Her Fake Lover

Chapter 61

It's interesting to know that Howard had no interest in procrastinating what he called good intentions. Emmeline wasn't impressed at all, but she lightly agreed to Howard's request to meet that very day. On the same day, without delay.

Howard thought the early afternoon was a good opportunity for them to meet, and since Emmeline had said she could give him some of the time, they agreed to meet.

At a fine dining restaurant in Elderville-Bryxton, where Howard Silas Ashbluff had reserved a room, Emmeline Karfis found that Howard was already there and waiting for her when she arrived.

Emmeline paused as she came a few paces from where Howard sat down. Just then, guided by the sound of Emmeline's footsteps, Howard turned in the direction the footsteps came from, and smiled at the arrival of the person he had been waiting for.

Howard stood up.

Howard's gaze fell on Emmeline. His face was full of smiles—a smile that conveyed experience of course, not one that was innocent or born of naivety; Howard had a lot of experience in life, given his age; He was a combination of fearsome ambition and weakness because the whispers of his desire often made him blind and override all logical considerations, so he often lost great people from his side. Howard was a charismatic person—Emmeline herself admitted that. But Emmy, with all she knew about Howard, and from what Howard had done to her and Vin in the past, she couldn't give him the respect he deserved.

For Emmeline, if she could continue her business without coming into conflict with Silas HA, that would be enough for her. She didn't have to be on good terms with Howard, because she was already feeling pessimistic and disinterested in it, but fate had allowed the two of them to face each other again. Like it or not, Emmeline must come face-to-face with Howard's mysterious yet irritating smile.

"Welcome, Miss Emmeline Karfis."

Howard motioned for Emmeline to sit down.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Ashbluff."

"Call me Silas, Emmeline. You know so well that I love being reminded of the big business I built."

Emmy shook her head vaguely. "You never change. And I realize now, it's almost impossible."

Howard chuckled. He then poured the drink into the Emmy's glass. "I'm glad we can meet again, Emmy. You look even more stunning now. You know? I still remember that you were still a young and innocent girl when Vin found you. Your eyes sparkled with dreams, but you still had many fears back then. You were like a little princess, and what made you lucky besides your talent, was that Vin, adored you so much. You made me jealous." Howard sipped his drink.

"I never took Vincenzo from you, I don't think I'll ever get tired of telling you. You were abandoned because you were the one who kept him away. I guess you have to admit you have a talent for it."

Howard laughed. "Just say what you want, Emmeline. I'm not offended."

"I was going to say it. You know what? I wonder why Vin left you. I'm sure you two had a problem. And I'm sure, Vin left you for a justifiable reason."

"Emmeline," Howard looked at Emmeline calmly, yet sharp at the same time. "Drink, Emmeline. Drink, and be calm. There's no need to be harsh on a person who desperately wants to meet you as a friend. I prepared all these things for you. You've received flowers from me too, haven't you?"

Emmeline looked at the man who was about the same age as her father, who was respected and admired by many—besides those who hated him of course. Silas HA was still a large company, and its wealthy owner was a man who was certainly a symbol of a level of achievement that many people wanted to achieve. He was respected for all that he had.

Emmeline took a sip of the drink in her glass. "Yes. I accept it. And it surprised me and I couldn't understand it. But I don't like to speculate. Tell me now, what does all that mean?"

"Oh," Howard laughed again. "You're in such a hurry, Emmeline."

"You know, we both don't like wasting time."

"You're right," Howard said, looking at Emmeline with a smile that was mysterious and sharp, and serious at the same time. "That's why I won't waste time. I want to share what I hold in my heart, Emmeline. I sympathize with your troubles."

Emmeline looked at Howard as well.

"Foxxtar has made it clear. I'm sorry for what happened," Howard continued.

Emmeline was silent for a moment. She was still staring intently at Howard. Before then laughing silly.

"Tell me, Mr. Silas. What does all this mean? Are you playing with me?"

"Why are you saying such bad things about me?"

