Chapter 11
Leslie gave Brenda a thumbs-up. “You’re fantastic, Ms. Brenda! Now that we’ve secured this exclusive contract for the A22 microchips, our drones will be the most advanced in the country. Number one internationally, too?”
Brenda couldn’t help looking smug. “Of course! We have to be the best since we’ve set our minds to it.”
Leslie started charting with her, and the rest of the employees started whispering among themselves.
“I heard that Mr. Sandberg and the board of directors announced that whoever secured the contract for the A22 microchips will be promoted to deputy CEO, whether it’s Ms. Eleanor or Ms. Brenda. I suppose this means Ms. Brenda is the one getting the promotion.”
“But Ms. Eleanor is the actual heiress…”
“So what? Ms. Brenda’s father is the one calling the shots now, and she secured the A22 contract. She’s more than qualified to be the company’s deputy CEO!”
Eleanor put down her phone. Lisa hadn’t texted her, which meant she hadn’t secured the deal. She couldn’t understand it. There was no way Lisa would help Brenda after what the latter had done yesterday. How had she gotten the contract?
Eleanor waited until Leslie left to approach Brenda. She asked bluntly, “How’d you secure the deal with Victory Tech, Brenda?”
Brenda chuckled. “Did you think your victory was guaranteed just because you had Lisa Granger on your side? She’s only one of Ransom Finance’s many employees – she has no right to decide who the A22 contract goes to, especially since it’s such an important project.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying Ransom Finance was the one to award the contract to you?”
“Yes, I am,” Brenda held her head high. “Mo knows David Jones, one of Ransom Finance’s regional managers. I spoke directly to him to score the deal.”
So, that was what had happened. Eleanor hadn’t taken Maurice into account. Maurice and Brenda had yet to hook up at this point in her past life, so things hadn’t turned out like this.
Brenda stepped forward and whispered, “How does it feel to have all your efforts go to waste?”
It wasn’t the best feeling. Eleanor curled her lip.
Brenda raised her voice, seemingly afraid the others wouldn’t hear her. “Mo is coming to pick me up for lunch with Mr. Jones from Ransom Finance later, and we’ll come back here to sign the contract after that. I’ll ask Dad whether he wants to join us later.”
Her subordinates were quick to suck up to her. “Mr. Porter is usually so busy, yet he’s willing to squeeze time from his schedule to have lunch with you just so he can help expand your network. He treats you so well, Ms. Brenda!”
“Of course he does! Ms. Brenda and Mr. Porter are a match made in heaven – they only make each other better people!”
“It’s nice when a married couple can work together to achieve better results, isn’t it? Ms. Brenda, you have to treat all of us to a meal tonight to celebrate your triumphs in love and your career. Let us have some of your good luck!”
Brenda said, “Sure! Let’s eat at Newark tonight. I’ll book a room later!”
All the staff in Business Unit 2 cheered and sang more of her praises. For the first time in two lifetimes, Brenda felt pure, unfiltered satisfaction. It was made even better by everyone complimenting her on marrying well. Her husband was the Porter family’s heir. He could make her proud and help her in her career. And Eleanor’s husband? He was nothing more than an illegitimate son! What else did he have going for him other than his good looks? How could Eleanor compare to her?
Brenda said daintily, “Sorry about this, Eleanor. We wanted to let you be the deputy CEO, but you couldn’t even secure the A22 contract. There’s really nothing that can be done about this situation. Keep up the hard work, though.”
Eleanor looked at her coolly. “I haven’t figured out my lunch plans yet. Mind if I tag along?”
Brenda didn’t want her around, but she thought about how amazing it would feel to have Eleanor watch as she signed the A22 contract and took the position of deputy CEO from right under her nose. That would be three times as satisfying! So, she said graciously, “Of course! I’ll bring you along since you want to expand your horizons.”
When they attended the board meeting later, the directors praised Brenda for securing the A22 contract.
Brenda could barely hold back her delight as she asked, “It’s noon, so how about we all have lunch together? I reserved a bigger private room, so there’s more than enough room for us.”
The directors felt it was a good idea. Ransom Finance was one of the country’s largest corporations. Forget just Sandberg Group – even if one were to bundle Sandberg Group and Porter Group together, they wouldn’t be worth a third of Ransom Finance. Since one of Ransom Finance’s regional managers was here, they had to make sure they wined and dined him to leave a good impression. Perhaps that would open up opportunities for further collaborations. Ransom Finance had businesses in various industries – A22 was only one of the many excellent projects they had.
As Eleanor listened to the conversation, she lowered her gaze and pulled out her phone underneath the table. Then, she sent a message.
Lunch was at an expensive restaurant. Dozens of people sat around a large round table in a spacious private room. David was the star of the show, so he was the center of attention. Naturally, the conversation also revolved around Brenda and Maurice.
When the board of directors teased Brenda about how she and Maurice made a perfect couple, she leaned into Maurice’s embrace shyly. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, looking extremely pleased with himself. However, he glanced at Eleanor out of the corner of his eye as she ate without saying a word. She’d always been in the spotlight wherever she went; it was rare to see her so silent. Then again, she’d missed out on such an important project and a promotion to deputy CEO. How could she possibly be cheery?
Maurice couldn’t find the right words to describe how he felt. He felt a mixture of pleasure and discomfort, but the pleasure outweighed everything else. Eleanor had always been outstanding and eye-catching. Now, she was finally blending with the crowd.
Maurice lifted his glass. “I know you enjoy a good drink, Mr. Jones. It’s too bad we can’t have too much because we still have to go back to work later in the afternoon. Feel free to drop by my Letty’s winery when you have the time; we have plenty of good wine for you to try to your heart’s content!”
David let out a booming laugh. “I’ll take you up on that offer, then!”
Maurice said, “En is my wife. You’ve helped me by helping her, so just say the word if you ever need help with anything.”
The directors gave Philip a thumbs-up. “You’ve got a wonderful son-in-law, Mr. Sandberg,”
He had pleased them. “Mu is indeed an outstanding young man.”
Chapter 11 2/2
Brenda had gotten all the attention she wanted. She asked, “Why haven’t you said anything throughout the meal, Eleanor?”
Eleanor said casually, “I have no time to talk because I’m busy enjoying the good food and drinks.”
“I thought it was because you were mad at me for securing the A22 contract… Maybe I should just give you the position of deputy CEO if you’re that upset.” Brenda pretended to be humble.
Philip hurriedly said, “I know you’re used to giving in to Elle, but we need to adhere to the company’s rules. We’ve already announced that whoever secures the A22 contract will be promoted to deputy CEO.”
Brenda bit her lip. “But Eleanor has already suffered many grievances. Even her marriage…”
Maurice held her hand. “I wanted to marry you. Her grievance has nothing to do with you.”
He turned to glare at Eleanor. “What happened between us is over, Eleanor. You and I have nothing to do with each other anymore, so stop using the marriage to bully Bren. She’s my wife now.”
Eleanor didn’t get mad. Instead, she found the whole situation laughable. “Did I say anything?”
Why were they putting on their own show?
Maurice said, “I know what you’re like. You’ve never been one to let things slide!”
Eleanor couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath on him.
“Mo, please stop berating Eleanor.” Brenda couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She pulled out the contract, wanting to strike while the iron was hot. “How about we sign the contract now, Mr. Jones? I’ll show you around Sandberg Group’s drone research base later in the day.”
“Sure!” David said. He took the contract and uncapped his pen to sign it.