Chapter 7: Business Trip

Heidi's POV

I woke up at the sound of my phone. I checked it, and Ethan was calling me.

"Sir," I answered. "Sorry to wake you up, Heidi. We are going to leave at 8 am today." He said. "Okay," I replied and dropped the call. I looked at my phone to check the time, and it was almost 5 am. Shoots. I only have three hours.

I immediately stood up and prepared the food I would give to Hadley. Then, after one and a half hours, I took the bag of clothes and food and left the house. I reached the hospital after 30 minutes.

"Hadley," I called and hugged her. "Yours and mom's clothes are in this bag. I will leave the food here. Buy your lunch at the canteen or from the restaurant." I instructed her after giving her their things and money.

"How was mom?" I asked her again. "She is okay. The doctor and nurses alternately check on her, and she is stable now." She replies. I sighed in relief.

"I have to go in a few minutes. Call me if anything happens." She nodded at me, and I turned to my mom. She is already awake.

"Mom. I have to go with my Boss on a business trip. I will be back in two days. Let Hadley call me if you need anything. Okay?" I said to my mom. She nodded at me, and I kissed her forehead. "Take care, mom," I added before I hugged her.

"Hadley, I am leaving. Take care and be careful, okay?" I said and hugged her again. I picked up my bag and walked out of the hotel.

Ethan's POV

We were supposed to leave at 9 am, but because of the weather, I told Heidi that we would leave at 8 am. So I went to the hotel at 7 am to meet Kyle and prepare all papers needed.

"Have you done preparing the reports and contracts I need?" I asked Kyle. "Yes, sir. It's all inside this case." He replied and handed it to me.

"Is the plane ready?" It should be here at 8 am." I said. He nodded at me and left the office. I picked up my phone and called Mike.

"Ethan." He said. "Mike, I will be there in 3 hours. Prepare all reports. Call all investors and set a meeting today." I said and dropped the call.

I went to the underground parking and drove my car to pick up Heidi from the hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, I saw Heidi standing at the entrance, probably waiting for a taxi. I blew my car's horn to catch her attention. She ran towards me and knocked on the window.

"Hop in," I said after rolling down the window. She put the bag on the back seat and rode on the passenger side. I drove back to the building since I had my plane on the rooftop.

"I thought we were going overseas? Aren't we going to the airport? "She said. *Sigh* She always got curious about every new thing she saw. "I have my plane on the rooftop," I replied to her. Her eyes became bigger after hearing it.

"For real? You sure are the wealthiest person I've known." She replied. Overacting again, Heidi.

I parked my car underground and used the elevator going to the rooftop. Kyle is already waiting for us with the documents he prepared.

"Ready?" I asked Heidi. "Yes, ready." She answered while looking at the plane. The plane attendants assisted Heidi until she was seated. "Do you need something to drink, Ms. Heidi?" The female attendant asked. "Just water, please." She answered.

The male attendant approached and asked me the same thing. "Brewed coffee, please," I said, and he left. I opened the case that is holding the documents I needed today. I looked at Heidi, and she looked scared.

"Heidi," I called her to get her attention. "Yes, Ethan." She replied. "Any problem? You look scared?" I asked. She shook her head. "Nothing. A bit scared of heights, but everything is okay." She said while showing thumbs up.

She turned her head at the window, and she looked amazed. She is so innocent, like a kid.

"Is this your first time riding on a plane?" I asked her again. She nodded at me, but she was still looking out the window. "For real?" I added. She looked at me, laughing at my reaction.

"Yes. I don't have time to travel as leisure. Thanks to you. Even though this is work-related, I am so happy to experience this." She said and smiled. I nodded at her and looked back at the documents.

I am reading all the reports to prepare for the meeting. I saw her yawning and leaning her head on the backseat. I called one of the female attendants to give her a blanket and shut her window blinds so she could sleep.

After 3 hours, we arrived at the rooftop of the hotel branch. I saw Mike standing and waiting for our arrival.

"Heidi, we're here. Wake up." I shook her to wake her up. She looked at me and stood up. "Okay." She answered. She folded the blanket she used and gave it back to the attendant.

"Mike, are they all here?" I asked after reaching Mike's position. He nodded and gave me the tablet that showed the meeting room.

"Point him," I asked him. He pointed to the person they suspected of fraud. "Let one of the crew take our luggage and bring it to our rooms," I said. "Okay. But, who is she?" He asked while looking at Heidi.

"My lady assistant, Heidi," I answered. "She is gorgeous. Can you introduce me to her?" He asked. He is a total playboy. I slap his head.

"Don't you dare mess with her, Mike. I brought her to know the other branches and not to be one of your one-night stand girls." I replied. He scratched his head in frustration. "Lead the way, Mike. Follow us, Heidi." I said to both of them.

After a few minutes, we reached the meeting room. Mike started the meeting, and Heidi sat in the front seat. I listened to their meeting while looking at the man Mike pointed to me. After thirty minutes, Mike finished his presentation. He has a suitable solution to the issue happening in the company.

I stood up and went to the front. I started to interrogate everyone about the fraud case.

"It's been a long time since I last came here, and it looked like someone is trying to steal from us." I started. "I send Mike over here to investigate this current matter of embezzlement," I added.

"I won't mention any names, but it is better to expose yourselves in front of everyone," I said while looking at the three suspected persons. I saw Heidi in shock from my peripheral side.

It looks like everyone knows it as well. All investors were looking at them as well. "Seems like everyone knows about it. Mr. Cole, Mr., and Mrs. Shawn. Can you come forward?" I said. They stood up and went up front. Mr. Cole was trying to run away, but the securities stopped him.

"You sure are guilty, Mr. Cole. Don't worry. I won't send the three of you to prison, but you will sign the certificate of agreement and termination contract. The terms and conditions are all written in this contract, and the amount you have to pay as compensation."

They looked at me with stunned faces. It's been years since they started stealing our profit, so it's time to take ours. They have to pay the company ranging from 1.1 Billion to 2.5 Billion.

"But, Ethan. It is too much as compensation." Mrs. Shawn said. "Why? Did you think of it when you started taking money from us? It took us five years to be aware of what you are doing. Well, you can choose. We'll bring it to the court, or you'll sign the paper." I said and left them alone. I ended the meeting and went to my room.

I asked my hotel manager to send and assist Heidi to her room. After thirty minutes, Mike knocked on my door. I opened it and let him in.

"Did they sign?" I directly asked him. "Yes, they do." He replied. "Carry on with the solution you made. I can see the hotel's improvement from it." I said, and he nodded at me.

"One more thing, send a message to your underlings and bring them to the basement meeting room. Don't tell Heidi about it." I said.

"You are being protective of her. Do you like her?" He asked and winked at me. I dreaded him.

He likes to tease everyone and fights with Max. They are twins but have different habits. "I need them at 10 o'clock in the morning tomorrow. He nodded and went out of my room.

I grabbed the papers and checked the signatures. It can restore all the income we lose because of them.

I picked up my phone and texted Heidi. Meet me in the lobby after 10 minutes. Then send it to her. Okay. She replied. It's almost sundown, but we haven't eaten anything yet.