Chapter 728 Think Too Highly Of Yourself

Even though Nathaniel did his best to put a stop to Sebastian’s and Melanie’s scandal, the Lesley family still caught wind of it.

Sebastian couldn’t catch up to Victoria on the day the news broke.

The Lesley family had sent someone to pick her up. Since then, Sebastian lost all contact with her.

Nathaniel’s and Preston’s business talks didn’t go smoothly. Although Nathaniel planned to offer forty percent of the profit to Preston, the latter still didn’t take the offer and even mocked Nathaniel’s terms and conditions.

Nathaniel knew Preston was taking his anger out on him on Victoria’s behalf. He saw through Preston’s intention to make Sebastian break up with Victoria by intentionally ruining the collaboration between the two companies.

Naturally, Nathaniel wouldn’t let himself be put in a disadvantageous position. However, since Preston didn’t want to collaborate with him, he had no intention of forcing the former.

He immediately had his secretary withdraw the collaboration proposal and contract and told Preston forthrightly, “If you think the Lesley Group collaboration with Hadley Corporation is humiliating for the Lesley family, then the partnership between the two companies will end from this day forward, Mr. Lesley. I’ll send someone to follow up on the details regarding compensation.

Since I have other tasks to see to, I’ll be taking my leave. Sebastian, please help me see Mr. Lesley off. I think he wants to talk to you privately too.”

Preston rose to his feet with a dark look. Without another word, he turned to leave the room, with Sebastian following closely behind.

“Bring a few assistants with you and follow them. Don’t let them get into an altercation.” Nathaniel glanced at the assistant beside him.

“Yes, sir.” The assistant whirled around and left.

Preston’s stride halted in front of the elevator. Swinging his cold gaze to Sebastian, he said, “I’ll drop the matter about your indecisiveness and be honest with you. Victoria will be leaving the country in a few days. That marks the end of your relationship, so don’t contact her again. She’s worth better.”

Sebastian’s expression turned grave, but his eyes were filled with conviction. “Mr. Lesley, this is between Victoria and me, so I hope other people don’t interfere with our relationship. I’ll tell you directly that I won’t break up with Victoria, and she won’t look for another man.”

Preston laughed from the overwhelming anger coursing through him. He grasped Sebastian’s collar and raised his fist.

Noticing the assistants standing a distance away were keeping their eyes on him and Sebastian, he suppressed his raging impulse, lowered his fist, and shoved Sebastian away since he didn’t want to cause an -uproar on Nathaniel’s turf.

“Your sweet talk was how you got Victoria to be with you in the first place. It blinded her, but now that she sees you for who you really are, she knows to cut her losses.” Preston looked personable, but the words out of his mouth were vicious. “She’s the one who decided to go abroad. No one forced her.”

Sebastian felt a sharp blade stabbed into his heart at the news. The shooting pain radiated throughout his limbs and bones.

“Impossible! Victoria would never do such a thing!” His voice quivered.

Satisfaction flooded Preston at Sebastian’s losing his composure. “Victoria hates being betrayed and lied to the most. Her partner’s loyalty is important to her. Yet, you did everything she was sensitive about. How can you be such a thick face and expect her to stay by your side? Sebastian, you’re Nathaniel’s confidant. Others might respect you for that, but the Lesley family hasn’t succumbed to that level where we pave our prospects by walking on eggshells around you. You think too highly of yourself.”

Submerged in a feeling of loss, Sebastian couldn’t register anything Preston told him after.

A voice in his mind beseeched him to search for Victoria and stop her from leaving.

“You’re on your own!” With that, Preston turned on his heels and stepped into the elevator.

Suddenly, Sebastian lunged at him, grabbed his collar, and dragged him into the elevator.

The assistants standing not far away wanted to stop them but were too late, for the elevator doors had slid shut.

“Hurry! Let’s take the other elevator down! Someone inform security on level one to stand by. They must not let Mr. Taggart and Mr. Lesley fight,” the assistant urgently ordered his subordinates.

Within the elevator, Sebastian had pinned Preston in a corner. “Where is Victoria? Where is she right now?”

Preston’s expression was glacial as he uttered coldly, “Release me, Sebastian!”

How dare a mere assistant treat me like this? I won’t be able to show my face to the public if news about this spreads.

Victoria was the only thing on Sebastian’s mind at that point. Not only did he not release Preston as requested, but he also shifted his grip from the latter’s collar to his throat.

The stifling tension blanketed the air within the narrow space. Preston sensed the hostility radiating from Sebastian.

Having experienced many situations, he wasn’t intimidated by Sebastian’s threatening actions and words.

“If you hurt me, Victoria will never forgive you. Even if you kill me today, you still won’t get a chance to meet her.”

The elevator dinged, indicating their arrival on the first floor. When the doors slid open, the crowd outside the elevator was stunned by the scene in front of them.

Preston and Sebastian were exchanging punches.

The security guards arrived late but quickly got to work and dispersed the crowd.

“Mr. Lesley, Mr. Taggart, let’s talk with our mouths and not fists. We’re at the office. If words about your brawl spread, it won’t look good for any of us,” the head of security advised.

Sebastian realized his loss of control and quickly reined back his temper. He took a few steps back at the same time he unhanded Preston.

Preston smoothened the wrinkles in his attire with a scowl. “You’ve misunderstood. Mr. Taggart and I were just sparring a little. I wasn’t a match for him since he had me pinned down. I apologize for the scene.”

Despite his explanation, everyone knew what actually happened but said nothing.

“I won’t be as merciful the next time we meet, Mr. Taggart.” Preston stepped out of the elevator and stormed out of the building.

Sebastian sucked in a deep breath.

He didn’t return to his office. Instead, he went to the balcony alone and started calling Victoria relentlessly.

Unsurprisingly, all his calls went to voicemail. Her phone was turned off.

Does she really intend to leave me?

His heart clenched at the painful thought. His hand holding the phone shook fervently.

At his wit’s end, he called Christina and pleaded, “Mrs. Hadley, I can’t reach Victoria. Can you help me?”

When she received Sebastian’s call, Christina was on her way to the mansion Melanie was confined at.

Panic washed over her at the news of Victoria leaving the country.

Firstly, she was worried that Sebastian and Victoria would break up for real, with no hope of ever getting back together.

Secondly, the reopening of her fashion studio was also one of her concerns. Her studio had already advertised the chief designer début event in which Victoria would appear.

Out of the blue, she was informed about Victoria’s departure. Wouldn’t that just set her studio up for public ridicule?

Since her studio had a few disputes with several celebrities, many netizens were waiting for a chance to mock her.

Even though she didn’t want to get involved between Sebastian and Victoria, she had no choice but to meddle in their mess.

“I’ll go and talk to Victoria. In the meantime, I hope you prepare yourself to face the obstacles heading your way.”