Chapter 5 - Our Alliance.

Edmund was curious about how his girlfriend, Jasmine, had learned about Sally. He needed to check on the loyalty of the people around him.

"Edmund, we need to talk, now," Jasmine said coldly. " I cannot take this. We really need to talk."

"Sally, you can go back to your office," Edmund instructed.

Sally stood up and left the office.

Jasmine ran her hand through her blonde hair. "I can't believe it, Edmund. Why are you protecting her? Why do you believe her words, and not mine? You have to give me a logical explanation."

"I do not know what you are talking about. She is an employee, and I simply allowed her to defend herself," Edmund replied.

"Why would you allow a new employee, who should be mingling with her peers, to have a lavish office opposite yours? Explain that, Edmund!" Jasmine stood, nearly yelling.

"Chill, Jasmine. You are getting emotional," he said, also rising to his feet. "Try to be logical about this. Believe me, you are imagining things." A brief pause, "Jasmine, who in this company is giving you all this insider information? How did you get to know about my new staff?"

"That is not important. Besides, there is a vibrant grape vine in your company. Answer my question right now!" Jasmine yelled.

"You want to know? Fine. I never wanted to employ Sally. I never wanted to give her that office. But my grandmother intervened and put her there," Edmund blurted as he rose to his feet. "I still do not know why grandma Elizabeth likes her. I am curious."

"Grandma Elizabeth? Why would she do such a thing?" Jasmine asked, bewildered. "Are you playing a prank or something? Edmund, be serious. Your grandma is incapable of doing this."

"Ask her," Edmund answered. " And please, tell me about it when she responds. I also want to know."

***

Jasmine walked into her parents' lavish mansion, tears brimming in her eyes. Her mother sat on the couch, and Jasmine rushed to her, both of them blondes. She hugged her mother tightly, unable to hold back her emotions.

"What is wrong, dear? You do not look so good," her mother, Helena, said gently. " Crying does not suit you, honey. Tell it all to mommy. Mommy will take care of everything. Stop crying my child."

"Mother, Edmund has his eyes on another woman. Can you believe it? And guess what? His grandmother, Elizabeth, seems to be supporting it," Jasmine cried.

"Now, dear, wipe your eyes. I will get to the bottom of this. Mommy will definitely help you fix this. You believe Mommy, right?" Helena encouraged.

Jasmine nodded and wiped her tears, following her mother's advice.

***

Two days later, Elizabeth sat in a restaurant, waiting. Helena strolled in, looking elegant.

"You invite me for lunch, and then you arrive late. Do you have no respect for your elders?" Elizabeth remarked.

Helena pretended not to hear her. She took her seat and sighed. "Traffic was hectic. So, how have you been, Elizabeth?"

"Look at me, Helena. I look much younger than my age. I am always beautiful," Elizabeth replied stiffly, clearly eager to end the meeting.

"You still look... youthful, I must agree. Let me get straight to the point, Elizabeth. While you may feel that your skin glows like a beauty queen, my daughter is suffering. She feels terrible after learning what you have done against her interests," Helena said firmly.

Elizabeth offered a half-smile. "If only you would explain further; I would like to know where this misunderstanding comes from."

"When my daughter discovered that your grandson Edmund had begun flirting with an employee in his company and had put her in a lavish office far beyond her position, she became suspicious. She decided to investigate, and before her eyes, she witnessed Edmund favoring this girl. She confronted him and demanded an explanation. Your beloved grandson claimed that you were the one who employed the lady and that you placed her in that prestigious office. This is heartbreaking. Can you please explain what is happening? I believe our families have an agreement: for our continuous prosperity, our heirs are to be married. This marriage will not only increase our prosperity but will also come with many rewards and benefits. If you value our alliance, I advise you to tread cautiously and not try to play any funny games."

Elizabeth took a sip of her fruit juice before responding. "Jasmine, oh Jasmine, how did your dear daughter get information about what happened inside my company? Do you have a mole supplying you with my family's business information? I have long suspected this. I believe I will conduct a proper investigation and remove every disloyal mole. Then you will have no way of obtaining such information, which will lessen the troubles between our families. Do you not think so?"

Helena was taken aback, not expecting such a question.

Elizabeth laughed. "Before I take action, I think carefully. I take into account all costs. You cannot just walk in here and threaten me like you own the world. I am Elizabeth Baxter. I have navigated many storms and overcome numerous challenges. You are too young to threaten me. Always remember who I am."

Helena was visibly shaken but tried to maintain her composure. "Our families have an agreement. You must honor that."

"And what if I choose not to?" Elizabeth challenged.

"Prepare to lose all the benefits you could ever gain from the Rogers family. You know how privileged and connected we are. If we ever sought another partner, over a hundred would line up at our doorstep seeking collaboration," Helena retorted, raising her chin defiantly.

Elizabeth began to laugh, leaving Helena confused.

"What are you laughing about?" Helena asked.

She responded, "How can you be so sure that the person I have placed near Edmund cannot offer me more than you and your family can?"

"What do you mean?" Helena asked, intrigued. " How can a mere employee be better than my daughter?"