Chapter 5: Ryan's Revenge

Ryan returns to the hotel, where he has booked a room to rest during this business trip. After showering and changing into fresh clothes, he hurries to the meeting place to meet his business partner.

 

At this moment, Ryan is pacing down the corridor of the BL company. His purpose today is to discuss with the BL company's leadership the collaboration plan between the two sides. He is giving instructions to his new assistant along the way.

 

"Alan, have you thoroughly researched this project?" Ryan asks.

 

"Yes, sir. I see great potential in collaborating with this company," Alan replies respectfully.

 

"I hope you're being cautious. We can't afford to waste time and money on projects that have no future," Ryan emphasizes.

 

"Yes, sir, I understand."

 

"Is there anything you don't understand? Do you need me to guide you?" Ryan continues to remind us, "About the advertising project for the product..."

 

With the sudden disappearance of his voice, Ryan's footsteps halt as he looks up and inadvertently catches sight of a familiar figure. Well, familiar is an appropriate term because the owner of that figure has been haunting him all morning.

 

"The new product advertising project is still underway, and the data seems very promising. Additionally, we are considering extending the time frame."

 

Alan nearly bumps into Ryan's back as Ryan steps back without any warning. Seeing Ryan seemingly not paying attention, Alan calls for his boss's attention.

 

"Director, are you listening to me?"

 

No response comes from Ryan, who is still absorbed in looking in the direction where two women are conversing.

 

"What's wrong, Director? Do you have an issue?" The person beside him asks curiously. His gaze also follows Ryan's, quickly identifying the target that has captured Ryan's attention.

 

There's nothing strange about it, and it's not even remotely intriguing. It's just two women having a conversation.

Ignoring the inquiries of his assistant, Ryan focuses his gaze on observing the developments at the BL company reception desk. The distance is not far, so Ryan can clearly hear the dialogue between the two women. What catches Ryan's attention the most is Ivy's gentle and polite demeanor at this moment, completely contrasting the arrogant and indifferent attitude that Ryan witnessed earlier this morning. It's as if they were two completely different people. Ryan feels somewhat puzzled. However, even if Ivy were to turn into dust, Ryan would still recognize her. The impression Ivy left on Ryan is so profound that he wants to forget it yet remembers it even more deeply. No one has ever treated Ryan in such a special way as Ivy did.

 

"Excuse me, where is the director's office?" Ivy asks gently.

 

"Who are you? And what is your business with the director?" The receptionist inquires, trying to understand Ivy and her purpose here.

 

"I am a representative from AB Company. Today, I am here to discuss a contract between our companies. I have already scheduled an appointment with the director."

 

"You are Ivy Green." The receptionist looks at the computer screen, confirming the director's schedule.

 

"That's correct." Ivy confirms. "Here is my business card."

 

"The director has scheduled a meeting with you at 10:30." The receptionist takes Ivy's business card, glances at it, and says, "The director's office is on the 13th floor. You take the elevator to the 13th floor, then walk down the hallway to the director's office."

 

"I got it, thank you," Ivy smiles gratefully.

 

At the same time, Alan reminds Ryan, "Director,...”

"Let's go."

 

Ryan commands, arrogantly striding back to the elevator. A smug smile spreads across his lips as a brilliant idea pops into his head. And Ryan is determined to execute that idea.

 

Ryan feels satisfied and grateful. Honestly speaking, Ryan is looking for an opportunity to retaliate against Ivy, but before he can act or search for Ivy, she appears before him.

 

As soon as he steps into the elevator, Ryan turns to urge Alan.

 

"Press the elevator button."

 

"Someone's coming. We should wait for them, Alan reminds us. Disregarding Alan's warning, Ryan decisively presses the elevator button to close the doors.

 

"Wait a moment," Ivy's desperate voice calls out as she sees the elevator slowly closing in front of her. "There's someone else trying to get on the elevator."

 

Ivy exerts all her effort to increase her speed, but it's futile. Although he hears Ivy's call, Ryan remains indifferent, as if he doesn't hear anything.

 

"Director, why would you do that?" The assistant standing next to him looks at Ryan with puzzlement, feeling that Ryan's actions are inappropriate. Ryan glanced over, causing him to fall silent.

