Chapter 8 Asco Group

• For the next few days, I ran around like a headless chicken. As a medical student, I lacked business acumen and had no experience in negotiating business deals. I hadn't a clue where to start. I first visited Graham to seek his advice. After gaining some insight, I researched the information about the real estate group.
• As the largest real estate conglomerate in Monreso, Asco Group was in an entirely different league from Winter Medical Group. In fact, it even had an overwhelming presence.
• The piece of land controlled by Asco Group wasn't included in the company's future plans, so it was scheduled for auction. At first, I thought that with Winter Medical Group's resources, winning the auction for the land shouldn't be difficult. However, Winter Medical Group was completely disqualified from bidding because Ian had once offended Timothy Holland, Asco Group's chairman.
• After some inquiries, I learned that Timothy was considered a rising star in the business world. He was young and enterprising, a determined man who wouldn't allow anyone or anything to influence him. He was unmoved by money or beautiful women; instead, he dedicated his heart and soul to his career, to the point that he remained single even when he was old enough to get married.
• No wonder Ian Winter couldn't handle this. But then again, if he couldn't handle this, how could I? At the thought of this, I found myself facing a difficult situation. I couldn't help but blame Jude for this. Seriously, Jude, I told you not to confront that guy, but you wouldn't listen! And now, look at the mess we got into. Not only is your reputation at stake, but you even got me dragged into this!
• I let out an inward sigh. Thinking back, I recalled that Jude was the one who had arranged for me to further my studies abroad. I owed him such a big favor, and this was the only way I could repay it. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it.
• I arrived at Asco Group headquarters as a representative of Winter Medical Group.
• The receptionist at the front desk was a dashing young man who was very polite. "Greetings, miss. How may I help you?" he said, greeting me warmly.
• "I'm from Winter Medical Group and would like to meet with Mr. Holland."
• The receptionist was quite hospitable at first, but his expression turned cold as soon as he heard that I was from Winter Medical Group. Still, for the sake of professional courtesy and maintaining the company's image, he didn't give me a hard time. "Sorry, miss, but Mr. Holland has instructed that we do not entertain anyone from Winter Medical Group."
• Uh… I was at a loss for words. I didn't expect the receptionist to be so straightforward. I thought about leaving, but on second thought, if I were to do so, the whole land deal would fall through. "Hey, handsome. The thing is, I'm not really from Winter Medical Group," I quickly whispered to the receptionist, trying to gloss it over.
• To my dismay, the receptionist didn't buy it at all. "You don't have to do this, miss. Someone else has tried this before. Please go back!"
• He remained polite, and if I were to insist on going in, it would only make me appear importunate. I didn't want to embarrass myself like that in front of people coming and going. "Sorry to have bothered you," I apologized. So what if I'm well-prepared? I got stopped at the front desk right away without even getting a chance. I left the company's lobby in frustration.
• As I strolled down the street, I couldn't help but curse Ian aloud. "You scoundrel, now you know how bad it is to offend someone, don't you? Why did you have to offend Timothy Holland, of all people? And now what? You've run out of options, so you let me make a fool of myself! You're such an *sshole! Serves you right for being arrogant and looking down your nose at everyone…" I swung my purse repeatedly at a tree by the roadside to vent my frustration.
• However, I failed to notice someone passing by and ended up hitting him by mistake.
• "Mm…" The man let out a muffled grunt of pain. By the time I realized what had happened, he was already hunching over in pain, his face flushed with agony written all over it.
• I promptly apologized, "Sorry! I'm so sorry, sir. Did I hurt you? Sorry that I didn't notice you passing by. Are you alright?" Seeing him struggling to stand up straight, I felt extremely guilty. It was apparent that he was in considerable pain.
• "It's… It's okay…" He merely gave me a wave without looking up. His voice didn't sound like he was okay, though.
• "Sir, I'm a doctor. May I check where you got hurt?"
• Hearing that I wanted to check his injury, the man became rather agitated. Despite having to hunch his back, he insisted on keeping his distance from me. "N-No, it's not necessary. I'll be fine after resting for a bit… You may go now…"
• I was surprised; he actually didn't hold me responsible for the accident and even urged me to leave. I quietly moved aside, squatting on the roadside while watching him in silence. I was afraid that something might happen to him, as I didn't want to get entangled in any further complications. Unless I was certain that he was completely fine, I couldn't leave with peace of mind.
• It wasn't until several minutes later that he slowly straightened his back at last. His face was red, and small beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
• "Sir, are you okay?"
• He was startled the moment I spoke. "Why are you still here? I told you that I wouldn't hold you responsible. Why are you still sticking around?"
• I was taken aback. It was my first time coming across such a situation. I was the one who caused the accident, and yet the victim didn't hold me responsible and even wished for me to leave. "I was worried that something might happen to you, so I didn't dare to leave. Please forgive me, sir!" In any case, the accident was my fault. Taking responsibility was the most basic quality of being a decent person, no?
• "Never mind, just be more careful next time. If it were someone else, you wouldn't have gotten away so easily."
• "Yes, yes, I'll definitely be more careful next time, I promise…" I nodded vigorously.
• He darted a glance at me, but instead of lingering, he turned around and left right away.
• I noticed that he was heading toward the main entrance to the Asco Group building. Could he be an employee there? I wondered to myself. All of a sudden, an idea struck me—maybe I could plead with him to take me inside. It might not work, but it was at least worth a try. After all, I had no other options at the moment. Hence, I immediately caught up with the man. "Sir! Sir, please wait a moment!"
• When he heard me calling him, the man paused and looked back, asking, "Is there anything else?"
• It wasn't until then that I finally got a good look at his face; I hadn't dared to meet his gaze just now because I was in the wrong. He was handsome and upbeat, his looks resembling those of a male celebrity. The heroic charm oozing from his features made me unable to resist taking another look at him.
• "Uh, sir, are you an employee of the Asco Group?" Asking this bluntly might come off as impolite, but I couldn't worry about it now. I brazened it out and stood there.
• The man glanced at me again. He replied thoughtfully, "Sort of. What's the matter?"
• "That's great! Sir, can you do me a favor? I'll buy you dinner afterward."
• He didn't refuse. "What is it?"
• Seeing an opportunity, I hurriedly said, "Sir, here's what happened. I'm here on behalf of a friend to discuss something with Mr. Holland, but I didn't make an appointment, so the receptionist wouldn't let me in." I made up a random excuse; I couldn't possibly reveal that I was representing Winter Medical Group. If he held the same bias against Winter Medical Group as the receptionist had, my lifeline would be cut off. "So, I was hoping that you could help me and see if you could take me in. Of course, I promise I won't tell Mr. Holland that it was you who brought me in." I raised my hand to my ear, making a gesture as if swearing to God.
• He put his hands in his pockets, looked down at me, and then smiled. "Well, it's not a big deal. I'm interested in our dinner, though. I'll decide on the place."
• "Uh… Oh, okay, sure! The place is up to you, of course," I replied, still surprised that he actually agreed so readily. And besides, the cost of this was merely a meal.
• "Just follow me and walk straight ahead without talking."
• "Okay, I got it. I won't cause you any trouble."
• And so, I obediently followed behind him.