Chapter 130: No Choice

"Alexander Tan?" Joshua repeated Antoneitte's words. "Mrs. Estolas are you saying that the CEO of UniVida Pharmaceuticals is attending this party?"

"That is correct," Antoneitte confirmed.

Meanwhile, Michael wasn't enthusiastic about the news like Joshua. After all, Alexander Tan is Michael's father, the figure he hated for leaving him and his mother in their times of need, throwing them away as if they were trash. Who would be so enthusiastic to meet the man who had caused so much pain and hardship in his life?

Michael's mood shifted perceptibly; his initial discomfort at the party was now compounded by the looming encounter with his estranged father.

Joshua, picking up on Michael's sudden change in demeanor couldn't help but frown.

"What's the matter with you?"

Michael snapped back to reality as Joshua threw that question. "Nothing that concerns you."

He looked at his wristwatch and saw the time. Although it is too early to leave, he is not in the mood to stay at the party any longer due to the unwanted arrival of his father at the party.

"I think I'm going to excuse myself now, Mrs. Estolas. Thank you for inviting me," Michael said, but before he could leave, Antoinette blocked his way, a look of concern etching her features.

"Michael, wait. What's the problem? A second ago, you seemed fine, and now this?" she pressed, her intuition telling her that Michael's sudden desire to leave was more than just a simple discomfort.

Michael, caught off guard by Antoneitte's perceptiveness, hesitated. He had always been adept at concealing his emotions, a skill honed out of necessity to navigate the complexities of both his personal and professional lives.

"It's nothing, Mrs. Estolas. Just remembered an urgent matter I need to attend to," he lied, hoping his excuse would suffice.

But Antoneitte wasn't convinced. "Michael, you know you can talk to me. We've been through a lot in this business, and I've always considered you more than just a business associate. You're like, how do I say this, my son," she insisted, her voice laced with genuine concern.

Michael felt a pang of guilt for lying to Antoneitte, someone who had shown him nothing but kindness and support. Even though she was the first to turn down his prototype, that was because she thought his product was fake.

"I am invited by my business partner, Mrs. Estolas for her daughter's birthday," Alexander said.

"So am I," Michael replied, his tone flat, maintaining the distance he had emotionally and physically built over the years.

Alexander seemed to search for something more to say, a way to bridge the chasm of years of silence and neglect.

"Michael, I... We need to talk," he finally said, his voice betraying a hint of desperation.

"We've already met in my office, Mr. Tan. And I had wished that would be our last contact," Michael stated, his words sharp, a clear dismissal. The meeting he referred to had been cold, clinical, and devoid of the familial warmth one might expect. It had solidified Michael's resolve to keep Alexander at arm's length.

Alexander's face fell, the rejection clear and unwelcome. "Michael, please. I understand I've made mistakes, but—"

"There's nothing left to discuss," Michael interrupted the finality in his voice cutting off any further attempts at reconciliation. "Please, enjoy the party—"

Just then, Antoinette's voice interrupted the tense moment between them.

"I see that you two have already met," she remarked.

Both men turned towards her, the awkwardness of the encounter intensifying. Antoinette, ever the observant hostess, sensed the undercurrents of tension but chose to address the situation with grace.

"Mr Tan, the person you just bumped into is Mr. Reyes. The CEO of the SolaraTech Corporation, the photovoltaic company that is making waves in this country and in Europe," Antoneitte introduced.

"We have already met," Michael said and continued. "But I'm not in the mood to stay here any longer."

"Not in the mood?" Antoinette said, tilting her to the side, starting to get suspicious of Michael's behavior.

Michael realized that it just slipped off. There's no choice, he must tell something to Mrs. Antoinette.

"Can we three move to something more private? I'd like to tell you something."