 

Breathing heavily, Ivy stood before the closed elevator doors. It was all because of these high-heeled shoes that made her movement difficult. Ivy had planned to wear sneakers, but they didn't go well with the outfit she was wearing. Fearful of making a bad impression on the business partners and affecting the contract signing between the two companies, Ivy had to sacrifice her personal preferences, preparing a neat and polite appearance. As a result, she encountered trouble.

 

…

 

Currently, Ivy is on the 13th floor of the BL company.

 

"Hello, I'm Ivy Green, representing AB Company. I had an appointment with your company's CEO at 10:30 a.m. today," Ivy introduced herself to the secretary of the BL company's CEO.

 

"Yes, hello. Please wait a moment; the CEO is currently busy with another guest," the secretary kindly informed.

 

"Could you please inform the CEO that I've arrived?" Ivy sincerely requested.

 

"Of course, please have a seat over there and wait," the secretary said, pointing to the chairs behind Ivy.

 

As Ivy sat down patiently, waiting, the secretary left to inform the CEO of Ivy's presence.

 

After a while, the secretary returned to update Ivy.

 

"I'm sorry. The CEO is currently in an important discussion with a major company partner, and it may take some time. So, would you be?"

 

"I understand; I can wait," Ivy quickly replied, fearing that the secretary might suggest coming back tomorrow. Honestly, Ivy had a hard time persuading the CEO of the BL company to arrange this appointment. Therefore, she couldn't give up easily. Moreover, considering the time, there were still about 20 minutes left until the appointment. Ivy arrived early just to make a good impression on the partner, that's all.

 

"Alright, then," the secretary said hesitantly, seeing Ivy's firm determination. "I'll get back to work then."

 

"Yes, please carry on with your work; don't mind me," Ivy replied politely.

 

Time passed slowly; 20 minutes turned into 30. Ivy persisted, patiently waiting for her turn to meet with the CEO. Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Two police officers in uniform appeared, calmly approaching Ivy. 

 

While Ivy managed to maintain her composure, the secretary appeared visibly frightened.

 

"What's going on? Who are you? Why are you here?" The panicked secretary asked.

 

"Please remain calm." One of the police officers reassured her. "We're city police officers, here to carry out our duties. There's no need to be afraid."

 

"But..." The secretary stammered. "I'll call the CEO."

 

"There's no need for that." The officer interjected, offering an explanation. "We're not here to see your CEO."

 

Having finished speaking with the secretary, the police officer turned to Ivy.

 

"Hello. Are you Ivy Green?"

 

"Yes, I am." Ivy confirmed calmly. "May I ask what this is about?"

 

"We're here to ask you to come with us."

 

Surprised and confused, Ivy inquired, "I'm sorry, I don't understand what's happening. Why..."

 

One of the officers cut her off, speaking calmly but firmly, "Someone has accused you of fraud and embezzlement. We need you to come to the station for questioning and to investigate this case."

 

Ivy was stunned, unable to believe what was happening. Despite her attempts to explain and deny the accusations, the police remained adamant about taking her to the station.

 

"I'm sorry, I haven't done anything wrong," Ivy said, trying to remain calm.

 

But the police didn't change their decision. They continued to insist that Ivy accompany them. "Please cooperate to prove your innocence. If you refuse to come with us, you'll be charged with resisting law enforcement."

 

Understanding the seriousness of the warning, Ivy also knew the law like the back of her hand. Therefore, she had no choice but to cooperate with the police.

 

"I understand, but please wait a moment," Ivy requested, trying to handle the situation without affecting her contract signing with BL.

 

With permission from the police, Ivy approached the secretary, who had been observing the situation with anxiety.

 

"I apologize for this embarrassing situation. But please help me out. Inform your CEO that I'll come back later and explain the situation. I hope your CEO won't be concerned about this unexpected incident."

 

"I'll pass on the message to the CEO for you." The secretary said it with a shy smile.

 

"Thank you," Ivy replied, then resignedly followed the police.

 

Once Ivy was confirmed to have left the BL company, Ryan happily left the CEO's office. He had achieved his goal, which was to sabotage Ivy's work and secure the cooperation contract with BL. With his victory secured, Ryan returned to the hotel, preparing to return to the city where he lived and worked. Ryan showed no concern for Ivy's fate. He was only satisfied because he had successfully exacted revenge on Ivy.