Chapter 1138 What's Wrong With the Hayes Group?
"Benjamin, did you tick off some big shots? Maybe you should talk to Ms. Miller..."
"Yeah, you and Ms. Miller were together for years. There must be some leftover feelings, right?"
Some shareholders spoke up right in front of Isla.
Isla looked shaken and went pale.
Benjamin's face was grim, but he couldn't admit this was all Laura's doing.
He never thought Laura would go this far. They used to be in love. How could she turn so nasty?
He regretted giving Laura his business card that night.
But he couldn't tell the shareholders. They'd just be more upset with him and push Isla away even more.
"Enough, stop it. Ms. Miller and I broke up years ago and don't talk anymore. I'll handle this another way," Benjamin said firmly.
"True," a shareholder said, glancing at Isla, "Ms. Miller did come to the company and had a fight with Isla back then. She might still hold a grudge."
Mentioning that incident made the shareholders more annoyed with Benjamin.
When Laura and Isla fought, everyone thought Laura was just causing trouble. Later, when Benjamin and Isla got together, people gossiped that Isla wasn't innocent and that Benjamin and Isla had been involved for a while, which made Laura mad.
Isla bit her lip and looked down.
Benjamin glanced at her, feeling guilty. He stood up and said, "Meeting's over. I have a lunch meeting with the regulatory department to try to fix this."
"Even if it's fixed, our company's reputation is shot. The food industry isn't forgiving; people won't forget. It'll take years to rebuild."
The shareholders grumbled as they left.
Benjamin clenched his fists. After Isla closed the door, he turned to her, guilt-ridden, "They're right. If you ask Laura for help..."
"Don't mention her," Benjamin said coldly. "She's behind this."
Isla covered her mouth in shock. "Why would she do this? Does she still hate you?"
"Yes." Benjamin frowned, eyes filled with anger and pain. "I don't get when she became so cruel, or maybe she was always like this and is now using her power to bully others."
"It's all my fault," Isla said, frustrated and self-blaming, "I shouldn't have contacted you when I was in trouble, and I shouldn't be with you now. Benjamin, maybe we should break up."
Isla said, tears streaming down her face, "Laura must still have feelings for you. If you go back to her, she might agree. And if you marry her, it would be great for your career. Unlike me, I can only help with secretarial work, cooking, and cleaning."
Hearing Isla's words, Benjamin thought about her selfless dedication over the past three years and felt even guiltier. "Isla, don't say that. Secretarial work is tough, and you still cook and clean for me. That's a lot. Laura never did those things; you're way better than her."
"But..."
"Enough, I'm not that kind of person. You've done so much for me; I won't ditch you for the company," Benjamin interrupted. "Go rest. I really need to meet with the regulatory department."
"Let me go with you," Isla said urgently.
"Don't bother," Benjamin shook his head, firmly refusing.
At noon, Benjamin had lunch with the regulatory department and offered some benefits, only to find out that Michael was behind this.
He immediately drove to Ocean Blue Group.
He waited downstairs for two hours before Michael let him up.
When he knocked and entered, Michael was lounging in a leather chair, his legs lazily propped on the desk, playing with a dart and throwing it at the wall.
But clearly, his aim wasn't great; he kept missing the bullseye.
"Damn," Michael cursed.
The assistant reminded him, "Mr. Jude, Benjamin is here."
Michael finally lifted his eyelids and looked at Benjamin, who was in black dress pants and a blue shirt. He had to admit that Benjamin looked decent, though not as good as him, and better than most.
And he had seen Benjamin before, about three years ago, pestering Laura at the Peace Group entrance. He had driven Benjamin away.
"What do you want?" Michael asked lazily. The arrogance and nonchalance in his eyes were cultivated by the Jude family.
As James used to say, Michael was always so arrogant and nonchalant, as if he looked down on people.
Benjamin felt humiliated, but he had to endure it. "Mr. Jude, what's wrong with the Hayes Group?"
"I don't like your face. You're ugly," Michael said contemptuously.
"Mr. Jude." Benjamin's fists clenched tightly.
"Do you want to fight?" Michael put his legs down. Though he couldn't beat Joseph and Lucas, it didn't mean he couldn't handle others.
"Mr. Jude, I don't like solving problems with my fists," Benjamin said, trying to stay calm.
"Are you implying that I do?" Michael's face turned slightly cold.
Benjamin was speechless.
Michael was nothing like the rumors. Despite being from the Jude family, he acted like a rogue.
"Mr. Jude, if we did something wrong, I apologize," Benjamin said seriously. "The Hayes Group and Ocean Blue Group are in different industries—food and cosmetics. There's no reason for us to be enemies. There must be some misunderstanding."
"No. Someone finds you annoying and asked me to deal with you." Michael raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You do seem pretty pretentious. I wouldn't have guessed you're a scumbag."
"Is that person Laura?" Benjamin was shocked. He remembered Michael didn't like Laura. Why was Michael helping her now?
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