For her unborn child’s sake, Sadie knew she had to act fast to secure the funds needed for a safe delivery and a fresh start.
Leaving Wall Group was a move she had to make.
The painful memories and the shadows of a fractured family that clung to this city were too much to bear.
There was no way in hell Noah would ever accept the existence of her child!
In the chaos of her mind, a sudden idea struck Sadie like lightning.
The Maple Group’s collaboration project-this could be her lifeline!
That project was highly profitable, and the planning department had been unable to secure it. If she could secure this project, it could mean not just a significant bonus, but also a chance to break away from Wall Group and rebuild her career in design.
A resolute spark ignited in Sadie’s eyes as she flung open her laptop, plunging into the depths of research about the Maple Group. The bluish hue from the screen bathed her face, casting her determined features in sharp relief.
“Got it!” she exclaimed triumphantly, her voice slicing through the silence as she snapped the laptop shut. The light flickered across her sharp, intent gaze, a testament to her sudden insight.
The morning whirled by as Sadie pieced together bits of intel on Roy Dominguez, the enigmatic CEO of Maple Group.
Her breakthrough came just before noon: Roy was slated for an afternoon of golf, aiming to unwind at a local club.
With no time to spare, Sadie threw essentials into her bag and darted out, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Her arrival at the golf course was perfectly timed, just minutes before two.
She exhaled a deep breath of relief and surveyed the upscale surroundings, yet Roy was nowhere to be seen.
Just as she stepped forward, a skeptical voice halted her. “Miss, do you have a reservation?”
The staff member’s eyes swept over Sadie’s casual attire-a plain white T-shirt and jeans-looking completely out of place amid the venue’s usual glamour.
Sadie drew in a deep, steadying breath, steeling herself against any sign of vulnerability.
“I am Mr. Noah Wall’s secretary from Wall Group,” she declared, her voice a calm blend of composure and firm conviction. “He has sent me to discuss a potential collaboration with Mr. Dominguez from Maple Group.”
The staff member’s expression shifted dramatically, the initial wariness melting away to be replaced by respectful acknowledgment.
“Oh, you’re with Mr. Wall. I apologize for missing that.” With newfound courteousness, the staff member beamed and gestured ahead. “Right this way, please.”
Releasing a hushed sigh of relief, Sadie followed, her heart lightening with each step.
The golf course sprawled before her, a landscape tinged with familiarity-she had traversed these greens before alongside Noah, lending her a comforting sense of deja vu.
Choosing a secluded bench, she settled down, extracting a meticulously prepared business proposal from her bag. She scanned the surroundings with practiced ease, her anticipation building quietly. Roy showed up soon after, accompanied by just a secretary. His arrival confirmed the intelligence she had gathered.
With no clients in sight, Roy appeared to be here purely for a leisurely day on the course, making her job a breeze.
Sadie drew a deep breath, steeling herself as she made her way toward Roy, who was leisurely sipping his coffee.
She offered him a measured smile, the kind meticulously practiced for professionalism.
“Hello, Mr. Dominguez. I’m Sadie Hudson, Mr. Wall’s secretary.” She introduced herself with a calm, dignified air.
Roy glanced up, his eyes momentarily lighting up with an unspoken appreciation for Sadie, before he swiftly masked it with a neutral expression.
After all, Sadie was no stranger; she had been a constant, though subtle, fixture by Noah’s side for the past two years, her presence as elegant and unobtrusive as a finely crafted piece of decor.
With a nonchalant smile, Roy responded, “Ah, Miss Hudson, what a pleasant surprise. Is Mr. Wall accompanying you today?” His eyes flicked around the place, feigning casual interest in the area, but secretly searching for Noah.
Maintaining her composed facade, Sadie was ready with her response. She extended the business proposal-a document she had refined tirelessly-to him. Her voice was firm, perfectly balanced between respect and assertion.
“Mr. Dominguez, I’m here to present this business proposal on Mr. Wall’s behalf. He values our prior cooperation highly. He mentioned concerns about the planning department’s flaws in details, prompting him to send me personally to ensure you receive this,” she explained, her gaze steady.
Roy gave the business plan a brief glance, his expression unreadable, before setting it aside without opening it. His smile was thin, almost forced, as he responded, “Miss Hudson, I came here today to unwind, not to get tangled up in business talks.”
His gaze lifted, sharp and assessing, as he subtly dismissed her efforts. “And please tell Mr. Wall that it’s best to leave bygones as bygones. There’s no point in lingering on it.”
