Steven took Justin to the office room. There will be more fights. That would be better than silence and stabbing each other in the back.
"What is your purpose in bringing the woman to the party?" Steven asked.
"She is my girlfriend," Justin replied, calm.
"What did you say? How dare you!" Steven snapped at the same time as a hard slap on Justin's cheek. "Is this how you defy me?"
Justin was back on his feet. While stroking his cheek, he said, "I don't know, what are you talking about? I came to your lovely wife's party and canceled my date with her. But, is this the greeting you gave me?"
"There is a lot the beautiful and smart women in the world, why her?" Steven's tone sounded calmer than before.
"What's wrong with her, Dad? She is beautiful, smart, and attractive. There is no reason for me not to fall in love with her." Justin stays calm.
"You think I am stupid? I am sure you know who is she, very well. What do you offer her?" Steven asked.
For the first time in his life, Justin will give an irrational answer to his question. "Love."
Steven burst out laughing. "Do you know what is love? Love is just bullshit. Love just will make you stupid as right now. You and she will be impossible. I will make sure of that. I plan to set you up with Clea, the daughter of the president director of the Oxim Group. So, broke up with her. I beggin' you."
Justin looked up. "Do you want to acquire the Oximell company?"
"Rich man belongs to a rich woman. No place for her in our family. About The Oximell, yes, we need it." Steven stood facing the glass wall.
"The Oximell is currently bankrupt A thousand workers had been laid off without severance pay and still demonstrated in front of the Oxim building. Taking over the company is quite risky. We will lose a lot of money," prevented Justin.
Steven turned to face Justin. "Jofran is a master of technology and electronics. It would be perfect if combined with a modern city development plan. A small loss is not a problem. Eagle needs Oxim to build skyscrapers that will later match the splendor of Dubai City."
It seems Steven plans to sit in the seat of government, Justin thought.
"I am sorry. This time, I cannot comply with your wishes. I will never break with Bella. I love her. So, please, do not ever touch her! I warn you. Good night."
Justin takes Bella out of the party. Justin driving with Steven's big dream dancing in his mind. That is not a bad idea. But Justin was worried. To build his dream, Steven will sacrifice even more crime.
"I still can not believe it. That is your stepmother's birthday party. How could you take off the gun and warn him? You must be crazy." Bella got angry.
"Do I ever told you that I have a bad relationship with my family?" Justin asking.
"Not yet."
"Oh, my God. I thought you were smart." Justin smile.
"What did you say? Of course, I am. But ... ok I realize that I am too late to understand this situation. It is so complicated."
Justin shows a wide smile to Bella. He brings Bella to his house without asking. Bella looks amazed at the building.
"Is this your real house?" Bella asked.
"Yaps."
"Are you live alone here?"
"No. I have some maid and security and gardener too."
"That is not what I meant."
Justin out of the car. He walks around to open the car door for Bella. "Welcome to my house."
"Thank you." Bella stands beside him. "This place makes me feel better. I hope I can get the alcohol and drink a lot."
They enter the house. Two maids greeted them. They look upset. Justin asked them to bring a bottle of wine.
The weather feels cold. Justin took Bella to the living room with a burning fireplace. A few moments later, two maids come to them with a bottle of wine and a plate of chips.
"Thank you," said Justin.
The maids leave them when Justin sits on the chair in front of the fireplace. Bella sat beside him. She feels comfortable and warm.
While pouring the wine, Bella said, "I have wasted so much time today. I will consider this drink your first payment. Oh, no, I thought I was cute."
Bella took a sip of the drink. She enjoyed it and smiled broadly. "Wow, it is so good."
Justin watched Bella's expression as she poured wine from her glass. "Are you always that pretty when you smile?"
Bella's eyes shifted to Justin. A pair of alluring blue irises. "Are your eyes always like that when seducing women?"
"I am not seducing you. I am telling you the truth," said Justin.
Bella laughed. "Ah, I almost believed it."
"Why?"
"I will not be saying that you are the first man who talks to me like that. I just want to remind you."
"Are you afraid of falling in love with me?" he asked.
"Wow, that is radicals? You and I are nothing. We are just business partners. No feeling can play here. Let alone seduction like earlier. Should I add that to the contract?"
Justin smiled. "Fine. I will remember that and never do it again. Sorry."
"You said earlier that you will help me to catch Jofran. So, where shall we begin?"
Justin started to like the woman. She is not easily tempted and is focused on the goal. Hopefully, that does not change.
"First of all, we will find out the flow of Jofran's funds. Jofran has someone who trusted to manage his tactical funds, Simon Monerro."
"Simon? Isn't he a financial consultant?" she guessed.
"That's true. Simon has been a financial consultant for the Oxim Group since the leader of The Oxim Group was his father. Not only about tactical funds, but Jofran also entrusted his investment funds to Simon. You know what's interesting?"
Bella looked at Justin thoughtfully. "Simon secretly stole Jofran's money."
"Smart girl. We don't need to steal financial reports from Simon. But we will make Simon submit the reports himself" Justin's idea.
Bella smiled slyly. "You know, I like the way you think. Cheers!"
***
Justin sat in his room contemplating. Today, he came earlier than usual. It was troublesome for some people. The office boy who was mopping the floor had to stop for a while to make a cup of hot tea for Justin. The employees were rushed to prepare the meeting table because they thought Justin was pushing the schedule up suddenly.
In this case, Eric suffered the most. The man was at a loss after receiving a call from Justin at five o'clock. Justin asked him to bring the important files to the office before the meeting started.
Eric went straight to the office early in the morning. He looked for the file that he saved in the safe of his office. A cleaning service came to him and offered help. However, Eric refuses.
After more than fifteen minutes, Eric found her. Not only that, but Eric also found a file containing Bella's real identity. There is even a family photo.
Eric took a photo. He looked with pity at the old portrait of the ill-fated family. Eric wiped the tears that were stuck in his eyes, then put the photo back and locked the safe tightly. Without realizing it, a picture fell under the table.
Someone found the photo after Eric left his room. After observing for a while, the person tucked away Bella's childhood photo in his pocket.
Justin was already waiting for Eric in his office while finishing the work that was delayed yesterday. Suddenly, Justin felt annoyed. He stopped his work and leaned back.
Not long after, Eric came with the file.
"Good morning, sir. This is the file you asked for," said Eric, placing a black folder on his desk.
"Thanks," Justin replied, then checked the folder.
Seen by Justin, Eric smiled to himself. He was curious about something about himself and that was good news for Eric. Justin knows what Eric wants.
"Just ask what you want to ask me!" he ordered.
"As for your relationship with Miss Bella, is that true, sir?" asked Eric, sheepishly.
"No. It is just an act," Justin replied, nonchalantly.
The smile on Eric's face immediately disappeared. "So you and Miss Bella aren't lovers?"
"Yes. We are only bound by a contract. That is my plan," explained Justin. "Skip the morning meeting! I have important business to attend to."
"Yes sir."
Eric looked at Justin disappointedly. After last night's events, Justin looked as calm as if nothing had happened. Justin should have known that such a thing could never stop Jofran. It can even be a boomerang for yourself.
"What exactly are you thinking Mr. Justin," Eric muttered.