Charles exploded. He couldn't control his anger, shouting at Hannah, "We poured immense effort into this project! Every employee worked overtime. You want us out now? Do you think that's even remotely possible?"

"So, you're saying we contributed less effort and time than you? Was our plan a mere windfall?" Hannah retorted.

"There's no way we're pulling out! We'll simply proceed without your plan. We can start over," Charles spat angrily.

Hannah remained calm. "You're still only thinking of yourselves, and you haven't considered helping Gordon."

"Hannah, don't try to divide us," Charles pleaded. "I wanted to help Gordon, but there's nothing I can do if you don't relent. We've invested enormous effort and money; we can't just abandon it. Please, cut us some slack."

Gordon remained silent. The South Bay New Town project had created problems for him, and this situation wouldn't improve his standing. He couldn't, however, reveal his anxieties.

Charles, shrewd as he was, noticed Gordon's sullenness. For the sake of his company, though, he wouldn't back down. He wagered that Gordon couldn't persuade Hannah, and she wouldn't dare oppose him; with a little pressure, the matter would be settled. Damaging his relationship with the bureau was a risk, but he could mend fences later with bribes and project success. The project's loss, however, was irreversible. He couldn't afford that.

The conference room fell silent. It felt as though any utterance would seal someone's fate.

After a long pause, Hannah sighed heavily. Gordon and Charles both watched her.

"Since Charles is adamant about continuing, regardless of the situation, I concede. After all, besides profit, our relationship matters. Pressing this further will harm you, Gordon. I don't want you to face such difficulties so early in your career," Hannah stated.

Charles visibly fidgeted. This woman always seemed to one-up him. Yet, to proceed with the project, he had to let this go. He would tolerate anything if she would relent.

"Really?" Gordon exclaimed, surprised. He hadn't expected Hannah to compromise, especially given her previous firmness. This unexpected shift in attitude made her seem even more powerful.

Gordon stared at her with gratitude. This case had been incredibly stressful, even before the current problems arose. He placed immense value on the South Bay New Town project and was hesitant to trust anyone.

"Yes," Hannah confirmed. "We can abandon it. However, many of our employees worked through the night on this plan, only to have it stolen. Honestly, I can't explain this to my team. Therefore, we're willing to sell the plan to Sawyer at market value." She sounded remarkably generous.

Charles was displeased.

"This is the fairest solution I can imagine, given Sawyer Group's unwillingness to withdraw. It doesn't hinder South Bay New Town's construction, and neither Sawyer nor we lose. What do you think, Gordon?"

Gordon readily agreed. "Hannah, you're brilliant! This is a timely and perfect solution. I've been under immense pressure. I like this – no, I love it!"

He was relieved. The construction could proceed smoothly, and the matter would be resolved fairly, avoiding gossip.

He gazed at Hannah with admiration, genuinely pleased. Cooper Group had done him a great service; he had no means of forcing her to withdraw.

Charles, meanwhile, remained resolute. He'd rather see the project extended until its cancellation than give in.

This new development shifted Gordon's perception of the two, though he concealed his feelings. He turned to Charles. "What do you think of her suggestion?"

Charles looked unhappy, but couldn't object. Refusal would make him seem utterly ungrateful. Yet, he deeply resented it, feeling Hannah was being positioned as the benevolent party.

Dejected, he feigned agreement. "Yes, I think it's good."

"Since you both find this feasible, I'll state the price directly," Hannah declared seriously. "One hundred million. If you agree, we can sign the contract in front of Gordon."

"What? One hundred million?" Charles erupted. He felt constantly goaded by her.

"Is your plan made of gold?" he demanded.

"Mr. Sawyer should understand our plan's value," Hannah replied. "The project we bid on was worth ten billion. As the plan's core, a 1% valuation is hardly excessive, is it?"

"Of course it is!" Charles roared. "We won't make more than one hundred million on this project, and you want us to spend that much on a plan? To sabotage our project and incur a total loss? Is that even conceivable?"