Christopher paused mid-sentence and perked up his ears, focusing intently on her phone conversation.
As he listened, the anger that had just subsided flared up again.
—They were exactly discussing the acquisition case.
Alia hung up the phone and imdiately took out her laptop from her briefcase.
Unfortunately, when she opened it, the battery was low.
She fished out the power cord and looked around, bowing her head, "There should be a car socket, right? Where is it?"
Christopher remained silent.
She turned to look at him, annoyed, "I’m talking to you! Gone mute?"
The man turned stern, "Alia, do you really think I have no way to deal with you?"
"What do you an?"
"The company must not be sold! Since the transaction isn’t finalized yet, there’s still room to maneuver. Contact the buyer now and cancel the contract."
Alia held the plug, staring at his still-handso face despite his anger, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry, "President Hart, are you joking? You’ve acquired quite a few companies over the years, haven’t you? Still can’t figure out the acquisition process?"
"Isn’t it just a breach of contract penalty? I’ll pay it."
"Ha! Still acting all rich and powerful, are you?"
These words hit Christopher’s sore spot, but she did it on purpose!
Sure enough, Christopher was stung, his gaze turned sharper.
Alia didn’t explain or apologize but continued, "Venus is my creation. I have the right to dispose of it. Whether to sell or not, it’s up to ."
"So what you’re saying is that we should each mind our own business, not interfering with each other’s affairs?"
Alia was about to reply, "Yes!" but suddenly realized the trap in those words, so she bit her lip in ti.
If she answered that, Christopher would surely respond, "In that case, my company doesn’t need your help, either."
So, she swallowed back those words, quickly thinking it over, and replied, "I didn’t say that. You can, of course, involve yourself in my affairs, but I have the right to appeal!"
The man stared at her.
Alia knew she couldn’t avoid what she had to face.
Seeing him so upset, she realized he wouldn’t be able to let it go without explaining and persuading him properly.
So she paused, turned her body slightly toward him, her expression calming and softening, "Can you listen to my thoughts?"
Mr. Hart’s face was cold, "You can’t convince ."
"Venus’s headquarters is overseas, moving it would be too hard because most key designers are European. Even if I’m not afraid of the hassle, relocating the headquarters to China, those designers may not co to work in China. Just look at last year’s wave of overseas designers resigning in China for this reason."
"But if I don’t relocate the headquarters, I’ll have to go there for a period each quarter, leaving you and the kids behind. Can you bear that? And after last year’s plane crash, although I survived, I’m still terrified of flying."
"Considering several factors, I feel that selling Venus is the best option. Just right, this money can help Seal-Cloud now. I think it’s a win-win, and Venus’s sacrifice is very aningful."
"Moreover, the jewelry brand Tia, which is acquiring Venus, is a long-established firm. Its industry influence surpasses Venus’s. Being acquired by such a company is quite fortunate, and the company will develop better in the future."
After saying this, Alia voluntarily reached out and placed her hand on his arm, giving it a slight shake, her tone softening further, "Seal-Cloud Corporation was founded by Grandpa; to you and the Hart Family, it’s more than just a company. It’s also an emotional connection and family honor. Comparing the two, we all know which is more important. So sacrificing the small to save the big is a wise decision. Once we get through this, I can start a new venture. At that ti, the company will be dostic, and the market will be dostic. If we can grow bigger and stronger, open overseas branches, and hire professional managers to run them, I can just occasionally inspect the work—wouldn’t that be great?"
Christopher remained expressionless, unfazed.
As far as he was concerned, these were all excuses she ca up with after deciding to sell the company.
He was the one holding her back.
His eyes lifted, eting the warm, beautiful almond eyes of the woman, observing her calm but serious expression, and the slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she looked into his eyes—the reprimanding words, the angry words, no longer ca out.
Yet he was still angry.
Perhaps angry at himself, blaming himself.
After a long while, he responded dully, "These are all excuses you’ve co up with to comfort . The more you do this, the more I feel I’ve burdened you. Clearly, the company was on such a good growth trajectory; in a few more years, it could reach a new level, possibly even go public."
"Who cares about going public? I’m not interested in that. I started this brand because I love it, not to make a ton of money, nor to take advantage of shareholders."
After saying this, she imdiately gazed at the man, "Of course, I’m not saying all public companies are bad. I an, I just don’t care about that."
Christopher still couldn’t put it aside completely, but at least his previous intense anger was no longer frightening.
Alia rembered sothing important and hurriedly asked, "The socket? I need to quickly reply to an email; my laptop’s out of power."
Only then did Christopher point out the location for her, and she leaned over to plug in the socket.
"Alia, think it over again; it’s really such a pity."
Alia stared at the computer screen, not even looking back, "No need to think about it anymore; the die is cast, and it will be settled soon."
Christopher watched her, his sharp brows furrowed, "But even if you sell the company, it doesn’t necessarily stabilize Seal-Cloud’s situation. You might end up losing both a wife and soldiers, gaining nothing in the end."
Alia continued working, her slim, white fingers swiftly tapping the keyboard, reassuring him, "At least we should give it a shot. What if it succeeds? You used to be so confident, even arrogant. How co you’re speaking negatively now? What, Seal-Cloud hasn’t even collapsed yet, and you’ve already been knocked down?"
"I’m not being negative; I just don’t want you to make a pointless sacrifice."
"I won’t."
The two hadn’t finished talking when Alia’s phone rang again.
She put on her Bluetooth headset, maintaining the call while still dealing with emails.
Seeing her so busy, the distress in Christopher’s eyes had long since replaced his anger.
After Lincoln got off the highway from the airport, Alia glanced out the car window and turned to the man, "Have the driver take to the company."
Christopher’s expression changed, "You’re going to work now?"
"Yes, after all, the acquisition of the company is a big deal; it will affect the employees’ morale, and I need to go there."
"Does it have to be now? Look at you, so exhausted, with dark circles and pimples on your forehead. Get so sleep first."
"No need for that. I won’t be able to sleep well if I don’t take care of these things properly." Alia finished replying to the email, closed the laptop, and without notifying Christopher, she called Lucas King and instructed him to tell the driver to head to the company.
Christopher held back, "Alia, you..."
Alia turned her head to interrupt him, "If you really care about , how about giving a hug? When I was abroad, you said every day you missed , missed , but now that I’m back, all you’ve done since we t is scold , reprimand with that stern face..."
```
Reviews
All reviews (0)