Date The CEO.com

Chapter 171: To Leave or To Stay

"... You and Evangeline must be really close. That's a strong friendship you have there."

Eve's lips straightened into a grim line. She wasn't sure whether to praise or scold Stuart Wilson's boldness. He decided to strike this conversation with Ambryan around. She wondered if Ambryan heard it. 

Relying on her hearing, she heightened it in his direction. The conversation was faint but it flowed well. There was a chance that he didn't hear it but Stuart should be aware that Ambryan would ask about this later, right?

"I think you're mistaken, Sir Wilson," Eve replied, watching the other guests. "I had said those things for my superior, not for another person."

'Where was he going with this?' She thought. It would make better sense if he reprimanded her for speaking that way to a governor. It was also his party. Any disturbance would be bothersome.

"Ah, yes." Stuart nodded. "Your loyalty to Ambryan is admirable. Is it out of love perhaps?"

Eve scowled, resisting to direct her glare at him. Her fingers twitched. What was that supposed to mean? There are employees who worked longer in the company. Did that mean it was 'out of love'? That didn't sound right.

Why would he even come to that conclusion after thinking she and Evangeline were close?

She forced her temper to calm down. Unfortunately, her voice still came out harsh. "If you must ask me about my work ethic, I think it would come as no surprise that I had taken this job because it paid really well."

Mr. Wilson tilted his head to one side. He swirled the glass of champagne in his hand. "If given a better offer somewhere else, would you take it then?"

"If that is all there is to it, no company can hold onto their employees," Eve retaliated. Salary benefits were important but the work environment and people were also just as important. If Ambryan had been harsher than he was, Eve couldn't tell if she would have made it this long.

There were moments when she felt like quitting, yes. 

But, as Andie pointed out, that was also a normal feeling to have. She'd think about it for days before making the decision. Then, that point would never come. Her frustrations would have vanished overnight.

Behind them, Ambryan finished his drink. He handed it over to a server and nodded at Calvin. Their discussion had been pleasant. "Thank you for entertaining my blunt motives, Mr. Knoc."

"Nonsense." Calvin chuckled, waving his hand to brush it off. "Eros has a lot of box office success and blockbuster movies. It would be blind of me not to see this could be mutually benefitting."

Ambryan took half-step towards Eve. He didn't hear most of the conversation but her voice rose by the end. His instincts signalled him to intervene. He took out his wallet and handed over his business card. 

"Then, I hope to hear from you soon."

Calvin held it up, reading the details. "Are you also hoping to broadcast your series in a TV company? We have strict rules about that. It divides the market and profit so it's fair to say we consider them as competition."

"I'm aware of that, Knoc. Perhaps there could be a possible compromise?"

He tucked the business card in his breast pocket and considered Ambryan's words. "Maybe there is a way. We're currently under negotiation with a broadcasting company. Like production ones, they have their own clippings."

Ambryan pulled back his leg and narrowed his gaze. "Are you suggesting to partner with them?"

Calvin shrugged. "They can have exclusive rights in the country while our site dominates the rest. For their clippings to appear worldwide, they do have to negotiate with local companies of those countries. Doesn't the job become easier if they switched to a streaming site?"

Rubbing his chin, Ambryan thought about it. His mind went through a mental list of possible companies Calvin could be referring to. The decision would depend on the audience the TV company pulled and their clippings.

If they didn't share the same themes, there might not be a lot of benefit.

"I will think about it until our next meeting," Ambryan said. He debated whether he should ask for the name or if it's too early. The idea was scrapped as soon as he realized that he could find out through his own investigation.

"We can also add it to our discussion during that time," he concluded and bowed in goodbye. "Until we meet again." 

"Would you like to meet someone from there now? I think the person is also in attendance."

Ambryan skidded to a stop. 

Eve noticed his movements from the corner of her eye. She turned around to face him. Stuart Wilson closed his mouth and spun on his heel. The two of them watched as Calvin Knoc hoisted himself off the wall and walked up to Ambryan's side.

He held out his own business card to him. "I'm sure you understand how opportunities can come and go at the speed of light. This could be another one of those times. He's not a patient man from what I can tell and he's in one of his rare good moods today."

Ambryan had one question in mind.

Was this coincidence?

His hands balled into fists inside his pant pockets. That information narrowed it down to one person. Big names didn't matter to that old man. His judgement relied on character heavily. The best way to get a contract with that company was through its trusted connections. 

"Very well." Ambryan sighed. He had to strike while the offer was still there. It could be gone any moment.

Calvin slapped his chest lightly. "Great! He also likes to talk in seclusion. Wilson, do you have a private room we could use perhaps?"

"That I do."

Eve looked to Ambryan for instructions. It wasn't rare for him to be alone with other businessmen. He had gone on trips without her. Still, this seemed like a strange setup. The chips fell into their hands smoothly.

Too smoothly.

"Excuse me, Mr. Wilson, but I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my secretary alone. Do you mind if one of my bodyguards comes inside?" Ambryan suddenly asked. "I'd feel better if she's with someone she closely worked with."

Stuart's smile stiffened. He would have gotten away with it if he noticed sooner. The damage had been done and Ambryan rose in suspicion. This was unlike the person he had met over a month ago.

"Of course! Of course!" Mr. Wilson recovered, patting Eve's shoulder. "Please, Ms. Hart. We won't move an inch until the bodyguard gets here. Rest assured that your comfort matters to me as well."

"IAlright." Eve moved away from the group and pretended to dial Wen's number. She knew the latter was probably on her way. With Mr. Wilson's strange behavior around her, she couldn't help but be wary of him.

A knock came from the front door.

Stuart left to answer.

Ambryan turned to Calvin. "I don't think I formally introduced you yet. This is my secretary, Everlee Hart. She will be my liaison several times in the future if we collaborate."

Eve bowed her head. "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Sir Knoc."

"Believe me. The pleasure is mine."

Ambryan and Eve both stiffened. 

Calvin had taken her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. He smirked at their dumbfounded expressions. "Don't be suspicious. I'm just a fan of old-school chivalry is all. You can even ask my close female friends."

Eve pulled her hand back, trying not to be rude. She forced a smile. "It was merely surprising. Nothing suspicious at all."

Wen reached them before Wilson could. She checked on Ambryan then stood near Eve. The two ladies stepped away while the men headed further into the mansion. They nodded when Ambryan glanced over his shoulder, reassuring him of their states.

"Is this a good idea?" Eve whispered as she leaned her head sideways. She was glad to have a person to relay her worries to. "Do you also find this suspicious?"

Wen kept her back straight and kept a close eye on the door they disappeared into. "I can't be sure. It's not right to make assumptions for it can interfere in business relationships."

"We could have just said an emergency came in."

"But the boss wants to proceed with the negotiations," she reasoned. "We only follow his orders. If he had wanted to do the same, he would have hinted at it."

Eve clamped her mouth shut. Maybe she should request for an assistant secretarysomeone who could remind her of her duties. Her professionalism dwindled as more days passed. If she wasn't careful, Ambryan might be the one to fire her someday.

But

"I need to use the bathroom" Eve mumbled. She was about to ask if Wen would come with her until she realized the bodyguard was probably here to keep a better eye on things. "I'll be back quick."

"I'll come for you if you're not here in five minutes."

Eve halted in her steps. That meant she needed to find a restroom within seconds. Luckily, a server walked in front of her. She asked for the nearest bathroom. The time ticked loudly in her ears even when there wasn't a wall clock nearby.

She dialed a familiar number.

"Hello, Mrs. Hathaway? I need your opinion on something."