Chapter 161: YOU ARE A COWARD

"But…" Hailee looked hesitant as she had to voice her opinion. She was not someone who could easily say what she thought under this kind of pressure, especially when what she said would take important consideration.

She was simply nervous and didn't get use to this kind of attention, especially from the two people. However, after all, the fact that Ramon asked her opinion, made Hailee feel flattered and appreciated.

"Yes, but?" Ramon encouraged Hailee to speak further, letting her explain what was on her mind and her opinion about this matter.

"But, I think it would be better if it was used as a children's play area at the bottom." Hailee bit her lip nervously when she saw that Ramon didn't show any change in his expression.

However, it was different with the two officials who stood beside Ramon. Because of their position behind her husband, the facial expressions they made couldn't be seen by Ramon, but Hailee could see their displeasure clearly.

One official in a light blue suit with an almost bald head even grimaced, blatantly showing his dislike for Hailee's idea, while the second official shook his head slowly, indicating that he completely disagreed with what Hailee was proposing.

Of course they wouldn't think too highly about her inexperienced opinion.

Seeing the two negative reactions, Hailee then hurriedly corrected her words. "That's just my personal opinion... I didn't mean to interfere in this matter..."

Hailee raised her hands. Feeling stupid now, she regretted what she said. She shouldn't have said anything earlier. Well, the truth was; she didn't want to look bad in front of Ramon.

However, what made Hailee feel even more worse was that she had just humiliated Ramon with her words.

Ugh! This feeling was very unpleasant.

It's just that, beyond Hailee's expectation, Ramon was actually interested in listening to his wife's explanation further about the answer she just gave to them, ignoring the negative reactions given by the two regional officials.

"Why do you think that a children's playground is better than an art show to be the highlight?" Ramon asked.

The central hall which was the main highlight that would be seen when visitors first entered was a very strategic place and was the first place that would attract attention.

And sometimes, it was also the place that could determine whether the visitors would be willing to stay for a longer period of time or not.

Because the central hall would give the first impression to the visitors of this mall later. Therefore, they should think about it carefully.

"So, what made you think the playground would be better?" Ramon asked again when he saw Hailee hesitating in her reply.

"Because I thought the kids would be more interested in coming to a playground." Hailee started, she then briefly explained her thoughts.

Which, according to her, city F lacked the means of playing ground for children, where each family would go on vacation to town T or R for a long vacation. However, this was inversely proportional to the population of children in city F, where nearly sixty percent were children under the age of twelve.

Children under the age of twelve were of course more and still interested in the rides and means of play.

Hailee knew this percentage because she had a glimpse of the documents read by Ramon and also a little information about the city F when her father thought of opening a branch of his company in this city. She would have never thought that small information was so handy right now.

Therefore, armed with this information and based on the nature of parents who almost always give in to their child's wishes, Hailee thought so.

"… If this mall can make those children come back and want to visit this place continuously, then automatically their parents will come back here and become potential customers," Hailee analyzed, but then she added. "But, that's what I thought ..."

Hearing the explanation from Hailee, one of the regional officials wearing a light blue suit, immediately spoke up.

"It's a mature market- oriented mall aesthetic, where older people will enjoy art here." He sounded unhappy with Hailee's excuses which he thought were totally against his concept. "So I guess what you say doesn't apply well in this mall. That's so immature to think that way."

Hailee frowned, she didn't want to argue at first, but if the idea wasn't well received, these people shouldn't have attacked her like that and the tone of voice this middle aged man used just now was really annoying.

On the other hand, Ramon still said nothing, his sharp eyes staring at the expression on his wife's face which was slowly changing. Hailee was annoyed by the way those people opposed her.

And for Ramon, seeing how Hailee would react was much more interesting than hearing the ideas of the two officials.

And Hailee didn't disappoint him, she fought back…

"I think the aesthetic places in city F are very common and scattered everywhere..." Hailee then mentioned several cafes or buildings she had visited and offered a similar concept. "… Don't you see how high the percentage of children under twelve were living in this city?"

Ramon listened attentively to the logic Hailee explained to them and had his own opinion.

