Chapter 765 I Object
Teddy had just left the company when he received a call. He picked it up, and a moment later, he said, “Sure. We’ll meet up at a coffee shop near your company. I’ll be there.”
Upon hanging up, he said to his team, “You guys go back without me. I’m seeing a friend.” Everyone nodded and left.
Once they were gone, Teddy drove to the coffee shop. He parked the car and got out of it. When he turned around, he was greeted by a majestic building. It was none other than Clinton Corporations.
He went into the coffee shop and found his friend in the corner. “Isabella.” Isabella got up and smiled. “You’re quick. I thought I had to wait for an hour at least.”
“Punctuality is basic etiquette,” Teddy said. Isabella chuckled. “As witty as ever, Teddy.”
“Only to the ladies. I don’t think I can crack jokes with anyone else.” “I think I would have fallen for a gentleman like you. Pity I love someone else.”
“No. You wouldn’t have fallen for me even if you didn’t love someone else. We’re too smart for that.” Isabella was still smiling, but her eyes were devoid of delight.
She called the waiter over and made her order. After Teddy made his order, she asked, “What do you think of the company Oscar recommended?”
“Not bad. I’m going to work with them. Oscar’s wife is a talented woman. I could see that when we first met, but she lacked the oomph, so I thought I would give her a push and see how far she could go. As expected, she made something spectacular. The more you push someone, the more they’ll push back. She’s the embodiment of that. I’ll have to thank Oscar properly for introducing someone so talented. And to think I complained because the company was a no-name organization. Didn’t expect to find a gem among them.” Teddy kept praising.
Isabella clenched her fists and teeth. If she clenched them any harder, her teeth would shatter. She didn’t ask Teddy out to hear him blabber. Any praise for Amelia was only going to annoy her. She wanted to scream.
“You’re exaggerating, aren’t you? There’s no way she’s that talented.” She forced a smile.
“No. She’s one of the most talented women I’ve ever met. I’d love it if she would study abroad. I’d tutor her myself.” Teddy was starting to look excited. It wasn’t every day a talented designer would pop up. It’d be a shame if he lost this chance to tutor her.
Isabella felt her envy erupt. She put on a fake smile and said, “It’s not every day you praise someone, Teddy.”
“I mean, talented designers aren’t exactly a dime a dozen.” And then he remembered something nice. His eyes shone as if he was a cat looking through the night. “You’re working for Oscar, aren’t you? Why don’t you ask him if I can borrow his wife for a couple of years? She’s really talented. It’d be a waste to not put that talent to good use.”
Isabella averted her gaze. Teddy, if he actually listens to me, I would have made him marry me a long time ago. But no. He doesn’t listen to me.
“I don’t think I can convince him, Teddy.”
Teddy looked at her. Realization struck him. “Right. He’s an opinionated man. You’re just his employee. I don’t think you can convince him to let his wife study abroad.”
Isabella’s face fell. Her mood soured. What’s so good about Amelia? Why does every guy she runs into praise her as if she’s a goddess?
“You seem to think fondly of her, Teddy.”
“She’s gorgeous and talented. Shouldn’t I think fondly of her?”
The answer only made her more envious, and her mood soured even more. In the end, they parted with Isabella thinking that the meeting ended on a bad note.
Teddy went into the company with her. Isabella was mad, but she held it down. “Shouldn’t you start negotiating with Amelia and get the contract ready?”
“Ah, someone else can do it. I’ll talk to Oscar. If he’ll let me tutor his wife for a bit, I promise she’ll come back shining even brighter. I think Ms. Winters requires a better stage to showcase her talents.” The man’s eyes were practically shining like stars.
Isabella looked at him as if he was an idiot. It’ll be a miracle if Oscar doesn’t kick him out of the office when he brings that up.
However, she wasn’t planning on telling him that. He had praised Amelia right in front of her, and she hated that. She was a petty woman and was more than happy to see Teddy get yelled at. “Godspeed, Teddy.”
