Burning Passion

CHAPTER 99: DOING AN ACT

* * *

After breakfast, Theo and Jeremy discuss serious matters regarding their company here in Mainland City. Sitting across from each other, Jeremy stares at his younger brother. In these passing days, he noticed there were some changes to him. He had an idea what it was, but he knew that Theo wanted to keep it for himself. However, he can take advantage of this.

"Theo, I want to appoint you to a position in the company. Would you consider it?"

"And what would that be? You know I'm still managing an office back in Europe, and things may work great back there. But I have a project right now." 

"You need not work hard having this position. Just a simple role, a Director in Shang Holdings, but your authority is the same level as mine."

"What is your plan, Jeremy?"

"This is like an announcement that you can take my position if I am gone. More likely, when someone kills me, there is someone who can replace me. You can also point out if you think something is going on with our investments. It will allow you to look at the core of all Shang's Internal Data, specifically Finance Records. Still, you are the greatest in numbers."

"But I'm not good at decision-making. You know I care less about the company, so any business proposals and issues all go through to the Chairman and Chairwoman."

"The reason I am still the President, but I need you to oversee the most important thing inside the company. Now that they have moved, it is our turn to move."

"You're placing me in the company to create a strong ground and showing to the Clan it's difficult for them to win?"

"I know you're smart like this," he smirked. "You need not worry about the workload. Just focus on your project, and let's discuss all the proposals and reports if needed attention from both of us. So?"

"All right. For the time being, since I am staying here in Mainland City," Theo agrees.

"Good! Then, I will set a meeting with the Board of Investors. However, you alone show up that day. How was it?"

"Do you mean a meeting of all our business partners? Is that what you are planning?"

"Yes. This is your appearance that you care about the Shang Empire."

"So, your main point is scaring out our relatives to step away and introduce myself to everyone as a reliable Shang who maybe one day I took over the position?"

"Another, yes, that was my main purpose. Showing them they were wrong for making bold actions toward our father. Now you're stepping in the company."

"Therefore, you are waging war against our uncles?"

"It looks that way," Jeremy retorted.

"All right."

"I will set it on Friday?"

"I'm good that day."

Meanwhile, Ben was looking for the brothers outside, and Erika knocked on the door before she stepped inside. "Masters, Doctor Ben is here."

"Let him come in, Erika. Thank you," Jeremy spoke.

"Hey! So what's up?" asked Ben with a grin on his face.

"Just share the result, would you?" Theo was nervous if the result was positive, and he was a little afraid as he received high doses of treatments for a year when he was in a coma.

Ben smirked. "Too excited?"

"Jeez. Stop teasing me. Just read the result, quick! I have a meeting!"

"Heh. Fine! So, here it goes. Everything is perfect, and you can produce a dozen children to all the mothers you selected to shove your sperm."

"Hey! What are you trying to portray me as an ML? I devote only to one!" he yelled out. He rolled his eyes, witnessing his brother and Ben snickering.

"I wonder who is that 'one'?" Jeremy starts the tease.

"Now you mentioned that 'one', it intrigued me," Ben added.

"Heh! Enough! You guys just always pick on me to bully!" he complains.

"Not! We're excited to know whose behind this 'one'?" Ben winks at Jeremy to tease Theo further.

"Whatever." Theo twitches his mouth and frowns.

"All right! Back to your records. Everything is fine, and I looked up your data at Williams Facility and compared it with your latest tests. Everything is perfect, and you won't worry about your hip and spinal cord breaking after an entire night workout."

"Doctor Ben!" Theo's face was bitten red. He can't believe he would be annoyed like this! They were the ones who encouraged him to take this test, but they teased him then…

He continued to tease when his phone received a text message. His face frowned.

"What is it?" asked Jeremy.

"It was Min Xi. She wants us to meet and talk. But I'm not going. Why won't she come then?"

"Ah. I ordered not to let her step inside the hospital from here on…."

"Hmm, that's great to ban her, and I know she'll create a big fuss—" he paused and went speechless after reading Min Xi's another message. His face darkened.

"What now?" It intrigued Ben.

"She's waiting at the Crescent Moon Café, where Nikki is working. I don't know what she is planning, but it looks like I have to meet her."

"Don't worry. Nikki was on vacation now, so she wasn't there for a month," said Ben.

"Oh, great! All right. I'll go change first, then head to a meeting after I talk to Min Xi," he said, then sat up.

* * *

Theo parked his car and made gradual steps toward the café. He instantly spotted Min Xi as she wore a flashy rich kid dress.

"I'm here. What do you want?" he said coldly, taking the sofa across from Min Xi.

"Smile," Min Xi ordered with a sweet smile on her face.

"What are you up to, Min Xi?" he perceives. Min Xi plans with something.

He doesn't trust her with the attitude she has. The sweet smile on her face is just a fake one, and choosing this café, was intentional. He casually wandered his eyes, and he spotted paparazzi in the corner of this café.

"What is this, Min Xi?" he frowned.

"I dare you to smile, Theo!"

It was a whisper, but there was a firmness in her voice. The usually spoiled brat of her who wants to domineer everyone. He doesn't like it, but he has to force himself to smile, avoiding a scene.

"All right. I am smiling now. What do you want?" Although it's not a cheerful one, he has to show a fake one.

"I heard she's working here."

A sharp glare flashes in his eyes. But he has to remain calm. "Then? I warned you, Min Xi. Stay away from her, or else…."

"Or what?"

"You will regret meeting me in this life."

Min Xi held back the tears that threatened to flee from her eyes. As a woman in love with this man, his words are knives stabbing her heart… most especially when his gaze softens and follows his glare to someone who just arrived. Is she here?

"Maybe this is the perfect time I can introduce myself to her?" 

"Min Xi!" he yelled, but all is just a whisper to avoid a scene.

"Why not? I will just introduce myself as your fiancée… after all, I remain as your future wife." 

He was glad that most of the customers were taking the left side of the café and fewer customers on their part. But then a woman with two kids walked past them and sat two tables away from theirs… so then; he needed to be careful of what he would say to Min Xi.

"Don't expect that I would be nice to you after here. There is a limitation to whatever you want me to act.. But first, don't you dare to cause trouble to her, and second, stop dreaming I will marry you one day."