Meanwhile, Daniel had an impromptu meeting with Mr. Pierce regarding their project. They decided to meet at the state house, where he bumped into Mr. Muller, another elite in the city.
"Good day there, Mr. Clay," Mr. Muller called
"Ah, Mr. Muller," Daniel quipped
"Nah, please call me John." He smiled
Daniel smiled and nodded. "You have business here today."
"Yes, my daughter is back from the States, so I brought her to introduce her to a few of my business associates."
"Ah, I see," Daniel responded with a smile.
Not long, an average height, petite lady walked out with a fine-looking young man.
"Dad, we're done," Tessa called
"Yes, Dad." Mike turned to Daniel, "Ah, Daniel, fancy seeing you here."
Daniel smiled. 'It's been a while, Mike. Your dad was just telling me he brought your sister over to meet a couple of friends." He smiled and turned to Tess, acknowledging her. "It's nice to meet you. How are you finding Q city?" Daniel asked
"It's not like the States, I've been reminded of our cultural heritage. It's nice to be back." She smiled and added. "My dad is showing me around. I'll be working with my brother in the Muller's group. Mr. Clay, please take care of me in the future." She slightly bowed with a smile, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Daniel smiled and nodded.
He looked at his watch, then apologized.
"I'm sorry, I have business to attend to. I'll take my leave now." He said
"Mr. Clay," Tessa called, causing Daniel to pause and have a look at her.
"My dad is hosting my return home. I would love to have you around."
"That is nice. My wife and I would be there." He turned and walked away.
Mike's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Tessa.
"What was that all about?"
"What was what, brother?" She asked innocently
"You were giving him the looks," Mike said matter-of-factly
"You can't blame a girl for trying. He is so handsome."
Mr. Muller laughed as the trio walked towards the car park.
"He's married, Tessa." Her brother quipped.
"So what, nothing stops him, and nothing can stop me if I want him either." She retorted angrily.
"Have you met his wife?" her brother asked. 'I'm sorry, sister, and this is not to say you are not beautiful, but no man in his right mind will leave such beauty. She is a goddess, and I don't see why he needs to leave her for someone else."
Tessa sneered. "If she is a goddess like you so claim, why does he go after every other woman out there? She's not all that."
"He's fucking Daniel Clay. He can do whatever he likes. Anyways, stay away from him."
"Maybe you should mind your business." She retorted.
"I'm just say – " Tessa angrily cut him off and held her dad's arm.
"Dad," she drawled. "Mike is bullying me. I don't like him anymore."
"Come on, dear. He patted her head, trying to pacify her.
"I like Daniel, Dad. You said you would give me anything I wanted for coming back."
"Yes, sweetheart. But I don't know how to give you a taken man." He replied, seeing the absurdity of her request.
"Dad, you spoil her," Mike added. "I have somewhere to be, so ride with Dad." He walked off to his parked BMW and got in, then drove off, leaving Tessa with a frowny face.
"Dad, you see what Mike just did?" she frowned.
Mr. Muller laughed off his daughter's complaint, and he signaled to the driver to get the car started.
They both got in the back seat.
"Dad," Tessa called him out, not done with her conversation.
"Hmm," John Muller was occupied with his phone. He had just gotten a message that Daniel had been given a non-exclusive right to the railway project they had their eyes on.
This was a huge feat. He had been let down when he tried to get his way into the inner circle for the project, but he had not met the criteria at first glance.
As a businessman that he was, his mind was working on ways to partner with Daniel on the project. He looked at the window while he devised a way to bring the topic to Daniel, hoping he would come to the party his family was throwing.
John finally decided to get an exclusive card with a bottle of expensive wine to be delivered to Daniel's residence.
He immediately called his assistant with instructions.
Tessa was excited; she thought her father was making the calls for her, so she excitedly continued.
"Thanks, Dad, I had not thought of sending an invite formally. You're the best."
James frowned. "I have other things in mind."
"Like what?"
"For starters, I just got information that Daniel Clay has been awarded this contract non-exclusively. Although I believe he would definitely be given the contract exclusively in the long run. This is a perfect opportunity to have a merger with him, and your party would be the best place to bring this up." He said excitedly.
Tessa looked at her dad and rolled her eyes. "Which is perfect. What would we be offering, just a business partnership?" She paused for effect. "I believe other elite families have gotten wind of this news and would be thinking of ways to get to him, too, but if you offer him my 35% shares and other holdings to him via a marriage alliance-" she looked at her dad as the realization sank in for him, and they both smiled.
"Think about it, Dad. Besides, it kills two birds with one stone. One, I get married into a very influential family, and not just any family, but one of the most influential families, and the Muller name becomes no ordinary name by virtue of your son-in-law. The company's shares would go up through this merger."
"It's a win-win," John responded, nodding.
"Yes, Dad. So, what do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea. Let me run that with your mother." He replied, placing his phone in his pocket.
"I'll speak with mum. She would love this."
"And his wife?" John asked quizzically
"Leave her to me, Dad. She will have no choice but to leave Daniel."