"Declan…" Gerald snarled, his fists clenched. Raw anger shot through him. "Don't forget his father was the co-founder of this company."
"That's why I tolerate him," Declan retorted vehemently. "Tell me first, why can't you stop the news from leaking? Didn't you say you'd take care of everything? Is this how you handle things?"
Gerald averted his gaze, mortified. "I did everything I could to stop the rumors," he mumbled. "I am not sure how it got out. I will ask Sean to contact the news agencies. If they do not apologize for this, I will file a defamation suit."
"There is no need. Francis has already taken down all the rubbish from social media. He will also deal with the news agencies. Do me a favor. Don't involve Sean in it. I suspect he leaked the news."
"How can you say that?" Gerald snapped.
"Please, Dad. I don't want to argue with you."
"Very well." Gerald left, huffing and puffing.
"Ugh…" Declan leaned back in his seat, pinching his brow.
Knock-Knock…
"Come on… Give me some break," Declan groaned, flailing his arms in the air. "Who is that?" He shouted.
"Francis."
"Come in."
Francis came in, pushing open the door.
"It's done," Francis informed him, taking a seat opposite him. "The media will soon issue an apology letter."
"Find out who leaked the news," Declan snarled.
"To be honest, it's a little difficult." Francis exhaled deeply. "There were hundreds of guests at the wedding. Anyone could have done it."
"What about Sean?"
"No."
"Are you sure?" Declan arched his eyebrows, skeptical.
"Absolutely."
"Ugh…" Declan groaned and pinched his brow, resting his elbows on the table.
"Well, you have got a luncheon with Mr. Lee in two hours. This deal is important. Mr. Sean Miller is also seeking his meeting. But Mr. Lee gives the appointment to you first."
"I know." Declan clutched the paperweight, his expression turning somber. "Sean is always looking for a competition with me. He thinks he can snatch the CEO position from me." His grip on the paperweight became firmer.
"There is one more thing you should keep in mind," Francis said, his tone serious. "Mr. Lee is an orthodox person. The news can have an impact on the meeting. You need to be careful."
"Hmm…" Declan nodded, rolling the paperweight. His face turned pensive as he contemplated something.
Knock-Knock…
"Come in," he summoned.
Derrek came in wearing a gleeful smile on his lips, a carry bag in his hand.
"Alright. I will call you later." Francis stood up and smiled at Derrek as he walked out.
Declan scowled at his younger brother and then glanced at the carry bag, wondering what was inside.
"Good morning, brother." Derrek put the bag on the table.
"What is it?" Declan nodded towards the bag.
"This…" Derrek laughed. "Jewelry."
"Jewelry?"
"Mom asked me to hand it over to the sister-in-law. But I didn't find her at the villa. So, I brought it here."
"You didn't find her at home!" Declan exclaimed, frowning.
"She has gone to college."
"Is that so?"
"Do you know which college she attends?" Derrek asked. "Give me the address. I will go pick her up. Mom wants to have some time with her."
Declan cocked his head and looked at him with a squint, thinking about something. "Keep it here," he said after a while. "I will give it to her. And I will take her to the manor in a few days."
He took the file and began to check it.
"Okay." Derrek rubbed his thighs as he got to his feet. "I will leave now." He turned to leave but paused and looked back at him. "I suggest you take a few days off and go on vacation. Sean is not going to take over the company if you don't come to work for a few days."
"You…" Declan grabbed the paperweight.
Derrek turned around and fled at once.
Declan glared at the door and muttered something under his breath. Then he glanced at the carry bag, his grip on the paperweight loosening. After some thought, he took his phone from the table and called Francis.
"Hello…" The call logged in after a few rings.
"Find out which college Yasmin attends."
"Sacred Heart College," Francis replied promptly.
"You know it already," Declan said, utterly astonished, raising his eyebrows.
"I have been looking into her background since last night."
"Why didn't you check Natasha's background?" Declan hissed, gritting his teeth.
"I didn't doubt Mr. Wilson's findings. That's the mistake I have made. I don't want to repeat the same mistake."
"What does your finding say?"
"I wasn't wrong when I said she was better than Tina."
Declan smiled a little, his gaze lingering on the bag. "Alright. Let's go get her from the college."
"Have you forgotten about the lunch with Mr. Lee?" Francis sounded anxious.
"She is coming with us." Declan hung up the phone after saying this. He rose from his chair and went out, grabbing the carry bag.
************************************************************************
Yasmin grew restless as she couldn't stop thinking about the rumor. She was unable to concentrate on the lectures. She went to the library, hoping to find some peace in silence. However, she couldn't find solace here either.
She had the book open in front of her, but she didn't read a single word. After a while, she closed the book and stuffed it in her bag. She dashed out of the library.
Her steps came to a halt when she noticed a familiar figure approaching her. She hung her head down and walked towards her department, clutching the bag's strap.
"Yasmin…"
Yasmin paused, her grip on the strap tightened, her face pale in trepidation.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes," she responded, her voice low.
"But why do I feel like you are not okay?" He cocked his head, searching for her eyes. "Let me tell you one thing. I will…"
"I don't want to hear anything," Yasmin snapped, glaring at him. "I am married now. You shouldn't be thinking about me." She tried to walk past him.
"I don't care about it. You are forced into this marriage. You don't love that man." He grabbed her wrist. "He is gay. Leave him."
"Stop it, Caleb." Yasmin yanked her hand back. She warned him, holding up her index finger, "I will not tolerate a word against him. It is only a baseless rumor."
"I like you."
"I am married now, and I am happy with him." Yasmin gave him a warning look. "You should keep your distance from me." She walked away in a hurry.
"Yasmin… Don't act as if you have no feelings for me." Caleb ran after her.
Declan had just arrived at the college. He stepped on the brake all of a sudden when he saw Yasmin with a young man.
Screech…
The wheels screeched on the asphalt road as the car came to a sudden halt.
Declan narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what she was doing with the man. When he saw him holding her hand, his grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Bitter memories from the past flashed through his mind. "All women are the same," he muttered fiercely, clenching his teeth.
"Don't make any assumptions," Francis cautioned him. "What if that guy is harassing her?"
Declan saw Yasmin yanking her hand back and hurrying away. His eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated Francis' words.
He opened the door and jumped out of the car.