The hospital was packed with patients either from senior citizens or children. Lucy walked hastily to her department since Olivia was waiting for her there. She became the center of attention on her first step in the hallway. Gaining ugly glances from women mostly, but they didn't spare their efforts to embarrass her. Since Lucy wasn't a woman so easy to bully. She was a psychologist, being weak in front of others was the same as being exposed of her true feelings. Her pride wouldn't allow that.
"Look that, the slut.", a woman said, she threw a glare over Lucy. She was a nurse in the general department.
"I know right. Even if her family is rich, she still wants to covet from someone wealthy.", another colleague said. She nodded to her friend's words.
"She even took two of them together.", they began to chatter. Deliberately talking in a high tone so that everyone could hear.
Lucy wasn't someone likable in the hospital, many women were jealous of her success and beauty. She knew they would take this chance to ruin her reputation. After all, women were all snakes with an acid tongue.
"If you still value your job, why don't you do your work? Or.. I can ask for my TWO boyfriends to get you fired and never be allowed to enter the society again..?", Lucy turned around as she crossed her arms. She was standing mighty with her aura as a queen that seemed to not waver at all. She smiled with confidence, as if mocking the poor bitches. She purposely enunciated the word 'two' in a regal manner to irritate the women.
Having both brothers of Lee as her man didn't sound that bad.. she liked to see the helpless faces of these young women. Totally satisfied.
"Hmph, only know how to bark but no bite.", Lucy walked away. She had always wanted to pay them some dues, now she was happy for it.
"Lucy! Everyone's talking about you, how did you manage to pick up a Lee as your boyfriend? And now you have two boyfriends? Which one are you serious for?", Olivia said, she was quite shocked when she saw the news.
Lucy had always keep a low profile in the upper society, her family owned Prime Hospital but she didn't like to stand out. Not many of the upper level people knew of her, but she was still famous for her intelligence as a doctor.
"Will you stop saying that? I only have one man, and you've seen him before at my house, remember?", Lucy flicked Olivia's forehead. This woman was too fast to believing rumor.
"Ah! The second son?!", Olivia rubbed her itchy forehead.
"Yes."
"Then the kissing in the car?", Olivia asked, her question made Lucy became annoyed.
"I don't have anything to do with that bastard!", she snapped. Her hand formed into a fist just thinking about Adamson. Ah.. if he was a punching bag, she would do the honor of punching him to the bits.
•••
Aubrey took the call from Liam. He sighed as the first thing this man asked was about the damn rumor.
"He's crazy I told you.", he said to Liam, his other hand in the pocket.
"So how about 'that'?", Aubrey asked. He was facing the window and the city below SereneHeights.
Aubrey paused for a second after he heard what he wanted to know. His face cracked up a smile so mischievous that no one had ever seen. Liam was not a disappoinment when it came to gathering information.
If Lucy was here and she saw him right now, she wouldn't recognize him as her usual sweet Aubrey. He pretended to be soft and warm in front of her but in fact, he had other plans in mind.
"Thanks Liam, I owe you many things now.", Aubrey said to Liam.
"Nah.. I'm a businessman, I don't do this for charity and you know that. What about our agreement, ready to give it up to me?", Liam laughed on the other side of the call, he was going to become more influential and Min Corporation would flourish more if Aubrey promised to give him the shares.
"Take it when the time comes, I don't care. This is investment.", Aubrey hung up.
He should won an Oscar with his acting.. to be vulnerable towards the enemy was the safest way to get his revenge.
Aubrey looked at his phone again, he glanced over the unknown number from last night. It was from a man he didn't know. But that man's proposal was indeed very interesting..
He found out something unexpected from the unknown man. Now he knew where his grandfather was. Someone like Adamson who stood at the top of the world was bound to create enemies on the way. Aubrey took this chance to get familiar with the dark side. And he didn't want Lucy to know.
•••
"I called and told him about Benjamin. He trusted me quickly and we planned to meet this evening.", Elaine Lee was talking on the phone with her boss, Adamson.
She told Aubrey that she was loyal to Lee Group, and she really was. She followed whoever was in reign at the top of the company. And that person happened to be Adamson, the chairman.
Adamson instructed her to get close to Aubrey to monitor him. And she did as he told her to. She started to suspect that there were something going on between the two brothers. But she was given a warning on the first day to not interfere. And she thought perhaps it was just a normal dispute between the riches.
Elaine got inside her car and then she received a text message from Aubrey. They were meeting in a restaurant at a mall.
"Why did he choose such revealing place?", she wondered.
Around twenty minutes later, Elaine arrived at the said place, she was ushered to a private sitting area. There she saw Aubrey, waiting for her to sit across him.
"I hope I'm not late.", she said with a smile on her face.
"You're not.", he answered simply.
Aubrey began to take his order and he didn't bother asking Elaine to take hers too. She stayed silent and then he turned to her.
"Won't you start talking?", he asked.
She began cracking up her fake smile. She was sorry for doing this to him but she had no other option. She was just following orders.
"About Benjamin.. he's not a bad guy.", she said.
Aubrey chuckled. This woman was indeed very good.. he was almost fooled if he didn't have the brain.
"Elaine Lee.. do you care what happens to the orphanage you stayed at?", he said suddenly, he was smiling as if talking about the weather.
Elaine was surprised but she didn't show it. How did he know?
"Your aunt Lily and sisters and brothers are fine and living a happy life..", he said slowly. Secretly seeking for her reaction.
Silence..
Elaine couldn't help but changed her mind. She wasn't going to risk anything when it comes to her family.
"What is this about?", she asked, trying to appear calm.
"You know what this is about.", he answered, his voice cold. Elaine could find some similarity between him and Adamson, their voice and expression, detach from the world.
Elaine took a deep breath and she sighed.
"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Lee. I'm not someone who is strong or influential like you, I'm just doing my job.", she said, finally giving up.
"I know.", he said, taking a bite from a crispy wanton.
".. then?", blankness was what she had in her face right now. She didn't know what to say.
"Just do your job then.", he took another bite from his plate.
"Huh..? You won't do anything?"
"Elaine Lee, you're a great vice president. You do your job well and you are serious at work. Why would I do anything? It's the company's loss if I fire you or something. And chairman Lee will get suspicious.", Aubrey explained. He still used 'chairman Lee' to call his brother.
"What? That's it?", she was still confused.
"Yes. But I just want to give you one advise, pretend to do your job well. Report what you see to your boss and I won't care. I just want to tell you that I'm aware of your monitoring.", he then finished his meal with a Coke.
Elaine was speechless. Aubrey Lee was not that stupid after all!
"You may go.", he said.
Elaine was stupefied, she didn't budge from her seat. But later when she received a silent gaze from him, she immediately stood up.
"Oh and one more thing, you should call me CEO Lee.", he said while not even sparing her a glance.
Few minutes past, Aubrey got a call from Lucy and his cold facade melted in a speed of lighting. She was on her way.
"Your favorite food is here. I ordered them for you.", he said, his voice sweet and soft.
"Don't touch my rice cakes! I'm coming!", she said while laughing. She was out from her car and was taking the elevator to the restaurant.