My Cursed Mate

Despite the awkward atmosphere, the MC continued until they came to the main part of the program. He called Vega on the stage. The crowd applauded and went silent after the microphone was given to him.

“Thank you for coming to this event. This is a celebration for a new collaboration that Empire sealed. This has been a partnership that my team had been planning for a year and it proved to be one of the most difficult deals we’ve ever made. From today onwards, Empire will be working with Vignier.” A picture was then flashed behind him. “And tonight, I would like to call on the person behind Vignier, Ms. Kazandra Hernandez.”

The guests once again applauded and watched as the woman who stole the show just as she entered the hall stood up and walked elegantly towards the front. Vega walked towards her and offered his hand to help her on stage.

Another microphone was given to the dazzling woman and she greeted them with a smile. “Thank you so much, honestly, we’ve rejected Empire’s proposal many times and yet after that I am standing in front of you because I finally accepted this partnership.”

“May we ask Ms. Hernandez, what made you finally accept this partnership?” The MC asked as the crowd was also interested to know.

Kazandra couldn’t help but smile and her gaze stopped at the handsome man beside her. “Well, Empire’s CEO is handsome and who can’t say no to that face?”

The answer made the crowd laugh but made Sophia angry. She couldn’t stand how close they were and how Vega was looking at the woman. She was also annoyed because of how the crowd was reacting to all of these.

“But to be honest, I’ve thought about it for a long time before I accepted the proposal. Now that Vignier decided to open up branches here in Xefton, it would be good for me to have Empire behind Vignier and for Empire to have Vignier for their expansion in Zaithan. It’s a win-win deal.” Kazandra finally answered the question in a serious manner.

After the introduction, they returned to their seats and the program continued. The after party was in full blast after the last special performance and the guests started to mingle once again. Building connections were an important part of the event and none of the guests would pass up the opportunity to build one.

Vega and Kazandra were the center of attention from the beginning. They had been standing beside each other and people were flocking around them, especially Kazandra. Vega remained perfunctory while Kazandra had been answering them with a smile.

She couldn’t accept it. Sophia walked towards them and broke the crowd. She stood in front of both of them. “Vega, do you want to collaborate with my father?”

The crowd around them suddenly became silent. They already had a clue as to what the woman wanted. It was not a secret among them that the daughter of the Reiner Enterprises has set her eyes on the CEO of Empire.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“I’m sure that working with my father would be better than working with a small company like Vignier.” She gave Kazandra a look before she continued speaking. “Oh wait, from what I heard Vignier is only a café.”

“Sorry to pop your bubble but Vignier is not only a café. If you have the ability, you should have done your research thoroughly so as to not embarrass yourself here.” Ingrid’s cold voice came from amongst the crowd. They then made way for her.

She stood before Sophia and looked at her from head to toe. Ingrid smirked and shook her head before hooking her hand on Kazandra’s arms and giving her a smile. “Vignier is a company listed among the top-tier businesses in Zaithan City. Its influence is beyond your imagination.”

“Lies,” Sophia glared at her, “I can’t believe that the owner of Matrix is associated with low class people. My impression on you is now ruined, such a disappointment.”

Ingrid laughed her heart out and wiped the tears caused by the joke. “I’m sorry, low class? Are you talking about yourself? As far as I can see, you are the only one in this place who is without class.”

This statement made the onlookers laugh and made Sophia angrier. “Shut up! You won’t get away with this. I’ll destroy your magazine. I don’t care if it’s a top tier. My father is more influential than any of you here.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Ingrid was not afraid because power was something she always had.

Sophia clenched her fists as she stared at the woman. She even glanced and glared at Kazandra who was smiling while watching them. She was about to burst out again when she heard Vega.

“Ms. Hernandez,” Vega stepped forward as he offered his arm to Kazandra, “please come with me, I would like to introduce you to someone, they are waiting in the conference room.” He was already tired of listening to the woman whine and complain. One more sentence from the woman and he’ll forget who her father was.

Kazandra looked at the man and nodded. She accepted the offer but before they could even take a step away, Sophia’s hand was already on Kazandra’s arm. “You can’t go.”

Kazandra met Sophia’s gaze and it caught the latter woman off guard. Her gaze was cold, enough to send fear on Sophia. She subtly swallowed but she did not let go even though she could already feel her hand shaking.

Vega looked at the hand that was gripping Kazandra’s hand and before they knew it, he forcefully pulled Sophia’s hand. “I’ve been tolerant of you for a long time now, Miss Riener but if you continue with this kind of attitude, I won’t guarantee that you will leave this place without getting even more humiliated. What you did in Empire hasn’t been accounted for, so be careful with your actions from now on.”

Sophia was shocked and so were the people watching the show. She froze on her spot and didn’t know what to say. This side of Vega was something she had not seen before and before she knew it, Vega and Kazandra already walked away.

“If you still want to save your father’s face, I suggest that you behave and leave this place quietly.” Ingrid grinned at her and even waved her goodbye.

Sophia looked around and saw that all eyes were at her and that they were even whispering. Their gazes were undoubtedly judging and mocking her and it made her uncomfortable. She left the party with tears on her face but no one in there cared.