Chapter 39 Making all even
Tracy's actions stunned everyone on the spot.
Joker burst with angry and shame. Not only was he rejected by the woman he wooed, but he was outmatched by a poor bastard holding a wild flower.
Staring at the couples' back with crimson red eyes, Joker smashed the roses on the ground, and shouted, "You'll pay for this. This is not over."
On their way home, Tracy was still holding the small wild flower in her hand, while looking through the window of the shotgun seat. Baron glanced at her tired look, having no idea what was in her mind. "You okay? Babe?" He asked with care.
Tracy then came to her sense and gently shook her head, "I'm alright, let's pick up Lara!"
"Let's go." Baron was about to do so.
However, he was still concerned. Something was obviously going on in Tracy's mind, but she didn't want to say it.
Soon, the couple arrived at Blue Sky Kindergarten.
Lara was so happy to see her parents came together. Before she left the kindergarten, she already shouted excitedly, "Daddy! Mommy! Over here!"
"See that? That's my mom and dad. They are picking me up! Together!"
Lara couldn't help showing off to her friends before hugging her parents.
Now it was the pick-up time after school.
Baron was waiting in line, feeling even more guilty as he looked at the smile of his daughter.
As soon as Lara saw Baron, she excitedly rushed towards him while calling her dad out loud.
Baron hugged her up and spin around, and said with a smile, "Miss daddy?"
"Yes!" Lara embraced Baron's neck and said with a chuckle.
It seemed her mother was a little moody. Lara immediately added with a grin, "I miss Daddy, and also Mommy."
Tracy was at lost, and even missed her daughter's words.
Lara looked at Baron, eyes sparkling with innocence.
"Mom, Lara says she misses you." Baron reminded her.
Just then Tracy recovered and quickly reached out to Lara with an embarrassed smile, "Mom misses you too!"
"Mom, Miss Lynda praised me for the happy family I painted."
"Oh that's great! Isn't that sweet!"
"Dad, come here and hold mom's hand."
The family left the kindergarten, chatting and laughing.
But Tracy was still not distracted.
"Lara, let's skype tonight!" Baron had to make the promise to keep Lara happy, when he was about to leave.
"I have something on my schedule, may come home late. We should do it another time." Tracy replied with apologies.
Baron was slightly surprised, that Tracy would stay late.
"Do you need me to be with you?" Baron asked.
Tracy refused quickly, "I'll do fine."
"Well, call me if you change your mind." Baron left.
On his way back, Baron made a phone call, "Was Tracy in some trouble at work today? Find out."
"Sure thing, boss." Camel called back as soon as Baron got home.
But Baron went berserk as he knew what happened after the call.
He lost his temper several times after returning to Cona.
"This lovely fool. Everything I have belongs to her, how could she still bear the bullies?" he was annoyed.
Baron turned the car around and headed away.
When he just took over Samho Group, Baron had cleared out the Perry family from the management. But, he still kept a lot of employees, for the company's development.
When Tracy was the chairman of the board, she was very strict in the office, and therefore offended many people. Now she insisted on starting as a beginner staff. This made her work hours like a living hell. Today, the manager gave her an arduous task that was way beyond her payroll.
And this task was for Tracy to meet up with Waldo Scott, the owner of LaGrande Group, for a potential co-op.
Also, Waldo Scott was Wallace's father.
The meeting was scheduled to happen at the Scorpion Club, another business of the Scott family.
Baron was not sure if this was a scheme against him. But he was sure for one thing - there would be no business with the Scott family.
The Scorpion Club. Tracy, dressed in her business attire and heels, walked out of the taxi and hurried in the club.
She had never been to a nightclub. If it wasn't for work, she would have never set foot in such a place alone at night.
"Hello, this is Tracy from Samho Group. I had an appointment with Mr. Scott." Tracy talked to the fairly looking receptionist.
"You are expected. Please follow me." The receptionist led the way with a professional smile.
