Never Judge

As Cedric and Adrianna entered the ballroom of Constellations Resort, they walked in slowly, taking time to greet everyone and make them feel welcome. Cedric knew that many were now doubting their positions since he had brought in foreign companies.

It wasn't a decision he wanted to make, but Lucius and whoever was in his corner forced him to make it. He may not depend on the public's opinion when it came to stock prices, but his companies still depended on people's patronage to make money.

"Mr. Reyes, thank you for finally considering our offer." A man, all dressed up in a fancy suit said as he shook Cedric's hand. Cedric knew that he was one of the local executives of an international car brand that had been trying to set a meeting with him or his father for years.

"Mr. Kennedy Fang." Ian whispered as he noticed that Cedric wasn't sure how to address the man in front of him.

"Mr. Fang." Cedric greeted with a smile. "As you know I've been trying to expand my small family business and I decided that the time was right to bring in some foreign partners." He emphasized the fact that it was his idea. He knew these big companies would think he finally gave in to his advisors.

"The timing is beautiful, Mr. Reys." Kennedy Fang said as he praised Cedric.

"I have my people keeping a close eye on the market, I hope I didn't spring this on you and your people too suddenly?" Cedric asked, even if he already knew the answer.

Katerina and Ayanna had helped him convince people that what he had done was a new tactic.

Cedric gave the other side limited time to fully process his offer, forcing them to choose the more beneficial option which was simply taking his offer. 

Katerina and Ayanna had done such a good job in convincing the international businessmen that it was now coined as the Reyes technique. Something you only did if you had nothing to lose and the other side could see the clear benefit.

"No, no. Your sister's and lawyer's timing was perfect." Kenneth Fang praised. "A partnership with the Reyes Group is something we have been working on for years, I had to take advantage of their offer."

"Then I am glad that you and your international bosses are happy with the deal we made." Cedric said with a nod. 

"Sir." Ian said, gesturing towards Cedric's own table.

"Well I have to go Mr. Fang. It was a pleasure speaking with you." Cedric said with a nod and a smile as he turned to walk towards his table.

"Thank you." Cedric told Ian when they were finally out of earshot. "I wouldn't have known what to say if he had gone on talking about the deal."

"I knew you needed help." Ian said with a laugh.

"Do we have any updates from the other side?" Cedric asked with a look of worry on his face. He was more concerned about Camilla rather than those traterious businessmen that had thought they could take on the Reyes Group.

"I'm sure she will call tonight." Ian told Cedric. "For now we need to focus." His assistant reminded him.

"You're right." Cedric said with a nod. "I have to do a welcome and closing speech right? That's it?"  He asked.

"Yep, then the night will be over." Ian said with a nod.

"It's been a tiring night. We all deserve some rest after this." Cedric said as a waiter came over with food for them.

"I hope the international representatives didn't harass you too much, brother." Ayanna said with a concerned look on her face.

"No." Cedric said, shaking his head. "Ian made sure to get me out of there before they could ask anymore questions. The most I could say was a hi and thank you for working with us. Whatever you and Katerina did, it was amazing." Cedric said as he praised the two women on the table with them.

"My sister is amazing." Alexi said with a grin as he looked at his sister. He had come tonight as her male companion since people couldn't find out about her relationship with Eric just yet.

"And thank you for coming, Alexi." Cedric said as he nodded at his friend. "You being here gives everyone the impression that we have uncle Jose's full support. Something that many businessmen need to see."

"The Sebastians will always be on your side Ced." Alexi told him with a laugh. "We are like family, and if Ayanna has a child with Ray then we really will be family." Alexi teased.

"Hey! Don't rush me." Ayanna said, rolling her eyes.

"Fine." Alexi said with a laugh as several waiters offered them drinks, which everyone except Adrianna gladly took.

"Be careful with Mr. Fang, he's a slippery one." Katerina warned. "He was somewhat ready for us to make a deal, I think that's how badly his bosses abroad wanted to work with the Reyes Group."

