"Well, that's none of your business," Avery replied sharply.
"Hey, beautiful! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You're truly stunning," Matt interrupted, licking the corner of his lips in admiration, and extending his right hand to shake Avery.
Avery wondered who Matt was. This was her first meeting with him so she greeted him with a blank expression as she shook his hand.
Avina, on the other hand, watched with jealousy and irritation. She had been making advances towards Matt, but he never gave her a second glance.
Avery, on the contrary, seemed to have garnered his interest, and this fueled Avina's resentment towards Avery.
When Jones noticed Avery's reluctance, he quickly introduced, "Avery, meet Matt Forte, the son of Devin Forte, the Premier of Cena Region!"
At the introduction, Avery looked expressionless. She didn't seem to be impressed by meeting Matt.
"Isn't it interesting that Matt is your fiance?" Jones added.
"Fiance?" Avery glared in surprise. Was Jones out of his mind to say that a total stranger was her fiance when he knew clearly who her fiance was?
"Yes, you heard me. Fiance. Matt is the same person we have always talked to you about, or have you forgotten so soon...?
"Really? Did you hear how foolish you sound right now...? Anyway, my fiance is Edward Simon, so you better stop spewing trash!" Avery snapped as she turned to leave, but Matt grabbed her hand, drawing her back.
"Avery, why have you chosen to settle for some penniless and worthless ding-bat? Why don't you give me a chance to make your life beautiful and colourful! You will enjoy so much wealth and fame if you get married to me," Matt spoke arrogantly.
"And who the hell are you?!" Avery growled in anger. Matt had just crossed his boundaries by referring to her fiance as a penniless and worthless dingbat! Did he even know him? It was obvious that Jones had told him about Edward.
"I don't need that useless fame and wealth of yours. Even if my fiance had nothing, I'd better settle with him than with some arrogant fool like you!" Avery glared and walked away.
Matt was disappointed. He was someone who had any lady he wanted at will!
It was a surprise to see Avery react that way. He had expected that she would fall for him on the spot. However, he tried not to show his disappointment.
"Avery, your so-called fiance is nothing but trash! So why would you choose him in place of me?!" Rick shouted after Avery, but she ignored him.
*********
At the Torres' family meeting, every member of the Torres family was present including Avery's cousins, Marco and Albert, and their grandparents. Don, Avery, and Matt were also present.
Don had earlier informed Hillary that Eastel Holdings had been granted collaboration with Exorus Empire. This was the reason why Hillary had called for the meeting.
Meanwhile, Jones had earlier briefed Marco and Albert about how much of a low-life Don was, so they now glared at Don with a mix of hatred and disgust as they awaited the meeting to begin.
While everyone was seated quietly, Hillary suddenly broke the silence. "Is it true that Eastel Holdings has finally been granted collaboration with Exorus Empire?!"
Every member of the Torres family recoiled in shock, except Avery.
They wondered how possible it was for Eastel Holdings to gain collaboration with the renowned Exorus Empire! To them, it was a blatant lie! And no one was ready to fall for that!
Jones burst into laughter, while the rest of the Torres family members stared in bewilderment. Who did the loser think he was fooling, anyway?
"You're the biggest fool I've ever met to think that you could deceive us! Instead of accepting your fate as a pathetic loser, you concoct lies to deceive us! What a coward, you are!
Boldly, tell us that you couldn't gain collaboration with Exorus Empire on behalf of Eastel Holdings, and we would simply kick your wretched ass out of this place!" he sneered disdainfully.
Don chuckled casually, ignoring Jones' taunts. Jones was far below his class, and he wasn't ready to exchange words with such a stupid mediocre!
"Eastel Holdings has been able to collaborate with Exorus Empire, so I would be getting married to Avery, according to the deal!" Don announced.
"Hahaha... That's a big lie, fool! Do you think we wouldn't find out about your deceit? The staff of Exorus Empire would better regard an ant than a poor bastard like yourself," Marco sneered disdainfully.
"Come to think of it. If the dumb ass claims that he has successfully helped Eastel Holdings gain collaboration with Exorus Empire, then let him show us proof!" Albert said with a scowl on his face.
Facing the Torres' family's doubts and accusations, Don retrieved the contract from the envelope in his hands and handed it to Hillary.
Without waiting for Hillary to take the envelope, Alice snatched it from Don's hands, shooting him a disdainful look.
After going through the contract, her eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible?" she muttered, looking at Don.
From Alice's reaction, every member of the Torres family could tell that the contract had been granted.
The contract was like a bomb that exploded in their midst, sending shockwaves across everyone in the room!
In an instant, Alice responded as though she had just been jolted back to reality. She shouted, "He must have forged the document. This loser can never be allowed into Exorus Empire, let alone being given a contract!" she sneered.
"That's true. It's outrightly impossible for Exorus Empire to sign a collaboration with Eastel Holdings, talk more of signing a collaboration through some unverified representative who happens to be a nonentity!" Marcus curled up his lips in disdain.
Suddenly, Avina spoke up as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh, I get it... She smirked.
"Could this be the reason we met Avery at Exorus Empire, yesterday?" She shifted her gaze to Jones, and then to Hillary.
"I and Jones met Avery at Exorus Empire in the company of the executive secretary. I hope it's not what I'm thinking," Avina gave a wry smile, placing her index finger on her lips.
There had been rumours about Exorus Empire's Executive Secretary, Linus Joan's, scandalous records. He was rumoured to always demand sexual pleasures from women before granting them any favours. The man was widely known for his promiscuity, and this was the same person Avina claimed to have seen with Avery!
The members of the Torres family stared at Avery with disgust. So she went that far to make sure that she got the contract on Don's behalf. What a shame!
Avina had said what she said to discourage Matt who was also at the meeting, from marrying Avery, the angel and superstar he believed she was!
"Are you serious about this?" Albert muttered in disbelief.
"Damn serious!" Avina replied sharply.
"Now, it's up to Avery to tell us the truth! Avery, were you the one who got the contract on behalf of this loser?!" Hillary growled indignantly.
"No!..."
"Avery! When did you become such a cheap liar? You still deny when the proofs are daunting. I'm sure you were given that contract after a sexual escapade with the Secretary!" Avina interrupted.
Suddenly, they heard Matt's voice. "Even if Avery got that contract through illegitimate means, that wouldn't change the love I have for her. I'm sure she has regretted her action, now.
It only connotes that this piece of trash here isn't eligible to marry her," Matt said pointing at Don.