The elevator doors opened, and the board of directors of Husky Group stepped out into the meeting room. Sophia was already there, initially sitting alone facing the representatives of Tobacco Djaya Corp. Now the board of directors sat beside her, discussing the cooperation proposed by that company to Husky Group.
"Miss Sophia, this is the report you requested," said a representative of Tobacco Djaya.
Sophia looked at the report, which showed an annual price increase that was advantageous. She handed it to the finance director. "Please analyze this," she requested.
While the finance director was examining the report, the Tobacco Djaya representative conveyed their vision and mission. "On behalf of the board of directors, we are very grateful that Husky Group was willing to visit our humble office," he said modestly.
Sophia smiled slightly. "No need to be so modest, this company is among the top ten in the city."
"I also hope... that Miss Sophia is willing to cooperate with Tobacco Djaya Corp, to carry out a major expansion abroad. For example, to Australia and New Zealand."
"Husky Group has no objection to granting this company port access. However... we always hold to the mandate of our predecessors, to be transparent with the government," Sophia continued, causing some of the Tobacco Djaya representatives to be slightly shaken.
"I don't want to recall how you bribed certain individuals to pass inspections in the past," Sophia pressed on. "It is your obligation to follow Husky Group's rules if you want this cooperation to proceed."
Sophia's words made the entire Tobacco Djaya board hesitant. They truly needed Husky's international port access. But... without inside help, they would never pass the inspections. In the end, the agreement was canceled. Husky Group always upholds the mandate of its predecessors, to be a clean and honest company, and to stand on its own feet.
Sophia and her staff left the Tobacco Djaya office with bright faces. The staff already knew that Sophia would cancel the cooperation, especially since it involved tobacco sales that violated the identity of Husky Group as a company that is clean in the public eye.
They returned in a procession to the Husky office, located in the city center. They open cooperation with anyone, but not everyone can cooperate with Husky Group. And their current business partners are the fortunate ones who can establish good friendships with them.
***
Sophia had just arrived at the Husky mansion, coinciding with dinner time. She walked in tiredly, only to find Aunt Eva and Aurel laughing softly at the table while whispering. Their act then ceased upon seeing her arrival, replaced by cynical smiles.
Sophia could almost guess what they were discussing, but now she just wanted to fill her stomach and energy after her exhausting business trip.
Not long after, Graham, Roy, and Jordi joined the dinner table, just as the food was served by the chef. So where was Peter? Why wasn't he joining? Sophia seemed to look for that figure among the row of chairs at the table; he really wasn't there.
"Dad, where's Peter? It's not like him not to join dinner," Sophia asked, curious.
"He's at the port, taking care of some final documents before the month's end," Graham explained, somewhat reassuring Sophia. "How was your business trip, my child?"
"I canceled the agreement with Tobacco Djaya Corp," Sophia said, surprising Roy and Eva.
"You canceled it?!" Roy glared, then quickly turned his head towards Graham. "Look at your daughter, she cancels work contracts with other companies as she pleases!"
Eva added fuel to the fire. "Right! Husky Group could be labeled arrogant because of this young CEO."
Sophia smiled wearily, looking at Roy first. "Uncle, do you know about Tobacco Djaya's past scandals? How many times have they been proven to have bribed officials to pass inspections?"
Roy couldn't answer, but Eva took his place. "Judging someone by their past is the same as not accepting who they are now!" she said.
"Aunt Eva, this isn't about an individual. This is a company, many people are involved. And are you sure they aren't doing it now? Have you forgotten Husky Group's principle of being clean and honest?"
At the end of the table, Graham nodded slightly. It was time for him to step in and calm the half-ignited table. "Alright, I think that's enough for now. Let us say grace before enjoying the meal we can still partake in tonight," he declared, and instantly the table fell silent at his gentle words.
After dinner finished, as usual, tea filled the table afterward. Sophia sipped her lemon tea; it tasted fresh and calmed her mind a little. Beside her, Aurel wore her cynical smile.
"What is it, Aurel," Sophia scolded without looking.
