Perfect Match: Irresistible Desire For You
Chapter 52

Truly, everything going wrong in my life is Lina’s fault! Today, she demoted me at work and had me replaced by someone who doesn’t even like me!” Yasmin’s anger got the better of her for a moment and she paused before continuing, “Well, a new broom sweeps clean. I’m sure Lina hired my new superior to keep a close eye on me. I can’t shake the feeling she’s always watching.”

As she listened to her friend, Ashley realized that Lina would do anything to take down those against her. She had not only driven Ashley away, but had got revenge on her friend. She truly was a ruthless person.

Since she heard no response from Ashley, Yasmin thought that her friend was concerned for her. “Don’t worry about me. I will get back at her if I get the chance! Why don’t you get some rest before you start your new job? I’ll come to see you as soon as I’m free.

Let’s discuss it later, Ashley. Take it easy. That old witch, Lina, is coming to check up on me.” When Yasmin saw Lina walk into her department, alarm bells began to ring. She couldn’t be caught so soon. After all, she couldn’t get revenge if she was fired. She quickly hung up the phone.

Before Ashley could reply, Yasmin was gone on the other end.

She put the phone down and headed into the kitchen to make breakfast. Once she’d eaten, she turned the TV on to watch latest news. There was a live broadcast on the Ariosa channel. “The CEO of the Empire Group, Joseph, is holding a press conference. What could he be planning?” Hearing Joseph’s name, Ashley sat up attentively and watched closely.

The TV press conference was a lively scene. The venue was crowded with people, and reporters were milling about. The public couldn’t wait to finally see the true face of the entrepreneurial miracle, Joseph Marshall. The reporters wanted to be the first on the news, so before Joseph even showed up, the audience was already boiling over with energy.

As she watched the TV, Ashley had to admit that Joseph’s influence had an extraordinary reach. Hoards of people were scrambling to watch his public appearance. ‘What on earth would he announce?’ Ashley herself was curious about this and kept her eyes fixed on the TV screen.

After a while, the bustling crowd suddenly quieted down. Joseph walked along the red carpet through the crowd and up to the podium. His tall and straight figure and domineering aura made him stand out against the crowd. Everyone stared at his handsome face, riveted, and held their breath unconsciously. They gazed at him with the respect worthy of a god.

Indifferent to this reception, Joseph walked briskly to the stand. After the host’s speech, it was time for Joseph’s long-awaited address. “First of all, thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this press conference.” Joseph’s tone was modest, but this did nothing to detract from the nobility of his demeanor. When he bowed slightly to the audience, there was a warm applause.

“I believe that everyone here is informed with regards to the Synder Group’s recent financial crisis. I am here to declare that the Empire Group has become a major shareholder of the Synder Group, and that the acquisition of the Synder Group is just around the corner.” His tone was calm, but it incited a commotion in the audience.

Everyone was stunned by Joseph’s straightforward and domineering acquisition claim. Was it a ruse or something else? Beyond the stage, a heated discussion was underway.

Joseph waved his hand to the audience to silence them. Then he continued, “I want to state now for the record that the rumor that the Synder Group’s crisis was caused by someone leaking company information is pure slander.”

Before the audience could discuss this amongst themselves, Joseph added, “The fired manager by the surname of Guzman is one of my friends, and the Synder Group falsely claims that she leaked the company information due to some photos of me and her. A big company like this should not be in the business of ridiculous accusations.

The slandering words they fed the media are a crime of defamation. I would like to ask the Synder Group to make a public apology to the victim immediately and to compensate for her losses. Otherwise, I will see you in court.” Joseph’s voice was calm but dignified.

Having made this statement, he put a portfolio down on the desk in front of him. He had set out all the evidence there for everyone to read. However, they didn’t need to read the so-called evidence to feel the cold solemnity emanating from Joseph. They knew this was an unprecedented situation, and they believed the truth of his words. While everyone was blaming the Synder Group for what it had done, they were curious as to who had incited Joseph to make this speech, when he was usually so indifferent. The atmosphere at the scene became tense once again. Everyone was looking to Joseph to tell them clearly what had gone on between them.

However, to everyone’s disappointment, Joseph did not continue to divulge. Instead, he abruptly came to a close. “And I mean what I said. That’s all.” There was clearly an implicit threat in his words. His cold tone made everyone take a deep breath. As he said, the Synder Group would be the target of public criticism.

Finally, Joseph said to the audience, “If any of you have further questions, please address them to my personal assistant, Mr. Estrada. Thank you again for coming.” Although the audience was still unsatisfied with Joseph’s speech, they couldn’t help but applaud loudly in the presence of his powerful aura.

He calmly walked off stage and disappeared backstage. The reporters rushed towards Zachary, who appeared on the stage. Having lost the chance to talk to Joseph himself, they could not let slip the only other person who could answer their questions. The reporters surrounded Zachary, packing him in on all sides.

Zachary’s mouth twitched. It was the first time that he had been so popular in front of such a large crowd. It was all due to Joseph. He had mocked Joseph for trying to play the hero and save a damsel in distress. Now Joseph had the cruelty to push him in front of a group of scavenging reporters.

However, despite his complaints, Zachary knew what to do first. He knew why Joseph had done what he had. Having lived in the business world for more than ten years, Zachary could easily answer the reporters’ questions (or not when the situation required discretion).

Zachary responded to the reporters’ questions skillfully, keeping a genteel smile pinned on his face. He told the reporters all about the Synder Group’s financial crisis. Everyone knew it all started when the Empire Group refused to cooperate with the Synder Group, causing the Synder Group to pay a huge amount of liquidated damages for failing to accomplish its orders. In an effort to salvage their own reputation, the Synder Group used a company employee as a scapegoat, accusing her of leaking company intel.

Zachary’s high-profile and the confident arrogance of his response made the atmosphere even more intense. Zachary answered almost all the questions and let the audience connect the dots between them. ·

When a reporter asked, “What’s the relationship between Mr. Marshall and the manager by the surname of Guzman?” or “Why did Mr. Joseph Marshall rush to defend the manager by the surname of Guzman?” Zachary responded, “They are friends and this is Mr. Joseph Marshall’s private affair. I honestly have no idea.”