On the flight back, Steven told Genevieve that the search and rescue team rescued six workers from the collapsed mine, but four had died of suffocation by the time help arrived.
Although they managed to resolve the matter quickly by negotiating a compensation agreement with the family of the deceased workers, this incident gave Central Group a really bad reputation.
As a result, the company’s stocks plummeted throughout the past two days.
Genevieve was reading through some files on the mine in Feston at the time.
Incidents where mines collapse due to mining activities have taken place all over the country, so it isn’t anything new. Still, I get this strange feeling that there is something off about this incident in particular. Why would a mine that has been perfectly stable for five years suddenly collapse in the storm yesterday? Hmm… Armand and I did humiliate Xavier in front of everyone at the dinner yesterday. Couple that with Martha’s death, and it would make sense for him to hate me to the bone.
Her train of thought was interrupted by a news update notification on her phone. Noticing the words “Wood Group” in the headline, Genevieve quickly unlocked it and tapped on the notification.
Apparently, one of Wood Group’s warehouses in Xedells had exploded. It was filled with goods imported from overseas, and the losses incurred were up to a billion.
She then handed Armand the phone and shot him a questioning gaze.
Armand simply glanced at it before shoving a grape into her mouth. “I’ve been keeping you company at the hotel throughout the past two days. I don’t have time to be doing that. Besides, even if I really wanted to go after the Wood family, I wouldn’t use a method that could bring me trouble. This is either the result of poor safety measures in the warehouse, or Cooper’s doing.”
Genevieve didn’t want to eat the grape but did so anyway since he had already held it against her mouth.
A gleam flashed past Armand’s eyes when he felt the tip of her tongue make contact with his finger.
He then continued peeling another grape as he said, “Darling, I haven’t tasted your cooking in a really long time. Will you make lunch for me today?”
Before Genevieve could even say anything, Johanna replied with a smug grin, “No, she can’t! Ms. Rachford is really busy! She’ll be having lunch with a director from Hyron Group, reviewing documents throughout the afternoon, and attending a charity auction tonight—”
“Nonsense! She can just skip attending the charity auction,” Armand cut her off with a deep frown.
“Oh, that won’t do! You see, this auction is organized by Charity Alliance.” Johanna waved helplessly at him as she continued, “The theme for this auction is ‘targeted poverty alleviation,’ and Central Group is the leading enterprise in the country. People are bound to criticize Ms. Rachford if she doesn’t show up to make a donation! You were a CEO before, Mr. Faulkner. Surely, you know how busy things can get, right? Besides, given the condition of your eyes, wouldn’t it be much better for you to rest at home instead?”
“For a mere fashion designer, you sure are playing the role of a secretary better than Steven,” Armand said with a sarcastic smile.
“Thank you.” Johanna flashed him a sweet smile before shoving a slice of freshly peeled orange into Genevieve’s mouth. “Here you go, Genev. This orange is really sweet.”
Armand felt intense displeasure spreading through his heart as he stared at the grape that he had just peeled.
When the private jet landed at Jadeborough Airport, Genevieve headed straight for Central Group with Johanna to take care of work.
Steven, on the other hand, drove Armand back to Regality Gardens.
Armand stared at the Maybach until it disappeared from sight before retracting his gaze. “There are plenty of unmarried executives in Central Group, right? Try finding one that Johanna likes and get them to start dating or something.”
“I think Johanna is only interested in your wife,” Steven replied with a wry chuckle.
The look in Armand’s eyes turned cold instantly. “You should keep your mouth shut if you don’t have anything nice to say, Steven. I’ll be attending that charity auction tonight as well, so go get me an invitation.”
Steven let out a helpless sigh. “Yes, sir…”
