Chapter 8 An Air of Integrity

"Punk, how dare you talk like that? Do you even know who I am?" Jaycob's face turned red with rage at Xaiden's words. "Scram!" Xaiden didn't even glance his way, spitting out the word like a bullet. "Security! Where are the security guards? Beat this punk to a pulp! How dare he act so cocky at the VitaNova Pharmaceuticals entrance? He clearly has a death wish!" Jaycob, the purchasing manager at VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, was understandably furious after being insulted by Xaiden. Meanwhile, in the chairman's office of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, Thane was on pins and needles. He had been anxiously awaiting Melody all morning. She was, after all, the wife of the invincible Sallen of Northernvale; offending her would spell doom for his entire family. He checked the time again. Unable to stay put in his office, he went downstairs to ask the receptionists if Melody had arrived, but there was no sign of her. Just then, he overheard a commotion outside. Curiosity got the better of him, and he went to take a look. To his astonishment, the man standing at the entrance was none other than Xaiden, the Invincible War God of Summerton's Northernvale, whom he had just met yesterday! His face turned pale as he hurried outside. Four VitaNova Pharmaceuticals' security guards, armed with batons, had surrounded Xaiden, ready to give him a lesson he would never forget. "My—" Thane began to shout as he trotted over, but before he could finish the word, Xaiden shot him a look. He immediately got the message. As a seasoned businessman, he was sharp and quick-witted. He had figured out yesterday that Xaiden didn't want his identity revealed in Josenz. Otherwise, why would he bother summoning him? "What do you think you're doing?" he bellowed at the guards. "Good day, Mr. Everett! What brings you here?" Jaycob, hearing Thane's voice, quickly turned around, his demeanor changing in an instant. He greeted Thane with utmost respect, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. If Thane found out about his behavior, he would be out on his ear in no time! Standing beside Jaycob, Chelsea, who had been brimming with arrogance moments ago, now looked as meek as a mouse in front of a cat. "Mr. Everett? Is he the chairman of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals?" Melody's eyes widened as she turned to Xaiden for confirmation. "Looks like it! Melody, you were looking for the chairman of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, right? Well, here's your chance!" Xaiden said with a smile. "Do you think I can…?" "My darling can do anything! Go on, don't let this golden opportunity slip by!” Xaiden encouraged her. Taking a deep breath, Melody summoned her courage. "N-nice to meet you, Mr. Everett. I'm Melody Torris from Torris Corporation. We specialize in medicinal herbs and hope to secure some orders from VitaNova Pharmaceuticals," she said gingerly, her voice trembling slightly, fearful of saying the wrong thing. Josenz was a major hub for medicinal herbs, supplying 30 percent of the nation's needs. The city was teeming with herb companies, but Torris Corporation was a small fish in a big pond. Hoping to secure a deal with VitaNova Pharmaceuticals seemed like a pipe dream. Melody had tried to use her classmate as a connection, but Chelsea proved untrustworthy and despicable. Left with no other options, she summoned up her courage and spoke to the chairman of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals herself. "Miss Torris, please give me a moment. Let me handle this situation first, then we can discuss the orders in my office," Thane said, turning his gaze to Jaycob and Chelsea. He asked icily, "What exactly are you two doing here?" "Miss Torris? Discussing orders in his office?" Jaycob's mind was blown. In his two years at VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, he had never heard Thane speak so politely to anyone. Thane had always been the kind of leader who commanded respect without raising his voice. "Mr. Everett, this punk is causing trouble at our company. I happened to be passing by when he insulted us, so I ordered the security guards to take action!" he lied, trying to sling mud at Xaiden, noticing how unusually courteous Thane was to Melody. "Insult? You think I'd waste my breath on a mere VitaNova Pharmaceuticals?" Xaiden said before turning to Thane. "Since you're the chairman, there's something you should know. I brought my wife here to discuss a deal, and this manager said she had to sleep with him to get the deal. Is this how VitaNova Pharmaceuticals operates?" Thane's face drained of color, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. This is the invincible Sallen's wife we're talking about! My subordinate actually demanded that she sleep with him? That's a death wish! Smack! He slapped Jaycob across the face. "You ungrateful wretch! We gave you such a good career opportunity at VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, and this is what you do? You're fired! And let me tell you, once you're out of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, no company in Josenz will dare to hire you! And you too, get out!" he swore at Jaycob and Chelsea. "M-Mr. Everett, you can't believe his nonsense. H-he's lying about me!" Jaycob protested, holding his stinging cheek. "Lying? This young man has an air of integrity. Why would he lie? Should I pull up the surveillance footage to see who's really lying?" Thane retorted. At that, Jaycob fell silent, not daring to utter another word. With a loud thud, he fell to his knees in front of Melody. "Miss Torris, I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please, speak to Mr. Everett for me. Don't let him fire me!" he begged, his forehead hitting the ground repeatedly with loud thumps. "Melody, please, for the sake of our past as classmates, forgive me. I can’t afford to lose this job!" Chelsea, tears streaming down her face, knelt beside him, pleading for mercy. "Xaiden, I…" Melody, kind-hearted as she was, felt sorry for the two as she watched them grovel and sob like pitiful dogs. "Ignore them. Just come with Mr. Everett and get that contract signed," Xaiden urged gently. "Alright." Melody nodded, her determination renewed. "This way, Miss Torris," Thane said, bowing slightly and gesturing for her to follow him. At that moment, the paparazzi, who had been lurking around VitaNova Pharmaceuticals for a scoop, were stunned. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they witnessed what was happening. Thane Everett, the chairman of VitaNova Pharmaceuticals, was actually bowing and inviting Melody Torris from the Torris Family into his office for a detailed discussion on collaboration? That was unheard of! As a matter of fact, Thane was a member of the illustrious Everett Family in Goldenia, controlling billions in assets. A mere snap of his fingers could shake the entire Josenz to its core. And now, he was showing such respect to someone from a second-rate family? This was explosive news. The paparazzi, cameras clicking furiously, jostled to capture every moment of this extraordinary event.