Chapter 91
Not only did Linda refuse to apologize, but she even curled her lips into a mocking smile. Just thinking about the proposal in her USB drive filled her with excitement. She was about to take over this project and push Aurora out of the way—what was there to be worried about? Once she secured this deal, she could do whatever she wanted in the company. If she really won the project, she’d be hailed as a major contributor to Walton Corporation. So, what if she bumped into Aurora? Why should she bother apologizing?
Lucy was furious. “What kind of person does that? She ran into you and didn’t even say sorry? That’s just shameless! No way, I’m going to confront her! Linda is getting ruder by the day!” She angrily rolled up her sleeves, ready to storm over and give Linda a piece of her mind. But Aurora stopped her just in time, shaking her head slightly. “Don’t be impulsive, Lucy. She’s not worth it. Besides, we have a meeting to attend. Securing the Vanguard Group project is what really matters today.”
Lucy huffed but eventually nodded. “Alright, I get it.”
They made their way to their seats, settling in across from Linda, who looked smug as ever. Lucy muttered under her breath, “I have no idea why she’s acting so high and mighty, like some pathetic fool who finally got lucky.” Aurora gave her a light tap, signaling her to stop talking. This was the workplace, and Chuck’s people were everywhere. Who knew how many others were lurking in the shadows just like Linda? Lucy quickly shut her mouth, covering it with her hand to avoid saying anything else.
The project manager soon took over the meeting. When he reached the key discussion points, his voice grew more authoritative. “Alright, now if anyone has ideas for the Vanguard Group project, you can present your proposals.” He gestured toward the presentation area where the projector screen was set up.
Though he framed it as an open opportunity for everyone, his eyes were locked on Aurora as he spoke. The project manager knew very well that Aurora had always been exceptionally talented. The initial framework she submitted for the Vanguard Group project had already received a response much sooner than expected. Clearly, the other party was satisfied. After all, the person in charge of Vanguard Group was notoriously difficult to please. Yet, for the first time, he spoke in a pleasant, cooperative tone–a rare occurrence. So, when the project manager turned his gaze toward Aurora, he fully expected her to stand up and take the stage.
But she remained seated, completely still. His smile stiffened. Why wasn’t she stepping up? This was the perfect opportunity, and she was just sitting there, holding back? He locked eyes with her, blinking rapidly, signaling for her to get up and present. “Don’t waste time–just do it!” he screamed to her in his thoughts.
But to his utter shock, someone else stood up first. “Mr. Gardener, I’d like to give it a try.”
The project manager turned toward the voice, his eyes widening in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?” He barely had any impression of Linda. The few times he had noticed her, Chuck had always been involved. So why was she suddenly stepping forward with a proposal? As far as he knew, Linda was nothing more than a background figure, practically invisible in the office.
But Linda nodded seriously, her tone confident. “Of course. I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t sure of myself.” Today, she had deliberately worn a long, brightly colored dress, completely different from her usual modest and plain outfits. Her sudden transformation stunned not only Lucy but even the project manager himself.
Chapter 92