"Good morning, everyone."
Eunice smiled as she entered the door. She walked toward the center chair and sat down after Christian pulled it out for her. Christian remained standing, appearing like a handsome knight safeguarding her.
Everyone was ecstatic when a young, beautiful woman appeared; however, some people in that room were surprised, and one couldn't maintain her demeanor.
"You! How'd you become the boss of Meier Holdings? I don't believe this!"
Leah pointed her index finger at Eunice. The latter pursed her lips, bemusing how her dear cousin could not control her nasty temperament.
'So unprofessional.' Eunice rolled her eyes. She asked Leah, "What's the matter if I am the boss of a giant company? I was fit for this position. And the M&M executives think so too."
Listening to the corner, Paul and Jay shared a knowing glance, sniggering inwardly upon having a thought.
'This stupid woman.'
'Lady Eunice was only introduced as the Vice President. Surely, she would pass out when our lady reveals that she is the Chairman of M&M International!'
"It isn't true! How could an orphan like you be qualified to work for a prestigious company such as M&M International? Don't tell me you slept with the chairman—why are you in your position now, Eunice? Hah! I knew you were such a slut to climb someone's bed!"
Leah wants Jullian and Christian to get to realize Eunice's actual skin.
However, Eunice just raised a brow as she enjoyed listening to Leah's blab. Since the beginning, she has been Leah's weakness.
Leah could not keep her mouth shut but would take all her sweet time to belittle Eunice. And now that they are adults, she still overlooks maintaining her social etiquette.
If the situation weren't under the circumstances that distinguished people were witnessing this family farce, which was so embarrassing, Eunice would not have held herself back and retorted. However, this is an important board meeting with several tycoons and directors present.
'Tsk. My dear cousin has good grades academically. However, she failed to learn the most important factor in the business world, which is professionalism. Simple ethics and she overlooks it. I wondered how she passed all her courses. She was so entitled that she was above everyone and thought no one could surpass her, thinking that no one could be successful by their own hands. She was too arrogant because she obtained the position without squeezing sweat and blood. Now that she was Jullian Lopez's fiance, her head grew even bigger, and she has no crack in insulting someone without considering she would step on their achievements that are greater than hers.'
Nonetheless, it was entertaining to watch Leah dig her own pit. Thus, Eunice remained mum and let Leah lash her.
"Eunice, why can't you answer? Vice President? Chief Designer? Hah! Who were you fooled into thinking you could manage a giant company like M&M?"
Leah smiled smugly when Eunice remained silent. Her confidence increased. Thus, she continues throwing insults. Unbeknownst to her, several pairs of eyes shot daggers in her direction, livid at how nasty she was.
They felt insulted listening to all the criticism from her mouth—like she isn't a woman who also strives to succeed in the business world.
"Miss Dela Cruz, Are you saying that someone who grew up without parents can't reach a higher position? I am an orphan. Regardless, I worked hard in a fair battle against male competitors to reach where I am now. How could you judge someone like that?"
"I am an orphan because my parents died early. Now, do you have a problem with our success on our own?"
"That's right! I am an orphan as well. I started from scratch, but I didn't stop. Instead, I worked my ass hard to set up a business. Now, I am the CEO of my company. How about you, Miss Dela Cruz? Even if you were to claim that your family founded DL Enterprises, you are a mere director. What makes you better than us? I have been in this industry for twenty years. Just because you are Mr. Lopez's fiancee, you can threaten everyone, showing off your title as the future Mrs. Lopez. Therefore, you were insulting anyone whenever you liked! You were so entitled!"
The female tycoons spoke up. The surrounding people shared knowing glances, filling the room with buzz.
"CEO Cheng and President Morales are known as female business moguls. They built their own company and surpassed many men. Compared to Miss Leah, she has to eat more rice to achieve their level!"
"That's right! Who is she to act like she is above them?"
This simple meet-and-greet with the board meeting has become chaotic. Nonetheless, this is what happens when a workplace with hidden abhorrence turns into an unhappy corporation.
Without reading the room, Leah was still unbothered because of her pride. She still had no idea that her lashing toward Eunice had been directed toward other people.
"All of you, shut up!" Leah was livid, listening to the assistants' and secretaries' comparisons. She eyed them with a murderous glare. "Eunice is my cousin, and I know her very well! She could never reach that position on her own! We are talking about a company that earns the most net worth each year, ranking tenth."
"Oh, gosh! Is that so? Then, Miss Eunice is far more outstanding than Miss Leah for joining such a giant company!"
"That's right! Isn't she younger than Miss Dela Cruz?"
"Miss Tsui is the vice president of a giant international company, while Miss Dela Cruz is only a general manager! Isn't the difference far greater?"
"I concurred! DL Enterprises is inferior to many companies like Lopez Corporation, Meier Pharmaceuticals, or Shen Group! But M&M International? The combined Lopez Group and Shen Group would not surpass Muller & Meier Company."
