Chapter 833: The Missing File

Susan waited. Two luxury commercial vehicles arrived at the WST gate. As they stopped, she quickly approached.

Clara exited first, calling, "Miss Phillips!"

Susan nodded. Manuel followed, and Clara immediately helped him adjust his tie, saying sweetly, "It's a bit crooked."

"Thank you," Manuel replied, glancing at her. Clara blushed. Susan, witnessing this office flirtation, felt speechless but remained outwardly composed, offering a polite smile. Her subordinate status silenced any internal dissent toward Manuel.

"Mr. Johnson," Susan began, once they were ready.

Manuel narrowed his eyes. "Susan, a leader should be punctual," he said sharply.

Susan, prepared for this reprimand, simply nodded. "I'll be punctual next time."

He glanced at her again. "Get in there."

He and Clara strode ahead. Tammy rushed to Susan. "Miss Phillips, I was so worried you weren't coming! Thank goodness you're here."

"Where's my laptop?" Susan asked, her concern paramount.

"Clara has it," Tammy replied. "The one she's holding."

"Why?" Susan realized the laptop's familiarity.

"Mr. Johnson needed to review the scheme," Tammy explained. "So I gave it to her."

Susan didn't dwell on it. She understood Manuel's tendency toward meticulousness; given yesterday's finalized scheme, a morning review seemed inevitable.

"Hurry, Miss Phillips," Tammy urged.

Susan, sensing Manuel's likely impatience, hastened to catch up.

They were warmly received by their partner company and seated in the meeting room. Manuel conversed with Mr. Brown, the partner company's leader. Though separated by a generation—Manuel recently turned 25, while Mr. Brown appeared at least 50—their discussion flowed seamlessly. Manuel's calm demeanor made him a striking presence.

The partner company's staff set up the projector. Susan opened her laptop, only to find herself stunned. The presentation, repeatedly searched for, was missing.

"Tammy," Susan whispered.

Tammy hurried over. "What's wrong, Miss Phillips?"

"My file is gone," Susan said.

"It's here! I checked," Tammy insisted, quickly examining the laptop's storage.

"No, it's not," Susan said, attempting to mask her rising panic.

Tammy, equally alarmed, grabbed the Bluetooth mouse, searching. The presentation was nowhere to be found.

Susan's and Tammy's anxieties mounted; Tammy was close to tears.

"Impossible!" Susan thought.

Manuel, conversing with Mr. Brown, subtly observed Susan's distress. He remained outwardly calm, though his awareness of the situation was clear.

Clara, behind Manuel, smiled secretly. Witnessing Susan's and Tammy's panic, she anticipated the humiliating consequences of the missing presentation.

"Is it ready?" Mr. Brown asked his subordinate.

"Almost, Mr. Brown. We await Miss Phillips' file," the subordinate replied respectfully.

Mr. Brown, understanding the delay, waited patiently. Just as another staff member approached Mr. Brown, Manuel seized the moment. "Mr. Brown, I need the restroom."

Mr. Brown, impressed by Manuel's tact, readily agreed.

Manuel went not to the restroom, but to Susan, his face grim. "What's wrong?"

Susan, biting her lip, confessed, "The PPT from last night is missing."

Manuel's expression hardened. Susan braced herself for his wrath, feeling she deserved any reprimand.

"Miss Phillips asked me to double-check the file, and I did before giving it to Clara. I don't understand…" Tammy's eyes welled up.

Tammy, shouldering the blame, was equally mystified.

Clara, now beside Manuel, interjected, "I can confirm. Tammy repeatedly assured me the file was on the laptop when I retrieved it from Miss Phillips' office." Her intervention subtly distanced herself from blame.

"I'll use the previous draft," Susan said, resignedly. Multiple drafts existed, offering a viable, if imperfect, alternative. Some content would differ, but it was her only recourse.

Manuel's anger intensified at Susan's statement.

His voice, though low, conveyed his fury. "Susan, is this a joke? Do you understand the gravity of a business negotiation?"

She knew, but lacked options. An oral presentation would lack sincerity. This was her only remaining strategy.