advantage of her large following?” I muttered.
“It seems like he harbors resentment—either toward Nadine Myer or Jade Mason,” Collin said.
“That makes the most sense,” I replied as I continued observing Julian Smith’s luxurious house from our hiding spot.
We parked the car at a considerable distance to reduce the risk of being discovered while investigating the house. We were certain it was heavily guarded, which made getting caught even more concerning.
“Should we try to get inside?” I asked Collin.
“Are you sure, Miss? We were only planning to survey the place. It would also seem strange if we tried to meet him when we have no connection to the late Nadine Myer.”
Upon reconsideration, Collin was right. I had no reasonable explanation if they asked who I was or what my relationship with Nadine Myer had been.
“But I have to see that man.”
After I said that, Collin paused to think.
“In that case, I’ll go ask the guard at the gate whether we can meet the owner of the house without a prior appointment,” Collin said.
I nodded in agreement, full of hope.
“While I’m over there, please cover your face, Miss. Don’t let them recognize that Viona Leander is here and create unnecessary news.”
I nodded again. As soon as Collin stepped out, I tightened my jacket and put on a cap.
It took quite a while for Collin to speak with the gate guard. Their conversation was lengthy, and when Collin walked back toward me, I could tell from his expression that we had no chance.
“Well?” I asked.
“He said Julian Smith isn’t home at the moment. When I asked when he would return and whether we could speak with him, the guard refused to tell me.”
“Is he that important? I’ve never even heard Julian Smith listed among influential figures. Why is it so difficult to meet him?” I crossed my arms in frustration.
“We should head back, Miss,” Collin suggested.
But before we could start the car, a black vehicle suddenly approached from behind us and drove into Julian Smith’s mansion.
“Wait, Collin.”
I asked him to hold on. Perhaps the person inside that car was Julian Smith.
When the car door opened, I saw the broad, sturdy figure of a man from behind—someone who felt strangely familiar.
Had I seen him before?
I hoped he would turn around and face this way.
I narrowed my eyes, watching intently.
Moments later, I realized that the man’s figure from behind looked very similar to that of the mysterious man I had once encountered at my grave.
