Chapter 202 - JL International Anniversary Ball (5)

16 February, Star Dream Hotel, City K

Monica stood with Joseph, talking to Ben, David, Sarah and Jessica, while watching Abigail and her parents. She knew the moment her parents had spotted her, as the look of venom that came across her mother's face and the distain on her father's face. They still, seven years later had not forgiven her for her choices, because it prevented them from securing a cash flow for MoTang Enterprises. Her father could not understand that he did not have the skills to run the company.

Joseph saw the direction his wife was looking, and quietly said "Do you want to go and speak to them?"

"And given them the opportunity to hargan me on another occasions. Why would I?"

"To rub into their faces, your husband has been promoted to a colonel, when they always swore that I would be thrown out of the military in disgrace within three years."

"You love to stir them."

"For what they did to you, not understanding that I was your choice, I do. Plus, you know Matthew will have our back if they cause a scene."

"True."

Ben and David, seeing the look on Joseph's face, could not help themselves but to start laughing. They knew Joseph was about to stir up trouble. Jessica and Sarah, seeing the direction of Monica's vision, realised what was about to happen, and Jessica said, "Do you want backup?"

"Back-up? My parents are too focused on their image, and given the president is here, they will not dare cause a scene. Plus, you heard what Lexi did to my mother…"

Sarah laughed and said "Well given her attitude at the charity function, she absolutely deserved being taken down the way Lexi has. She must feel humiliated, and for that reason given Lexi announced to the world that effectively she is the hostess for the night, no matter what her mother-in-law might think, you might be right tonight, as she has strong backing."

Smiling, Monica turned and took Joseph's arm, and they walked over to where her parents were standing, along with a few friends and Abigail. As she came close, Monica could see her parents tense up. This was going to be fun. As they reached the small group, Monica said "Mother, Father, Abigail, a pleasure to see you again."

"Monica, good to see you," came a happy response from Abigail, who was quickly hushed by Madam Mo.

"Hmmp" came the response from Madam Mo.

"Mother, a pleasure always. Are you going to be rude and ignore us or will you at least speak to me?"

"Why would I speak to someone who went against what her parents wanted. We brought you up to do what you were told, and you went against what we told you that you should do."

"Back to that again, mother," added Joseph. "You always thought I was going to amount to nothing, and that Monica would regret her choice of me, over what you thought was best. And father, you always thought that I would end up dishonourably discharged, yet I have quickly risen to a colonel."

"Still does not mean that you are not trash. Trash does not change because some idiot promoted you…"

"Father, you want to ask the idiot that promoted me why, you have the opportunity? He is here, and he simply approved the recommendations of my superior that recommended the promotion."

"Who cares about that idiot."

Joseph and Monica looked at each other, before Joseph said "Fine Mother, Father. We were going to ask my superior Matthew Rong, to introduce you to President Dong, but I guess we do not have to do that now."

Monica leaned over and gave Abigail a quick kiss, before turning and saying to Joseph "Let us go and join people we are sitting with."

With that they headed back to Ben, David, Jessica and Sarah. Ben quickly responded, "That was short and sweet."

"You know they cannot help themselves. They decided to badmouth me again, and calling whoever approved my promotion an idiot, particularly when I offered to introduce, they to the person. You all say the jaws drop when I told them it was the president and that they could forget about being introduced to him."

"That would not have gone down too well."

Joseph looked over to his in-laws and said "Well, they react rather than think, and they missed out an opportunity."

Meanwhile, Matthew was standing quietly with General Man, talking to President Dong, planning for a meeting on Monday before he flew back to the capital. President Dong said "Matthew, honestly how is Phillip doing?"

"Mr President, you know my brother has always kept things to himself, but in speaking to Chester…"

"Have those two gotten engaged yet?"

"Apparently Chester asked him on Christmas Day."

"Walter would have been grateful for that."

"True Mr President. But Chester told me the other day, that the oncologist is going to provide a preliminary view as to where he is in this treatment cycle in the next few days. That is making him worried, but Chester says this time things seem to be going well." Matthew paused, and said, "Sir, there are three officers I would like to introduce you to before you head to sit with Phillip and Chester…"

"And avoid your parents. I know they hate me for what I have done, but if that means I lose a few friends so be it. I must look to what is right for the country. Now come on, introduce me to the people you want me to meet."

Matthew, escorted President Dong to where Joseph, Ben, David, Monica, Jessica and Sarah were talking, saying "President Dong, these gentlemen are Colonel's David Dang, Joseph Wang and Ben Pang," pointing each of them out as he said their names. "You approved their promotions just before Christmas based, in part on my recommendation. And these are Sarah Dang, Monica Wang and Jessica Pang," again pointing to each of them, "their wives. You may know Jessica's father Kevin Fung who was a former executive at Jax Corp."

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