Chapter 347 She’s the Exception
Miles nodded. He explained what happened during the meeting. Nathan said promptly, “I’m not able to help. I’ll be leaving right after I pass him something.”
Miles rushed over and pleaded anxiously, “Mr. Knox, there’s virtually no one except you who I can think of that could talk Mr. Royden out of this.”
It was strange for the all-able businessman, stolid and influential Edgar Royden, to get so worked up over his ex-wife. So glum and vulnerable!
“His admirers will be shocked if they see him so keyed up because of love.” Nathan muttered while wagging his head helplessly, “I’ll give it a try but don’t get your hopes up.”
After all, Edgar was stubborn and idealistic; it wasn’t an easy task to change his mind. “Of course, of course. We really appreciate your help, Mr. Knox.”
Miles immediately pushed the door open and let Nathan in. Wow! Edgar hurled a document. It flew and created an arch before it tumbled at the manager’s feet.
Edgar yelled, “Why are you wasting my time with this rubbish?” The manager looked terrified. The poor thing was trembling uncontrollably, “I’m sorry, Mr. Royden. I’ll revise it immediately.”
Edgar shot a grave stare at him before moving on to the next document. Nathan hacked his throat, “Edgar, I have something to tell you. Let them go out first.”
Edgar looked at him and didn’t say anything. Nathan immediately chased the managers out, “Go, go out now!”
Only then did the terror-stricken managers return to their senses and scurry out of the office. When the door closed, all of them whined painstakingly, “What’s wrong with Mr. Royden? He almost made me pee my pants.”
“It must be related to the Reece family…”
Subsequently, the rumor made its way across the whole of Royden Group.
Miles had exhausted his wits at unplugging the rumor, but his effort was futile.
An anonymous employee even set up a ballot for the employees to stake against Edgar’s love triangle. Some supported Edgar and Jean in getting back together, while others wanted Edgar and Gigi together.
The supposition about their love triangle was getting blown out of proportion.
However, the only thing that could be sure was that Edgar was very lenient with Eyer Group. The three companies’ joint venture, the BNC joint intelligence project, was first developed by Royden Group, but Eyer Group jumped the gun and revealed the core data first, so Royden Group had to forfeit the ownership of the project.
Now that the project had come back, Edgar still appeared unperturbed at the fact that it had gone to another company.
His favoritism towards Jean was beyond acceptable.
As the rumor went around, a lot of people were speculating that they might do the odd and re-marry each other.
Nathan had also overheard the rumor in the elevator. But now, judging by Edgar’s grim demeanor, Nathan knew it was impossible for the two to re-marry.
As a seasoned playboy, Nathan was quite certain that Jean had rejected Edgar.
Nathan pushed a folder to Edgar with a few breezy taps on the table.
“This is for you. Everything about Serena and her husband, Simon, is in here.” Nathan leaned on the sofa and asked indifferently, “You’re giving this project to Jean again. Aren’t you worried that she would fool you again?”
Jean had been waging war against Edgar ever since she was released from prison.
Royden Group’s stock performance had dipped tremendously while Edgar was made a regular subject for tidbits. Over the last month, Edgar appeared on five different magazine covers.
All because of Jean.
But Edgar had never really resented her. In fact, he was responsible for the depreciation of Royden Group’s stock performance. He was to be blamed for repeatedly showing mercy and leeway to Jean for her vengeance against him and his family.
This time, however, it was difficult for him to condone her.
“Let’s talk about it.”
Edgar snapped the folder closed.
His eyes were tense and cold, “I said I want to marry her again, but she said no.”
He explained the reason and culprit of his wrath succinctly.
Nathan’s eyes widened, “Did you just tell her that? In such a direct manner?”
“Yes.”
“You…” Nathan smacked his forehead. He was dumbfounded at Edgar’s unsophisticated handling, “You can’t be so insensitive and gruff when it comes to persuading a woman. You think you are being open and upfront, and she should reciprocate your demand. Do you? I would’ve given you a piece of my mind if I were Jean.”
Edgar pressed his temples and said weakly, “She didn’t scold me. She just wanted a clean break with me.”
She was adamant about never seeing him and wanting nothing to do with him again.
Nathan drew a deep breath, “That is so typical of Jean. What happened next?”
Edgar was at the end of his tether, “She left after that.”
Nathan finally made sense of his anxiety.
But Nathan wasn’t sure what was on Jean’s mind.
As an alternative, he could only begin with Edgar first.
“Edgar, has it ever occurred to you that Jean just simply doesn’t like you, that’s why she rejected you?” Nathan intended to wipe out Edgar’s last hope.
Otherwise, Edgar would make the situation worse.
In a daze, he heard Jean’s voice say to him.
“Because I don’t love you.”
Love?
He had no clue what she meant by that. All he knew was his heart was shattered into pieces when she said that to him.
Seeing that Edgar was zoned out, Nathan quickly stoked on his chagrin, “I bet she told you that she didn’t love you.”
Looking at Nathan’s curious eyes, Edgar denied aggrievedly, “No.”
Nathan sighed, “Still in denial.”
Edgar tensed his jaws.
“You must’ve had ignored her will then.” Nathan looked at Edgar’s dazed expression and immediately put the puzzle pieces together.
Edgar had become cold and vindictive after what had transpired in his family. He chose to marry Jean in the past solely to avenge his family.
He had never fallen in love with any woman before.
Gigi didn’t count, of course. She chose the rough path and availed herself at Edgar.
“Look into your heart. Do you really love her, or are you just simply in grievance and denial to let her go? You have to distinguish between these reasons, and when you do, you will know what to do.”
He couldn’t encourage or help Edgar.
Even if he helped Edgar, it wouldn’t necessarily change Jean’s heart.
Edgar looked even more forlorn as he heard Nathan’s words.
Nathan scratched his temple, “Okay, now back to business. Ranford International is on the go. What are you going to do?”
Only then did Edgar open the folder and glance at the content. He had everything in control.
“Hold on first. It’s not the right time yet.”
Nathan nodded agreeably. It was a piece of cake for Royden Group to take down Ranford International.
They could deal with Ranford International any time, but the Royden Group stakes deserved his attention now.
“I heard that Andy was discharged from the hospital.”
“Yeah, and he will come back to Royden Group tomorrow.”
Nathan’s eyes lit up, “Does that mean it’s time to strike?”
Edgar lifted his eyes and said in his moving and imperious voice, “It’s been long overdue. It’s time to get it done.”
