"I mean let's face it, there are always going to be people who don't like you, probably for one of three reasons.
Firstly, they don't like you because of some misguided or often well-placed jealousy. Perhaps you've stolen something that's theirs or are just inherently better at something. Either way, you did or have something that doesn't sit well with them and therefore they want to throw their two cents into the ring and voice their opinions.
Secondly, people may not like you if you've actually done something, intentionally or unintentionally as the case may be, to cause them distress or pain, in which case, well it's quite within their right to do so.
Lastly, maybe they are just stubborn, misconceptions, misguided information or whatever it may be, they hate you and nothing you say or do can change their mind. So why waste your energy on dealing with the brown noses and petty hoes? I don't. Neither should you."
The tension that clung to the silence in the air was humid and thick enough that it froze all the people milling around for more than a split second. That moment of disbelief was quickly overtaken by a thrum of hubbub as the esteemed guests of the yearly Spring Equinox ball turned to each other and started to speak. Streams of chatter ran into and overtook each other until finally, Selena looked up at Adrian in semi shock and a smirk formed on her face.
"So uncivilised, don't you agree? Such foul language in polite company," she tittered mockingly, the laughter laced into her tone so obvious that no one could miss it.
Adrian didn't miss a beat and a Cheshire cat smile split across his well-schooled features. "Took the words right out of my mouth, you know what they say, great minds think alike."
"I am parched, shall we browse the selection of hor d'oeurves available?"
Adrian said nothing, instead, he stepped over the man's leg and offered a hand, which Selena took, to help her over the man's unmoving frame. Selena looked back into the crowd and her eyes trained themselves on the Starks sisters, Ivy and Penelope, who were hastily making their unnoticed retreat from the other end of the hall.
"Ivy, Penelope!" she called into the hubbub, effectively silencing the crowd again, "your darling father seems to not be breathing very well, I would advise that you perhaps call an ambulance to take him to the Royal Infirmary, you know. Check him over and make sure that he hasn't sustained any permanent damage. That did sound like quite the fall he took. I mean I would myself but I'm afraid that when they ask who I was in relation to Mr Qing-Starks is here, I would have to tell them that I was a fellow CEO in a competing market, which of course would end in another slew of questions. That kind of makes it quite awkward for both of us, I'm sure it is much better if you both stayed with your father here, he'd be much more comfortable in your presence," she paused with her eyes gleaming maliciously, "than mine."
With that, she tucked her arm into Adrian's and all put pulled him away from the scene. "never loiter," she hissed at him through her teeth as she adopted a slower pace and made her way to the table set up at the far corner which remained largely untouched.
Adrian was at a loss for words and couldn't help but gape slightly at her. The absolute nerve of the girl in front of her was unlike anything he had ever seen before and he didn't quite know how to approach the situation or what to say to her. Instead, he studied the table of finger foods intently as if they would somehow impart the wisdom on him that seemed to have deserted his mind. He picked up a small canapé and took a moment to gather his words. "Where on earth did you learn to do that?" he asked, not bothering to conceal the incredulity in his tone. That was something else."
"You learn a lot as a socialite, we aren't all dumb and blonde." Selena didn't bother to look at him and finished off her own cucumber sandwich. "So the press conference, what the actual f*ck," she said in hushed tones as if she were discussing next week's groceries or something equally benign and uninteresting, "there is so much at stake at the moment, the fact that we aren't supposed to be working together, in any capacity of the word, because then, well you don't or rather shouldn't need this explained to you, you are after all supposed to be intelligent. Well, if the Competitions Board hears any of this at all, both our legal departments won't be able to get us out of this one and the potential PR scandals. Those two together would cripple both our companies and then there's social standing and all the rest of it. You and I cannot be seen together as much as we have been together. Collusion comes with a hefty fine and I'm sorry, I have better things to be spending my hard-earned money on than paying fines because you can't keep yourself away." She paused momentarily for breath and looked at Adrian expectantly to say something.
Despite being in awe of how fast her mind worked, especially after the ruthless takedown of Mr Qing-Starks mere minutes before, he cleared his throat, put his beating heart in its place and silenced the million and one thoughts pinging around in his brain. "Of course, with both our arses on the line in so many of the similar markets, there can be absolutely no collusion to be seen, meaning all our meetings will have to be discreet."
"What meetings?" Selena asked.
"Well, you've been out of the business world for a long time, and even when you were young enough to accompany your father, the landscape has changed a lot since you came in. You may have had a very successful first few months in this world but as far as a lot of the oldies are concerned, you are still new money which is beyond unreliable."
Selena was silent for a moment, "we will talk about this later, we are wasting time."
"I thought this was a social event."
"I never thought I'd have to explain it to you because you seem to the outside eye to be able to integrate the two worlds of business and pleasure seamlessly. Never stop working, you'll fall behind."
With that, she headed off with a glass of champagne in hand, clearly to close more deals and make more connections. She didn't look back which in itself spoke volumes, letting him know that to her, he was dispensible and he made a quick round of the guests there, stopping to chat to a few associates and potential business partners before heading back to her side.
While Adrian had been away, Selena had made quick work, chatting away while being personable. While news of the Qing-Starks stock market crash had circulated among the younger generation as some sort of scandal, the older generation of businesspeople, many of whole were in attendance tonight knew better than to make that the focus. There was an unspoken rule that as a member of society, these things were acknowledged and then promptly buried. Any actions were made under the table and the results would be broadcast on the stock market at 8 am. She had been demure and charming in just the right proportions, her smile sincere and her eyes trained and keen. As a former socialite, she may not know all the ins and outs of business but she did know how to play people and she played like a world-class violinist. Although she had promised that no business deals would be made, she had lined up meetings all throughout the next fortnight for various potential partnerships and deals and she was ready to take the world by storm, one meeting at a time.
She had had enough of the child's play that the girls her age kept trying to engage her in. If she had to fall, ambition would be her folly.