Chapter 419: Chapter 419

Rayna was rendered speechless. “If you don’t want to work with me, fine. Why did you have to blacklist me as well?” she muttered.

The nerve of some people. It’s a simple breakup! Why does he not want to sell me oranges as well?

Ella shrugged apologetically, giving Rayna a look that seemed to imply, “I’ve done my best. There’s nothing else I can do.” She then said, “Ms. Garland, Faymon Group is such a large company. I can understand why they wouldn’t want to work with us, but if we want to ask for help, we need to pay the price. I’ve compiled a list since there are so many other decent brand strategy companies out there. Should I send you a copy?”

Rayna went silent for a moment before waving a hand. “There’s no need. I’ll have that sorted out. You can get back to work.”

When Rayna got back to the office, she set about taking care of important business.

It was only around noon that she called Jasmine.

“Hi, Rayna!” Jasmine answered the phone very quickly. With a smile, she asked, “I’ve seen the news. Are you working for Glory now?”

“Yes, I’ve been here for two days now,’ replied Rayna with a giggle. “Are you busy? Why don’t we meet up for a meal?”

“I’m not busy. Let’s meet at Red Bricks Restaurant!”

“Sure thing!”

Rayna immediately asked Ella to draw up a contract. After receiving it, she went to the garage and drove away.

The drive took a mere ten minutes since Red Bricks Restaurant was so close to the financial district.

After being led by the waiter to the second floor, Rayna soon spotted Jasmine, who was sitting by the window. She immediately strode over to greet the latter.

Jasmine also noticed Rayna. When the latter arrived, Jasmine gave her the once-over and pushed the menu toward her. “I’ve not seen you for a few months, and you seem to be glowing! Is the air abroad a lot kinder than it is here?”

“My, my. Are you implying that I’ve gained weight?” Rayna gave Jasmine a sideways glance and pulled the chair out before taking a seat.

“I swear on the heavens that I’m speaking the truth!”

“I’m not sure if the air is much better, but I can say that I’ve been eating very well.”

Rayna then engaged in small talk while she ordered food.

When she was done, Rayna pushed the menu aside and asked, “Has Jessie been in contact with you, lately?”

Jasmine shook her head. “No. I’ve tried calling her before but could never reach her.” Jasmine then picked up her glass and added, “My assistant went to Faymon Group to deliver something and I asked her to enquire about Jessica. She came back and told me that Jessica had apparently quit Faymon Group ages ago.”

“She’s pregnant. I think she’s going to focus on her pregnancy now.”

Jasmine paused mid-sip and looked at Rayna in shock. “Really? When did that happen?”

“It happened shortly after my stint in Yartran.” Rayna considered Jasmine a friend since they had known each other for a very long time. As such, Rayna decided to tell Jasmine about everything that happened this month.

Rayna was quite thirsty by the time she finished recounting the whole tale. She picked up her glass and took a few sips of water but noticed that Jasmine was still shocked. “Is it that hard to process what I just told you?” asked Rayna amusedly.

“You only left the country for a brief spell, yet so much has happened.” Jasmine breathed deeply. With the same shocked expression, she asked, “Curtis knew why you went abroad, right? Did he not seek you out?”

Rayna’s eyes were downcast as she replied, “We broke up.”

Rayna did not disclose the bit where Curtis went to Yartran to pick up Kristie. She also did not feel the need to do so.

Rayna then chose to change the subject. “Two days ago, when I went to Glory, I noticed Wyatt in his sports car. There was a woman sitting in the passenger seat, feeding him something to drink.”

“Were you mistaken, by any chance?” Jasmine stroked her chin thoughtfully and added, “I ran into Wyatt at a cocktail reception once, but he never brought a female companion along. I figured he was pretty loyal.”

Rayna laughed icily. “I’m not color blind. I still know what Jessie looks like.”

“He’s gone too far,” said Jasmine with a frown. “Jessie is pregnant! He should be discreet and show some restraint. If Jessie finds out, it will affect her pregnancy!”

“This is the problem,” said Rayna worriedly. “I can’t seem to reach Jessie, and Wyatt has me blocked. I don’t even know if Jessie is being taken care of by the Lopez family.”

