Eva returned in less than half an hour, much to Alex's surprise.
She handed him a watch and said, "Alex, don't be mad anymore. I know how much you like Cool Seven watches, so I got this one for you."
Ten minutes earlier, Alex had seen the exact same watch on Hugh's Instagram. The photo he'd posted showed the complete Cool Seven Romantic Lovers collection, which consisted of a set of seven watches in seven different styles.
His caption read, "My sister got me a new watch collection! I have to give one away, but I really can't bear to part with any of them. Which one should I give away?"
Soon afterward, he posted another update, this time showing a set of car keys. "I've made up with my sister! She gave me a sports car to make it up to me. I'm happy now."
One watch versus one sports car. The difference in value couldn't have been more obvious.
Still, Alex didn't call her out. He simply left the watch untouched.
"Eva, I can help you resolve this crisis, but from now on, you need to be more careful when reviewing contracts."
Alex had initiated the new energy project and had been overseeing it from the very beginning. He didn't want the project he spent two years working on to go down the drain.
"Alright. I'll be more careful from now on," Eva said, reaching for his hand.
However, Alex stepped aside to avoid her touch.
He walked ahead of her and said, "Let's go to the office. We have important things to deal with."
When the team members responsible for the project saw Alex return, they all breathed a sigh of relief. They had witnessed his abilities firsthand. As long as he was willing to step in, they knew he could turn the situation around and bring the failing project back to life.
And that was exactly what he did.
Alex identified a loophole in the new contract, organized an emergency meeting, and negotiated with the developer through the night.
In the end, he managed to save the project.
Thrilled with the outcome, Eva wanted to throw him a party.
Alex declined. "There's no need. Please assign this project to a qualified professional from now on."
Still, Eva was insistent. "I know what to do, but we're still holding the celebration party. It'll be held in the company's banquet hall tonight."
Half an hour before the event began, Hugh arrived in a custom-tailored black suit. He delivered an impassioned speech, and only then did Alex realize that this so-called party was actually a welcome party for Hugh.
Everyone at the company knew how highly Hugh was regarded. They spared no effort in flattering him.
One senior executive took the lead and raised his glass in a toast. "Mr. Hugh, this project wouldn't have succeeded without you! You're truly a business genius. With you leading the way, Laurent Group is destined for even greater success!"
The other employees eagerly joined in.
"Mr. Hugh, we hope you'll get more involved in the company's affairs from now on and guide us more."
"If you have any new ideas, Mr. Hugh, just let the marketing department know. We'll follow your lead."
"The planning department will follow your instructions, too. With your guidance, I'm sure we'll achieve even better results!"
"Mr. Shaw." Alex's secretary, Peter Stark, couldn't stand it anymore. "You were the one who turned that project around. Why is everyone praising him instead? Should we tell Ms. Eva what's going on?"
Alex set down his glass and smiled. "All those senior executives are going out of their way to flatter him. Do you really think it's because of his personal charm?"
Peter was perplexed. "Huh? What do you mean? Are you saying..."
Then, his eyes widened in disbelief as he exclaimed, "But why would Ms. Eva do that? You're her husband!"
"Favoritism. That's all." Alex put down his glass. "I'm leaving. You can stay and enjoy yourself with the others."
He had no intention of participating in this ridiculous charade any longer.
"Alex, why are you leaving?" Hugh called out.
He immediately made his way through the crowd and gripped Alex's wrist. "Alex!"
"I'm tired. I'm going home to catch up on some sleep." Alex glanced pointedly at his wrist, signaling for Hugh to let go.
The party was quite a grand affair. He didn't want to embarrass Hugh or cause a scene. So, he had no intention of arguing or fighting with Hugh there.
Hugh patted the back of his hand with a smile. "If you're determined to leave, I suppose I can't stop you. At your age, you really do need more sleep. Otherwise, certain… abilities might start to decline. And no matter how good the special supplements are, they won't help much."
Alex grabbed Hugh's hand and squeezed it hard. "You're young, so you can afford to be more reckless. Just remember not to push your luck. The higher you climb, the harder you fall, and it won't end well for you."
"You…"
The moment Hugh noticed Eva approaching, the arrogance vanished from his face. He grabbed Alex's hand and slapped himself across the face with it. Right away, he put on a pitiful expression.
Hugh whined, "Alex, I was only joking! Did you really have to slap me? Eva has never even hit me before…"
Alex ignored his shameless act and prepared to leave the banquet hall.
However, Eva stepped forward to stop him. "Stop right there! How can you, as his brother-in-law, stoop to arguing with him and even hit him? Apologize to him right now!"
Alex laughed and pushed her hand aside. "I won't apologize for something I didn't do."
With that, he walked away calmly despite their grim expressions.
Soon, the elevator reached basement level two.
Alex headed toward the parking garage, pulling out his phone as he walked. He tried calling Harlan to invite him to a game the following day.
The call wouldn't go through.
He glanced down at his phone and saw that there was no signal.
That was impossible. Laurent Group's parking garage had complete signal coverage, even in the corners. He hadn't received any notice of a network outage in the garage that day.
Sensing that something was wrong, Alex quickened his pace.
Just as he was about to reach his car, someone suddenly struck him hard on the back of the head with a metal rod.
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