Chapter 83 – The Third Path

Soft laughter rippled around the table after the lady guest’s remark. The tension that had weighed heavily over the dinner eased slightly. Waiters returned to refill the wine glasses, while the soft jazz in the background seemed louder now, filling the silence that had briefly pressed upon them.

Jeslyn inhaled slowly, steadying her racing heartbeat. She knew that little interruption had bought her a moment of respite from an open duel with Leonel. Yet, his stare from across the table still pierced into her, keeping her body taut though her face remained composed.

Jefran seized the moment with ease.

“I think we can all agree that Clovies has always sought balance—between innovation and stability. Two things that complement, not cancel each other out.” He deliberately emphasized the word balance, throwing a quick glance at Jeslyn, as if to remind her that he was on her side.

Mr. Tanaka’s lips curved in a faint smile, clearly entertained by the exchange.

“Ah, very diplomatic words. I like hearing such passion.” He sipped his drink, then shifted his gaze to Leonel. “And of course, I also want to see just how strong the leadership of Clovies is—especially when represented by young men like Mr. Leonel here.”

Leonel straightened slowly, setting his wine glass down with elegance. His smile was thin, almost a smirk, its meaning unreadable.

“Strong leadership, Mr. Tanaka, is not measured by sweet words at a dinner table, but by decisions that stand firm even when the market collapses.”

His voice was calm, but every word cut with the precision of a blade.

Several guests turned toward him, some impressed, others silenced, uncertain whether to agree.

Jeslyn’s chest tightened. Her earlier statement had been elegantly undermined, and Leonel had done it without even looking at her directly. Beneath the table, her hand curled into a tight fist, though her face retained its polite smile.

Mr. Tanaka looked even more intrigued. “Interesting. I enjoy seeing such spirited dynamics.” He shifted his gaze to Jeslyn, this time probing.

“Then tell me, Miss Jeslyn. If one day you were faced with the choice between pursuing a high-risk innovation that could yield enormous profit, or staying on a safe, stable path that grows slowly—what would you choose as a leader?”

The question was a trap. Guests exchanged looks, waiting eagerly for Jeslyn’s reply. Leonel leaned back against his chair, his eyes glinting coldly, as though daring her to answer.

Jeslyn drew a deep breath, then looked straight at Mr. Tanaka with steady eyes.

“I would choose a third path, Mr. Tanaka.”

The entire table fell silent. Some guests exchanged surprised glances, not expecting such a response.

Jeslyn continued, her voice calm but resolute.

“High-risk innovation may bring great reward, but without a stable foundation, a company will collapse easily. On the other hand, stability without the courage to innovate leaves us stagnant. True leadership is the ability to combine both—measuring risk precisely, while ensuring the foundation is strong enough to support every step.”

She paused, letting her words echo through the room.

“Because in the end, the market only respects those who dare to move forward and endure.”

Several guests nodded, some even clapped softly. Mr. Tanaka’s brow lifted, clearly impressed. His smile widened, carrying hidden meaning.

“Well, how could you have such a brilliant employee, Mr. Leonel? I almost want Miss Jeslyn to be my assistant,” he chuckled.

Leonel gave a thin smile, his eyes locked unblinking on Jeslyn.

“Of course, Mr. Tanaka,” he said, his tone polite but edged with steel. “Clovies has always valued talent. However, intelligence alone is not enough in leadership. Sometimes, too many possibilities only cause decisions to lose direction.”

The words sounded smooth, but everyone at the table caught the pointed edge—aimed squarely at Jeslyn.

Jeslyn restrained herself from glancing his way. Her polite smile held, though her fingers clenched again in her lap.

Before the silence deepened, Jefran slipped in smoothly.

“But isn’t it precisely multiple perspectives that test a decision and make it stronger? I think Clovies is great because it always leaves room for healthy discussion.”

Several guests nodded in agreement, the atmosphere softening once more. Yet, beneath the casual laughter, the sharp undercurrent between the three of them remained—a silent duel hidden beneath the polished conversation.

Mr. Tanaka looked delighted, as though watching a live chess match unfold before him. He sipped his wine again and murmured,

“Ah, tonight is truly fascinating. Clovies is indeed full of surprises.”

Setting his glass down carefully, his smile deepened with intrigue.

“You three have caught my attention. Rarely do I see the younger generation with such opposing views, yet equally confident.” He paused, his eyes shifting—first to Leonel, then to Jeslyn, and finally to Jefran—as though weighing who might break first.