"Do you know, Kaelino now works at a bakery," Aurel said, her tone somewhat loud so that Graham and the others could hear.
Naturally, Roy, Jordi, and Graham immediately turned their heads, while Eva smirked from across the table.
Finally, Sophia understood what the two had been laughing about; it was about Kaelino. She put down her tea glass, as usual, she stood up for her beloved. "Yes, I know," she said, looking lazily at Aurel. "So what do you want?"
"I thought he didn't have the guts to tell you," Aurel leaned back, picking up her tea glass. "Turns out he really is a true man."
Roy chuckled softly, ready to light a cigarette. "A baker, huh? Was he fired from the police force for being lazy?"
Sophia didn't answer; she sipped her tea again, letting her family discuss her boyfriend.
Aunt Eva propped her chin on the table, looking at Sophia who seemed indifferent. "Come on, Sophia, there are plenty of people who would want you. What matters is... a bright future."
"That's right, why waste your future on Kaelino. He has no future," Jordi added.
Sophia immediately looked at him. "No future? Your marriage didn't even last two months."
"Hey! Don't you go too far! That has nothing to do with it!" Roy asserted, even rising from his chair. "The longer it goes, the more arrogant you get! And you like putting down your own family!"
"So? Is putting down others not going too far?" Sophia shot back.
"That person is beneath us! Even if he didn't exist in this world, the world would still be just fine!" Roy shouted, Sophia stared at him sharply with a snort.
Graham sighed and stood up from his chair, intending to calm the heated situation. He picked up his tea glass and glasses. "Roy, don't smoke inside the house," he said, then left the table.
After Graham left, Roy smiled cynically; he wasn't finished. "See, even your father is ashamed of your choice! Unimaginable, the city's largest company falling into the hands of a greenhorn like you."
Sophia looked at her family one by one; no, it didn't feel like family to her. She stood up and raised her tea glass. Her eyes still fixed on Roy. "I think Uncle has a point. But clearly, Peter and I are the ones who have taken this company international. What could you have done at our age?"
"Outrageous!" Roy wanted to scold and punish Sophia's impertinence. But Eva immediately stopped him.
"Enough for today. We hardly even look like a family," Eva stated, glancing at Sophia as if it were her fault. "You've grown into an insolent child, Sophia," she said regretfully.
Sophia didn't care; she left the dinner table. After Graham and Sophia left, the waves seemed to recede. The four of them looked at each other; in their view, Sophia had indeed crossed the line. Meanwhile, Aurel, who had started it all, just giggled softly while sipping her tea, as if enjoying the quarrel.
In the vineyard behind the house, Sophia found her father sitting alone with a bottle of his homemade wine. Sophia stood beside him, still holding a glass of tea.
"What do you think about Kaelino?" Sophia asked suddenly.
Graham didn't turn around; his eyes focused on the wine glass in his hand. "Think about what?"
"He's no longer in the police force. He's become an ordinary citizen."
"Father doesn't know what to say, my child." Graham finally looked at his daughter's face, which was slightly flushed after the big battle at the dinner table. "He's your choice, and he's always refused all my help."
Sophia was silent, looking at her father. Graham added, "Alright, if his condition is like that. Are you sure about your own choice? Will you be happy?"
"Yes, we are happy. And we always will be," Sophia said confidently. "He always sees me as Sophia, not as Husky."
Graham turned his face away; he refilled his wine glass. "Sit here, Father knows you are very pressured by this family."
Without hesitation, Sophia sat beside her father; she placed her glass of tea next to her father's wine bottle. Slowly, Sophia tilted her head, leaning on Graham's shoulder. Gently, Graham stroked her hair.
That night felt quite heavy for both of them. As the head of the family, he always remained neutral towards anyone in the house, including his own daughter. Every time Roy, Eva, and Jordi attacked Sophia, he could do nothing but leave the situation. It felt very cruel, and didn't feel like a father to Sophia. But Graham knew, Sophia didn't need to be saved; she was far stronger than they imagined.