Only after the man left the hall did Zhang Xiaotong realize that all this time she has remained becoming an eye-focus for everyone's entertainment.
"Did you see that? President Feng didn't even care to give her some face. He just walked away like that, as if he had never known her in the first place".
"Heh. All these days back in the office, she has been visiting like she owned the place. We almost thought that maybe she would be our future Madam Feng. But it's a relief we didn't live the lie for long".
"Aish. What future Madam Feng? I don't see her even near it? Didn't you see the man has even not spared her a glance? She hasn't even enticed him enough to make him look at her."
"And even back in our office, when did you even see them spending time together? It was just her who used to come but then return without even meeting him. She looked so pitiful there but still held the arrogance like she was someone really close to our President. Sigh, all her reality was out today".
"Mhmm. He was so cold with her. Though we know that he has been like that to everyone in his life, I have heard that back in his country Chiboa, he has been very caring and gentle to a woman chef. So out of his nature."
"Really? Where did you hear?"
"Woman chef? Is she someone under our brand label? She must be someone really special!"
"Ah, we may be working here but back in the main branch office, I have a few friends. They say that they have seen President Feng being all caring and doting towards her. He has also introduced her as his fiancée in one lunch meeting."
"Whoa! So lucky! No doubt, President Feng signed this collaboration in a hurry. He must have truly wanted to celebrate his New year with his girlfriend. The woman must be a great beauty to charm the cold heart of President Feng like this."
"Yeah, we have heard him saying that he has promised. So romantic! Who must have thought that not just in looks, he would also be the top-notch one in love."
The little whispers soon became louder, traveling around the hall. It felt like piercing jabs to both Zhang Xiaotong's ears and heart. Her fingers fisted on her sides, crumpling her satin dress to control herself from breaking in front of everyone. Not only was she insulted, she also felt like she got demeaned in front of so many people. Not just lost her dignity, she also felt like she lost her love in one night.
Love, which has always remained the sole aim, for which she strived hard all her life.
Her eyes teared up, realizing her losses but she didn't let any drop escape from her eyes and come to people's visuals. Instead, she kept her eyes a little low, so her all emotion were well hidden behind. But she knew her façade would not be strong enough to last longer. She wanted to leave, but her legs were so rooted that she didn't think that she would have enough strength to even take a step forward.
Right at that moment, she suddenly felt someone wrapping a warm furred jacket over her shoulders. "Brother Fenfen!" she called softly as if dreaming of a water mirage in the desert. But like the mirages are short-lived, her dream also did not last for long. It broke the moment she saw it was not Feng Shufen there but her own assistant.
"Ms. Zhang, you are not looking good. I think we should leave now. You need rest". Lillian said, giving a sympathetic nod of understanding to the woman.
Zhang Xiaotong didn't say anything in response but turned towards the exit to walk out of the hall. The night which has always been so beautiful in her dreams, she never knew would become a haunting nightmare someday.
***
On the other side, the air in the car was all calm and silent. It didn't seem like it before but now seeing the man with his eyes closed, resting his head on the car seat, it was evident how much tired he has been in the past days.
Gao Fan turned to look back at his boss and felt a little bad for him. He has seen him working all these days and knows how little he slept to wrap up the things on time. People say that to rush things fast, the mighty Feng Shufen gave in and accepted the proposal the way it was presented. But it was only the enclosed team related to the deal, knew the clause the President had trickly added to the contract.
Do they really think Feng Shufen would ever be a person to compromise in his business? Gao Fan could not help but only chuckle at their imagination.
"President Feng, the papers have been processed. Now, the Taylors have only nominal ownership of their hotels while we will be the decision-makers at their place." Gao Fan informed with a straight face but the joy was all evident in his tone. "It will take one or two days to settle things here."
"Mhm. Wrap it soon." Feng Shufen said, still keeping his eyes at rest.
The secretary nodded. "We will take care of it, President Feng." He said and once again the air in the car became silent.
But after some time, Feng Shufen said with some thought. "Keep my schedule empty tomorrow and leave a car ready for me to drive".
The secretary paused as he turned to look back with some doubt but restrained crossing the line. "Okay, President Feng. Would you need me to accompany you".
The man shook his head. "No need. I will drive on my own. You can handle the other things here instead". He said and Gao Fan was wise enough to understand that to his words given, no other question was allowed to be asked.
"Will do, President Feng!"