“We have a new project–Centrise Group’s latest bidding! I heard that they don’t plan on working with Layton Group anymore, which means that we might have a shot,” Sophia said as she dropped a contract in front of me.
She then casually picked up my glass of water to take a big sip. “I’m so thirsty. I ran around all day just to get this document.”
I smiled, feeling my heart ache for her.
The company had been growing fast lately, and Sophia had been a major driving force behind it. She’d been working tirelessly to seek out new partnerships.
I’d heard of Centrise Group. They were one of the top companies in the country. Up until now, only Layton Group, the undisputed leader of Brinestone’s logistics, had the influence to land contracts with them.
It was no surprise that Centrise Group cut ties with Layton Group, yet it still felt somewhat unexpected.
I thought that if Benson handed the reins over to Camille, he’d still keep a firm grip on such a major partnership. Now that it’d slipped away, I wondered how he felt about it.
“Leave the rest to me. I’ll handle the negotiation,” I said as I poured Sophia another glass of
water.
“Let’s go together,” she said, smiling.
“Don’t you trust me to go alone?”
Sophia immediately shook her head in denial. “That’s not it. I just want to see you in action. Is there anything wrong with that?”
I chuckled. “You’re worried that Centrise Group won’t meet with me, aren’t you?”
Although I’d made my name in the logistics industry, I was nothing in the eyes of a company
like Centrise Group.
On the other hand, Sophia, as a Hartwell, commanded far more leverage with the backing of her powerhouse mother, Lilian.
“That’s not it either. It’s just that I heard Camille is going too. I’m just worried…”
It was only now that I realized that she feared Camille picking on me.
Honestly, the name Camille Layton was starting to feel distant to me. Moreover, she didn’t have the power to pick on me anymore.
“Alright then. Let’s go together. I guess two is always better than one.” I smiled.
Chapter 62
After finalizing the proposal, we drove straight to Centrise Group the next day.
Just as we arrived, we bumped into Camille right at the entrance of the building. Kieran was right beside her as always.
Rumors had it that ever since I left Layton Group, Kieran had practically become her second lapdog, earning him a few benefits. As a result, the Zanes managed to avoid bankruptcy and pulled through their financial crisis.
“Well, well, well… If it isn’t Mr. Wexler?” Camille started jeering the moment she saw me.
Sophia and I ignored her and were about to head upstairs when she stepped in front of us.
“You sure have the guts, Max, for trying to stick your nose into Centrise Group’s project. But let me warn you–you won’t get it.
“If you know what’s good for you, get lost right now. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting nasty.” She looked me in the eye and started making threats.
“Nasty? Go ahead and try if you’ve got the guts, “I snapped back and shot her a look of disdain.
Her trying to scare me was just a joke. She’d said the same threat to me a couple of times, yet she hadn’t figured out what she was actually capable of.
“Fine. We’ll see.” She let out a cold snort and stormed into the elevator.
Sophia and I took a different elevator upstairs, where we were led to a conference room.
“Considering how Layton Group has existing partnerships with Centrise Group, do you think Camille’s attitude means that she’s already secured the deal?” Sophia asked, frowning in
thought.
I replayed Camille’s smug expression in my mind, and I couldn’t help but feel
asy. She
definitely wasn’t capable enough to pull this off herself. If anyone could do it, it would be
Benson.
“Let’s just wait and see.”
We waited in silence for a while.
Moments later, the door opened, but it was the project manager’s secretary who entered.
“I’m terribly sorry, but our manager has decided not to move forward with your company. He’s decided to work with the Laytons.“
