Chapter 711 Stay Out Of The Way
However, Lyle did not return with the person Christina wished to see.
“Mrs. Hadley, after Mrs. Lazuli visited Emilia, she disappeared. Her manager has already reported to the company that they can’t contact Emilia,” Lyle reported in a serious tone. “Emilia’s contract with the entertainment company has two years left before it officially expires.”
Harboring dreams of stardom, Emilia sought to turn her life around through this avenue. What is her purpose if her disappearance isn’t forced but intentional? Is she trying to evade paying a penalty to the entertainment company for breaching her contract! However, there is no escaping the penalty. Emilia should know this well.
“After Mrs. Lazuli left Emilia’s place, she went straight to the police station. There’s no doubt that Mrs. Lazuli reported to the police that you were the one who plotted against Anya.” Lyle added.
“That is not Mrs. Lazuli’s intention. Find out Emilia’s whereabouts as soon as possible.”
Without Emilia stirring the pot, Mrs. Lazuli wouldn’t have risked such a move without concrete evidence.
In the evening. Nathaniel came to pick Christina up for a birthday banquet.
The banquet was hosted by David, who was celebrating his mother’s birthday with such extravagance it could rival any opulent feast.
Victoria and Sebastian, the subjects of intense public gossip, were also present. Christina was surprised to see them entertaining guests hand in hand.
Christina seized the opportunity and pulled Victoria into a secluded corner. “What brings you here?”
IfI remember correctly, I saw Preston’s name on the guest list.
“Sebastian is attending the banquet as Mr. Hadley’s secretary, and I’m accompanying him as his partner. Is there a problem with that?” Victoria swirled the wine gla*s in her hand casually, her gaze tracing Sebastian’s every move.
“Aren’t you afraid your brother will spot you?” Christina asked.
“Afraid? Quite the contrary. I’m actually anxious that he isn’t here yet. Since his meeting Sebastian is inevitable, having them meet in advance isn’t such a bad idea,” Victoria said, draping her arm around Christina’s shoulder. Tonight, nearly half of Jadeborough’s prominent figures will gather here. My brother, who values his pride over anything else, wouldn’t dare make a scene in front of this audience no matter how upset he is about my relationship with Sebastian. Besides, aren’t you and Mr. Hadley here to support us? Mr. Hadley would never let anyone bully his people.”
“By your words, if you married Sebastian, wouldn’t that make Preston Nathaniel’s and my brother–in- law?” Christina suddenly had this absurd thought.
Victoria’s delicate face crumpled into a frown. “Ah, how did I not think of that? Mr. Hadley treats Sebastian like a brother. Christina, am I causing trouble for you? Perhaps I should slip away before my brother arrives!
Christina’s gaze shifted to the entrance. She cocked a brow and said, “Too late. Preston is already here.”
Victoria quickly hid behind Christina, poking her head out cautiously to look at the entrance.
Unfortunately, Preston spotted Victoria the moment he stepped through the door. He walked straight
toward Christina.
“How long are you going to hide, Victoria?” Preston’s sharp gaze and well–tailored black suit set off his coldness and ruthlessness to the fullest. “Come here!”
Victoria clutched Christina’s dress. “Preston, there are many people watching. Spare me some dignity. We can talk at home.”
Preston had come with the intention of confronting Victoria. He let out a snort and said, “If you knew shame, you wouldn’t be messing around with a man out there.”
The rebellious spirit in Victoria sparked to life. She stood forward, ready to lock horns with her brother.
“What do you mean? Sebastian and I are truly in love with each other. We’re in a serious relationship.. Preston, you may not approve of us, but please, don’t insult Sebastian.” Victoria’s eyes reddened, tears welling up in them. “In your eyes, Sebastian may be an ordinary man, but to me, he is exceptional and ambitious. I won’t marry anyone but him.”
If it were not for the greater cause, Preston wouldn’t bother about the trouble Victoria got into outside.
“Stop this nonsense, Victoria!” Preston scolded harshly. He reached out to grab Victoria, but Christina stepped in between them. “Mrs. Hadley, this is a family matter between Victoria and me. Please stay out of the way.”
Christina replied with a plain smile, “Mr. Lesley, tonight is Mr. Labarge’s mother’s birthday celebration. Victoria is here to join the celebration. It’s a joyous occasion. It seems inappropriate for you to cause a scene here, don’t you think?”
Preston could not care less about David. His mere presence was already giving the man more credit than he deserved.
Preston’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he said, “Mrs. Hadley—”
“Mr. Lesley, do you have something against my wife?” Nathaniel’s cold voice rang out right then. Accompanied by Sebastian, he strode toward Christina “You can talk to me directly. There’s no need to trouble my wife. She’s carrying our child, and she cannot be burdened with the slightest hint of distress.”
A surprised look flitted across Preston’s eyes as he glanced at Christina’s belly. His pent–up anger exploded the moment he witnessed Victoria lunging herself into Sebastian’s arms.
“Nathaniel, please look after the people around you. Preston had always held fast to a stringent set of principles. He wouldn’t stoop so low as to make things difficult for a vulnerable pregnant woman just to achieve his goals. “Not just anyone is fit to a*sociate themselves with the Lesley family.”
Nathaniel protected Christina behind him and smirked. “I see that you take issue with my a*sistant. If you believe that a match between Mr. Taggart and Ms. Lesley would stain the Lesley family’s reputation, you are severely mistaken. It’s clear that you don’t understand Mr. Taggart, much like everyone else.”
He patted Sebastian’s shoulder and continued. “Allow me to introduce my a*sistant formally. This is Sebastian Taggart. He will soon become the executive deputy CEO of the Hadley Corporation branch office overseas. As far as I remember, the Lesley family’s overseas investments are still in their early stages. If, in the future, Sebastian and the Lesley family were to become family, wouldn’t that greatly benefit the Lesley family?”
Even though it was only an executive deputy CEO post, the position would essentially make Sebastian the second–in–command of Hadley Corporation.
Not only did the candidate for such a position need to possess exceptional capabilities, but the candidate would also require the complete trust of their superior.
Nathaniel was pushing Preston into a corner, a position from which Preston found himself unable to resist or refute.
In essence, Nathaniel was stating the hard facts that once the Lesley family ceased its opposition to the relationship between Victoria and Sebastian, the collaboration between the two families could bypa*s the gatekeeper that was Nathaniel himself. Sebastian could facilitate the collaboration instead.
All Preston desired was a prosperous future for the Lesley family.
“Surely you’re not jesting. Mr. Hadley?”
