“Who was that? What department is she from?”
“Never seen her before. Must be one of the new interns.”
At the CEO’s office, a knock echoed against the door, followed by a cool, composed voice from inside.
“Come in.”
The woman with the coffee mug stepped inside.
“Miss Holland, here’s your coffee.”
Corrine, hearing the familiar voice, looked up. Her eyes widened in surprise as recognition dawned.
“Natasha?”
Her face lit up with the unmistakable joy of seeing an old friend.
Corrine’s mind briefly wandered back. After their scholastic assessment test years ago, Natasha Dixon had left to study abroad with the Ford family’s support. Though…
They had occasionally stayed in touch, but Corrine had resigned herself to the idea that Natasha wouldn’t return. And yet, here she was, back where they had started.
“Miss Holland, long time no see,” Natasha said, her eyes glimmering with a smile at their reunion. She quickly collected herself.
“Not all the board members are present. Should the meeting proceed as planned?”
Corrine considered for a moment.
“Prepare for the meeting. We’ll start in ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later, Corrine strode into the conference room, Natasha following closely behind.
The spacious room was sparsely occupied; besides the department executives, only a handful of board members were present. As she entered, everyone rose in unison, greeting her with respectful formality
“Good morning, Miss Holland.”
Corrine offered a brief nod, her tone calm but authoritative.
“Since everyone is here, let’s get started.”
The meeting began, and it didn’t take long for tensions to surface. Some of the board members seemed determined to test Corrine, some even using the opportunity to subtly challenge her authority.
But Corrine wasn’t easily rattled. With razor-sharp insight, she not only identified several long-standing issues within the company but also proposed practical solutions to address them. Her poise and decisiveness silenced even her harshest critics, gradually earning the room’s respect.
By the end of the meeting, it was clear that Corrine wasn’t just a figurehead; she had the skills and determination to lead.
As the discussions wound down, the head of the planning department approached, handing over a document for review. Meanwhile, Natasha displayed information about the proposed spokesperson on the screen. The moment the PowerPoint presentation appeared, Leah’s smiling face lit up the screen.
The head of the department rose to provide an analysis of Leah’s profile.
“Leah has maintained an impeccable reputation. From her time abroad to her recent endeavors back home, her popularity has continued to soar. Considering that our new hotel’s target audience skews younger, she’s an ideal choice for the campaign. What’s more, rumor has it she’s about to get engaged to the CEO of Ashton Group.”
With a distant gaze, Corrine observed the screen, her eyes hinting at a fleeting coldness. She only partly listened to the department head, her ears picking up on his mention of Leah’s impending engagement to the Ashton Group’s CEO.
These two seemed eager to forge ahead, didn’t they?
Despite expecting a heart-wrenching pain at such news, Corrine was surprised to find the pain less sharp than anticipated. It wasn’t because she had moved on quickly; rather, it was because of Nate’s overwhelming influence since his sudden arrival in her life. Nate’s commanding aura had eclipsed all else, sparing her from sinking into sorrow.
Once the department head finished, Corrine faced him with poised assurance, her tone firm.
“We require a spokesperson who embodies our brand, not merely a celebrity with fleeting popularity. Please have the departments reassess the candidates.”
It was clear she did not consider Leah a fit for endorsing their hotel.
“Of course, Miss Holland,” the department head replied, slumping back into his chair, looking completely deflated.
A moment later, a project manager stood up slowly, choosing his words with care.
“Miss Holland, I have a proposal for acquiring land in the city’s old southern district.” That particular district…
As she mulled over this, Corrine absently played with a pen, focusing on the project manager’s detailed briefing.
“Who are our main competitors for this?”
“From what I’ve gathered, the most formidable contenders are Brighton Group and Ashton Group.”
With its rapid advancement, Ashton Group had gained the attention of many venerable firms, a development Corrine found unsurprising given its status as a competitive threat.
Brighton Group, though deeply rooted in Lyhaton’s history, remained mysterious, with its leader cloaked in secrecy. Unlike the Ford family’s obvious influence, Brighton Group operated more like a behind-the-scenes force, subtly shaping Lyhaton’s major changes.
“When will the bidding event take place?” Corrine asked, setting her pen aside and adopting a grave expression.
“Next Tuesday,” the manager replied promptly.
“This project is crucial for us. We have to secure it.”
“Yes, Miss Holland!”
As Corrine left the meeting room, the onlookers couldn’t help but speculate about her apparent disdain for both Ashton Group and Leah, though the reasons behind it remained a mystery.
Meanwhile, Bruce, who had just learned of Ford Group’s bid for the southern district land, tightened his grip on his lighter, his eyes narrowing as he turned to his assistant.
“Did you say Ford Group is entering the bid?”
“That’s correct,” his assistant said.
“I’ve just been informed. The new head of Ford Group is Carl Ford’s granddaughter, freshly back from her studies abroad.”
Bruce’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
“The sheltered heiress thinks she’s ready for the real world, does she?”
“How shall we proceed with our bid next Tuesday?” the assistant asked, treading lightly.
Bruce slowly lowered his gaze and said firmly, “We must win!”
Acquiring the southern district land would significantly strengthen Ashton Group’s future. He was determined to capitalize on this opportunity.
At that moment, his phone buzzed.
Leah was on the line, distressed.
“Bruce, Ford Group has scrapped my endorsement deal!”
“What’s happening?” Bruce’s brow furrowed with concern.
On the other end of the line, Leah’s voice trembled with sadness.
“I don’t know. The new CEO of Ford Group thinks I don’t fit the image anymore. Everything was set. We were supposed to sign the contract this afternoon, and now I have nothing.”
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.