“Let me try and call him.” Jasmine pulled out her phone and dialed Wyatt’s number.

Rayna waited quietly.

After a long while, Jasmine looked at Rayna. “I can’t reach him either. I think he has blocked me as well.”

“I feel uneasy about this. I want to pay a visit to the Lopez residence.” Rayna seemed to be more worried now.

She was concerned that if Wyatt discovered how Gerald died as a result of Jessica’s machinations, Wyatt was going to take revenge on Jessica.

“I’ll go with you,” said Jasmine. “I don’t have much to do this afternoon.”

When the food arrived, the pair chatted while eating.

Jasmine asked Rayna what she thought of Glory. Rayna then took the opportunity to tell her that Glory planned on releasing a new fragrance and that they had already entered bet-on agreements with other companies.

“I wanted to work with Faymon Group, but I never anticipated that they would blacklist Glory.” Rayna vehemently sliced through her steak, visibly annoyed at the situation. “If you don’t want to collaborate with us, fine. Why did they have to blacklist us?”

The more she spoke of this, the angrier and louder Rayna became. “Also, I wanted to buy some oranges from the orchard owned by Faymon Group since I’ve been craving them. His uncle owns the orchard, but he did not want to sell me any! He even blacklisted my assistant!”

Jasmine smiled and shifted in her seat. “Surely Curtis couldn’t be that petty. He’s refusing to sell you oranges? However, I rarely see you eating oranges in the first place. Why have you suddenly taken a liking to them?”

“I have no idea. I’ve been craving oranges since I got pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” Jasmine was stunned. She looked wide-eyed at Rayna and said, “I-I have not misheard anything, right?”

Rayna smiled and replied, “Yes. I’m already a few months along. Your son’s future wife is on the way!”

“Does the kid belong to Curtis?” asked Jasmine.

“Oh no, I got pregnant on my own!” snorted Rayna disdainfully. The mere thought of Curtis made her blood boil. “He’s being awfully affectionate at Faymon Group. I daresay he’s forgotten that I, his ex, still exist.”

“You’re talking about Stella from the Department of Regulators? She’s the new manager, right?” Jasmine mulled over this for a bit and said, “She’s quite fetching. I caught a glimpse of her when she appeared alongside Curtis in the news. However—”

Jasmine stopped short. She wanted to say that Curtis did not fancy women like Stella, or that it was a misunderstanding.

Rayna’s expression turned frosty as she immediately interrupted Jasmine. “We’ve already broken up, so I couldn’t care less who he showed up in the news with. Since I’m hot, single, and ready to mingle, I can find my child a better father!”

“Come now, you’re being very aggressive!” Jasmine did not know if she wanted to laugh or cry at Rayna’s outburst. “Why don’t you meet up with Curtis and talk things over?”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” said Rayna insistently. Giving Jasmine a warning look, Rayna then said, “Jasmine, think carefully about who you want to aid. One wrong move and you can kiss this unborn daughter-in-law of yours goodbye.”

Jasmine then mimed the action of zipping her lips shut and replied, “I’ll leave you to solve your troubles. I’m not going to interfere.”

Rayna then visibly relaxed. She reached into her purse and pulled out some documents for Jasmine, saying, “Apart from Faymon Group, Sanders Group is also good at brand structure. You won’t decline to work with Glory on the pretext of us being a small company, right?”

“Just send someone over to discuss it with me. There’s no need for a contract since we’re so familiar with each other,” said Jasmine with a wave of her hand.

“I won’t meet with Sanders Group without a signed contract.” Rayna insisted on giving Jasmine the contract. At the same time, she also pushed over a pen. “My daughter isn’t born yet. Now is not the time to be complacent.”

“Okay, I’ll do as you say.” Jasmine chose not to argue any further and promptly signed the contract.

Rayna then put away the contract and sighed. “Fortunately, I can rely on you and ask for help when I need it. My ex-boyfriend is a useless, unreliable turd.”

It’s okay to not want to work with me. But why do you have to be so petty and not sell me oranges?