My Billionaire Husband

“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Martin Bailey from Vesper Corporation.”

Martin strutted up to the podium, gazing around the venue with a smile, and proceeded to speak in unhurried tones, “Vesper Corporation has been hoping to cooperate with Atlas Beauty, the rising star in Emerdale, for quite some time now. Now that this day has finally come for us to do so. First, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Atlas Beauty.”

He paused in his speech to give a respectful nod to Jesse.

Smiling, Jesse motioned him to continue. The act boosted Martin’s confidence.

He showed his design plans on the screen, and then went on to present the promotion strategies, supply chain, and marketing channels he had in mind for Atlas Beauty. His eloquence and professionalism clearly impressed Jesse, with the latter nodding along enthusiastically as he listened to Martin’s presentation.

Caroline’s face is as white as sheet, and she balled her fists. “Damn it, this used to be our forte!”

Rebecca didn’t say anything but shot a cold stare at Leo, silently directing her anger towards him.

Over the years, Vesper Corporation had established itself as a corporation with a mature and systematic operational process. But Martin had played no part in Vesper’s development; he was merely a thief who swooped in to snatch up all of the glory.

After Martin finished his briefing, Jesse stood up and started clapping. “Excellent!”

The response from the rest of the attendees was clearly less enthusiastic, if the tepid applause from the crowd was any indication.

Still, Martin could not help but grin from ear to ear while thinking, “I didn’t expect Jesse to openly support me in public, but he is giving me quite the display. That money was well spent after all.”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Watson. Thank you all for listening.” Martin gestured them all to quiet down with a glowing face. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Caroline and Rebecca.

He squinted to be certain, then smirked, “Mr. Watson, you must have heard of the famous ‘316 Incident’, right?”

Caroline and Rebecca’s faces paled. Other representatives also began whispering and giving them curious looks.

“As I recall, it was an incident where all the food factories listed under the Ford family’s name were reported for malpractice on the same day, correct?”

“Products sold by several companies owned by the Ford family had quality control issues, resulting in over 80 people being poisoned.”

“It happened on March 16th, hence the term the ‘316 Incident’.”

The crowd’s whispers brought a grim look to Leo’s face.

Jesse nodded. “Yes, I’ve vaguely familiar with it. Why do you mention it?”

“Why?” A look of disdain formed on Martin’s face. “Well, the representatives of the wretched company responsible for the ‘316 Incident’ are in attendance tonight. Honesty and integrity. Those are the two fundamental principles of conducting ethical business. And that company has failed on both counts. It is my belief that such fraudulent acts like that should never be tolerated in our business circles.”

“Mr. Watson,” Martin said, pointing at Rebecca and Caroline. “Surely you agree that those two frauds have no right to participate in today’s event. I suggest asking them to leave!”

“Really?” Jesse said with a deep frown. “I had no idea they were involved.”

It was a subsidiary under the Ford family that had applied for the bidding, and he had put it on the list without much thought. Those food companies had been shut down long before today’s proceedings.

All of a sudden, Caroline and Rebecca found themselves on the receiving end of dozens of accusatory glances.

“Wait a minute!” Caroline fired back. “We were set up! Martin Bailey! How dare you try to sully our names with this kind of slander!”

“Lies?” Martin smirked. “I don’t think so. Everyone here has formed their own conclusions about you already, I’d say.” Indeed, if the atmosphere in the room was anything to go by, Martin’s assumptions were spot on.

Jesse pondered Martin’s words for a moment, then turned to Caroline and Rebecca: “Sorry, but I cannot allow you two to remain here. Please remove yourselves from this event.”

Caroline was stunned. She didn’t expect things to go south so quickly, nor did she expect Martin to actually backstab them like this in public.

Rebecca rushed over to Jesse. “Please believe us, Mr. Watson,” she pleaded. “We aren’t the perpetrators in the ‘316 Incident’! We were set up!”

80 people had suffered from food poisoning, and filed charges against the Fords on the same day. Even a fool could tell that someone had orchestrated the whole incident.

But to what end?

Sometimes, it was only the result that mattered.

Any hope for victory would be dashed if Jesse kicked them out now. Even their plan to ruin Leo via the auction would fail.

Jesse snorted. “This isn’t up for discussion.”

Martin smirked, glad to see his plan working like a charm. The Fords would be eliminated from the bidding event if things went according to plan. Without a collaboration with Atlas Beauty, it would be impossible for the Fords to re-establish their foothold in Emerdale.

Despite Caroline and Rebecca’s relentless pleas, Jesse remained unmoved.

“Ladies, my decision is final,” Jesse said coldly. “We will not associate with organizations with a criminal record. We have to be conscious of our public image. Please leave before I am forced to call security.”

Like cats on a hot tin roof, Rebecca and Caroline looked towards Jesse, and then towards Martin on the stage. Rebecca dashed over to Martin and implored, “Mr. Bailey, our family is really struggling right now. Can you just show us some compassion? We’re barely scraping by as it is.”

It was then that she realized the source of Martin’s confidence; he and Jesse were in cahoots from the very beginning.

Caroline had no choice but to bite the bullet too. “Mr. Bailey, we’re sorry for everything.”

“Wow, l never thought I’d see the day.” Martin gloated at the sight of his former boss and her daughter begging him so humbly. “Too there’s nothing I can do. It’s up to Mr. Watson. You’re on your own now.”

Martin’s words instantly drove Caroline and Rebecca to despair. However, a calm voice rang out a moment later: “Tell me, Mr. Watson. Are you really the one calling the shots in this event?”

All eyes were suddenly on Leo as he walked towards Caroline and Rebecca.

Jesse frowned. “Who is that?” Jesse had never met Leo before.

Martin laughed when he saw Leo. “Here comes the big shot, Mr. Watson.” Martin smirked. “He’s another member of the Ford family. He was going to marry Kate Lawson five years back, but he ran off the night before the wedding.”

“Oh, so he’s one of their lot?” Jesse said.

Caroline and Rebecca were both scowling at Leo now.

“In that case, he should get lost as well,” Jesse said.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Damn it, Leo!” Rebecca hissed. “You’ll just make things worse!”

Leo ignored her and continued to speak to Jesse. “Unless I’m mistaken, Mr. Watson… You’re just a first-round reviewer. So, you have no right to eliminate any bidders.” Leo smiled confidently. “Isn’t that right?”

“How dare you!” Jesse slammed his palm against the table. “You think I won’t be able to touch the Ford family? Is that it?”

Leo remained completely unfazed by Jesse’s threat. “You can run, but you can’t hide, Mr. Watson.” Leo leaned down and brought his lips to Jesse’s ear. “I know all about the shady dealings going on behind this event, Mr. Watson. So you may want to be careful of who you’re messing with.”

As a trace of panic flashed across Jesse’s eyes, he was irritated and said angrily, “Bullshit, enough of this nonsense! Security, escort these three away from the premises!”

The door swung open just then, and a loud, booming voice rang out: “I’d certainly like to see you try, Mr. Watson.”

In marched Justin with his people.