Chapter 128 Ethan Chooses to Trust Jasmine
On their way to the airport, Liam was on the phone arranging for a luxury gift.
Jasmine didn't stop him, just in case it could be useful.
"There's a bottle of wine that Jeanine's vineyard put up for collection last year; it's very valuable and reasonably priced," Liam mentioned to Ethan.
Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on Jasmine.
"How... how much?" Jasmine cautiously inquired.
"Over a million," Liam said with a smile.
Jasmine took a deep breath. "I think we shouldn't go overboard with gifts. The Hawaii project is an open bid by Otis Phelps, and Stellar Enterprises sets the industry standard. Just the fact that we're looking to discuss the project and wanting to meet him ahead of time already shows we're giving him respect. In business collaborations, you offer respect to a certain degree. However, if you give too much, the other party might become arrogant."
Liam paused. "But gifting king crabs... seems a bit dismissive, doesn't it?"
"Otis Phelps' mother loves king crab. It's off-season right now, and the ones I selected are specially bred in a greenhouse by the farmer plump , and they're... quite expensive," Jasmine defended her choice of king crabs.
Ethan propped his head with one hand and chuckled. "How expensive?"
"Well... three hundred per crab, and I bought fifteen female crabs." Jasmine felt a sting in her heart due to the cost.
"I still think..." Liam felt something was amiss.
"Daniel and Clara arrived in Hawaii early. They must've scheduled a meeting with Otis Phelps. Knowing Clara, she would definitely present Phelps with a grand gift. But Phelps isn't oblivious to the dynamics within Stellar Enterprises. The more someone sucks up, the more it shows weakness. If Clara is suckering up to Phelps, we need to take a different approach, show that we're confident."
Jasmine whispered, stealing a glance at Ethan, unsure of herself.
Ethan just looked at her, his gaze penetrating.
"Douglas... Mr. Douglas, how about we prepare two gifts, and decide based on the situation?" Jasmine suggested, lacking confidence.
"Let's go with what Jasmine suggested," Ethan said indifferently.
Liam opened his mouth, sighed, and conceded.
Jasmine's eyes sparkled as she sneaked another look at Ethan, nervously clutching her skirt hem, shrinking toward the door.
"Mr. Douglas, I've reviewed the information on Branson from the investment department. His personal life is quite messy, seems like he has several mistresses," Jasmine whispered, changing the subject.
"Mhm." Ethan closed his eyes and hummed in acknowledgment. "Branson's greatest skill is keeping his lover and wife on friendly terms."
So Jasmine, wanting to tackle the issue through personal affairs, was going to have a hard time.
"It's not that... Branson has a lot of lovers, and he likes to bring gorgeous women to events—mostly third-tier celebrities or models, all stunning in looks and figure. This shows he's extremely confident and cares a great deal about his image. Plus, he's a veteran in the company, so deep down he really acknowledges his contributions to the group. He believes Stellar Enterprises would be at a loss without him," Jasmine analyzed Branson in a hushed tone.
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Jasmine. "You have a deep understanding of people," he said.
Jasmine had never met Branson; she had come to these conclusions just by looking at Liam's investigative files.
"In... in prison for five years, always... always studying psychology," Jasmine murmured.
Ethan's Adam's apple moved, but he said nothing.
Jasmine was a genius, and there was no doubt about it.
But only Jasmine knew the reason she studied psychology was to save herself.
Her depression and anxiety were severe; she wanted to find a cure.
"Mr. Douglas, should we try to win this person over, or... get rid of him?" Jasmine asked, waiting for Ethan's guidance.
Liam, who was driving, slammed on the brakes at a traffic light, shocked, and turned to give Jasmine an astonished look. Her statement was bold.
Without thinking, Ethan reached out to protect Jasmine, frowning disapprovingly at Liam. "Do you even know how to drive?"
"Mr. Douglas, my apologies," Liam said. Capable of humility, he always maintained a positive attitude when admitting his mistakes.
"Branson is a sly old fox at the company. Mr. Douglas wants him out, but since he's been there for many years, firing him directly would cause a stir, kind of like getting rid of him once he stopped proving himself useful. So, even though we have dirt on Branson, it's not easy to just fire him. Mr. Douglas has been holding back on this."
Jasmine nodded in understanding. "With someone like that, we can set him up for failure."
Ethan looked intrigued by Jasmine. "Oh?"
"He... he cares about his image, so we give him that. Those unworthy of their position will be burdened by it. I heard the position of Deputy CEO of Operations has opened up, and Branson is the prime contender," Jasmine said, looking down, not daring to face Ethan.
Feeling nervous under his gaze.
"Indeed, Branson has broached the subject with me, openly and covertly, many times. I've never agreed," Ethan said with a nod.
"The Hawaii project is an opportunity. Clara and Daniel have made it too obvious by approaching Otis Phelps prematurely. Clara, harried by rumors of being the other woman, is getting desperate. The more blatant her actions, the more frazzled you can appear to be, giving me the chance to cozy up to him," Jasmine said with a meaningful tone, unsure if Ethan would grasp her implication.
"Your plan is sound, but there's no need for you to 'cozy up' to him; Liam will go," Ethan frowned.
Why should Ethan's wife be the one to sweet-talk Branson? As if he ought to be grateful.
"Just tell Liam to take care of it. He's your right-hand man these days, anyway," Ethan said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Liam rolled his eyes surreptitiously, focusing carefully on driving.
He really was an innocent party in this mess.
Jasmine's heart rate picked up a notch as she averted her gaze out the car window.
Such an exceptional man, truly hard not to fall for.
But she was unworthy.
...
At the airport, in the departure lounge.
"Ethan, why are you just now arriving? I thought we might miss the flight, but thankfully, we can still make it," Harper said with relief as she approached Ethan, her voice gentle. "Michael has been your assistant for so long, how could these mistakes still happen?"
Liam opened his mouth but said nothing; he was the one carrying the can for this.
It wasn't his fault that Mr. Douglas had to play hero and get into a spat with Serena and Daniel, or else they would have been there much sooner.
"Ethan, there's something I want to discuss with you," Harper said, pulling out her phone. "My college senior sent me the address. He's arranging tonight and says he misses me... He pursued me back at school... I was afraid of a misunderstanding, so I told him about our relationship. You don't mind, right?"
Harper looked at Ethan cautiously.
The chat revealed Harper's assertion that Ethan was her boyfriend, with their engagement on the horizon.
Clearly, Howard's agreement to the Brown family's proposal had given Harper the upper hand.
She was deliberately showing Ethan the chat record and the fact that Otis Phelps had pursued her to make it known that the evening's arrangements by Phelps were entirely on her account.
With her involvement, the project was set to be a surefire success.
Harper was signaling to Jasmine and Ethan that she was the most valuable asset for Ethan.
Following behind Ethan, Jasmine's step faltered, overwhelmed by an unexpected emotion— envy.
Envy that Harper could become Ethan's legitimate fiancée.
"What relationship?" Ethan also stopped, asking gravely.
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