"No need to mince words. Your company's designs suddenly entered the production department of Karfis & Vin, even though I never allowed such a practice to occur within my company. And then when the problem broke out, you guys emailed a job offer to one of my company's top officials. It wasn't enough, because it didn't cease to be for personal consumption, but a news story was then made about the matter, and was put out by a well-known media outlet. You want to make me smell the stench, without suspecting any carcasses around me, Mr. Silas? That's impossible."

Howard smiled. Still watching Emmeline. "You suspect me? You think I'm behind all this?" Howard said calmly.

"I'll give you a chance to admit it."

Howard laughed. His laughter came out slowly, getting looser and coming to an end. "I'm concerned, Emmeline. I sympathize with you if you don't practice that. It means your employees are cheating on you. But as for Justin, if he gives us valuable information, we certainly have to appreciate it. After all, if we offer him a job at Silas HA, and he accepts, it's like he's just going back to his old home. It's not a bad thing, when we miss our old home, especially when the new home doesn't quite satisfy us."

"Mr. Silas, be careful when you speak—"

"Shh, don't be mad, I beg you," Howard Silas interrupted and stopped Emmeline, both verbally and with a hand gesture. "Emmeline, to help you clear up the confusion in your mind, let me help you. Have you interrogated your employee who you believe has betrayed you? I'm sure you, as a smart person, have done this quickly. Now I want to ask, has there been any acknowledgment that reached your ears that I was involved in this matter? I want to hear, maybe someone is raving, saying they caused a riot at Karfis & Vin on my orders. Tell me if you hear things like that, Emmeline. Don't hesitate, just say it."

Emmeline was silent. She looked at Howard with annoyance that filled her chest. Indeed, no one had given such a straightforward confession. Even Agatha she personally questioned said that she moved of her own accord. Emmeline firmly believed that Howard was involved, but Emmeline had not been able to bring the proof of confession she needed.

Howard said after Emmy's silence, "I don't think so, Emmeline? There's no such confession. I'm grateful for that. You throw away your doubts. How about you start thinking good of me? Okay, I'm sorry about our act of offering a job to Justin who is an employee of yours and still works at your company. But I don't think you need to take that to heart. It won't be a problem right, if later I become your elder brother? I mean in terms of business. I'll help you, Emmeline. How? You've had a lot of trouble lately, Emmeline. Bad news in a row addressed to you. I still remember how you and Vin built this business."

Emmeline started to frown at this point.

"Vincenzo loved this company very much, Emmeline. And yes, I know, you both have the same love for this company. And I, although I was disappointed that Vin left me, but he has become like a son to me. I respect his dreams. I respect your dreams too. And all this mess, Emmeline," Howard said, "could bring your company down. I would be very sad if that happened. You need help."

Emmeline let out a silly sigh. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, let me acquire your company. Trust me, under Silas, Karfis & Vin will get better."

"Nonsense!" said Emmeline. She looked at Howard very sharply at that. "What do you mean by saying all that, Howard? You know, since the beginning of Karfis & Vin's existence, we never got along. You gave Karfis & Vin a wound, which I still haven't forgotten. And now you're saying you're going to take this business?"

"No, no, don't say that, Emmeline Karfis. Think about it. I'm not trying to take your business. I'm actually helping you keep your business alive. How can you condemn this good intention?"

"What good intention do you mean?!" Emmeline struck back emotionally. "You're just jealous of Vincenzo's business. You want to take his business to prove that you won over Vin. I know that, Howard Silas Ashbluff! You hold such a personal grudge against us that you are obsessed with proving that you are superior to us! Don't ever expect me to believe you mean well, because in reality, you're just trying to trample our pride! You're almost unforgivable, Howard!" Emmeline stood up. Firmly she uttered her last sentence, and before Howard could say any further Emmeline had preceded him by saying sternly, "Forget your crazy idea, and don't try to get into trouble with me again!" Emmeline left.

"Emmy—Emmy—Emmeline!" Howard called. "Oh, I hope you don't regret turning down my offer, Emmeline!" Howard said, even though Emmeline had left him.

***