Meanwhile, the two officials seemed quite stunned by Hailee's detailed explanation and her argument, which made sense and was acceptable.

"… When this mall can attract children to come to visit again, won't they also attract their parents to come too? Regarding the aesthetic room you are talking about, it can be placed in another part. Parents will not just stand there watching their children, because when the parents know that their children are safe in the playground, they will also go around to fulfill their desire to do windows shopping. Doesn't that increase the opportunity for customers to come again and again?"

Hailee proved that the fruit did not fall far from the tree, that she was a child of the appraiser, whose words and judgment were full of considerations about profit and loss.

And even though Hailee had absolutely no interest in the business world, that didn't mean that her ability to observe things would just disappear, because after all it had been in her blood since she was born.

Ability to analyze and observe details, as well as sharp thinking. Hailee could do that when needed, it's just that she was too lazy to get involved with things like this.

"But, that's my opinion." Hailee shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I just thought that if I had children, then I would choose a mall that does have facilities that my children will love and I myself can do what I like. So, I don't have to go to two different places to please myself and my children."

This time, the two officials couldn't answer anything. They were intrigued and at a loss for words to argue with Hailee. Especially when the wife of Ramon Tordoff explained based on the data they had prepared themselves. Why didn't they think this way? It must be because their focus was in something else.

Meanwhile, Ramon looked at his wife with a smile on his lips, he then stretched out his hand and gently rubbed Hailee's cheek while saying, "I know that our kids will love it."

Hearing Ramon's words, the two men coughed in surprise, while the corners of Hailee's lips twitched.

Huh? Couldn't he give a normal reaction? Wasn't that too much to say in public?

But, Hailee didn't mind at all ...

She loved to hear that…

Their kids…

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"Why do you have to say things like that?" Theodore asked in a furious tone. He was now sitting behind his desk, his arms crossed over his chest with an angry expression that was hard to read.

It had been nearly two weeks since Theodore had not wanted to see Aileen and was trying to avoid her, and it was very much effective.

'Luckily', today Aileen knew that Theodore had an important meeting scheduled in his own office that he had to attend, so she came to the Gevano family- owned company building and waited in his room.

Aileen even deliberately asked Theodore's secretary not to announce her arrival on the pretext that she wanted to surprise him.

And after Aileen's grueling attempts to meet Theodore, she finally managed to confront the man Aileen had thought was the card for her freedom.

"What else should I say to your parents?" Aileen threw herself on the chair in front of Theodore and made the same gesture. "I didn't tell lies."

They were finally discussing this issue. The problem that had been at the core of their fight and also the reason why Theodore had been avoiding Aileen all this time.

"We agreed." Theodore touched his right temple which throbbed painfully. He didn't know that his relationship with Aileen could get this bad. "Why don't you understand it?"

Theodore had to be honest with himself if he didn't want this child at all. He didn't want anything to interfere with his comfortable life.

Not yet. It was not yet time for him to have children, because he was still not ready to be a father.

"Your mother will kill this child if I haven't said that!" Aileen raised her voice. The expression on her face hardened at how Theodore behaved with her now. "She pushed me down and put this child in danger."

Aileen said her last sentence in a harsh tone and in a defensive manner.

It was then that Theodore raised his head and looked at Aileen with a frown. He wanted to say that; wasn't that much better? Because in the end they wouldn't raise the child. And why protect something that was not wanted?

However, Theodore still held back because the words were too harsh and sharp to say to Aileen now. At the very least, he was still sane enough to not say it. He didn't know what kind of reaction the woman in front of him would give if Theodore said that.

And commotion was the last thing he wanted now.

"Aileen, try to understand me..." Theodore said in a persuasive tone and made Aileen grit her molars.

"What should I understand? That you don't want this child?" Aileen then stood up and this made Theodore stand up as well, then walked to her side, trying to calm the woman who was being hit by a storm of emotions.

"This is not the right time," Theodore said pleadingly. He then stretched out his arms to embrace Aileen's body which was shaking violently.

However, this time Aileen refused him, trying to free herself from Theodore. "You are a coward," she spat that word with derision, glaring at the man fiercely.