“Thank you. I think he’ll be grateful that I’m extending my generosity to his family.”
Perhaps so. But I’d rather see you get beaten up.
Isabella arrived at her destination. “I have to get back to work. Let’s meet again sometime.”
Teddy nodded.
He came to the top floor and went straight to the secretary’s office. Linda was there, so he asked if Oscar was in.
“Hello, Mr. Rice. He just went to the restroom. Will you give him a minute? He doesn’t like people going into his office unannounced,” Linda said politely.
Teddy shrugged and waited patiently.
Oscar came back eventually. He wasn’t surprised to see Teddy there.
“You’re finally back. I bring good news, Oscar. But let’s talk in your office,” Teddy said happily.
Oscar nodded.
They went into his office, and Teddy gushed, “Oscar, your wife is a talented designer. I suggest that she studies abroad. I can be her tutor. Give me a couple of years, and I can turn her into one of the most famous designers in Erihal.”
Oscar narrowed his eyes. He was looking at Teddy coldly.
Teddy was oblivious to that. He kept saying, “And you can bank on that promise. I’ll make her shine even more under my tutelage. I—”
“No. She’s already brilliant enough. I don’t need her to make a name for herself in Erihal,” Oscar interrupted him.
“That’s selfish, Oscar. You haven’t seen how magical her designs are. She’s talented. Someone like her shouldn’t stay in a small company forever. It’s a waste of talent.”
“I can always give her something better if she wishes to.”
“But I’m a trusted figure in the design industry in Erihal. You recommended her company so I can recognize her talent, didn’t you? And now I’m giving her a chance to study abroad. I’m going to tutor her myself too, so why not? That’s selfish of you!” Teddy started raising his voice. He was getting agitated.
Oscar was starting to look really solemn as well. “Teddy, you crossed the line.”
Teddy snapped out of it and pretended to cough. “Sorry, I just didn’t want to let a talent go to waste. She’s really gifted. Are you sure you don’t want to give her this chance?”
“Teddy, if she wants to, I can make her the top designer in the world. You know I can, don’t you?”
Oh, yeah. Teddy felt defeated. The Clintons had enough power to assign a top designer to tutor Amelia. Studying abroad was even easier. He just felt a little frustrated that a talented designer like her would not be tutored by him.
He was sure he could make a star out of Amelia if she just agreed to it.
“Teddy, if you have nothing else to say, you may leave now,” Oscar said.
Teddy didn’t want to give up just like that. “Can’t we talk this out, Oscar? I think we can. I like talented people. I promise she’ll shine.”
“No. You may leave now.”
Teddy left looking all dejected. He came down to where Isabella was and headed straight to her office. “My lovely Isabella, you have to help me. Please convince Oscar to let me tutor his wife for a couple of years.”
Isabella looked at him. God, he’s obsessed. “I mean, if you really want to, there’s always a way.”
“Tell me!”
“Have her fall in love with you, and she’ll leave Oscar.”
Teddy rolled his eyes. “Is that a joke? I can’t steal Oscar’s wife away from him.”
“You can’t, or you won’t? She’s beautiful, Teddy. Aren’t you the least bit interested?” Isabella asked.
“Nonsense! She’s like a friend’s daughter to me. I may be a foreigner, but I did study in Chanaea for a bit. I’m as traditional as you guys are. I don’t steal anyone’s wives. I can’t believe you’re that kind of woman,” he said angrily.
Isabella shrugged. “That’s the best idea I can come up with.”
Teddy stared straight at her.
Isabella was feeling creeped out after a while, and she fidgeted. “What do you want, Teddy? Why are you staring at me?”
“That… was a good conspiracy, Isabella. And I thought I could rely on you. You’re nothing more than a snake. And to think I thought of you as my friend.” Teddy left the office right away.
Isabella was bemused. Why did he call me a snake? What happened? What the heck was he thinking?
