As everyone continued to shout their protests, Professor Jenson gestured for silence. Once the hall was quiet again, he explained calmly, "I'm sure all of you know I retracted my invitation to President Shane Larson of Chance Pharmaceuticals due to his indecent behavior. And as you just saw for yourselves, I also threw out President Shannon Russo of Cathay Pharmaceuticals.
"From these two incidents, some of you probably would have guessed I value good character above all. The capability of a company will always come second to me."
Here, the professor paused and looked at Penny before continuing with a smile, "Mr. Cross is a dear friend who has always supported my research. As for Ms. Smith, I know what kind of a person she is and she's more than reliable. I trust and believe in both of them with all my heart, which was why I decided to hand the rights over to them. I hope all of you will understand."
Although a lot of the businessmen present were still unhappy with the professor's decision, they really had no other choice but to accept it.
While Penny was basking in the immense joy that came from obtaining the rights to the vaccine, someone else was stewing in their boiling rage.
And that person was none other than Shannon Russo.
Shannon had just finished having her injuries tended to. Although she was not too badly wounded, her cheeks were still hugely swollen. The normally beautiful and delicate features were gone, leaving a bloated pig of a face in its place.
She was currently shrieking like a madwoman, vilely cursing Nathan Cross, Penny Smith and Noah Jenson.
In a voice trembling with rage and hate, she ordered, "Cain, have the family send some men over. I want to kill that damned couple, Cross and Smith, as well as teach Jenson a lesson."
Cain was one of Shannon's loyal subordinates. As a man in his forties, he was as steady as they come. His tone was calm and soothing as he spoke up, "Ms. Shannon, please calm down. I believe there's no need to tell the family just yet."
Shannon screamed furiously, "My beautiful face was reduced to something resembling a f***ing pig, how can you tell me to calm down?!"
"Cross and Smith are vile people, yes, but they're soon to be dead. There's no point in you getting so worked up about them," Cain answered respectfully.
A look of confusion crossed the woman's face. "What do you mean?"
With a sly grin, he replied, "Ms. Shannon, have you forgotten the Zabinski family's call to arms? They're gathering all their followers in Channing to kill Cross and his family."
At his words, Shannon's eyes brightened. "I totally forgot about that! Supposedly, Kingston Zabinski's eldest son, Finley, is arriving in Channing tomorrow with all their men."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Salute To The General (Nathan Cross)