No one noticed that the slightly sallow, thin little girl had rushed up to Diana, wrapped her arms around her stocking‑clad thigh, and was crying out with a milk‑soft wail that drew even more attention.
The little girl’s tears quickly soaked a patch of the beige nylon on Diana’s leg.
Seeing the numbers of onlookers growing, and even my father‑ and mother‑in‑law looking over, smiling kindly from the main table, I bent down and gently pulled the little girl away.
“Little one, big brother and big sister are hosting a very important banquet.
Whatever you and your father need to talk about, let’s do it downstairs, okay?” “No… no… Daddy said without a job, me, Mommy, and my little sister won’t be able to live.
Fairy Sister, Yoyo begs you, please give Daddy one more chance.” The little girl, being pulled away, wiped at her tears with one hand, lifted her tearful face, and stared at the cold‑faced Diana.
“Sigh… Huida Group is such a big company, even the crumbs between its fingers are enough for them to live on.
Why make things so hard for the poor?” “Shut up; you don’t even know the situation here.
Stop talking nonsense.” “I think this father and daughter came for nothing today.
That ‘Ice Mountain Diana’ is famous for being inhuman.” Whispers rose uncontrollably among the crowd.
I knew how terrifying public opinion could be, but I was powerless to stop it.
I couldn’t exactly shout at all these invited guests and tell them to shut up.
The internal staff of the group, at least, knew more and didn’t dare to speak, but those business acquaintances we’d invited had far fewer scruples.
“Victor Wang, I already explained everything very clearly to you at the company.” “Considering that you have two children to support, we’ve already waived the two‑million‑yuan shortfall and aren’t asking you to make it up.” “And yet today you bring your child here to make a scene is this how you want to tear the last bit of courtesy to shreds?” The ice in Diana’s tone drew nods of approval from quite a few people, and more muttering followed.
“I know this guy.
He’s a mid‑level in the finance department.
He used his position to embezzle over two million from the group!
The fact they didn’t hand him over to the police is already giving him huge face, and they even wrote off the shortfall.” “Oh, really?
And here I thought Diana the Ice Mountain was so cold‑hearted.” “But this guy’s life is pretty tragic; in his forties and fired, and his reputation ruined.
What company would dare hire him again?” Everyone watched as the middle‑aged man, who’d been dragged to the elevator, suddenly summoned a burst of strength and shook off the two guards.
He ran back, pulling his daughter with him, and together they fell to their knees, kowtowing heavily to Diana.
After only a few knocks, both their foreheads were swollen and bruised, and the pain made the little girl cry even harder, her sobs tearing the heart.
Faced with this “bitter‑meat tactic,” a slight frown appeared on Diana’s brow.
“Victor, as a man, you have to bear the consequences of your mistakes.
I’ve already made things very clear at the company.
Rules are rules; no one gets to break them just because you’re pitiful.” “If everyone acted like you, breaking the rules and then kneeling and begging for my pity, should I forgive them all?” Taking advantage of the man’s kowtow, four more guards had rushed over.
Two grabbed his arms, two held his legs, and behind them, the little girl followed, crying.
“Wait!” Just when everyone thought this farce was about to end, a deep voice rang out from the back of the crowd.
Nick, in a white T‑shirt and blue jeans, looking every inch a college student in his prime, stepped into view.
He walked up to the guards.
“Put him down.
I have a few words to say to him.” The guards looked at the tall black youth, then at Diana’s face.
Seeing her give a slight nod, they released the middle‑aged man.
Nick looked at the wary middle‑aged man and smiled.
“Here’s a business card.
There’s a number on it.
Call it and say you’re looking for a job.
They’ll arrange something for you.” Watching the man take the card, Nick smiled again and patted the little girl’s head.
“You should thank my sister for this job.
She can’t break the rules of the group, that’s only natural.
But as her brother, I can help you out.
This is for the many years you’ve worked for the Shen family.
Work hard; you still have two daughters.” Seeing Nick restore Diana’s face and also salvage her reputation, I couldn’t help cursing myself for reacting slower than this kid.
This good‑guy role should’ve been mine.
As the man, with his daughter, bowed deeply to Nick and got into the elevator, I felt a pang of jealousy, but nothing more.
I didn’t yet suspect Nick had any bigger scheme.
When the crowd dispersed, Diana saw the faint sourness on my face, smiled, took my hand, and changed the subject.
“Honey, when are Derek and Nicole getting here?” “I just called; they’re parking downstairs and coming up.” “Dee, do you have to defend Nick this much?” How could I not understand my wife’s intentions?
She was trying to divert my jealous heart.