It was out of Tracy's expectation that she was not showed to the office of the club, but to a private room.
"Mr. Scott, Miss Perry is here." The receptionist opened the door for Tracy.
A middle-aged man, in hand costumed suits, was standing against a huge French window, staring through the glass.
The man turned around slowly, a few seconds after he heard the door. His chubby belly looked funny, but the gloomy look in his eyes terrorized anyone.
He only knew Tracy Perry by the name. Although not showing on his face, this first meet did surprise him, for as Miss Cona, Tracy looked truly stunning.
"How pleasant. Gorgeous presence, Miss Perry. Pray to the lord." Waldo showed a smile.
"I'm flattered. Mr. Scott. Do you praise your business partners like that?" Tracy reached out to hold Waldo's hand.
"Only to the good-looking ones." Waldo squinted and held Tracy's hand tight, "And the ones with a price."
This was pure harassment. Tracy had to put in a few more pounds to take her hand back.
She already felt that this cooperation might not go smoothly.
If it wasn't for Samho Group, Tracy had already left with the man's molestation.
"Mr. Scott, let's talk about business! As you know, Samho is prospering and profiting. Any partnership with us is prospective."
Tracy was smart enough to bring up the strong position of Samho. It was not only to take advantage in the future co-op, but also to warn Waldo, not to bother her like a common office girl.
But little did she know, Waldo had no intension to co-op at all. All he wanted was to take revenge.
"Prospering, profiting, prospective. That's very good Miss Perry. Can I call you Tracy?" Waldo said with a smile.
Tracy would say no but she was mature enough to not blowing up a business meeting over a few harassing words. It was for the family business, she said to herself.
Waldo took over two glasses and an expensive-looking-bottle of wine. Just as Tracy was about to refuse, Waldo made a toast, "Apologize for the test. May I propose to your beautiful demonstration of Samho's professional standard, Tracy? I believe after the drink, our cooperation would be successful."
Tracy didn't expect this to be a test and she felt relieved.
Therefore she let down her guard, took the goblet, and said with a smile, "Thank you Mr. Scott, then!"
"Call me Waldo, please. Don't be a stranger, Tracy." Waldo smiled. Tracy nodded as she took a sip.
Without touching the wine, Waldo put the glass down, and leaned back to a comfortable posture, "Do you happen to know Mr.Owen? Baron Owen."
Tracy was surprised, wondering why Baron was suddenly brought up in this work conversation. Not intended to hide the truth, she nodded slightly, "So, you know my husband, Mr. Scott?"
Waldo smiled, "Waldo, please. Of course I know him. We uh... got to know each other quite thoroughly, one may say."
Tracy had no idea who almost insulted her the other day; neither did she know the father-son relationship between this Mr. Scott and that man.
"Well, Waldo. I wonder how do you know each other, then?" Speaking of Baron, Tracy suddenly became interested.
Waldo revealed a strange smile, "You heard the news at the Royal Hotel? Couple of days ago?"
Tracy was a little puzzled. Of course she knew about it. Phillip had a quarrel with a young man from the Scott family.
The Scott family! Waldo Scott!
Tracy suddenly connected the dots between the Scott family and Waldo Scott. Furthermore, when she thought about what happened in the Royal Hotel that day, the picture became clearer. When she took the brief earlier today, all she wanted was to nail the collaboration between Samho and this LaGrande Group, though the potential partner's background was shady. Now she felt something was... off.
"It seems your husband made my son the laughing stock of the whole Cona."
Before Tracy could respond, Waldo continued with the smile on and showed no trace of anger, "So, if I make you tomorrow's headline, we can just call it even, and won't surprise you, right?" Tracy catapulted from the chair, her face suddenly glowering.
Only until now did she understand the fact that Waldo was never meant to collaborate. He was up to something else.
Yet, just as she stood up to leave, a wave of dizziness stroke her down.
"You set me up?" Tracy ranted.