CHAPTER 325
Xander displayed a level of thoughtfulness and maturity that set him apart, even among seasoned leaders.
It was clear that the new generation was stepping up to surpass the old guard.
As the contract signing ceremony came to a close, Michael walked over to Xander with a warm smile and extended an invitation.
"I would be thrilled to have you join me for tonight's celebration dinner, Mr. King.. I've been eager to sit down and have a proper conversation with you, especially since we missed the chance during your last visit."
Xander's previous trip had been brief, yet his exceptional capabilities had left such a strong impression that Michael chose King Corporation as his partner.
Xander smiled, about to respond, when he noticed his assistant, Ronald, standing to the side, shifting uncomfortably. His demeanour changed instantly.
"My apologies, Mr. Holt. I need to take care of an urgent matter."
Michael gave a polite nod, gesturing for Xander to proceed.
Xander tilted his head toward Ronald, who immediately understood and followed him to a quieter corner.
"What's going on?" Xander asked, his tone calm but firm.
Damien leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"It's Mrs King, sir. There's been an incident back home." He quickly summarized the situation.
Xander's expression darkened as his jaw tightened. "Book the earliest flight home," he said firmly. Ronald paused and looked at Michael.
"Sir, wouldn’t it be rude to leave Mr. Holt like this? Maybe we should wait until after dinner tonight?" Michael’s decision to work with King...
Michael's choice to collaborate with King Corporation had been bold, especially given the competition. It was a partnership built on trust, particularly in Xander's leadership. Walking out now might seem discourteous.
Xander didn't reply. Instead, his sharp gaze cut through Ronald like ice.
Ronald felt a lump in his throat, understanding that there was no chance to discuss the issue further. His boss, Mr. King, was not going to wait any longer.
"I'll take care of it right away, Mr. King," Ronald replied swiftly, already grabbing his phone to arrange everything.
Michael was in the middle of instructing his assistant to visit his private collection and bring back his most prized bottle of wine to share with Xander later that evening.
As he turned around with a friendly smile, Xander walked up to him looking serious.
"I deeply regret this, Mr. Holt," Xander began, his tone apologetic but firm.
An important situation has arisen at home, and I need to leave right away. I hope we can plan our dinner for another time.
Michael's smile faded, and a hint of annoyance appeared on his face.
It was clear he wasn't pleased.
Xander gave him a courteous nod but didn't wait for a response. He pivoted sharply and strode quickly toward the door. Ronald, following behind, stopped for a moment to express his regrets.
"I'm very sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Holt," he said before hurrying after his employer.
Michael's face darkened as he watched Xander leave. His displeasure was palpable as he turned to his assistant.
"What could be so urgent that Mr. King feels the need to abandon this meeting and fly home immediately?"
This was the second time something like this had happened, and Michael found it increasingly difficult to excuse.
Ronald, well-informed about Xander's personal and professional dealings, hesitated before speaking cautiously.
It seems that Mrs. King may be dealing with a tough situation at home, according to my sources.
Michael's frown deepened.
"What kind of situation?" he asked sharply. "I want every detail."
Ronald adjusted his stance and began explaining,
"It appears the issue began when..."
.............
Arianna stepped out of Selby's residence, closing the door quietly behind her. As she walked away, a faint sound from inside the house reached her ears, but she kept moving, her thoughts clouded with uncertainty.
There was little she could do to shield herself now that Selby had taken full responsibility. Despite his confession, the focus of the public's outrage had shifted-directing venom at both her and her workplace.
After viewing Selby's apology video, she scrolled through the comments on her social media account. The hateful words she read were relentless and cruel, enough to leave anyone reeling.
If her instincts were correct, Starlight News would soon release an official statement. It was inevitable that the blame would land squarely on her shoulders. Arianna realized she was being set up as the ideal scapegoat, left to bear the full weight of the backlash.
Standing at the edge of the villa complex, she found herself in an area without easy access to taxis. She used a ride-hailing app, reluctantly adding an extra fee to secure a ride.
It took nearly 20 minutes for her car to arrive. When it finally pulled up, she opened the door and climbed inside, relieved to have a moment's reprieve.
But the driver didn't move. His hesitation caught her attention, and she looked up to ask,
"Is something wrong?"
To her surprise, the man spun around suddenly, his face contorted in anger as he glared at her.
The air in the vehicle grew thick with tension, sending a chill down her spine. Arianna's fingers curled tightly into her lap, but her voice remained steady.
"Can you explain what's going on?"
"You're that deceitful reporter who sides with the wealthy to oppress ordinary people, aren't you?" the driver accused, his voice thick with disdain.
To confirm his suspicion, he hastily pulled out his phone, searching for pictures of Arianna online. After a quick comparison, his face darkened further.
"It is you! You're Arianna King! Unbelievable how brazen you are!"
His voice rose in anger as he shouted, "Get out of my car! I don't drive people like you!"
Arianna's face remained composed despite the hostility. She met his glare and said calmly,
"Sir, you're making assumptions without knowing the full story. Please don't jump to conclusions."
Her words only seemed to fuel his anger.
"The whole country has seen the truth, and you still have the nerve to deny it? I'm seriously out of my car! File a complaint if you want, but I'm not taking you anywhere."
Recognizing the futility of reasoning with him, Arianna sighed softly and opened the door, stepping out without further argument. There was no point in escalating the situation.
The driver sped off without a second glance, but his anger lingered. As he drove away, he sent a heated voice message to his rideshare chat group.
"You won't believe who I just had to deal with-Arianna King, that crooked journalist everyone's been talking about! I told her straight up I wasn't taking her anywhere."
The chat group buzzed with replies almost instantly.
One driver responded, "No way! Where was this? I need to avoid that area."
"Spring Villas," the first driver replied quickly.
Another chimed in,
"Thanks for the heads-up. I was headed that way-guess I'll turn around."
"Same here," a third added. "Not worth the risk."
"Let's all steer clear of there for now," someone else suggested. "If she wants a ride, she can walk out to the main road herself!"
The group seemed to unanimously agree, their comments filled with disdain as they resolved to avoid her altogether.
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