The Clutches Of Hell Novel

Chapter 34

The people in the room could obviously sense that Christian was in a bad mood. Ever since Victoria left, none of them dared to speak. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

On the contrary, Glen relaxed considerably, resuming his usual gentle and friendly behavior.

He poured out some wine for some people, smiling. “Don’t let a stranger dampen the mood. Let’s keep drinking.”

He clinked glasses with a few others, then downed the wine.

Soon, the atmosphere in the room turned better as if Victoria never appeared. However, the smoke still hung in the air as Christian sat in the center of the room, looking rather unamused.

After a few drinks with the others, Glen grew bolder, but when he spoke to Christian, he was still extremely careful. “Mr. Thatcher, what do you think of the new project our company recently developed?”

If this project was completed, the returns would be quite grand.

However, the downside was that this project was too huge. It would involve too many areas; be it funds or other aspects, Coleman Group couldn’t handle it alone.

“Not bad.” The cigarette was running out, so Christian tossed the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

Hearing that, the other people in the room had their own thoughts, but all of them were envious.

Not many projects could get Christian’s stamp of approval. Coleman Group had found itself on a cruise to great riches, and it would most likely earn a handsome profit within a year.

Glen couldn’t hide his glee either. If he managed to partner with Thatcher Group, he would be able to earn loads off this project.

Also, with one partnership established, even more partnerships would follow…

“However, the Thatcher Group has no intention of partnering up. My apologies.” Watching Glen’s gleeful expression, a dark light shone in the depths of Christian’s eyes as he spoke calmly.

Glen’s smile froze on his face, and it seemed like someone had splashed him with cold water from head to toe. In his desperation, he asked, “Since you think this project is alright, Mr. Thatcher, why are you reluctant to partner with me?”

He had been preparing this project for almost two years, and he had always been fighting for a chance to partner with Thatcher Group. Also, Christian definitely expressed an intention to partner up before this, so why did he change his mind all of a sudden?

“Are you questioning me?” As the lights illuminated Christian’s body, the upturned collar on his shirt cast shadows on his collarbone, enhancing the coldness in his expression.

“You’ve misunderstood me, Mr. Thatcher.” Glen tried to appear calm, but he still couldn’t retain his usual gentleness. “I’m just asking for the reason so that I can learn from my mistakes.”

“It has nothing to do with the project you suggested, Mr. Coleman. Thatcher Group simply has some funding issues.” Christian stood up. “I still have something to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”

His words were courteous, but his actions less so. When he finished speaking, he didn’t care for the others’ responses as he opened the door and left.

When he stood up, the people in the room stood up as well. After the door closed, they finally took their seats again. Only Glen was still standing, wine glass in hand. The look on his face was dark and foul.

Thatcher Group wasn’t only a top company in the country; it was also the largest enterprise around. They had excellent funding management, and many finance professors in various schools would use them as a case study.

But now, Christian actually said that there were funding issues. It was obviously just an excuse, and a poor one at that.

“No wonder you declined when I suggested a partnership with you, Mr. Coleman. You already had an ideal partnership in mind.” One of them smiled. “It’s a pity that your ideal partner doesn’t seem too satisfied with your project, Mr. Coleman.”

“I’ve also heard about this new project from the Coleman Group, and the returns would be quite attractive. Logically speaking, Mr. Thatcher shouldn’t have a reason to give up on this golden opportunity.”

“Perhaps Mr. Thatcher doesn’t have a problem with this project; he just doesn’t like Mr. Coleman’s janitor of a daughter.”

The few of them sneered.

Glen’s face turned from dark to pale, then from pale to red. It was quite a sight to behold.

He put down his wine glass and grabbed his briefcase. “I still have something to attend to at work, so I’ll be leaving first.”

“Don’t get too discouraged, Mr. Coleman. This isn’t your fault. After all, no one would want to have a murderer as their child. Your daughter is to blame for provoking someone she shouldn’t have.” The person who always held enmity toward Glen was gleeful.

Glen suppressed the fury in his heart as he smiled and said, “Pardon the unsightly scene, Mr. Hawkins. Just take it as an example for you to discipline your daughter better. I heard that she was involved in quite a number of scandals with some minor celebrities recently. I wonder if your in-laws would mind.”

The smile disappeared from the man’s face.

Seeing that, Glen felt slightly better inside, then he opened the door and left.

…

Meanwhile, Victoria scrubbed the floor in a daze, unsure of what she was feeling right now.

As a stranger, Janice came all the way to Delta Club to apologize for being unable to help her. However, her biological father actually insulted her in front of Christian for the sake of profit.

The contrast was so stark that she couldn’t even deceive herself.

“Victoria.” Glen walked up to her, calling her name with a dark expression.

Victoria straightened up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

He had called her ‘Tori’ for twenty years, but he was addressing her as ‘Victoria’ now.

She let it go immediately. He didn’t want a daughter like her, so it should matter less that he called her ‘Victoria’.

She gripped the mop and said mockingly, “Is the noble Mr. Coleman finally willing to humble himself and talk to a murderer and janitor like me?”

“Speak properly and quit the nonsense!” Glen frowned, reprimanding her at once.novelxo.com fast update

“With what identity are you requesting this of me?” Victoria smiled, a mocking look on her face. “As a father? Or an esteemed guest of Delta Club?”

People came and went in the corridor, and they kept staring at the two and whispering to each other.

Their voices were very small, so Glen couldn’t discern their words. However, when two Delta Club hostesses walked by him, he heard them very clearly.

“Isn’t that the murderer? I can’t believe that she’s Glen’s daughter!”

“Tsk, Glen donated so much money and goods, but who knows if he’s just pretending? If he really is a saint, how could he raise a murderer?”

Glen’s face turned red, and he was so embarrassed that he wished he could just disappear.

He glared at Victoria and lowered his voice as he said, “Come with me.”

With that, he walked toward the stairwell with such speed that it looked like demons were chasing him.

Watching his figure, Victoria couldn’t decide if she was angry or disappointed.

Even if Christian weren’t here, her father, who used to love her the most, was now reluctant to be seen with her in public. She was a disgrace to him.

She pursed her lips and hesitated for a bit. In the end, she still put down her cleaning tools and walked toward the stairwell.

“Answer me. Did you cause the injury on Vince’s head?!” Glen pointed at her, growling in a low voice.

“Yes.” Victoria looked at him, unsure of what she was expecting. “I got suicidal and wanted to kill myself by getting run over with a car. To save me, Vincent drove in and collided—”

With that car.

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted with a loud slap.

Victoria put a hand to her burning right cheek, staring straight at Glen. She first felt disbelief, then coldness, and in the end, only bitterness and disappointment remained.