Free Web NovelChapter 301: It All Depends On Today
"It’s really such a coincidence because the Collins Group has sent an invitation to us too," said Todd. "I initially thought that I had nothing to do with the Collins Group, so I didn’t intend to go. However, since HG even plans to send a representative, then it seems like I have to go as well."
Todd had not said anything about this matter from the start because he was firm about not planning to go.
"Why don’t I go with Corrine to Lake City tomorrow?" Todd suggested.
"The Collins Group had sent you an invitation too?" Wendy furrowed her brows in confusion.
Regardless of whether it was HG or Todd’s cloud design, they were both hit design companies. The Collins Group is a company that offers a variety of services.
However, although they had design-related businesses, they still had no affiliation with them. And now, they had sent two design companies invitations?
"Hmm," Todd nodded. "Since HG is planning to send you over, then it’d be better if I attended it as well."
"Sure. Then let’s go together tomorrow," Wendy nodded as she spoke.
They just felt that there was something strange about the situation. But they just could not pinpoint what it was. Everyone knew the purpose of the Collins Group organizing this banquet.
One reason was to announce the relationship between the Collins Group and DR.
The second reason was to jump at the chance to expand their communication network, to see if they could find another way to better their odds. Accordingly, the Collins Group had broadly sent out their invitations for this event. It seemed reasonable. After all, it was considered the Collins Group’s last chance.
As for how many people were willing to go, it was up to luck.
The next day, Todd went to fetch Wendy after having lunch.
They were taking an afternoon flight and they would reach Lake City at noon the following day. The time in Lake City was one hour later than in Rheinsville City. That meant that when they arrived the next day, it would be about time for the Collins Group banquet.
Wendy heard the sound of the doorbell and guessed who it was.
Once she returned to Lake City, she would not be coming back in the near future.
Thus, Wendy took the things she needed and packed them all.
She opened the door to let Todd in and smiled. "You can sit down first," she said. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"I’ve called someone to come over to take some files. They’ll be here soon."
"No rush. It’s still early." Todd looked at his watch and noticed that there were still three to four hours until the flight.
He had nothing to do and had come to get Wendy in advance. After sending the files off, Todd immediately went to help Wendy pull her luggage.
Wendy was a little embarrassed. "I’ll do it myself," she said. "The luggage isn’t heavy."
"When traveling with a lady, what reason would there be to let the lady carry things herself?" Todd had always been chivalrous and refined.
Wendy’s smile then became more natural. She nudged Todd, "If you didn’t put all of your attention into your work, you could also find time to find a girlfriend."
Hearing that, Todd smiled lightly, as if not taking it seriously. "I’ll take that into consideration if someone suitable appears."
"Your so-called standards are really a little high. After all these years, you haven’t found anyone suitable?" Wendy asked.
"There’s one..." he said, as Todd and Wendy walked side by side. "But we’re not destined to be together."
After saying what he did, there was suddenly some awkwardness between them.
Wendy realized something, so she did not continue asking.
Todd looked sideways at Wendy’s expression. "What are you thinking about?" He smiled as he said, "Could you be thinking that the person I’m talking about is you?"
Wendy had indeed thought so. But Todd simply smiled at that, making Wendy feel that she had indeed thought too much about it.
She felt more relaxed inside and smiled. "Of course not, I’m not that narcissistic," she said.
...
When the plane landed, Todd went to his hotel first. Wendy went home on the other hand. She had already reached Lake City, so there was no reason to stay at a hotel.
Leah and Jake were already back from school. Hearing the doorbell, Jake climbed down from the sofa and opened the door.
When he saw Wendy, his eyes lit up in an instant. "Mommy!"
Leah had been watching cartoons. After hearing Jake’s voice, she immediately stood up and ran over. "Ah! Mommy!" Leah quickly leapt into Wendy’s arms. "Why have you returned?"
Holding the two children, Wendy could not enter the door.
Seeing this scene, Zess smiled. "You kids should let mommy come in first," she said.
Jake immediately loosened his grip. "Hurry and come in, mommy," he said quickly.
Jake was extremely well-mannered and mature. As Wendy entered the house, he kindly reached out to pull her luggage. After which, he closed the door.
"Mommy, why have you suddenly come back? Why didn’t you tell us?" Leah continued speaking happily. "If you told us in advance, we’d have gone to fetch you."
"Mommy wanted to give you both a surprise. Are you happy?"
"So happy!" Leah quickly nodded and asked, "Mommy, are you going to leave again after coming back this time?"
Leah asking this question had made Jake listen attentively as well. Whether Wendy would be leaving again or not was the biggest question. If she had left after one or two days, like she did previously, that would be very upsetting.
Seeing that Leah was looking at her with a face of sternness and worry, Wendy caressed her little head with a smile. "I’m not going anywhere," she said. "Mommy won’t go after coming back this time."
"Wow! That’s great!" Leah jumped up happily. She grabbed Wendy’s sleeve and would not let go. "Mommy, you’ve said so yourself. Now you can’t leave."
