"Aren't you afraid that I'll sell my shares to someone else? If so, FX International Group wouldn't belong to the Mu family alone," said Jessica, biting her lower lip. She hadn't expected Edward to be so indifferent. It was like her struggles were as insignificant as ripples on the water. There had to be something that would faze him.
"Afraid? Do you really think there's anyone that's really in your corner? There's no one who would challenge me, much less could." Edward wasn't impressed by her empty threat. The person had to have vast amounts of wealth if he intended to become a shareholder of FX International Group. He'd have to be richer than Edward, and while that wasn't impossible it was difficult at best.
"You really think you're the schmoo, don't you? You're not the best lover, nor are you the best businessman. There are other companies larger than FX International, to boot. You really think no one compares to you, that no one is good enough to bring you to your knees? Mr. Mu, you live in a world of predators and preys. In this city, you may be the predator, but outside the city, you are merely prey. And perhaps, in the richest tycoon's eyes, you're a monkey full of hot air. You might want to keep this in mind." What Jessica hated most was his arrogance, and her tone was laced with both pride and contempt.
"I can be as confident as I want -- and as arrogant. I've earned that right.But I have to ask: who the hell do you think you are? You're nothing to me." Edward flashed a mocking smile. The expression on his face turned cold as he spoke. He looked her up and down, his dangerous eyes locked on pale Jessica.
Jessica made a noise of pure animal rage. Then she composed herself. "You asshole! You'll regret this! You don't want to trade with me? Fine! The MY Mall is being acquired by Kompass Group! And there's nothing you can do about it!" Gritting her teeth, Jessica snorted. Did he really think that she had no choice but to cooperate with him? What a condescending jerk!
However, Edward burst into raucous laughter. His guffaws echoed hollowly through the office.He retorted,
"You know what led to Lin Group's failure, don't you, Jessica? It was you. Your arrogance and stupidity dragged the company to its doom. Believe it or not, if I didn't have the ability to repurchase the shares of my company, I wouldn't even have let you buy them. And time will tell who has the last laugh." Edward almost sneered when he thought of Jessica's threat. Jessica was the last person in the world to threaten him. She wasn't even qualified. If she wasn't in front of him right now, he wouldn't spare her a second thought.
"Hah! That last laugh is mine. You're headed for a bad end, Edward. You're heartless, and that's exactly how the person who crushes you will be. I'm going to enjoy this, watching you fail. You and your company can stuff it!" she yelled. Biting her lower lip, Jessica glared at Edward. She hated everything about this man, including his handsome face. It was his alluring handsomeness that plunged her into the abyss, and it took awhile for her to claw her way out.
"I'll be looking forward to that. But it's still early in the game. Now, if you're finished pestering me, please leave. I'm busy right now, and don't have the time for you." That said, Edward shot a cold glance at her. He looked indifferent and distant when he spoke, without a sliver of affection in his tone.
"So what? You want to drive me away and spend the day with Daisy? You think you two are going to live together happily after? No, you will not. You two won't have the happy ending you're thinking of. You think she'll stay with you forever? Sooner or later, you'll get what you deserve. It's only a matter of time. And when you do, she'll dump you like the trash you are." Jessica knew Edward well. And to her, Edward never seemed like a guy whose love belonged to one woman only. And even when he controlled himself, he was surrounded by ladies crazy for his attention. In Jessica's opinion, he might have it in him to resist temptation one or two times, but he would eventually give in. That was all men, not just Edward. And what would happen after that? Could he still be loyal to Daisy when he was chased by so many women?
"Oops, but that's not going to happen. And FYI, nothing bad will happen to us, ever. Sorry to disappoint you, but don't count on it, Miss Lin." Edward knew that he'd been a ladies' man before, but that was in the past. That was before he fell in love with Daisy. Now that he had a woman that he loved more than life itself, no other woman could ever have a place in his heart. His wife was the only one who meant everything to him.
Now you're bragging. You know how karma works. Your end is long overdue. I've cursed your name day and night since we saw each other last." Jessica gnashed her teeth, and glowered at Edward with great hatred. She felt torn apart. She thought she had been okay with his coldness, but when they brought up Daisy again, the wound in her heart re-opened and bled. She couldn't help but feel a great melancholy. She had been by his side for many years, but still couldn't be a part of his life. That stung.
"Now you've gone too far. If you want to get me mad, I'll show you what my rage looks like. You don't want to see that, trust me." Irritated by her curse, Edward's tone turned dangerous and cold. His eyes locked her like a devil's claw, anger and impatience roiling in his gaze. Jessica shuddered, and stepped back, frightened by his anger. She was like a small mouse menaced by the python, the serpent eager for a meal.
She tried to fight back, but only managed to stutter, "I..." It had been a long time since they last met. But she still remembered how he threatened her with the knife. She still felt the shiver in her spine when she recalled the blade being held to her face, the steel point tracing along her tender flesh. The memory hit her like a slap. No matter how much time had passed, she was cowed by his fury.
"If I were you, I'd know better than to show your face and piss off a man who's way out of your league. But yet you're here now, talking bullshit. What the hell, Jessica? I never thought you had the stones for it." Edward's words were not only threatening but also full of cold anger. If she hadn't mentioned Daisy, it would have been okay for her to trash talk him. But now, since she swore to hurt his one and only, he was all out of patience.
"So you're threatening me now. What? Going to try and cut me again, even though I've not even raised a fist at you? Oh, big man! Why should I go away? Come on, are you really rich enough to control what I do?" said Jessica in a trembling voice. Although she was still playing tough, the impulse to run away from the man was surging in her heart. Her lips were twitching and her body shook. This took everything she had to stand up to him.
"Maybe I can't control your mind. But I am rich enough to ignore the law. And trust me, whatever I do to you, the law will still be on my side. Consider yourself warned. Get out, and don't let the door hit you as you leave." It would be foolish to try and talk some sense into this woman. Edward had decided to be blunt. After all, she wouldn't understand, even if he talked till he were blue in the face.