Chapter 106 Reversed Roles
Curtis stared blankly as Chloe walked side by side with Brian, surrounded by higher–ups of Quall Group. The scene seemed to sting his eyes.
Just then, Chloe glanced in his direction, and their eyes met for a fleeting second.
His chest tightened with sudden, inexplicable tension, but her gaze slid away from him almost immediately, as though he were no more than an irrelevant stranger.
A wave of disappointment washed over Curtis. Chloe, who’d once looked at him with admiration, now seemed completely indifferent to his presence.
After the group passed by, someone finally approached and greeted them. “Sonya, Mr. Green, you’re here.”
It was Westin Quall. He was around Sonya’s age and worked in the PR department under Willow.
“Yes. I didn’t expect Brian and Chloe to be here too,” Sonya said, forcing a smile.
“Steele Group and Quall Group are working together on the island development project, so it’s no surprise that Mr. Steele is here. Still, I didn’t expect him to bring Chloe here too,” Westin explained, his eyes filled with envy as he looked at Chloe walking into the elevator.
“Who would’ve thought Mr. Steele would fall for a divorcee? She’s really lucky…”
He trailed off as he suddenly remembered that Curtis was Chloe’s ex–husband. He awkwardly rubbed his nose and managed a laugh. “Anyway, let’s head up.”
“Sure,” Sonya said, though her smile had gone stiff.
It gnawed at her that Chloe looked like she’d won even though she’d been dumped by Curtis, while Sonya and Curtis stood here like the defeated.
Still, Sonya was reassured by the thought that a man like Brian wouldn’t stay interested in Chloe for too
long.
Westin stopped them at the conference room’s doors and said, “Please wait here for now. The CEO and vice president are in talks with Mr. Steele regarding partnership matters. I’ll let you know when it’s your
turn to enter.”
“We have to wait?” Sonya seemed surprised.
“Of course,” Westin replied. His tone carried a hint of disdain as he glanced at Curtis.
He’d heard that the proposal Curtis had submitted at the investment conference for the island development project had been written by Chloe just before she resigned and that the patent was hers too.
He wondered how a man like Curtis had managed to build a company that had gone public in just three years. Was it just pure luck?
Chapter 106 Reversed Roles
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Curtis‘ face flushed as he shifted uncomfortably upon noticing Westin’s attitude and expression.
Since his rise to success, he’d been met with praise and respect everywhere, and even major corporations treated him with courtesy. No one had ever had him wait outside a conference room.
It felt like he’d returned to his early days when he was still poor and unknown, clutching papers and humbly waiting for an opportunity. As the thought crossed his mind, his fingers tightened around the file
in his hand.
He’d worked for days to reorganize everything. With Sonya’s help, he was sure he could secure the project.
After what felt like an eternity, Westin finally said, “You may enter now.”
Curtis got up and entered the conference room with Sonya. Besides Quall Group’s higher–ups, Chloe and Brian were present as well.
Just as Curtis and Sonya were about to take their seats, Brian suddenly said, “I believe this meeting is for relevant personnel only. Ms. Miller doesn’t seem to be involved in the island development project.”
Sonya froze before she replied, “My mother is from the Quall family, so I can also be considered a Quall.” “In that case, what’s your role in the island development project?” Brian asked.
When she faltered, an employee stepped forward. “Please leave, Ms. Miller.”
Sonya’s face paled with frustration. “What about Chloe? Is she involved in the project? If she isn’t, she should leave too!”
“Exactly! If Sonya has to go, so should Chloe! Chloe doesn’t hold a position in Quall Group, so it’s inappropriate for her to remain in this conference room,” Willow chimed in.
Immediately, all eyes in the room fell on Chloe.
Leonard cleared his throat and said, “Maybe step out for now, Chloe.”
Chloe frowned. She was at the meeting as Brian’s bodyguard, so she couldn’t leave.
A smug look flashed in Sonya’s eyes. If she couldn’t stay, she would make sure Chloe couldn’t either.
Just as the employee moved to escort Chloe out, Brian suddenly announced, “Whether Steele Group continues its partnership with Quall Group will be decided by Chloe. If she leaves, there’s no need to continue discussions.”
“What?” The room erupted in shock. He must be joking to leave the final say in such an important partnership with Chloe!
Even Chloe was surprised, but Brian looked dead serious and didn’t seem to be joking at all.
At least, it was Wade, the current CEO of Quall Group, who broke the silence. “Please step out, Sonya. The meeting will continue.”
Chapter 106 Reversed Roles
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Humiliated, Sonya had no choice but to leave under everyone’s gaze.
“You may begin, Mr. Green,” Wade said.
Curtis nervously adjusted his files. In the past, he’d been the one seated at the head of the table at meetings, while Chloe sat in a lower position.
Now, the roles were reversed. She sat in the superior seat, and he was the one pleading for an opportunity.
After taking a deep breath, he braced himself to present his prepared materials and fight for the project. Though he’d rehearsed countless times, he couldn’t help but stumble over the materials he’d repeatedly
studied.
“In summary, if we collaborate, Green Tech will bring in experts to upgrade the anti–interference system for the patent. Besides, we’re willing to offer an extra five percent profit share beyond the original terms.”
The offer caught the attention of several higher–ups from Quall Group. A five percent increase in profit share was significant for such large–scale projects
Though Green Tech had performed poorly in the government review, the island development project- albeit a government–led initiative–was being executed by Quall Group and Steele Group. So if Quall Group wanted to hand over the drone portion of the project to Green Tech, they could.
Willow was the first to speak up. “I think it’s acceptable. Green Tech has shown its sincerity.”
“I agree,” Leonard added.
Soon, others from Quall Group seconded the motion before Wade turned to Brian and asked, “What do you think, Mr. Steele?”
Both companies were involved in the island development project. Although Quall Group seemed to be leading it, everyone knew perfectly well that it was all because of Steele Group’s backing.
Without Steele Group, Quall Group could never have taken on a project of this scale.
Instead of responding, Brian turned to Chloe. “What do you think?”
“I don’t support handing the drone portion of the project to Green Tech,” Chloe bluntly declared. Curtis‘ head snapped in her direction as he stared at her in shock.
Chapter 107 Chloe Loses Her Cool
