Chapter 71: first collaboration
Madam Perry slowly stepped backward, her eyes fixed on the old woman standing at her doorstep. Her fingers tightened around the handle of the travelling bag until her knuckles turned white.
The old woman glanced at the bag and let out a relieved sigh. "Thank God I came on time," she said with a smile.
Then she suddenly clapped her hands happily. "Oh! What perfect timing."
Madam Perry’s breathing became heavy "What... what are you looking for?" she asked with a trembling voice. Tears slowly gathered in her eyes. "Please... don’t do this."
The old woman snorted. "I’m doing the right thing." She stepped into the house without waiting for permission. "You’ve hidden long enough. Come with me."
Madam Perry immediately shook her head. "No... I’m not going."
The old woman walked closer and gently grabbed her wrist.
"Pearl," she said softly, "the election has now started. He will be staying at the main house these days. This is your chance."
Madam Perry quickly pulled her hand back. "No!" Her voice became louder. "I don’t want to see him."
The old woman sighed helplessly."You’ve been saying that for years."
She looked straight into Madam Perry’s eyes."But every time his name is mentioned, you cry."
Madam Perry lowered her head. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
The old woman’s expression softened for only a second before she sighed again. "I didn’t come here to argue."
She turned toward the bodyguards behind her. "Plan A isn’t working."
The guards immediately stood straight. The old woman folded her arms. "So...Let’s use Plan B."
One of the guards blinked. "Madam?"
She nodded."He hasn’t been angry for a very long time."bHer smile slowly disappeared. "But yesterday...He became angry."
She paused before adding, "And I also saw a lonely angel hiding around the party yesterday, I knew it’s you Pearl"
Madam Perry’s eyes widened. Before she could react, one of the female bodyguards quietly walked behind her.
Madam Perry was still trying to speak. "I said I’m not—" A white handkerchief suddenly covered her nose and mouth.
Her eyes widened. She struggled immediately. "No..."
Her voice became weaker. She tried to pull the hand away, but her strength disappeared little by little.
The room began spinning. Everything became blurry. The old woman quickly stepped forward and caught her before she could fall. "It’s alright, my dear."
Her head slowly rested on the old woman’s shoulder.She completely lost consciousness.
She gently supported Madam Perry’s back "You’ll be fine. The old woman smiled warmly and patted her back like she was comforting a child "Good girl."
She looked at the guards. "Carry her carefully."
"Yes, Madam."
....
Meanwhile...
At HMD Technology Company...
The large meeting room was already filled with shareholders and senior directors.
The huge round table in the middle made the atmosphere look even more serious.
Abigail and Miranda sat quietly on one side. Across from them sat the executives of HMD Technology.
Everyone’s attention was on Abigail.
Mr Thompson adjusted his glasses before speaking. "Miss Abigail."
She nodded politely."Yes, sir."
He folded his hands on the table. "I’ve been thinking." His eyes slowly narrowed."NIK Company is famous for making children’s toys." He paused. "Our company builds smart vehicles, advanced technology, and expensive electronic systems. So..." He leaned forward. "What gives your company the right to cooperate with HMD Technology?"
The meeting room became silent. Several shareholders nodded. They were also waiting for her answer. Miranda secretly looked at Abigail with worry.
Abigail smiled calmly. "That’s actually the reason we should work together."
Mr Thompson raised a brow."Oh?"
Abigail nodded confidently. "Our company makes children’s electric cars."
Several people looked at one another.
She continued. "They may be toys...but children today don’t just want toys. They want something smart."
She stood up and walked toward the large screen. "Our dream is to create smart children’s cars."
She pointed at one of the pictures on the screen"A toy car that can recognize simple voice commands." Another slide appeared. "A car that teaches children road safety while they play."
She changed the slide again. "A toy with sensors that stop automatically before hitting walls."
Several shareholders slowly nodded.
Abigail smiled. "We understand children."Your company understands technology." She turned back to everyone. "If we combine both strengths...We won’t just make toys. We’ll create a smarter generation."
Silence filled the room.
Then someone slowly clapped. Others followed.
Even Mr. Thompson smiled and nodded. "I like your answer."
Miranda secretly gave Abigail a thumbs-up under the table.
Abigail smiled helplessly. At that moment... The meeting room door opened. Everyone immediately stood up.
Henry walked inside wearing a perfectly fitted black suit.
His cold expression remained unchanged. Joshua followed behind him with several documents.
Henry sat down without wasting a second."The report."
Joshua nodded immediately. "The secretary couldn’t make, so the last meeting focused on the partnership proposal between HMD Technology and NIK Company."
He briefly explained everything Henry had missed. Henry listened quietly without interrupting.
Abigail looked at him for a while, As if sensing her gaze, Henry suddenly looked up and their eyes met.Tthen she quickly turned her eyes away. She suddenly felt like she had walked into a trap. His presence filled the whole room and made it hard for her to focus.
’Why am I looking at him?’
She silently scolded herself.
After Joshua finished speaking, Henry looked around the room. "We should produce a smart children’s car."
Abigail’s eyes widened. "What?"
Miranda almost jumped from her chair. She happily clapped her hands. "That’s perfect!"
She suddenly grabbed Abigail’s hand excitedly. "Our CEO has been drawing designs for smart toy cars for months!"
Abigail’s eyes widened in horror. "Miranda—"
Too late!
Miranda happily continued. "She even prepared different diagrams!"
Under the table...Abigail stepped hard on Miranda’s foot.
"Ouch!" Miranda bit her lip.
Abigail forced a smile. "Shut up."
Joshua couldn’t hide his curiosity. "Do you have the drawings?"
Miranda nodded proudly. "Of course!"
Before Abigail could stop her, Miranda opened the folder and handed two beautiful design sketches to Joshua.
Joshua stared at them in surprise. "They’re... impressive."
He immediately passed them to Henry. Henry silently looked through each drawing.
The room became quiet again. After a moment, he nodded once. "Pass them around."
Joshua obeyed. Every shareholder carefully studied the designs.
After several minutes of discussion, everyone pointed at one drawing.
"This one."
"I agree."
"It’s practical."
"The design is attractive."
Henry looked at the final choice. "We’ll start with this." He stood up. Without another word, he walked toward the door.
Abigail quietly watched his back disappear. She let out a long sigh. Why do I always end up looking at him? She almost wanted to slap herself.
Beside her, Miranda was smiling happily. Her phone suddenly vibrated. She looked down and read the message.
Her smile slowly faded. "Now?" She whispered.
She looked toward Abigail. Abigail also stood after seeing her favorite design had been chosen.
"I’m glad they picked that one."
Before she could leave, Miranda quickly grabbed her wrist. "I need you to come somewhere with me."
Abigail frowned in confusion. "Where?"
Miranda smiled mysteriously. "You’ll know when we get there."