Love at the 2025

Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

Chapter 2025

Emmanuel’s expression darkened immediately. That woman’s attitude was

completely unfit for an employee of Terence Group. Especially since the

branch was trying to establish itself in Zovince with a solid reputation–having

someone like her on the team would definitely tarnish that effort.

“Emmanuel, what’s going on here?” Julian, still fuming, could barely contain

his anger. If this woman didn’t get some form of punishment, he figured he

wouldn’t be able to sleep for days.

“You said your manager doesn’t look like me, so what does he look like?”

Emmanuel asked, his face stern as he stared her down.

“Oh, still going on with this?” The woman crossed her arms, her expression

just as irritated. “Do your research next time. Why should I tell you what our

manager looks like?”

“Isn’t it Gautier Verkade? Looks like this, right?” Emmanuel didn’t waste any more time arguing. He pulled out his phone and showed her a photo of

Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

Gautier.

The woman was momentarily taken aback before she sneered, “Ha, so you

know who he is and still decided to impersonate him? How stupid can you

be?”

“Who told you he’s the manager of this company?” Emmanuel asked directly.

“Does it even need to be said? Anyone applying for a job here would need to

know what the boss looks like,” the woman replied, still smirking.

“Is that so?” Emmanuel immediately pulled out his phone and called Gautier.

“Emmanuel, are you at the branch? Perfect, I was just heading back to the

office. I’ll be there soon!”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Emmanuel said, holding back further explanation until

Gautier arrived.

Julian, still heated, snapped at the woman, “You’re in deep trouble now! You don’t even know who your real boss is, and you’ve been shouting nonsense,

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Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

insulting people without knowing who you’re dealing with.”

The woman began to feel uneasy. If these three were frauds, why were they

so persistent? What was the point of trying to break into a new company? It

didn’t add up.

Just as suspicion began to creep in, a Porsche pulled up in front of the office.

Gautier stepped out of the car with his assistant beside him.

“Mr. Verkade?” The woman gasped in shock, her sense of foreboding

intensifying. That man had just made a phone call, and now her boss–or at

least she thought so–had shown up. If this was just a coincidence, it was far

too convenient.

“Mr. Verkade!” The security guards behind her greeted Gautier in unison, their

voices loud and clear.

“Emmanuel, I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were coming. Otherwise, I would have

waited at the office to greet you properly,” Gautier said, completely ignoring

the woman at the entrance.

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55%8

“That’s not the issue,” Emmanuel said coldly, his gaze fixed on Gautier. “The

problem is, they don’t even know who I am. Even when I told them my name,

it didn’t matter. How am I supposed to inspect the company like this? Or is it

that you never planned on letting me in?”

Despite his confidence, Gautier couldn’t help but feel a wave of pressure

from Emmanuel’s imposing presence as the Wolf Warrior. Without hesitation,

Gautier turned and slapped the woman hard across the face. “What are you,

blind? Don’t you recognize the real boss?”

“W–What? I–I…” The woman, stunned and now trembling with fear, quickly

bowed and stammered apologies to Emmanuel and the others. “I’m sorry, I

didn’t know…. Please, boss, forgive me!”

Julian finally felt some relief, the frustration that had been building inside him

slowly dissipating. Roselynn, while not feeling particularly sympathetic

towards the woman, still thought that perhaps she truly didn’t know who the

real boss was.

“Emmanuel, this was my oversight,” Gautier Verkade said smoothly,

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Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

recovering from the earlier tension. “The branch office is newly established,

and most of the staff were locally hired. It’s within reason that they aren’t

familiar with the Terence Group yet. Please don’t take it personally.”

5%

#

Emmanuel watched Gautier, fully aware that this man couldn’t be trusted but

finding it difficult to pin anything specific on him. He started to feel like

Mackenzie’s decision to use Gautier might be a double–edged sword. But

since Mackenzie had chosen this path, Emmanuel had no choice but to go

along with it.

With a calm tone, he replied, “There’s no need for that. This was just an

unfortunate incident. I’m only concerned that this employee’s behavior could

tarnish the company’s reputation. Other than that, you can carry on as you

see fit. Thanks for your efforts.”

Gautier immediately turned to the woman and said coldly, “You’re fired.

Leave the premises at once.”

“Wh–what? But—” The woman bit her lip but ultimately bowed her head and

left without another word.

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Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

Julian’s anger had finally subsided, and his frustration eosed,

Without sparing the woman another glance, Gautier smiled and said,

“Emmanuel, since you’re here, how about 1 give you a tour of the company?”

“Sure, but I only have an hour, so it’ll have to be a quick overview,” Emmanuel

replied with a nod.

“Understood. This way, please.” Gautier said, then glanced at Roselynn and Julian. “And please, Ms. Lowe and Mr. Summerton, do join us. By the way, may

I ask what brings you both here to see Emmanuel?”

Roselynn, realizing that Emmanuel had only an hour to spare, quickly

responded as they walked. “Manny, Julian and I are thinking of expanding into

Zovince. We also want to shift our focus.

“Oh? A shift?” Emmanuel didn’t shy away from discussing business in front of

Gautier. After all, Mackenzie had decided to use him for free labor, so if

Gautier wanted to know, he might as well let him.

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Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

#t

“Yes, we’ve been in touch with the hidden Summerton family and had a deep

conversation. Instead of barely hanging on in the military industry, we’ve

decided to pivot to something we’re more proficient in,” Roselynn explained.

“They’re no longer forcing or expecting anything from us. All they ask is that

we maintain a familial connection by visiting them yearly.”

“Really?” Emmanuel quirked a brow, intrigued.

Gautier showed no visible reaction, pretending as though he wasn’t paying

attention to the conversation.

“Mr. Verkade, my sister and I have some private matters to discuss. I’ll leave

the company in your capable hands for now,” Emmanuel suddenly said,

turning to Gautier.

“Of course. Feel free to contact me if you need anything,” Gautier replied

smoothly, excusing himself without any visible emotion.

Emmanuel led Roselynn and Julian into a private room inside the company. After glancing around and noting the security cameras, he continued, “So,

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Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

the hidden Summerton family is really letting go of their control over you?”

“It seems that way,” Roselynn nodded. “They’ve been monitoring outside news

and know how powerful you and Mackenzie are. They realized they couldn’t

control us anymore, so they’ve chosen to take the high road and let go,

hoping to maintain a good relationship.”

Julian added casually, “I met the head of the hidden Summerton family.

Maybe his ridiculous dream of being a king finally shattered, and now he’s

just given up and is going with the flow.

Emmanuel nodded, subtly signing with his fingers–one that only Roselynn

would recognize. It was a secret signal they’d used as children when they

wanted to communicate privately, even keeping it hidden from their mother.

No one else knew what it meant.

Roselynn picked up on the signal immediately and responded without

hesitation. “By the way, since the hidden Summerton family wants to

reestablish family ties, it’s possible that the Dragon Tome they gave us is real!

Chapter 2025 A Slap to Show Where He Stands

Manny, I could recite it for you, and you