Chapter １５

Berry accompanied me to my second maternity checkup, and the baby was already a little bigger than the last time. The doctor said that the baby's heartbeat is strong. I heard it from the ultrasound, and I'm very happy that the baby is healthy. I wish Haden were with me today, and I'm sure he will also be thrilled to hear our baby’s heartbeat. I don't know why it took Haden so long, but I vaguely heard that something had happened at the overseas office, and it seemed like a big deal, so Haden had to go there in person to sort it out. He stayed there longer than expected. But in the second month, after Haden left, the group came out with a big story. Several branch managers had resigned that made the company immediately fell into the talent crisis. Before this happens, there are a lot of problems arise within the branches. The managers are not performing well, which results in low income per branch. They assumed that it would recover because they have huge funds to support it. But it did not happen; slowly the numbers are falling. Expenses are increasing while the income is decreasing. Until the stock price was also greatly affected, and the branch offices are declining. The stockholders are slowly withdrawing their investment with the company that makes it less profitable. That was the most talked about in the business industry. After that accident, Haden did not show up once. I didn't hear anything from Haden since the problem with the company started. Some say he was hiding, and some say he knew something had happened long ago, rolled money to escape. 

This matter is more severe than the workers abroad revolt. As long as the headquarters do not fall, it can survive, but the head was involved in resignation, undoubtedly several supporting groups collapsed, seeing the large empire shake.

I'm worried about Haden. He did not even call me to say what is happening. I'm calling the number he is using, but the phone is always not accessible. I try to calm myself and think that he is doing well. I know he can manage even in this worse situation. I'm holding on to what he said before he leaves that he will take care of everything no matter what happens. I missed him, and this is the time that he needs my comfort. I want to hug him and tell him that everything will be okay. 

A week later, I received a call from Mama Serina. 

"Elena, how are you doing over there? How is your baby?" 

"We're fine. I just got back from my second maternity checkup. What's the situation at home now?" I asked instead.

"Don't worry so much about that. You have to rest well and should not be stressed with problems. It will affect the baby. We are taking care of it so don't think about it okay?" 

Mama Serina wasn't talking to me anymore. Obviously, in her voice, she worried about the company, especially with her son, Haden. 

After I hung up, I couldn't calm down and called Sara's house to see how things were going. "I'm not sure, anyway the mood at home is pretty grim now, a few days ago people came to the house to investigate and I don't know what to do, my husband hasn't contacted me." 

I can't help but worry after hanging up the phone, but I think about what Haden told me before, he told me something was going to happen, but he wanted me to believe he would solve it. 

Lee’s POV

"Bullshit!" I spoke to my son Lee in a low voice. 

"Now that something has happened to the family, you as a member should find a way to help the family through the hard times as part of your duties, not exploit the family in crisis for your own gain."

Lee muttered in a low voice,

"Isn't that my way?

“The situation worsened, the stock price continued to fall, and I was afraid to go out. Your brother Haden is the one sacrificing for our company to survive." I long explained, but Lee is not really giving me so much attention. Like he doesn’t really care.

After the stock price fell rapidly, just when everyone suspected that the company would soon collapse, there was another shocking news that everyone could hardly wait. 

Suddenly, a unique conference was opened, announcing the company's achievements in the past few days. The movie that Haden's company produced was released, and it became a box office hit. When this news came out, the domestic market was shocked, and foreign countries were also shocked. The stock price doubled countless times overnight, from the very bottom to the very top, yet it's only a short month. Slowly the investors are coming back, willing to reinvest. It was the headline in the international business newspaper. At this point, I was very relieved. 

Haden didn't lie to me; he said that the problem really could be solved. 

It turns out that several of the people in charge of the branch are the elders of the company, and the top executives in the department are related by marriage, meaning that several departments have evolved to the point where they have become the family business. Haden has taken the company's money to invest in film and television, which of course, has hurt the interests of several large families. The heads of several branches have been with the company for a long time and being old and headstrong. When Haden took over the company, and since he isn't controllable, there's nothing they can do about it, so they came up with a plan to force him out of the company.

The top executives intentionally bring down the company's stats. They don't like Haden. So, these executives are convincing the stockholders and investors to bring down Haden from the position.

They want to call for an emergency stockholder's meeting to replace Haden as the company's CEO and elect a new one. But their plan did not succeed. Haden is much wiser. He knows from the start the plans to bring him down, so he also created a strategy to counter that. He strategically invests the funds in the film industry. They made several movies, tv shows, even commercials. They also form a talent agency for the artists that work in the film industry. They created many jobs for the people. All the movies they produce became box office hits. As the funds are getting bigger, the company expands, and they invest in the larger market. They tried to invest in an international platform that creates series which is the most popular these days. They buy the series created by different countries and then put it on the video screening platform.

Slowly they have been recognized by international and famous artists. They even want to do a movie or a series produced by Haden's company. The video screening itself gains huge income alone. Every year, the number of subscribers is increasing. The movies and series they produced are the most watched and talked about on social media, making the marketing strategy more effective.

The movie was made by Haden's company a long time ago, but they kept it a secret, so they took advantage of the foreign branch to collectively backpedal when things broke out. Branches of the group are now all replaced by Haden's people, and his power in the group will be more solid. The company is now worth a lot of money. And I am very proud of my son.

Elena’s POV

"Ask the World" won't have that good of an effect on the movie. I looked down, only to raise a layer of cold sweat. At this point, the sound of the car outside suddenly rang out. 

"I looked out the window and saw a car pull out the door and into the underground garage. I recognized it was Haden’s car. I cannot contain my excitement when I saw Haden's car. Finally, we can be together again after several months. I missed him so much. I want to hug him tightly and kiss him passionately. I missed his smell; even he went home from work, he is still looking fresh. 

Haden hadn't changed much, still a straight suit, clean and stern, still a handsome face, a little serious because of the authoritarian temperament. But he becomes thinner, which is I understand because of the stress he experienced. Maybe he is not eating well there, and no one is taking care of him. He is still the Haden I know.  Very firm and haven't talked much. 

"Haden!" I said with excitement. 

I hugged him and kiss him hurriedly. I felt his body full of muscles around me. His lips are still soft and kissable. I gently hold his hand. Every time I'm with him, I feel safe and secured. I know that he will always protect our baby and me. 

The oppressive feeling on his body is the same as always. I haven't seen him for about three months, and I miss him so much. He did say any word; maybe he is tired.