It'll Come Naturally

"Can you at least make her suffer less then? After all, we are still classmates. Though I know she hates me and has done something unforgivable, I really don't want to see her father's company go bankrupt. She'll lose everything and so many innocent people will suffer because of this," Michelle said. She thought about all this in just a few seconds. Michelle was aware this was not something Luke could easily decide on his own. But considering his relationship with Edward, if he was willing to talk to his brother about it, the latter would surely agree.

"Well, I can only promise to try my best. Honestly, this doesn't seem like something that you'd say to me. It's not like you at all. And it was a surprise to me that you're willing to go easy on Erin," Luke pointed out. His wife's change of heart was a definite surprise. And he wasn't sure if it was a good change or a bad one. All he knew was that he felt happy to see a more sensible side of Michelle. It felt like unearthing a hidden facet of her that no one had ever seen, so it made him feel closer to his wife. There seemed to be a lot more things he didn't know about Michelle, and Luke was looking forward to discovering them.

The next day, before Luke had a chance to speak to Edward about what Michelle said to him, they ran into Erin. She had been waiting for them outside the company building. As soon as she saw the two men walking in, she immediately ran to them, her face looking very anxious.

"Mr. Mu, please, please don't let our company go bankrupt. I beg you. Please. I know what I did was wrong, and I will never do anything like that ever again," Erin pleaded. She kneeled before Edward and Luke to block their way. Erin raised her head and looked at them with a look of pity in her eyes. It was evident she'd been crying because her eyes were red and swollen, and there were tear tracks on her face.

"Who are you? Do I know you?" a startled Edward exclaimed. He quickly schooled his expression, so his face became impassive after getting over his initial shock. Edward had no idea who this woman kneeling before him was because he'd never met her in person. The unfamiliarity with Erin was what confused him.

"She's Michelle's classmate, the daughter of Tosca Corporation's CEO," Luke said by way of introduction. His tone was icy, intended to keep Erin quiet. He stared at the crying woman in front of them. Luke remembered all Michelle told him last night and suddenly wanted to give her a second chance. He didn't want to put his wife in a dilemma, after all.

"Ah, it's you. You're the one who drugged Michelle before," Edward said as recognition dawned on him. Now her words started to make sense to him. It wasn't surprising for her to come and plead for mercy. After all, situations like these always happened because FX International Group was a large and powerful company. As the company CEO, Edward was used to people coming over to ask for mercy, and truthfully, he was numb to it already. For FX International Group to grow into a powerful international firm, his hands were hardly clean. Arranging for a small company to go bankrupt was not something new, and he didn't feel the slightest sense of guilt over what they would do.

"You can go now. Michelle talked to me about this last night. We will consider it," Luke told Erin. He stood beside Edward and spoke in a cold tone. He also watched her with stone cold eyes and made no gesture to help her stand up. Erin didn't deserve anything. But he promised to consider it because of his wife.

Stunned, Erin said, "Really? Are you serious? You're willing to leave my father's company alone?" Her crumpled and tear-stained face suddenly broke into a huge smile. Erin knew it had been the right decision to seek Michelle's help. Now, she wouldn't have to lose everything! All of a sudden, the woman was ecstatic.

"I didn't say we would easily let go of your company. We will just consider our methods to make you suffer less. That's all. So, don't get your hopes up," Luke clarified briskly. Leave her father's company alone? Ha! That was never going to happen. Edward couldn't promise her that, more so Luke. There was only so much they could do to make it less painful for everyone. If it hadn't been for Michelle, Luke would never have batted an eye for this woman.

"What?! So, you're still going to destroy our company?" Erin cried out as her smile froze. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. What did Luke say? She thought they were willing not to bother her father's company, but apparently, she thought wrong. The matter was not solved after all. She shouldn't have gotten her hopes up, Erin thought.

"If you don't get up and leave now, you will lose this only chance to save your father's company, too," Edward threatened Erin. While he wasn't sure what Luke was planning, Edward trusted him unconditionally. Given what he said, Edward decided not to contradict him while Erin was still there. He knew Luke must have his reasons for having a change of heart. As long as they were acceptable reasons, Edward would consider it.

"All right. I will do anything you ask me to do, as long as you don't allow my father's company to go bankrupt," Erin said as she stood up. Using the back of her hand to wipe her tears away, Erin didn't seem like the arrogant pretty girl she was in school. She had never once thought that she would one day meet the CEO of the famous FX International Group. Secretly, Erin was impressed by Edward's handsome looks. He was even more good-looking in person, and photos on the Internet did him little justice. But she didn't dare say what she was thinking. Now was not the time to drool over some handsome, rich guy. Erin didn't forget that she was there to plead her case, to save her father's company from going bankrupt.00☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