"Or he knew how to read the situation." Ayanna added in a grim tone.

"No one could have predicted Cedric would flinch, most of all those that know that we don't depend on public opinion for the value of Reyes Group shares." Ray told his wife. "Darling, please just relax tonight. The job is done."

"Alright, fine." Ayanna said, surrendering to her husband's request. "But brother, be careful."

"I have you guys, if I miss anything out I doubt it will get past you." Cedric said with a shrug.

Their table went silent as Cedric assessed Mr. Fang's behavior, Katerina and Ayanna were right, he may be one that he would need to watch out for. 

"Do you think Camilla and Benedict have been found out?" Adrianna suddenly asked with a frown as she played with her food

"I doubt it." Cedric said, shaking his head. "Benedict and Camilla are some of the smartest people we know. They wouldn't let themselves be exposed so easily."

"What if Lucius thinks they gave you the information?" Adrianna asked her husband as she tried to think like Lucius Ting.

"If they had given me the information I would have acted sooner, I would have done something to avoid this mess." Cedric said with a shrug. "Clearly I fell for whatever trap he had set and had to come up with something quickly."

As they finished their dinner, Ian signaled for one of the hosts to begin the program. Since it was a business centered event, Dave had chosen an employee from the Marketing Department to serve as host. 

As she welcomed everyone to the event, one of Ian's men approached him. 

Cedric recognized this man as one of Ian's bodyguards who also managed the spies Ian would deploy around people who were deemed a threat to the Reyes Group and their allies. 

He noticed as Ian frowned as the man whispered something to him. Ian's expression turned from a frown to one of worry as the conversation went on longer.

Eventually the man finished and left, bowing to Cedric as he returned to his post.

"What was that about?" Cedric asked Ian, who was clearly bothered by what the man had said to him.

"A woman was seen being dragged out of the bar Lucius, Camilla, and Benedict were in." Ian said with a frown as he relayed the news to Cedric.

"What?!" Cedric asked in a quiet but shocked tone as he tried not to shout. "You better tell me it's -" 

Cedric was cut mid sentence as the spotlight turned on him, signaling that he needed to get up on stage and give his welcoming speech.

He smiled and composed himself as he noticed all the eyes in the room were on him, he hoped that no one noticed his visible distress as the light flashed. 

"Mr. Reyes, would you grace us with some words?" The host asked with a flirtatious smile.

Cedric smiled back and nodded. As he moved to go up on stage he leaned towards his wife and placed a gentle but loving kiss on her cheek, sending a message to everyone in the room. 

They were in love, they were married, and no one could change that.

As Cedric got up he managed to slip in some words directed at Ian.

"Find out what you can while I'm up on stage. We need to know what happened." Cedric hissed as he walked up the stage. 

When he finally was standing behind the podium, Cedric adjusted the mic and looked around the room, making eye contact with as many guests as possible.

From the corner of his eye Cedric noticed Ian get up and walk out followed by Dave. He knew both men would get on the matter so he was a little bit relieved, he was still worried about Camilla but hoped it wasn't her.

"The Reyes Group has always strived to grow and outdo itself year after year, and this year, I had hoped that all of you would be part of it." Cedric said as he began his speech.

He proceeded to welcome everyone into the Reyes Group of companies, he admitted that they were a business but they always placed their people first. Cedric was an honest man and didn't want to trick their new partners into thinking that he worked based on relationships.

The Reyes Group was a business and Cedric always ran it as such. It wasn't heartless, but it was professional.

As Cedric gave his speech he would glance every so often at their table, waiting to see if Ian and Dave had returned. 

By the time he had ended, they were still missing, something Cedric found to be odd. Ian and Dave were very effective and so were their connections, it was odd that this matter was taking longer than he expected.

As Cedric walked down from the stage Ian and Dave returned to the ballroom. 

When Cedric made eye contact with Ian the man frowned, but shook his head. Something Cedric didn't understand completely.