Chapter 387: Pretty Stupid-2

President Lee had not slept well the night before, all night he kept having that dream where Mina was dressed in a wedding gown. Only this time, she had taken a step toward Cylus, and while Ian did not want to marry Mina, he was not ready to see her belong to someone else.

When President Lee arrived at his office, he delved straight into work. Because he was technically losing his company money with his act, he had to keep track of his losses, and where he could make them up in the future.

Zane came to knock at Ian's office door a short while later, and the two men made plans for the meeting they were scheduled to attend. Zane was supposed to take charge of the meeting, while Ian would appear to be distracted.

When the men stepped out of the meeting, Ian immediately checked his phone. Since the night before, he could only think about what Mina could possibly be trying to do, and he kept considering sending her a text to see how she would reply.

Zane, who had noticed his friend's far away gaze was not part of the act they were putting on, took a peek at his friend's device and saw the SOS that James had sent.

Seeing that the message had been sent ten minutes before it was seen, Ian ran to his office and pulled up the security cameras he had installed at the location. Zane was ahead of his friend and viewed another camera angle from his phone.

The men opened the footage just in time to see James trying to fight off four large men, while Mina kept putting herself in the worst possible places, getting in the man's way. It was clear to both men that she thought she was aiding James, but Ian knew what the man was capable of.

They could not get a clear view of the person who looked to be in charge, but Zane was able to pull up camera footage that perfectly captured the man's license plate number. The car was registered to a business belonging to a man named Antonio Sylvan.

Ian was livid when he found out who was on set, and even more disgusted when he found out the man's main source of revenue. He quickly called the person, allowing his number to remain unblocked, so his full name would show on the caller identification system.

"To what do I owe pleasure?" The man said into the phone. Ian responded in Scleva, which allowed the man to speak properly.

"It looks like you are sticking your hands where they don't belong. It would be wise for you not to mention my name while replying." President Lee did not need Mina to think he was coordinating with the vile man due to a communication barrier.

"I am merely collecting on a debt. The woman I have before me cost me a contract for one of my venues. The damages are more than momentary."

"And just who do you think that person is?"

"A low-level actress called Mina Harlow. I don't plan to harm any of the staff, as they are innocent, but I have it on good authority that not only did she start the fight, but she has a history of trying to seek attention." Ian narrowed his eyes, knowing that Mary had not uttered another word about Mina since he ordered her to stop, and fully aware that she had not lashed out at Mina for breaking her phone because she knew the woman was under his protection.

"Who is it that gave you that information?" He asked.

"An exceptionally reliable woman, Lisa Anders. I have business with her in the future." Ian was almost positive that Mina had heard the man say Lisa's name, but from what he could see on camera, she had no reaction to any of the man's other words, and likely did not understand the language.

"Am I to believe that you have not viewed your own security footage? The woman you are harassing now was with me when the fight started. You should ask Mary who attacked whom." Ian allowed the man a moment to think before he spoke again. "Do you care about your wife and daughter?" Ian asked. Zane had provided him with complete information with which he could work.

"I do; very much."

"That woman you are trying to take, she is someone's daughter, and someone's future wife." Zane found himself looking at Ian in concern. There was no way Mina would voluntarily marry Ian, and he was convinced she would rather die.

"Then am I to let her go with no way to recover my losses?"

"I don't care what you do, but if you show up around her again, I will feed you your relatives." Ian knew the man was a notorious foodie, who travelled the world specifically for its cuisine.

Antonio did not like to be threatened, but even he knew his limits. To have received a call from the young President Ian Lee was already scary for his businesses in Pan. If he found out that he had been lied to, he could just come collect his debtor on another day.

"I will leave the girl alone but that does not recover my losses."

"Your losses mean nothing to me. What is important is that you understand how serious I am. Unless you want someone to start looking into your nightclubs, I suggest you leave the woman alone now." Antonio had begun to sweat. He had poured his last remaining wealth into his overseas businesses, hoping to keep his family well taken care of as the Sclevanian government was failing; his businesses in his home country along with it.

"Very well, but my losses will be recovered."

"Not by Mina," Ian warned.

Antonio ended the call, or rather he was hung up on, and one of his men tactfully handed him a handkerchief to dab at his forehead. It was a terrible time for him to make powerful enemies, especially over a contract that he was sure he could negotiate back into play with a discount on the venue cost.

"Miss Harlow, it seems I make mistake." Mina felt her heart relax then clench again as the man gestured for someone to grab Mary instead. Mina could not stop herself from speaking up, and Mr. Sylvan took the time to lecture her. "You very pretty girl, but very stupid. When I take you, no one here make sound, 'cept director and his woman, but you choose to save enemy." Mina shook her head.

"Not everything has to be done with an iron fist. Some people learn from their mistakes without consequences." Mina spoke boldly to make her point. That was the same logic her parents used on her. Instead of just talking to her, they always punished her as if it were the only way.

"Not this woman, but maybe the next, or the next. Someone will hurt you after you have spared them."

"It has already happened," Mina replied. "But should I treat everyone the same because of it?" Mr. Sylvan smiled; it was not often he rolled across magnanimous women in the entertainment industry, especially one who was as gorgeous as the woman standing in front of him now. He cautioned Mina once again, and then left with a single finger salute, that she would later learn meant that she had earned the man's favor.