Sadie’s heart skipped a beat, but she wasn’t ready to back down. Drawing in a steady breath to calm her rising nerves, she proactively dove into Maple Group’s current dynamics.
“Mr. Dominguez, our partnership for this quarter is nearing its conclusion, and Maple Group is actively exploring alliances that align better with your vision,” she stated, maintaining a poised, professional demeanor. Her eyes, however, flickered with a hint of desperation. “Given Wall Group’s solid infrastructure, it’s ideally suited to bolster Maple Group’s ambitious expansion strategies.”
She paused for effect, her tone earnest. “Mr. Dominguez, I urge you to consider our proposal. I’m confident it could shift your perspective.”
Sadie knew this moment was pivotal-not just for her, but for Wall Group as well.
The line between success and failure was perilously thin.
Sadie articulated her thoughts with such precision and conviction that Roy, previously dismissive, now appeared markedly taken aback.
His slender fingers drummed a steady, rhythmic beat on the tabletop, each tap echoing in sync with Sadie’s own pulsing heart.
Roy finally opened the business proposal and skimmed through its contents. While the proposal was generally in line with his expectations, it was much more detailed and presented numerous insightful recommendations that would undoubtedly benefit Maple Group.
With each page he turned, his eyebrows drew together tighter, signaling his escalating skepticism.
This proposal showcased an intricate understanding of Maple Group’s operations and astutely forecasted potential partnerships, a level of insight not typically expected of an average secretary.
“Well, about this proposal…” Roy began, hesitating as he closed the document. His sharp eyes locked onto Sadie’s. “Did you put this together by yourself?”
Remaining outwardly composed, Sadie felt her heart pounding fiercely beneath her chest.
She clenched her delicate fingers so tightly that a thin layer of sweat dampened her palms.
Originally, she had devised this proposal to lighten Noah’s burden.
With the invaluable insights she had gathered from him about the Maple Group, she managed to assemble a detailed and strategic plan. Yet, she had never dared to present it to Noah, held back by the fear that he might view her initiative as presumptuous.
Now, lured by the promising bonus tied to the project, she felt compelled to dive headfirst into the challenge.
Roy mulled over the situation briefly, his fingers drumming a thoughtful rhythm on the polished tabletop before he addressed her with a measured calmness. “Please, take a seat, Miss Hudson. Did Mr. Wall himself put this proposal together?”
The slight arch of his eyebrow betrayed his surprise, offering Sadie a moment of relief as she felt a burden lift from her shoulders. She sensed the odds were finally tilting in her favor this time, yet, given the circumstances, she was well aware that the biggest share of credit had to be Noah’s.
It was absurd to think a mere secretary could stand for the entirety of the Wall Group.
With a restrained smile, Sadie nodded in acknowledgment. “Mr. Dominguez, your discernment is commendable. Yes, Mr. Wall did this personally. Unfortunately, he’s not feeling well today, so he sent me in his place. I trust everything is to your satisfaction?”
Her voice maintained its composure, but beneath the surface, a subtle bitterness simmered.
For Noah’s sake, she had set aside her own ambitions, satisfied with lifting him up from behind the scenes. Yet, when all was said and done, she remained unnamed, her contributions silently acknowledged but never celebrated.
Roy gave a small nod, gently returning the proposal to the table, his expression betraying a hint of admiration as he regarded Sadie.
“Miss Hudson, with someone as capable as you by Mr. Wall’s side, things must run a lot smoother. I’m inclined to take a closer look at this project. Could you walk me through it in more detail?”
The knot of anxiety in Sadie’s stomach loosened at Roy’s encouraging tone.
She flashed him a composed, confident smile and replied smoothly, “Absolutely, Mr. Dominguez. Let me delve into the specifics of our proposal.”
Her voice was soft but clear, her words meticulously chosen as she unfolded the intricacies of the proposal, sprinkling her explanation with insightful observations that seemed to resonate with Roy, who nodded appreciatively at her points.
As Sadie reveled in her growing sense of accomplishment, she remained blissfully unaware of two familiar figures gradually closing the distance behind her.
“Noah.” Kyla’s voice floated in the air, tinged with excitement. “I heard there’s a new restaurant over at Elmsgate. Shall we try it tonight?” She clung affectionately to Noah’s arm, her tone playful and inviting. Noah’s response, however, was absent. His gaze was intensely fixed on the graceful figure a short distance away.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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