Chapter 210 - A Condition

As the secretary served coffee, sandwiches and cookies to the two men, Lee Jong had a thoughtful look on his face. Ever since he had heard of Chairwoman Xie, he had admired the woman. He had been attracted to her looks as well as what he had heard of her personality. He had even thought of her her husband with disdain, assuming the man to be beneath her good looks. But he believed that the man called CEO Wolf was almost on par with him. Interesting... This was very interesting. It was always good to have a challenging nemesis.

Just then the smaller door opened again and he placed the cup of coffee on the side table.

His eyes glittered as he watched the woman he had only seen in pictures until now. But with the gaze of an experienced man, he noticed the changes in the woman as well. 

For a moment he wondered how he felt attracted to a woman who was obviously married and had in fact not even yet lost her pregnancy weight. But it was clear that this woman was not just powerful. Her natural glow showed that she was also very satisfied with her life. Joe cleared his throat when he noticed the man's gaze and wondered if he should start looking for another artist. This man seemed intent on getting himself killed. Had he not seen the underlying power in CEO Wolf.. And he himself could see that Chairwoman Xie was already offended when she stored in front of them.

Joe stood up and bowed swiftly, trying to suppress his urge to kick the man called Lee Jong. Even if he could not show respect to the Chairwoman, he could at least have some etiquette and stand up to welcome her. Ignoring the man who was sitting, Xie Eun nodded to her own people and then turned to look at the Agent, extending her hand,"Agent Joe. I have heard a lot of praise about you from my staff. You must be congratulated for earning this contract."

Pleased and incredibly flattered, Agent Joe grinned and answered,"Chairwoman Xie is really kind to acknowledge me when all I did was my job. Uh..you must know Lee Jong here."

That was when Xie Eun finally turned her gaze to the man that had just had the audacity to give her a once over when she had entered. Smiling, she extended a polite smile and was startled when the man suddenly stood up and extended his hand. Raising her brows, she extended her hand to shake his. But instead of shaking it, he instead picked up the hand and brought it close to his mouth before placing a somewhat chaste kiss on her knuckles. "I hope you were not too offended by my stare just now. I have only ever seen your pictures and must say that you look even better in person. You must have known that I admire you a lot. Please do not be offended. I was simply flummoxed by your beauty. It is very rare that you see such beauties outside of the industry..."

Xie Eun wanted to roll her eyes at the extremely unprofessional and cheesy move but refrained. The only people who looked good doing the hand kissing routine thing were the French...

Giving him a restrained look, she pulled back her hand and invited them all to sit, and assured,"Mr Hong, I must say that it is the compliment that I wished to give you. You really look much better in person."

Pleased with the acknowledgement of his good looks, Lee Hong narcissistically thought that this was his triumph and responded, "Really? Have you watched my movies. I read in your biography that you used to be movie aficionado at one time."

Once again Joe wanted to kick his artist who was shamelessly fishing for compliments. Lee Jong was what one would call a 'chocolate boy' looks actor while everyone who researched knew that Chairwoman Xie used to be an action and thriller movies fan! But his frustration with Lee Jong flew out of the window when he heard the chairwoman's answer and he almost stood up and clapped for her...

"Uh...no Mr Lee. Regrettably I have not watched any of your movies. I have only ever seen you in an advertisement... the one wear you were walking around in your underwear... And like I said, you look much better when you are clothed..."

Shutting him up for the good, Xie Eun then let Cece take over the talk and explain everything that had been finalized until now regarding his representation of their products in his name. 

Finally, when Cece had walked them through the contract, Xie Eun nodded in agreement and gave the go ahead to sign the contract. She just had to add one condition. But before she could say anything, Lee Jong interfered, "Since we are on the verge of signing a contract, let us celebrate with a meal, Chairwoman Xie."

Xie Eun realized that the man had gotten over the shock of what she had said previously and agreed," Of course Mr Lee. We will celebrate but before that we need to sign the agreement. And before we put ink on the dotted line, I have one simple condition."

Suddenly, Joe felt a sense of foreboding. The chairwoman had been too amiable and he could just feel that something was wrong...he just had to wait for the other shoe to drop...

Lee Jong, however, felt no such thing and simply asked," What?"

Leaning back, Xie Eun steepled her hands and said with a smile,"Mr. Lee. Our company and you are the one in collaboration. This relationship has nothing to do with me. So I hope you will refrain yourself from using me to create hype for yourself in the future."

The sudden cold voice that sounded in the office made everyone else gulp as the two people indulged in a match of wills. Finally Lee Jong looked away and gave his signature dimpled smile,"I never have been able to refuse a beautiful woman... Of course Chairwoman Xie, my sincere admiration for you has resulted in too much of a hype. I understand."