บท 24: The Good Doctor

"If the Diamond Prince and my son are insisting on it, then it could be true. Isn't it Young Master Dee?" Zhanglou asked, looking calm and poised, for which, unknown to everyone, he was making a trap against the Lagdameo heir to take the blame.

Darryl remained phlegmatic without any hint of anxiousness in him. He knew what Director Montreal was trying to do. These things were not new to him. In the world of where they stood, business will always be business and every family must hedge their own. He cannot blame Director Montreal for his actions. In fact he wanted to thank the man for giving him an opportunity.

Collet's fingers dug deeper in Darryl's arms. The Chans were relying on him to clear the heap. He could even see his father, looking at him, giving him a fair warning not to do an unforgivable social gaffe.

The question was, can the beast be swayed?

"It's true, I am exclusively dating someone. However, I believe the discussion of my private matters is inappropriate for today's occasion" He responded politely but the tone of his voice stroked as a businessman trying to brush off some unnecessary conversations.

Everyone was appalled at the beast's response. Even the Diamond Prince who showed less concern earlier turned his head toward him, his eyebrows rose to a notch in disbelief. All the adults and elders slack-jawed on the beast's professionalism. Indeed, the rumors about him were true. Far so true.

"Well of course." Zhanglou replied in an instant, trying to back off a little. He had been in the business industry for decades now and the boy's show off today embarrassed him a little.

Irony was that he was not annoyed. He was rather challenged by the boy's demeanor and wanted to test him a little bit more.

"I apologize for the confusion, I honestly did think you and Miss Collet are romantically involved seeing you are here welcoming guests with the Chan household." Zhanglou added with a non-visible grin.

Collet's face turned ghastly pale. She did think she could have this moment to own Darryl. Yet he just publicly declared his affection for someone else. Her eyes were now welling up, yet she suppressed all the tears. She held her head high and feigned as if she didn't hear anything at all.

She is the CGC's heir. She must bear such a crown today and must not fail in her composure. Otherwise she will be everybody's laughing stock.

Darryl suddenly turned his head toward Collet who was trying so hard to force a smile on her face. Collet's actions gave him an assurance that she will not throw tantrums right at this moment. Thus, before opening his mouth to speak again, he gave everyone a diplomatic smile.

"Collet knows about my private affairs. She is after all my childhood friend. Also, being her friend for a long time, I believe people will not misunderstand me coming here to help welcome their guests. I am after all part of the Chan's household for I am like a brother to Miss Collet,"

Collet, not wanting to embarrass herself further continued her act. The beast and her pretended they have the platonic desired affection right then, nothing less and nothing more.

Everyone who witnessed how the Lagdameo handled the situation adored him even more. His ways of handling such a delicate topic was outstanding. Everyone thought he would deny such rumors but instead he owned it and cleared every confusion everyone had without shaming anyone further. True indeed that the Lagdameo heir plays his trump cards well.

With that, the Montreal's left the center aisle as soon as they finished exchanging vows with the Chans. After they left, the Montarini stepped in to give their respects. Standing in front now was Senior Hans Montarini and his only grandchild and heir, Huzey, the Diamond Prince.

"Senior Hans, it is good to see you doing well. We have heard of your health troubles." Martin who had enough of the little commotion earlier made his best to shift the conversation. The two adults exchanged handshakes after they bow to each other.

"The heavens are good to me, CEO Chan. Also, Dr. Miles' skills are incomparable" The old man responded full of beans and vigor.

"The famous Dr. Miles? We haven't heard from him for so long. After his wife died he seemed to have isolated himself. Such a shame, " Mrs. Chan who was standing beside Martin joined the conversation. Being in the upper echelon of the society for long, she has heard about the doctor's accomplishment even though she had not known him personally.

"Mrs. Chan, the word isolated is not the best adjective to describe it. Dr. Miles, as everyone knew him, is dedicated to helping people in the community, especially those who are in need. He is far too busy and dedicated to his work. Saving other people's lives is more important than social gatherings I believe." The Diamond Prince, who says only a few words in public, suddenly becomes conversational.

Everyone, although they were stunned by the boy's sudden change of behavior, understood his need to defend the doctor. Dr. Miles after all was doing his grandfather some favors of personally attending to his health when all other elites could not even contract him.

Everyone knows who Doctor Miles was. He was the founder of Feather Healthcare Corporation. He was a well-respected doctor in their country and a noteworthy elite philanthropist. Feather Healthcare Corporation profits alone were spent on funding so many independent charitable foundations and humanitarian works. Since most of his profits and earnings go to charity works, he was the least person the businessmen in this country would deal with. His obsessive dedication to charity works was far too much that every elite feared he could not maintain his status in the community as an elite. Nevertheless, he was still regarded as a very honorable man and has gained much respect not only with the elites but also from every social class in this country.

However, after his wife's demise, Dr. Miles seemed to have lost interest in the elite community and retreated to the south of this country. Now, only a few people in the elite class have maintained friendship with him.

"Doctor Miles is indeed a very good doctor. The Diamond Prince is even very fond of him" Martin pronounced, trying to end the conversation. His wife's tongue was as careless as ever. He had already instructed her to keep a low profile and to avoid formal conversations as much as possible. Yet again, she failed him.

An hour had passed until the last guest finally took the last curtsey. The crowd hauled in the CGC main hall where the banquet was served and where businessmen can finally have the chance to socialize. The beast who was unsure whether to believe Huzey earlier searched the crowd again. Since it was time for everybody to socialize, he had a chance now to search every corner of the hall,unlike earlier when he was confined to the center aisle.

However, there was no sign of her anywhere.

"Dee!" He heard Collet's call whilst searching and that was when he knew she had been following him.

"Collet not now, " He replied, exhausted by her constant appeal. The beast left the main hall ignoring the girl and headed out to the hallway. Since the curtseys were over and he was sure that his woman wasn't around, there was no more reason to stay.

"Dee! We have to talk right now!" She heard Collet scream at him when she realized he was avoiding her again. Good thing they were in the hallway right then and so no one noticed her sudden hostility with the Lagdameo heir.

"What is it this time?" He asked as he turned to her.

"Are you seriously rejecting the plans of marrying me? Our marriage can be very beneficial to L'Empire. Can't you see it? I can give CGC to your hands. This is what everybody hopes for" She started scowling at him as she was very frustrated by his social demeanor earlier.

"That however is not what I hoped for, " Darryl said flatly as he cut her off.

"Just because of that girl you are throwing everything that we have? And everything that your family can have? Have you not in your whole life wished to marry me?" She asked, sobbing her tears were now ruining her pretty face.

"I have not wished to marry you.Never before and not now. Most especially now that I have her., " He spilled the whole truth in front of his childhood best friend. It did break his heart to see how upset she was, but to make her hope for something he cannot give was the worst thing he could do than breaking her heart.

His words immediately silenced Collet and not wanting to say further words to make her more upset, he walked away from her again. Collet on the other hand sobbed as she watched him leave. How could all this be happening? How could he say that to her? He was not serious was he not?

Before she left this country, Darryl and her had a very good potential. They were always together and inseparable. She did think he had secret feelings for her and that she broke his heart when she went away. Now that she was back, she was hoping so much for everything that they had before. Hearing the fact that he had never once considered marrying her made her feel like he had never loved her at all. But he did love her right? Or was that all a lie?

The beast on the other hand left the memorial with deep thoughts.

Today, with all that happened, he must be more careful of his actions.

The war between him and his father had just begun.

He must win it in order to have her.

If he loses then he might not ever see her again.