Chapter 40

In the meeting room.

Aurora Walton’s proposal moved away from conventional, repetitive spa retreat designs. Instead, she blended the lush, tropical ambiance of Caribbean resorts with the sleek elegance of Scandinavian minimalism.

Each section of the wellness resort featured a unique theme—“Celestial Springs,” “Woodland Retreat,” and “Botanical Haven”—creating a diverse and immersive experience for guests. She introduced interactive elements, such as hot springs, yoga, and water parks, making the resort more engaging for visitors.

The SPA partnership plan was equally refreshing. No longer limited to domestic brands, her proposal included collaborations with renowned international wellness brands, elevating the resort’s luxury and appeal.

For dining, she went beyond traditional health-focused options to cater to different tastes, incorporating local specialty dishes, ensuring a wider variety of cuisine.

The accommodation area was also upgraded with smart technology. Each room would be equipped with an intelligent control system that allowed guests to adjust lighting, temperature, and music to suit their preferences.

Aurora’s presentation was clear and compelling, her delivery seamless as she paired her words with visually stunning renderings. Every advantage of her proposal was showcased vividly.

The meeting room fell into an eerie silence. Everyone was captivated by her plan, their eyes filled with surprise and admiration.

The project manager adjusted his glasses, a flash of approval in his eyes. “Aurora, this proposal is incredibly creative and holds strong market competitiveness. You’ve thought through the details very thoroughly.”

Others in the team nodded in agreement.

One of the members curiously asked, “Aurora, how did you come up with these ideas?”

Aurora smiled modestly. “I conducted market research and studied successful international cases, then tailored the concepts to align with Vanguard Group’s business model.”

As the meeting wrapped up, the project manager made a special effort to approach her. His words came out awkwardly. “Aur–uh, I mean, Miss Walton… your proposal is really impressive. I have high hopes for you.”

Aurora responded politely, “Thank you, Ben. I’ll keep working hard.”

Meanwhile, in a rented apartment, Chuck crushed his cigarette butt into the ashtray, grinding it down with force. The fresh stubble on his chin pricked against his palm as he clenched his jaw.

Irritated, he ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, making it even more of a tangled mess.

The events of the morning replayed in his mind like a relentless film reel: Aurora’s cold, piercing gaze; the swift, decisive over-the-shoulder throw; the mocking stares from his colleagues as they watched him make a fool of himself. Each scene was like a needle stabbing into his already bruised ego.

Chuck, once a senior employee at Walton Corporation, had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.

“No way. I can’t let this go!”

He sprang to his feet, pacing back and forth in the cramped, dimly lit apartment, muttering curses under his breath.

“That little brat dares to humiliate me like this? I’ll…”

His angry rant was abruptly cut off by the sharp ringing of his phone.

The caller ID read: “Mr. Joseph.”

His heart clenched instantly.

His first instinct was to decline the call.

Sweat dampened his palms, and his grip on the phone trembled slightly. Joseph’s money wasn’t so easy to earn. He had been leaking Walton Corporation’s internal information to Joseph, yet now he had been unceremoniously kicked out of the company.

Swallowing hard, he hesitated for a few seconds before finally answering.

“Hello… Mr. Joseph…” Chuck’s voice wavered.

On the other end, Joseph’s tone was sharp and impatient.

“Chuck, what the hell is going on? I heard you got fired from Walton?”

Sweat trickled down Chuck’s forehead. His voice stuttered. “Sir, I… I…”

“What do you mean I? Didn’t you say you had influence in Walton? Now look at you!”

Joseph’s anger flared. “Did I waste my money on a useless idiot?”

Chuck’s legs nearly gave out beneath him.

Desperate, he scrambled to explain. “Mr. Joseph, please let me explain–this is all because of that bitch Aurora…” He twisted the story, making himself sound like the victim while painting Aurora as a vicious and calculating woman.

“Aurora?” Joseph’s tone turned cold with suspicion. “I thought you already got rid of her. How could she possibly bring you down?”

“You don’t understand, Mr. Joseph! That girl is… weird!”

Chuck continued weaving his tale, adding more fabrications with every sentence. “I don’t know what tricks she used, but somehow she…”

“Useless! Pathetic!”

Joseph’s furious roar burst through the phone speaker, sending a sharp ringing through Chuck’s ears.

His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably from fear.