"Also, Miss Tsui is even more beautiful than Miss Dela Cruz. She is young and talented!"
Leah exploded when she heard all these comments in favor of Eunice.
People have kept comparing the two of them ever since Eunice moved with them to the mansion.
Everyone will praise Eunice because of her innocent-like beauty. Her angelic face, blue-green eyes, and heart-shaped lips capture people's attention the most.
"Do you want to get fired?" Glowering, Leah barked at the secretaries sitting on the side. She recognized that most of them were working for the Lopez Group.
She was in disbelief at how brave they were to gossip about their boss's future wife, and that was her! The future, Mrs. Lopez!
"Where did all your audacity come from? Do you take me—"
"Sit down, Leah."
Jullian's stern voice sounded, giving her a chill on her spine upon meeting his intense gaze. Jullian is shooting her a warning glare.
"Jullian… I—"
"Should I repeat myself?"
Leah pursed her lips.
Since Jullian sounded impatient, she had no choice but to yield and take her seat with humiliation after everyone chuckled at her for receiving a reprimand from him.
She felt aggrieved.
The table had turned so soon. Now, she was the one who was stared at with a ridiculous smile, and it irked her how everyone rebuked her in front of Jullian.
'This is Eunice's fault! Now Jullian is upset with me!' Leah glared at Eunice, who was flashing her a sweet smile. It was apparent that she was intentionally inciting her.
Eunice beamed. Until now, Leah has been too stupid to be unable to read a room.
After Leah's insults bounce back at her, that's a laugh for Eunice because she doesn't need to work hard to slap Leah verbally. Other people will do that on her behalf. Hence, an idea popped into her mind since everyone was sore with Leah.
She wanted to give Leah a heart attack, but having limited audiences is no fun.
'Little by little, I will let you taste your own medicine, Leah... You and your mother.'
They mistreat not only her Aunt Lhen but her grandmother, who works her ass to get Dela Cruz where they are now.
"Hello, everyone. To those who haven't met me in the past, my name is Eunice Tsui, and I am the granddaughter of Mirasol Sy Dela Cruz."
Eunice swept her gaze and smiled at every person in that room, including Leah, who kept shooting her a murderous stare.
"Well, it was Christian's idea to conduct an emergency meeting to announce that he threw a welcome party for me two days prior."
Everyone became keen, except Leah.
"For god sake, Eunice! You summoned everyone so that you could announce your party? Just that? Do you know how everyone is busy? Who cares about you and your welcome party?"
Leah attempts to strike one more time, but she receives a reprimanding look from Jullian.
Eunice smiled.
"Miss Dela Cruz, I initially wanted to discuss the development of the Monterraz Project. But since you doubted my talent and accused me of climbing someone's bed, please make a report regarding my sales and yours. I'll see you all tomorrow afternoon. Meeting adjourned."
Eunice rose from her seat and walked out of the conference hall.
"Eunice! Stop right there! What do you mean I should make a report? Who are you to order me?" Leah gritted her teeth when Eunice didn't stop and ignored her. She clenched her palm and chased after Eunice. However, Christian's personal assistants, Paul and Jay, stopped her. She roared, "What are you doing? Move!"
Paul grinned and replied, "Miss Dela Cruz, please behave. If you insist on chasing after our boss, we have the right to kick you out of our company."
"Kick me out? Are you having amnesia? The owners of this tower are my future in-laws, Jullian's family! How dare you threaten me? I want to speak with Eunice right now!"
"Leah!" Jullian's stern voice rang across the room. Leah turned around and smiled nervously.
"Jullian, I just wanted to talk to my cousin." Tense, she subconsciously bit her lip as she reasoned out. But with her high hopes that Jullian would spoil her like before, she was only embarrassed.
"Enough!" It cannot paint on his face how embarrassed he was by the way she behaved during the meeting. Now, she was impolite toward his benefactor.
No one really knew that Meier Holdings had saved his family company from bankruptcy. Christian invested a billion euros, and if it weren't for the Monterraz Project, the Lopez Group would never have made its comeback in the real estate industry. The company's finances have stabilized thanks to them.
"Everyone was occupied with work, Leah. If you are that free, then don't bother others." Although Jullian's voice is cold, he hasn't achieved his goal yet. Thus, he controls his temperament. He still needs Leah to get closer to Eunice. "I'll arrange a car to send you back."
After saying that, Jullian walked to the door without sparing her another look. Leah was livid. She wasn't just embarrassed during the meeting. Even Jullian reprimanded her!
Leah left the Lopez Tower furiously. She fished out her phone in her bag and sent Miranda a message.
[Mom! Please hurry and kill Eunice! She's really getting on my nerves! She's starting to steal what's supposed to be mine! She is winning Jullian over! She's flirting with him!]