The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 159: Show Some Respect

Chapter 159: Show Some Respect

Cassie glanced at Aryana. "I hope you understand that this is my company’s opening ceremony and not a venue for you to showcase your dresses. Show some respect!" Cassie gave her a hostile look.

"Cassie I think you misunderstood. I am not doing anything. I was standing here and those five ladies approached me and asked for a groupie. I couldn’t reject them right?" She looked at Cassie who was wearing a sour expression on her face.

"I don’t have control over what they will say. I think it is not wrong for me to wear a dress whose brand they like." Aryana added, her tone gentle.

"You did it on purpose. You were not invited and yet you came using your connection with Erik. You are flaunting your dress to attract others’ attention." Marianne’s voice was filled with sarcasm.

Aryana lowered her gaze. She didn’t expect that Marianne has brains and was spot on the guess of her intention tonight.

"You are putting words in my mouth, Marianne. Remember, those are words and not mine. Don’t I have the right to dress well on such an auspicious occasion?" She raised her gaze and met those of Marianne’s.

Marianne eventually averted her gaze and looked somewhere else. Aryana’s eyes were so bright and clear that even she was dazed looking into them.

Cassie did not say anything more. She turned around and left. She did not want to waste any more time with Aryana. She rather entertains other guests instead of arguing with her.

Aryana glanced around and checked if there were people she recognized.

"Aryana Jones, it has been a long time." A somewhat familiar voice spoke from behind her.

"Jax, it is you! How have you been?"

"Well, I have been busy lately. I am still getting used to being called President and CEO." Jax winked at her.

"So how does it feel to be addressed as such, CEO Jax?" Aryana teased him. She smiled and her two dimples peeked from her slightly flushed cheeks.

Jax was stunned by her beauty when she smiled. ’How lucky Erik is to have married her.’ He thought while looking at Aryana. Regret flashed across his eyes fleetingly that Amaya was not able to catch it.

"Why don’t you introduce me to your female companion?" Aryana looked around trying to guess which one was Jax’s companion.

"Ha ha ha. I don’t have any companion now. I changed you know. I am now a serious CEO."

"Really? I don’t believe it." She thought about the first time they met at the elevator.

Erik who was entertaining guests together with Cassie turned around and saw Jax talking to Aryana and they were both laughing. Erik frowned. What an eyesore.

Cassie followed Erik’s gaze and saw the happy interaction between Jax and Aryana. She sneered. ’So Jax is also interested in her. Heh, it is easier now to ruin her.’

"Excuse me." Erik left Cassie’s side without waiting for her reply.

"Jax, looking good. How are you, cousin?" Erik eyed him curiously. "I didn’t even know you left Gaeya Corporation if not for Aryana."

"An insignificant employee like me doesn’t deserve the attention of the CEO." Jax smiled innocently at him.

"But look at you now. You are the CEO of Lee Banks. So you deserve all the attention. I haven’t congratulated you on your new role." Erik took two wine glasses from the passing waiter. He gave one to Aryana and another one to Jax. He took another glass for himself.

"Let me offer you a toast cousin. I wish you success." He clinked glasses with Jax and then Aryana and finished the wine. "I am happy for you. Uncle Jaime finally had some sense and let you handle the company."

Jax has a surprised look in his eyes. Erik looked sincere when he said he was happy for him.

"Thank you, cousin. Should you need additional funding, you can come to me."

Erik was distracted. He took out his cell phone from his pocket and answered a call. It was the lieutenant from the police station.

"What do you mean they escaped?" Erik was agitated. He paused to listen to the man from the other line.

Aryana frowned.

"How could a riot take place in a heavily guarded cell?" another pause.

"What? All three of them escaped?" Erik raised his voice attracting the attention of others.

He covered his cell phone with his hand. "I’m sorry, I need to go somewhere to continue this call." He went outside of the building and stood under a tree.

Jax followed him with his gaze and then he smiled triumphantly.

"Erik seemed to be angry." He looked at Aryana whose face has turned pinkish after drinking a glass of wine.

"From what I’ve heard, looks like the members of the syndicate that kidnapped me escaped from prison." Aryana was worried.

Jax turned to face Aryana. His eyes widened.

"What did you say? You were kidnapped?"

"And almost got auctioned. I didn’t know that women nowadays are being auctioned." Aryana’s voice quivered when she remembered what she underwent a few days ago.

Jax lowered his eyes to look at the red liquid in his glass. When he raised his eyes to look at Aryana, his deep brown orbs showed concern and shock.

"How can you get kidnapped? Didn’t Erik assign a bodyguard to you? If it were me, I would have assigned two bodyguards to you." Jax knew that Aryana has a bodyguard secretly following her. He still said those words to make Aryana doubt Erik’s capability.

"I was tricked." Was Aryana’s simple reply.

"It is a good thing that nothing happened to you. Did the police come?" Jax probed.

"Yes. Erik and the police came. I think the police were doing surveillance on that syndicate for a long time. I was lucky after all."

"What are you doing other than working for Erik?" Jax was happy to spend some time with Aryana. He was trying to drag their conversation.

"I just completed a commercial for a client of Galaxy Entertainment. I’m also endorsing a local brand called CoChi. My dress is one of CoChi’s products."

"CoChi has a good designer. Your dress is unique and eye-catching. It looks good on you." Jax eyed her with admiration which made Aryana a little bit uncomfortable.

"The next time you buy your date a gown, get it from CoChi. Your date will definitely stand out."

Jax suddenly had an idea.

"Then can you accompany me to a gala event next week?" Jax looked at her expectantly. "I’ll buy you a gown from CoChi." He grinned.

Aryana did not know whether he was serious or just joking.

"In what capacity will she accompany you?" Erik’s cold voice made the two of them look to the man who now stood beside Jax with an icy expression.

"Cousin, can I borrow cousin-in-law for that event? She can accompany me as the brand ambassador of Gaeya Corporation which is an affiliate of Lee Financials." Jax sounded convincing.

Erik’s eyes narrowed. He studied Jax and see if he has ill intentions.

"When did you become short of women?" He stepped closer to him and continued softly. "A lot of women are willing to throw themselves to you so why choose my wife to be your companion?"

"Isn’t cousin-in-law the brand ambassador of Gaeya Corporation? Lee Financials is an affiliate so isn’t it better to get her to attend an official function?" Jax replied.

"If it is an official function then I should definitely get an invite?" Erik spoke smugly.

"Sorry to disappoint you, cousin. The function is strictly for the financial institution."

"Erik, can I go? It would be a good opportunity to build my network." She said gently. She was trying to find opportunities to promote her brand.

"By the way, I am just curious. Do you personally know the owner of the CoChi brand? You are spending a lot of effort endorsing its products."

"Yes. I know the owner personally." Aryana smiled.

Jax guessed that Aryana owns the brand. Did Erik buy it for her? "You own it." It was not a question but rather a statement.

Aryana was about to protest but indeed she was the owner of the brand.

"You are right. You are so smart." Aryana laughed lightly. Erik gave her a sideways hard stare when he heard her praise, Jax.

"In that case, all the more that you should accompany me at the gala. A lot of ladies from high society will be attending. Erik, you wouldn’t mind, right? As a husband, you should support your wife’s aspirations?"

Why did Erik feel that there was mockery in Jax’s tone?

Before he can answer, Cassie was on his side and tugging at his arm. "Grandfather is looking for you."

"Go ahead. I’ll follow you. I just have some questions for Jax." There was impatience in Erik’s voice. Cassie pouted but she did not leave.

"Jax, isn’t your mother’s last name, Cobrera? Do you know the Cobreras from the South?"