THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 194: DAMNING EVENTS

Chapter 194: DAMNING EVENTS

Ace drove into the landmark building for his meeting with its CEO, with one clear set goal in mind.

He was going to turn the tides before the press could drag him into any controversy.

After the matriarch left the previous day, he had spent the rest of the night, pacing back and forth, deep in thoughts.

The only rest he managed to get, came at the early hours of the day.

Three hours later, he was up, and well prepared for the meeting.

Landmark’s doors opened for him, and as he went through one of the leading brewing industries in the continent, he was welcomed by a blonde woman.

She almost grinned her whole mouth off when she saw his face. She had seen him in the news, and magazines, but never in person.

"Good morning, Mr Ace. I’m Veronica, and I’m at your service," she said.

"Good morning, miss. I’m here for my meeting with Mr Vincenzo?"

"Yes please, this way."

She stepped in front of him to lead the way, but regrets filled her with every step she took.

She wished she could be behind him, so she could see the billion dollar ass the girls won’t stop raving about.

Whatever he was in the office to do, she sincerely hoped it would last for a very long time, so she could continuously see his face.

"The boss is waiting to see him," she said, in response to Mr Vincenzo’s personal assistants raising a brow, when she walked in with him.

"Mr Ace?!" The woman rose to her feet immediately.

"Hello." He waved, not exactly in the mood for the girls and their non stop fawning.

Veronica opened Mr Vincenzo’s door after knocking, and gestured for Ace to go in with her hands.

He nodded, and muttered some words of gratitude, as he entered the room, and shut the door behind him.

Mr Vincenzo looked up from his computer, and smiled.

"Ace Atticus, welcome."

Ace walked to him, and stretched his hand for a handshake.

He had met the man twice before, but this would be the first time they met in person.

"Good to see you again," he said, as he took his seat.

"I don’t want to waste your time, so let’s just get into it. What do you think?" Vincenzo asked with a smile on his face.

"I’d really like that."

He reached into his briefcase, and pulled out the documents he needed. Handing it over to Vincenzo, he relaxed into his seat, and waited for the man to go through it.

For about five minutes he did. This made Ace really hopeful that the deal was as good as done.

The internet was never going to win against him. Once more, he had defeated the great enemy that was shame.

"This is a very good proposal, Mr Ace. Detailed, but straight to the point. If it were up to me, I’ll give you the contract even before looking through this document. But unfortunately, it isn’t."

Ace went from smiling to frowning, all in a blink.

"What do you mean it’s not up to you?" He asked, alarm bells ringing in his head already.

"You know my brother Lorenzo? He also has equal shares in landmark. Just yesterday, he reached a deal with Luxe holdings, that requires a shit ton of money. We’ve made a pact not to run two simultaneously huge deals at the same time. If you can wait until three months after their deal is over, then I’ll sign yours."

Ace had stopped listening at the mention of Luxe holdings.

Fay had struck again. It was like she planted a bug on him, or something. She knew his every move, and countered them ahead of time.

His palms started to sweat, and got clammy. The more he thought about the whole thing, the angrier she got.

She was using her new found power against him, and it was starting to look like he couldn’t do anything to stop her.

"Mr Ace?"

He raised his head slowly, and looked at Vincenzo.

"If this deal is not going to close today, then it can’t happen in three months’ time," he said.

But what he didn’t say aloud, was the possibility of Spades being in serious financial struggles at that point.

The situation with Spades wasn’t just something he could use other funds, or even his personal funds to solve.

He couldn’t solve it personally because the deal gone wrong carried about seventy five percent of the company’s earnings.

That included the brand itself, and all of its varieties.

He had made that gamble because everytime he did, he tripled the company’s worth.

This time, nemesis had caught up with him, and Fay was capitalising big on it.

"I’m sorry, Mr Ace. I wish I could do something about it."

"It’s nothing," he forced a smile, even though in his head, he was ready to explode. "I hope you have a good day."

"Mr Ace—" Vincenzo tried to return the documents, but Ace was already out of the door.

He held tightly on to his briefcase, as he walked away.

He didn’t stop to return the greetings, and adulations until he made it to his car.

Tossing the briefcase to the backseat, he opened the front door, and started the car.

He drove straight to Spades. As he touched the ground, he strode to his office.

Ignoring everyone trying to get his attention, he opened the door, and slammed it shut behind him.

He dropped to his seat at his desk, and turned on his computer system.

First thing he did was shoot an email to the finance department, requesting for all the reports he needed to draw a conclusion.

Next, he went through all the subsidiaries of Spades he had erupted over the years.

Hoping he had missed something in the clause of the deal that caused all this mess, he searched meticulously through every detail.

The deal vividly stated that all affiliated companies of Spades were involved in its possible outcome.

"Shit!" He cursed under his breath.

He went through his bank reports if it was possible to take out enough money to stabilise the company.

After careful calculations, he realised most of his profit was tied to his assets.

If he wanted to really do this on his own, he had to use his assets. And using his assets was a sure way to spark rumours.

He sighed, and reclined into his seat. "What the fuck have you done, Ace?!"

He stroked his forehead with his fingers, trying to calm the sudden pounding headache he was experiencing.

If only he could turn back the hands of time, he would never have done that deal.

The computer screen blinked, and he sat up.

"Financial report," he read out.

He opened it and saw that it was even worse than expected.

Instantly, he began contemplating whether it was best to follow his grandmother’s instruction.

That evening, Ace left the office late, and drove to a private bar.

He preferred the Dive bar because they were discreet, and there was no fear of being captured in a compromising situation.

Parking his car at a secluded spot, he took off his tie, and pulled up his sleeves.

He stepped out of the car, and as he turned, came face to face with Fay who had also just come out of her car.

Fay’s eyes bulged on seeing him. She had not expected him to be in the same place Xylon had asked to meet.

She was also sceptical because the last time they saw had not gone very smoothly.

But much to her surprise, he didn’t regard her. He swiftly turned forward, and walked into the building.

She sighed, and followed. The second she entered, someone was beside her to carry her to Xylon’s table.

"You came," Xylon said as soon as he saw her.

He rose to his feet, and placed a kiss on her cheeks.

"Why’d you choose this spot?" She asked, taking a seat.

From the corner of her eyes, she searched for Ace. It didn’t take long for her to see him at the extreme end of the room.

He felt her eyes on him, and turned. But she had already taken her gaze away when he did.

His anger surged when he saw her sitting with Xylon, talking as if she wasn’t at the verge of ruining his life.

He bet they were celebrating over his destruction. After all, it would be one less competition for Xylon if Spades went down.

Drinking straight from the first bottle of whiskey he ordered, he shut his eyes as the spirit burned a hole through his chest.

Fay’s eyes went to him. Her heart ached, and she wondered why.

There was clearly something bothering him. She wondered who had hurt him.

"Shut it Fay! You can’t—"

"You’re so beautiful," Xylon said, dragging her out of her head.

"Thank you," she replied, but she couldn’t take her attention off Ace, who she discovered had gotten up from his seat, and was on his way to their table.