"I’m not leaving." Seeing the two children so happy, Wendy’s mind relaxed a lot.
"Then I’ll be off to start cooking. What would you like to eat, Wendy?" Zess asked joyfully. "You should go rest a while. The food will be ready soon."
"No need to get busy, Zess." Wendy put her bag on the sofa as she spoke. "Tonight I still have to attend the Collins Group banquet, so I won’t be eating at home today."
"Mommy, you’re still going out?" Leah was a little reluctant. Wendy had just returned home after all.
Wendy bent down to pick up Leah and kissed her on her little face. "Mommy is going to attend a business reception," she said. "I’ll return tonight. Don’t worry. Mommy won’t leave anymore."
Although Leah was still a little unhappy, upon hearing Wendy’s certain response, she nodded her head obediently.
"Then I’ll cook some congee for you. Drink some to warm your stomach before you go," Zess said as she thought some more. "The meals on the plane aren’t good. freewebnovёl.ƈom
You’re definitely tired and hungry after such a long flight."
"Thanks, Zess." Wendy was indeed a little hungry.
She still had to shower and do her makeup before going out. In terms of the time, she could still make it.
Zess went to cook while Wendy started to settle in. Although she was a little tired, she had slept a while on the plane. So she was not completely exhausted.
Very quickly, Zess was done with the congee. Wendy ate a little and started on her makeup. Then, she picked out an outfit and got changed into a blue evening dress.
She had just finished getting ready when the doorbell rang. There was no need to wonder who it was. She knew who had come.
Opening the door, she saw Todd as she expected. The hotel that Todd had booked was not far away.
Todd stood as straight as a pencil at the door in a full suit. It had to be said that the image of Todd, standing at 1.8 meters, together with his suit, was pretty alluring.
Wendy smiled and praised him, "Not bad."
"You too," Todd smiled as he looked at Wendy’s blue tube-top evening dress. His eyes lit up as he took her in.
"Alright. Enough with the praising." Wendy said as she looked at the time. "It’s already 6:40. The banquet starts at 7:00. We might not make it there from here in 20 minutes if there’s a traffic jam. You can drive my car."
Todd nodded. Wendy said her goodbye’s to Leah and Jake with a wave and left.
...
Yonina sat in the hotel room. Beside her were her parents. Mr. Collins looked at Yonina’s red evening gown, gorgeous and eye-catching. He nodded in satisfaction.
"Yonina, you look really beautiful today. It’s no questioning that you’re my daughter." Mr. Collins said with satisfaction. "The fate of the Collins Group, it all depends on today."
There was no trace of joy on Yonina’s face. Every time she thought about what she was going to do today, Yonina felt disgusted with herself. Her heart was filled with bitterness. She never thought things would come to this.
"Yonina, smile. Don’t look like you’ve been forced into prostitution," Mr. Collins said, seeing her dark expression. "You look so good today. You’ll be the center of attention the entire evening."
"Smile?" Yonina laughed coldly and turned her head to look at her father. "Like this?"
"Yonina..." Seeing her twisted smile, Mr. Collins felt a little awkward. "Don’t be like that," he said with a heavy sigh.
"Then what do you want me to do?" Yonina laughed mockingly. "Sell my body or sell my smile? I’m sorry, I can’t do both," she said.
"Don’t say it so atrociously." Mr. Collins knew that it was him who had forced Yonina into this situation. But their circumstances had gotten to the point that there was no better solution.
"Alright. Say no more." Mrs. Collins could not bear this situation either. She was heartbroken for her daughter and could not help but heave a big sigh.
There was knocking from the door. Then a voice came, "Chairman, it’s already 5:30.
It’s almost time to enter."
"Understood," Mr. Collins replied.
After which, Mr. Collins stood up and reached out to take Yonina’s hand. Yonina instantly shook her father’s hand off and stood up, walking forward on her own. She lifted her head slightly as a tear fell from the corner of her eye and slipped down her face.
In the next moment, she took in a deep breath and her mouth curved into a beautiful and perfect curve. The moment Yonina exited, countless reporters crowded her. During today’s banquet, what they wanted was for the reporters to expand their publicity.
"Ms. Collins, could I ask if today’s banquet is a wedding banquet?"
"Ms. Collins, DR has rendered the Collins Group to what it is today. How did your group swallow this down and still proceed with the wedding?"
"Ms. Collins, what are your feelings towards Christian Lucas of the DR Organization?"
Yonina did not answer their questions but smiled politely. as she said, "My apologies," she said. "We will answer these questions during the journalist interview at 8 pm."
After she finished speaking with them, Yonina went up the stage. She was today’s main character. Under the gaze of the tens of thousands in the audience, she walked up the stage. Holding onto the microphone, Yonina scanned the people below the stage, including Christian who was holding a glass and standing among the crowd.
When she noticed him, Christian smiled as he raised his glass at her.
Without the slightest hint of noticing him on her face, Yonina began speaking.
"Thank you for attending the Collins Group banquet today," she said, her voice crisp and pleasant to the ear. "Seated here today are our guest business directors."
