Chapter 539

They walked up the stage to the thunderous applause of the crowd. Cedric looked around at the audience and smirked.

Most of the people clapping for him had looked down at him in the past. He remembered the auction, not so long ago where many of the upper class assumed he sold Adrianna off for position.

How fickle of them to think that. 

"What's with the smirk?" Ram asked in a low voice.

"I just remembered something." Cedric said with a shrug.

"These people." Ram said, shaking his head. "They praise us to our faces but talk down at us when our backs are turned."

"They are just jealous." Francesca said with a shrug.

"Mr. Reyes, would you grace us with a speech?" The host asked as he gestured towards the podium.

"Don't be immature." Ram said as Cedric walked past him.

Cedric couldn't help but laugh a bit. Of course he wouldn't call out those people in public. He just planned to make them feel ashamed of themselves. 

"Don't forget your image and the company's image, honey." Adrianna reminded him as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Of course not Adri." Cedric said with a smile as he rehearsed his speech in his mind.

Cedric stood tall on the podium as he gave an intimidating glare at everyone that was present. Some had been nice, some mean, others didn't care.

"The people in this room are supposed to represent the best of our nation, and I truly believe that it can be that." Cedric said, starting off his speech. 

"Part of the Reyes tradition is for it's heir, to live as a poor man or woman, to understand what the least of our fellow men live through. And I have seen first hand how bad it is for them." Cedric said as he watched some members of the audience frown. He knew he was hitting a nerve for many of them.

"This foundation strives to help those people, the lowest of the low. The children who have either been abandoned or those who have lost their parents. Children who are left defenceless against the world." Cedric continued saying.

"I have seen how much people have neglected them, looked down on them, abused them." As he said those words he tried to make eye contact with as many in the audience as possible. 

Some turned their faces away, afraid of accepting Cedric's words. Others nodded, people whom Cedric knew were good people. 

"I thank those who have donated out of their goodwill and not just because they wanted to show off." Cedric said in quite a happy tone. Making the people in the audience either sad or happy.

It was no secret that many aspiring actors, actresses, singers, and dancers donated and attended this foundation's event. They all knew that Ramon Abad was a consistent donor. 

Many of the businessmen who attended were also there hoping that Ram had convinced one of his friends to donate as well. They thought of this foundation as just an event, an investment so that they could get closer to the richest and most powerful people.

"Those that have donated to buy their way in or to simply show their wealth, please take your donations back." At Cedric's words the audience gasped. No one had ever had the guts to say something like this.

"If you are giving just because you want Ram's attention, take it back. If you are here in the hopes of meeting me or one of my friends, take your donation back." Cedric said in a calm tone that worried everyone.

According to rumors, it was when the CEO was at his calmest did he become dangerous. 

"Take them back and I will double what you take back." Cedric suddenly said. Doubling the money donated to the orphaned children wouldn't even make a dent in his wealth, he wasn't worried about that at all.

"These children have already gone through so much just to survive, they do not deserve people looking down at them any further." Cedric added.

He watched as people in the audience began to whisper amongst themselves, clearly bothered by Cedric's words.

"I will donate an extra 100,00 to the foundation just for those that are here to kiss ass to leave." Eric suddenly said, standing up amongst the crowd. 

"I have always been a backer of this foundation because my boss and friend, Ramon Abad, cares about these children. I too have spent time with them, and I have come to know them. I believe many of these children will change the future of our nation." Eric added, nodding at Ram.

"Please arrange for the transfer of funds." Cedric told the organizer as he left the podium to join his wife, Ram, and Francesca.

"Anything to add, old friend?" Cedric asked Ram.

Ram simply shrugged and shook his head.

"You said everything perfectly." Ram said with a sly grin as he directed everyone off of the stage.

"I thought you would get mad." Cedric whispered to his wife as he pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek.

"You were standing up for those that had less. Why would I get mad?" Adrianna asked.

"What I did was petty." Cedric admitted.

"It was, but it was long overdue, these people need to know what is wrong and what is right." Adrianna told him. "These events are filled with social climbers and ass kissers. They should be sent away."

"At least the kids are getting more money now." Francesca said with a laugh.

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