Rose thought she might have misunderstood. She confirmed again. “Do you want me to inform Wayne?”

“Yep,” Hannah nodded. “I’ll give you the scheme. If Wayne asks for it, tell him you cannot give it to him for now because the final sales quota is still confidential.”

Rose didn’t understand why Hannah didn’t want Wayne to know the final quota, especially since he was attending the bidding. Hannah was resetting the quota within the scheme—a fact known only to her and Rose, excluding the board. Rose suspected Hannah was keeping an eye on Wayne, but couldn't fathom why Hannah had offered to take him along.

“You can tell him you have the scheme after refusing to give it to him,” Hannah said.

Rose felt utterly lost. Was this a spy movie?

“Just do as I said,” Hannah instructed, offering no explanation. “You may go.”

“Okay.” Rose left.

Hannah smiled scornfully, muttering that the Sawyer family would pay double.

Meanwhile, Rose knocked on Wayne’s door.

“Come in.”

Rose entered and reported, “Mr. Cooper, Ms. Hannah asked me to inform you that you need to accompany her to the bureau for the bidding next week. She just submitted the South Bay New Town construction scheme, and it’s been approved by the board.”

“Me?” Wayne was surprised.

“Ms. Hannah specified you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m certain,” Rose replied.

Wayne remained dubious but agreed. “Okay, I see. Let me know the exact time on Monday, and I’ll go with her.”

“Yes, sir. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“Wait a minute,” Wayne stopped her. “Was the scheme submitted in its original version?”

“No,” Rose said, “there were changes.”

“What changed?”

“Ms. Hannah reset a more competitive bidding price,” Rose answered truthfully.

“How much?” Wayne asked immediately.

“I’m sorry, sir, I can’t tell you. Ms. Hannah considers it confidential business information,” Rose replied. “The scheme is locked in my safe; I won’t remove it until Monday.”

Wayne pursed his lips, realizing they wouldn’t reveal it. Hannah was clearly watching him, likely taking him along for show rather than for his input in the bidding. She’d appeared generous to the senior executives; now, she was fulfilling that promise to avoid gossip. Wayne admitted she was far more clever than he’d initially thought.

“Okay, you may go now,” Wayne dismissed Rose.

After she left, Wayne immediately called Charles. “The scheme was changed. The sales quota might differ from the one I gave you.”

Charles, currently reviewing the scheme, was stunned by Hannah’s South Bay New Town proposal. It was undeniably a cutting-edge concept, a decade ahead of anything else in Northfield! How had Hannah conceived such a modern and pragmatic plan? When had she become so competent, surpassing even him? He was thankful he’d adopted her scheme instead of arrogantly creating his own; otherwise, he would have been utterly defeated.

Hearing Wayne’s words, Charles asked, “How much is it now?”

He knew Hannah wouldn’t easily disclose information; he’d suspected this since Wayne obtained the scheme effortlessly. However, Wayne’s confirmation solidified his belief.

“I have no idea. Only Hannah, her assistant Rose, and the board know,” Wayne answered.

“What about trying every means to get it?”

“It’s risky. The directors favor those in power. My father’s in jail, so they won’t take me seriously. We might expose ourselves if I ask them for the sales quota now.”

“How about bribing Rose?” Charles suggested.

“Impossible. Rose is loyal to Hannah; she won’t be bribed.”

“Then we steal it.”

Wayne was apprehensive. “How?”

“Where do they keep the final scheme?” Charles asked.

“Rose has it. Bribing someone Hannah trusts so much is impossible.”

“Steal it from Rose,” Charles said. “Where do you usually store your schemes?”

“We don’t save them on the computer except for confidential ones, which are downloaded onto a USB and locked in safes.”

“Does Rose have the key?” Charles asked.

“Yes.”

“Does she carry it everywhere?”

“Probably.”

“I see. I’ll get the key, and you’ll get the scheme.”

“I’m afraid…”

“Don’t be afraid!” Charles insisted. “Do as I say, and we’ll succeed.”

Wayne hesitated.

“Wayne, would you still be promoted to your father’s position if Hannah succeeds? If she succeeds, she’ll remain vice-president. Only if she fails will you have a chance to regain your position.”

Wayne gritted his teeth. “Okay, it’s a deal.”

“Wise choice,” Charles praised. “Sneak into Rose’s office to find the safe. Check if the cameras are working; if so, disable them, or you’ll be caught.”

“I’ll try.”

“Let’s start tonight.”

“Isn’t that rushed?” Wayne questioned.

“It’s best to resolve this quickly,” Charles asserted.

“Fine.”

“Do as I said. Call me if you have trouble.”

“Okay.”

Charles hung up and smiled wickedly. He no longer underestimated Hannah; he would defeat her utterly.