Chapter 98
Don almost lost it.
“What’s the deal?” Clutching the fresh resignation letter that had been handed to him, he bee–lined to Sophia’s desk, “Why the sudden decision to bail? Are you not happy here or what?”
“No.” Facing an almost fuming Don, Sophia felt somewhat apologetic, “It’s nothing personal. I’ve just graduated, and my visa’s about to run out. I can’t stick around much longer, so quitting was on the cards eventually.”
“Well, then head back home,” Don didn’t get it, “Come back with me and help expand the new business. Sounds like a sweet gig, right?”
*I wanna take a break first.”
“For how long?”
“Maybe a year or so. “Don frowned on the spot. That long? Brandon had just green–lit the plan, and setting up the new company would be a breeze, a fortnight tops. He had a ready team on his side and at the Starlight Group, and there was no need for a new office lease or a makeover.
The Starlight Group had an entire office building with spare office space that could be whipped into shape in
no time.
He couldn’t possibly wait on Sophia for a year and a half–the traditional Resort project was time–sensitive and needed to break ground within the year.
“Here’s an idea,” Don thought aloud, “You work out the design for the traditional Resort project first.”
Before he could finish, Sophia looked ready to argue, so he added some weight to his tone. “Sophia, it’s your job. You took on this project, and you can’t just drop the ball now.”
Sophia hesitated, then nodded. “I do have a one–month notice period per my contract. I’ll work on the design during this time. If we go ahead with it, I’ll keep up with the project until completion. But like before, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I won’t be on site, and I won’t be joining the new company. Once the design is out, you’ll need to approve my resignation. Deal?”
Deal?
Don wanted to say no, but upon seeing the look in Sophia’s eyes, he swallowed his displeasure.
“Let’s talk about it when it’s time.” Don didn’t make any promises, “Just get the design out first.”
Sophia wasn’t easily fooled. “You haven’t said if you agree.”
“I agree.” The words practically popped through his teeth.
Once done, Don threw the resignation letter back at her. “Keep this thing for now. It’s an eyesore.”
With that, he spun around and stormed back to his office.
Sitting in his chair, he still felt peeved.
He thought he had made an offer she couldn’t refuse. What did it take to sway Sophia?
Was it the job title that wasn’t alluring enough?
Thinking this, Don immediately called Brandon. “Head of design for the new company, got anyone in mind?”
Brandon, who had just deplaned and was heading out with his luggage, replied, “Got a few candidates. Feel free to suggest someone too. It doesn’t have to be from the Starlight Group.
I have a good candidate in mind, I want to bring her in,” said Don, “You keep your people.”
What’s her background? How’s her project experience?”
Chapter 98
Don felt a bit sheepish. The girl I mentioned the other day, the one handling the traditional Resort design, she’s really talented.”
“She won’t cut it,” Brandon dismissed without a thought, “Too green, too risky.”
Don was speechless.
He could somewhat understand Brandon’s concerns, and he knew how Brandon operated.
Without having interacted with Sophia or seen her work, Brandon prioritized past project experience, which was understandable
“How about this–wait until the traditional Resort design is out, then you decide based on that?” Don offered a
compromise.
“Mm–hmm.”
Brandon hummed in response, not outright rejecting Don’s suggestion but not taking it too seriously either.
He had reached the airport parking lot and saw Kent driving in, so he told Don on the phone, “Gotta go, hanging
- up.
And with that, he ended the call.
Kent, spotting Brandon from afar, quickly drove over.
As soon as the car stopped, Kent jumped out, took Brandon’s luggage, and apologized, “Got caught in traffic.”
“No problem,” Brandon replied indifferently, letting him take the suitcase.
Once Kent had stowed the luggage and looked back at Brandon sitting in the back seat, he asked, “Mr. Crawley, you heading to the office or home first?”
“Home.”
Kent was taken aback, “Which home?”
“WillowBrook Villa.”
Kent got it–that was his and Sophia’s matrimonial home.
He remembered Brandon hadn’t stayed there in the past two years. Now, straight after landing, he wanted to go back. Last time he preferred the office even in the dead of night, but this time he was opting for the villa in broad daylight. Kent guessed that Brandon’s trip might have marked a turning point with Sophia, so he teased, “Mr. Crawley, do you and Sophia getting back on track?”
Before he could finish, Brandon gave him a chilling glance. “Drive.”
Kent felt a shiver from that look, dared not make another peep or guess any further, as Brandon’s reaction seemed off from his assumptions.
Brandon loosened his tie and said, “Did you find the renovation team I asked for?”
Kent immediately nodded, it was something Brandon had arranged before his flight.
“Send them to WillowBrook Villa now”
“Huh?” Kent looked at Brandon in surprise.
“Make sure they bring their tools.”
Brandon closed his eyes after speaking, appearing to rest.
His expression was stern and cold.
Kent sensed a change in Brandon from before he left the country and kept quiet.
The Brandon residence was reached in no time.
When they arrived, the renovation team was already waiting at the door, two men with their tools ready.
Brandon glanced at them, unlocked the door, switched on the lights, surveyed the house, his gaze lingering on the living room bookshelf before turning to the workmen. Tear down the living room and redo it.”
Kent was stunned.
He remembered that Sophia was the one who put the living room together.
Worried, he glanced at Brandon.
Brandon had taken off his tie and entered the room.
Turning around and seeing that the others were still frozen in place, he raised an eyebrow slightly. “Any Issues?”
Kent snapped out of it, “Nope, none at all.”
He quickly urged the renovation guys. “Fellas, get crackin‘.”
The workers nodded, hoisted their sledgehammers, and with a few “clangs,” the originally elegant and delicate living room was smashed beyond recognition.
Kent couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Brandon.
Brandon just stood there, unwavering, with a poker face, watching the workers turn the once charming living room into a hot mess, completely unrecognizable from its former glory.
