The Tycoon's Gutsy Wife

Chapter 17: Meeting

A week later,

Adeline stared at herself in the vanity mirror, making sure that her attire was intact, her hair was in place and most importantly, she had all the documents she needed.

Today was the day she was going to the Hawthorne corporations to pitch her business idea for a collaboration.

After almost two weeks, Adeline was sure she’d learnt the basics, discussed the idea with her grandfather, and asked her grandfather’s assistant to book an appointment on her behalf.

"This is it," she said to herself, smiling.

Adeline’s heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked out of her room, heading for the chauffeur.

**

Arriving at the Hawthorne corporation, Adeline almost gagged when she saw how huge the building was.

Surely, the Donovan Corporation was just as big but she couldn’t help but be amazed at how big it was.

Once she realized that she was lost in a trance, she pulled herself together, walked directly to the receptionist, and confirmed her appointment.

Adeline didn’t see John Hawthorne walking right behind her and entering the elevator.

"You may go in," the receptionist said with a smile.

Taking a deep breath, Adeline walked towards the elevator, pushed the button, and entered.

The entire time, her heart was beating hard against her chest.

After what Darien did to Theodore at the party, she didn’t bother going to the hospital to see him but it was revealed in the news that Darien was discharged.

Their argument wasn’t a heavy one, but she hoped Darien didn’t take it personally and rejected her business idea.

Reaching the top floor, she greeted everyone with a smile and walked towards the CEO’s office which had Darien’s name plate plastered right against the door.

She knocked and the door was automatically unlocked as if the person inside had been waiting for her.

Biting her lips, she pushed the door open to find Darien already staring at her, a pair of transparent glasses hanging on his nose bridge for dear life.

His green eyes were cold yet safe but she couldn’t help but feel that predator instinct coming from him.

"Adeline," he called her with so much familiarity and her eyebrows narrowed.

She heard a scoff from the other side of the office.

"So this is the person you said you have a meeting with," John Hawthorne said.

The tension was suffocating, as if the two were already having an intense conversation.

"If you’re busy, I don’t mind coming back," she said, about to leave but he stopped her.

"No." Darien turned to his uncle. "I think we’re done, uncle. You may leave," he said.

Mr. Hawthorne chuckled.

"But why are you sending me away? This is also my company as I still have shares here, no matter how small they may be. You don’t mind me staying over and listening to her business idea, right Darien?" Mr. Hawthorne asked.

Adeline was stunned that he knew what her purpose there was, but she wasn’t going to ask him how.

Darien glared at his uncle, who leaned into his chair, feeling very comfortable, making it obvious he wouldn’t make any move on leaving at all.

Darien sighed. He couldn’t kick his uncle out, yet.

He faced Adeline, who was still standing at the door.

"Let’s head over to the boardroom," he said.

Adeline didn’t know where that was, so she gave them a way to lead her towards the boardroom that was chilling with cold AC.

She was only wearing a thin layer blouse, coupled with a pencil skirt just to look as professional as possible.

But the cold air in the boardroom was chilly enough to freeze a fish or chicken till summer.

She huffed as she held her back close to her, seeking warmth from anywhere possible.

All three took a seat, while Mr. Hawthorne’s eyes were on her the entire time, as if he had so many things to say to her but was deciding if it was worth it.

Darien noticed how Adeline hugged herself and couldn’t help but frown at this. Because he was wearing a suit, he didn’t feel the chilly air in the room.

Without a second thought, he grabbed the remote and reduced it.

Adeline almost gave a sigh of relief when she saw what she did, but she forced herself to focus.

The weight of their stares wasn’t making things easy for her one bit.

"You may start," he said.

Adeline fetched out the documents she’d brought with her, but her hand was shaking from nervousness which caused some of them to slip through her fingers and fall on the ground.

Quickly, she bent to pick it up while Mr. Hawthorne scoffed loudly, making sure she heard it.

His action caused Adeline to feel irritated a little, but she wasn’t going to give up just now.

"You can’t even handle a few files in your hands. How are you going to pitch a good idea that’ll benefit both our companies?" He questioned her.

Adeline didn’t respond to his question at all. Instead, she gathered all the files and placed them on the table.

She gestured for the assistant whom her grandfather’s assistant had been training for a while now to share the files between the two men. Thankfully, she’d photocopied enough.

"The Hawthorne and Donovan families have been business associates in the past. As it’s already known, the Donovan family has a mine that produces quality tiles and furniture—"

"We already have a tiles and furniture supplier and they’re the Solvaena family," Mr. Hawthorne interrupted. He closed the file without even taking a proper look inside.

If only Adeline knew this man would be here, she would have come another day.

"The Solvaena family has been receiving massive reports from clients who are complaining about their low-quality tiles," she revealed. She knew he knew this. But he just wanted to make things hard for her.

"They’re just accusations that will be solved in court soon. If this is all you have to offer then I suggest you leave," he said.