Undivided

Chapter 5: Power Plays and Private Moments

“You really shouldn’t tease her like that, she’s way more interesting than those plastic sisters in your circle,” Kyle said, twirling her straw and glancing sideways at Elise after Charlotte left.

Elise responded nonchalantly, “That’s exactly why it’s fun. Don’t you think she kind of resembles a penguin? So adorable.”

Kyle paused, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

After their playful interaction with Charlotte and a full-body spa, Elise's mood had significantly improved compared to her time in the hot spring. Unlike her showy display with Charlotte, her actual contact with Vincent was minimal. Whether in the country or abroad, they rarely sought each other out, let alone spent evenings together. Their meetings at home were more a matter of chance than intention.

Vincent's morning demeanor had put Elise off, making her even less inclined to seek out that connection. She spent the entire weekend away from Clearwater Mansion, enjoying her time in her city center apartment, and also took the opportunity to revise some design blueprints.

Admittedly, Vincent's mocking remarks had hit a nerve in her pride. She repeatedly reviewed her drawings and photos from the Zero Degree gala, feeling somewhat relieved that interior designers usually remained unnamed at such events.

Vincent, too, hadn't returned to Clearwater Mansion. He had just come back to the country and was swamped with social engagements. Plus, the drama at the company was just beginning, and as the protagonist, he couldn’t exit the stage too early.

On Monday, following Vincent’s announcement about taking over the company, Elysium Group’s employees received another bombshell. The internal network unexpectedly displayed a notification of personnel changes involving dozens of senior executives, including Kevin Huang, the current General Manager who hadn’t shown up in person on the day of Vincent's return, sending his secretary instead to assert dominance.

This so-called personnel change was, in simpler terms, a series of dismissals. Outside the President's office on the 68th floor, a row of black-suited bodyguards stood from early in the morning.

The spectacle of the day at Elysium Group involved several senior executives furiously storming into the President's office only to be unceremoniously dragged out by bodyguards. Some, in a daze, lost all sense of their usually lofty demeanor, cursing and creating scenes on each floor in front of the employees.

People are strange creatures, often failing to learn lessons until they experience pain themselves. If the parasites from a few years ago were still lurking around the company, they would have found today’s events all too familiar. In comparison, Vincent was somewhat gentler this time – previously, he had directly had someone thrown out of the building.

The last to visit the President's office was Kevin Huang. Kevin, who appeared robust and burly, was actually slender and gentle, always well-dressed and exuding charm. He maintained his appearance so well that he looked like a handsome uncle in his prime, perfectly matching the image of a refined and cultured gentleman.

If it weren’t for his habit of philosophizing about life in bed, it’s unlikely that women in their twenties would have been so enamored with him, preferring him over their own sons.

“Uncle Huang, please have a seat,” Vincent offered politely, but Kevin couldn’t maintain his usual composure.

Standing upright, his voice betrayed an unyielding coldness, “I’m afraid I can't claim such familiarity with Mr. Sterling.”

“There’s no need for such formalities, Uncle Huang,” Vincent leaned back in his chair, cutting straight to the point, “If not for considering your feelings, I wouldn’t have bothered with your son. He’s getting a bit out of hand; a little lesson might do him good.”

Vincent was ready for confrontation, no longer interested in beating around the bush.

Kevin’s pupils narrowed at Vincent’s words. His only son had always been a troublemaker, skilled in all the wrong ways. The family’s dirty laundry had been aired publicly thanks to his son's reckless behavior, including a scandalous incident with a woman that both father and son had pursued.

The girl, favoring maturity and stability, chose Kevin over his son. This incident further strained their already tumultuous relationship, and in recent years, his son’s antics had escalated, rightfully earning him the label of a societal menace.

“What have you done with my son?” Kevin’s voice dropped, tension evident in his tone. Despite his harsh discipline, he had a soft spot for his only heir, whose current state was a product of both his strict control and indulgence.

