Chapter 42: The Way To Solve The Problem
Chapter 42: The Way To Solve The Problem
‘Are they too shrewd, or am I too slow to completely comprehend the situation? No! This wouldn't do.
I need to take a breath and calm down.
Only then could I discern what is transpiring before me.’ Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Jayson contemplated what could be done to achieve their goal.
He was well aware of how much effort their CEO had expended to acquire this project from the Reynolds Group.
So, he understood how tragic this would be to the company, should this project fall apart.
But being a witness to Zac and Patricia's exchange, Jayson believed that there was still hope to win back the project.
Realizing this, he suddenly had an idea.
Calling the waiter over, he instructed him to serve their meals as soon as possible.
Since he had ordered the dishes in advance, their dinner was brought out in a matter of minutes.
With the presence of the waiter, the charged atmosphere between Patricia and Zac subsided.
For the moment, there seemed to be a cease-fire between them.
"Mr.Reynolds, it's my pleasure to meet you.On behalf of Miss Sampson, I'd like to raise a toast to our meeting,"
said Jayson sincerely as he stood from his seat and lifted his glass in salute.
Seeing no opposition from Zac, he beamed and said, "This first shot is out of respect for you! After saying that, he raised his hand and drank the liquor in his glass.Seeing the empty glass in Jayson’s hand, Patricia's mouth twitched as she wondered, ‘Is he a good drinker? The glass may not have been big, but the liquor was strong! He couldn't have mistaken it for water, could he?’ But judging by his slim and tall figure, it appeared as though he could handle his liquor.
While Patricia was worried about Jayson, Zac suddenly said in a melancholy tone,
"Why did you have to propose a toast on her behalf? Isn't she capable of doing it herself?"
Patricia turned her head to look at Zac, animosity filling her gaze.
She couldn't hide the disbelief or doubt portrayed on her face.
She knew he must have said this on purpose.
Why else would he have waited till Jayson finished toasting before saying this? Wasn't it evident that he wanted to make a fool of them? "Zac, what do you mean? Are you saying if I proposed a toast to you, you'd forget all the issues about the project and invest in us again?"
Patricia asked despairingly, her eyebrows arched.
"This depends on your performance.If you're a good drinker, then..."
Zac trailed off, leaving Patricia to speculate about the latter half of his sentence.
With her eyebrows tightly knitted, Patricia reflected hard on Zac's words.
Interrupting her thoughts, he continued, "I Know how important the project is to your company.Of course, we also wanted to get a share of the interest too.But we both know about the issues that
cropped up and put a stop to everything.Besides, our withdrawal of the investment was decided by the board of directors.It wasn't something I could decide alone!"
Upon hearing his words, Patricia glowered at him.
A board of directors might be an essential part of a company, but things were run differently within the Reynolds Group, and she knew it! At the very least, she was aware that Zac didn't have to take his board of directors seriously.
That being said, he didn't usually heed their opinions on an average day! "Zac, if you have something to say, just say it.Stop beating around the bush!"
Patricia's tone was more expectant as she said those words.
Less harshness could be discerned from it.
"You're a smart woman.If you want to bring the project back to life, then help me manage the board of directors, and I'll do whatever you ask of me!"
Zac was beaming as he relayed that cryptic remark, confusing her all the more.
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Patricia was baffled.
She knew those directors were all very stubborn.
And if they had rarely taken her seriously when she was Zac's wife, how could he believe she'd have a way to deal with them now that they were divorced? But Zac wouldn't have made this statement lightly.
He must have an inkling as to what she could do to deal with them.
However, she couldn't shake the feeling that this might all just be a trap! And she knew better than to think that Zac would be kind to her.
"Patricia, I've already made it clear to you.As I said, as long as you help me handle those directors, I'll do whatever you want me to do!"
Zac repeated mechanically, refusing to reveal any hints as to how she could accomplish this.
Hearing Zac repeat himself, Patricia snapped.
With her brows furrowed and an annoyed tone, she said, "Zac, are you out of your mind? Don't you know what those directors of your company are like? Do you honestly think I'll be able to handle them? Do you think I'm fascinating enough to keep their attention as if they were kittens?"
Patricia's words were slightly offensive, but they sounded strangely pleasing to Zac's ears.
"If you want to win back the project, you have no choice but to assist me in this matter.Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to help you! I have given you your options.It's up to you to decide what you will do!"
Zac shrugged and pouted, giving her a crestfallen look.
"Zac, you're doing this on purpose!"
Patricia was enraged at the situation, but she knew his words held some credibility to it.
‘But wasn't he always indifferent when in front of others? How could he be so shameless and set me up like this?’
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something.Before you arrived, I'd sent a message to my secretary, ordering her to contact those directors in advance.I guess they should be on the way here now!"
Patricia, already on the verge of losing her cool, felt like she was gutted by a knife when Zac said those words.
Patricia shot him a sullen glare but said nothing.
"How do you like that? I've already set up everything for you!"
Zac said with a wide grin as he stared at Patricia.
Ignoring him, Patricia lowered her head to taste the food, but she couldn't stop fuming with indignation.
This was obviously a trap, given that Zac had already called over the directors.
But the confident way in which he explained it to her had her irritated.
Seeing that Patricia was ignoring him, Zac continued, "I remember clearly that somebody sent me a message stating that if I had the guts, I should come and meet her.
Now, I'm here, and with such good news! Don't you think you should be thanking me?"
Zac said in a very matter-of-fact way, infuriating Patricia all the more.
In her rage, she choked on a piece of chicken and began to cough violently.
Jayson handed her a glass of water in a hurry.
She gulped it down, struggling to keep down the food.
"Zac, you're shameless! Did you know that?’ said Patricia as she angrily accused him.
She was glaring at him while she set down the glass of water.
"Am I really? I'm just telling the truth, though.Didn't you say those words to me earlier?"