“But allow me to ask something more concrete.”

The table immediately fell silent.

“If tomorrow Clovies were to face a major crisis—say, its stock plummeted thirty percent overnight—which of you would I trust to save the company? And how would you do it?” Mr. Tanaka asked boldly.

Several guests straightened, eager not to miss the answers. The jazz music in the background seemed to fade, leaving only a slow rhythm that underscored the tension.

Leonel leaned forward, his voice deep and unwavering.

“Crisis cannot be answered with theory. I would cut losses, reinforce core assets, and assure investors that Clovies still stands with stable leadership. In a storm, a ship doesn’t need a hundred captains—only one strong enough to hold the helm.”

Jeslyn inhaled slowly, her eyes glinting sharp.

“But a ship led by only one captain can sink if the chosen course is wrong. I would consolidate the core team, open communication with shareholders, and ensure every step is transparent. Market trust is not built on unilateral decisions, but on the ability to unite all parties involved.”

Some guests murmured in admiration, then turned toward Jefran, who had been listening with his usual faint smile.

Finally, Jefran spoke, his tone calm yet confident.

“I wouldn’t just talk about survival. A major crisis is the best time to strike. While others panic and sell, I would seize the chance to acquire new assets at low value. That is the real way to turn loss into gain.”

The table fell silent again. Three answers. Three styles. All sharp.

Mr. Tanaka clapped softly, chuckling.

“Remarkable. If I were an outside investor, I would find it difficult to choose whom to trust. The three of you have turned this dinner into both a stage of tension and entertainment.”

Leonel’s gaze sharpened, this time directly at Jeslyn and Jefran. Jeslyn returned it, fighting to remain calm, while Jefran simply lifted his glass with a confident smile.

The main course finally arrived, the aroma of roasted meat and spices filling the air. Conversations gradually lightened, though the residue of tension lingered. Glasses clinked softly, blending with the gentle jazz.

Jeslyn lowered her gaze slightly, sipping her soup. But whether from the strong spices or her pent-up nerves, she suddenly coughed softly. The sound was enough to draw a few heads her way.

“Jeslyn, are you alright?” one of the guests asked with concern.

Before Jeslyn could answer, Jefran—seated beside her—instinctively reached for the glass of water near his hand and passed it to her.

“Drink this,” he said simply, his voice low but filled with concern.

Jeslyn was momentarily startled, but accepted the glass quickly.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes flicking briefly to his.

The small gesture instantly drew attention. Some guests smiled faintly, finding it sweet.

But across the table, Leonel’s eyes burned cold as he watched. His hand clenched around the stem of his wine glass, veins visible beneath his skin. Outwardly he remained calm, but inside, emotions surged—sharp and jealous.

He tipped his glass back, masking the turmoil with a sip of wine. But his gaze made it clear: he did not appreciate the way Jefran treated Jeslyn as though she belonged to him.

Jeslyn felt that gaze, her breath hitching as the glass in her hand grew cold. Every move she made now felt as though it was being watched by Leonel.

“By the way,” one guest suddenly asked, eyes narrowing with curiosity, “is it true your engagement was canceled? Seeing you two getting along so well tonight, I would assume the engagement still stands?”

The question landed like a knife at the center of the table. The clinking of cutlery fell silent, and several guests turned eagerly for the answer.

Jeslyn froze, her face tightening. Her heart pounded hard, as if every eye demanded her response.

Jefran only gave a faint smile, taking his time. He glanced briefly at Jeslyn before lifting his glass again, calm as ever, as though leaving the choice to her.

Meanwhile, Leonel—who had been silent for a while—let out a low, chilling laugh. The sound sent a shiver down Jeslyn’s spine.

“Getting along?” he repeated, his voice flat but laced with mockery. “If simply sitting side by side and sharing a glass of water is called getting along, then people’s definition of relationships is… rather simplistic.”

Several guests flinched, some coughing lightly to mask their surprise. Jeslyn lowered her head further, hiding the flush on her cheeks—not from shyness, but from a mix of anger and tension.

Jefran remained calm, though the edge of his smile tightened. He slowly turned to Leonel and replied in a smooth yet weighted voice,

“Sometimes it’s the simplest things that reveal the most. Not everything needs to be complicated to prove closeness, Mr. Leonel.”

The air thickened once more. Guests exchanged glances, realizing the subtle duel between the two men was no longer subtle at all.

***