Vincent, hands clasped together, spoke calmly, “A few days ago in Xingcheng, your son got into trouble with his friends and was detained by the police. I’ve spoken with the authorities; you don’t need to worry, Uncle Huang.”

Kevin had been preoccupied with the Sterling family's moves and hadn’t kept tabs on his son’s whereabouts, realizing now it had been a week without any word from him.

The air became heavy with silence. Kevin’s tense demeanor eased slightly, and his attitude softened as he thanked Vincent and started reminiscing about old times.

“You and my son used to be like brothers. He always talked about Vincent back in high school. It’s been so many years... Unlike you, he’s turned out quite the failure,” Kevin lamented, shaking his head.

But Vincent remained indifferent, opening a document and sliding it across the table with a pen.

“Retirement is good, Uncle Huang. Now you’ll have more time to discipline your son,” Vincent remarked, his demeanor as cold as the silver cufflinks on his wrist, reflecting the office's metallic aesthetics.

The outcome of this power play was clear from the start. Kevin’s initial cordiality stiffened and then slowly faded away.

After a long silence, Kevin stepped forward, signing the document without bending his back or even glancing at it. As he left the office, his back seemed less upright than when he had arrived.

Once Kevin was gone, Jeremy approached Vincent as if nothing had happened, “Mr. Sterling, the landowner in north Xingcheng has agreed to the transfer, even reducing the price by five percent. We’ve sent a gift to their company, and Legal is working on the contract, expected to be signed this week.”

Vincent nodded in response.

“Here’s the updated schedule for this week,” Jeremy said, handing over a tablet, “Also, there’s a dinner invitation from Nanqiao Hutong for you and your wife tonight.”

Vincent glanced at the tablet, nodding again.

Suddenly, he asked, “Is my wife at home?”

Jeremy replied without missing a beat, “She’s at the Emerald Skyline Residences.”

The Emerald Skyline Residences, renowned in the capital for its luxurious hotel-style apartments, stood out not just for its exorbitant prices in a city where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, but for the culture it cultivated. From its inception, rumors circulated about its stringent buyer qualification process, even turning away several celebrities.

Whether these were facts or marketing tactics was now hard to verify, but today, it had indeed become a hub for blockchain magnates.

Elise’s apartment here, a wedding gift from her uncle, occupied the entire top floor of the Emerald Skyline Residences. One side boasted a nearly twenty-meter-long curved panoramic floor-to-ceiling window, and the other, a spacious balcony resembling a floating pavilion, offering an unobstructed view of the southern cityscape.

On the balcony, Elise had cultivated a variety of plants and small trees. Despite her lack of gardening expertise, the plants thrived wildly, creating a vibrant and flamboyant garden.

As Vincent arrived downstairs, Elise was preparing to take a relaxing bath. She stretched languidly before filling the bathtub, which was uniquely placed in the sunroom for a less formal living experience.

Once the bath was ready, Elise casually turned on some music and closed the curtains on the window, immersing herself completely in the warm water.

Downstairs, Vincent had called Elise twice. The calls connected, but there was no answer. Upon reaching her apartment, he patiently rang the doorbell for a full minute before using his card to open the door.

Vincent walked into the apartment, a strange tranquility enveloping him. He followed the sound of music and the warmth of the steam to the bathroom. Through the slightly ajar door, he saw Elise in the bathtub, eyes closed, seemingly lost in her own world.

Her expression was relaxed and filled with pleasure, one hand gently stirring the surface of the water, while the other remained unseen below. Her breathing gradually quickened, her cheeks flushed, oblivious to having been discovered.

Vincent stood at the doorway, instantly understanding the situation. He cleared his throat, attempting to break the awkward silence.

Elise's eyes snapped open, her face instantly turning red with realization. She quickly tried to cover her embarrassment, feigning nonchalance, “Vincent, could you get my clothes, please?”

Taken aback, Vincent silently turned and went to the bedroom to retrieve Elise's undergarments, returning to the bathroom door to hand them to her with visible discomfort.