Chapter 1339
[ 691 words ]
Luella fell back into her chair, watching the room full of people as if she had front- row tickets to a theatrical play. Their faces were a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions —an absolutely brilliant sight.
Everyone turned their attention back to Lachlan, waiting for his final decision. Weighing the options, the partnership was obviously the priority.
Sure enough.
A few minutes later, Lachlan stood up and leaned into the microphone. “Before the election, there are conditions. Those who make significant contributions will be prioritized. Therefore, I have decided to appoint Mr. Burt Dalton as the Director of the Department of Finance.”
The Department of Finance. That was the ultimate cash cow. People would literally kill for a spot in that office!
Having said his piece, Lachlan stormed out of the room in a fit of rage.
He left behind a room full of stunned officials, staring at each other with their heads spinning.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
Luella was the first to start applauding.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
Little Jared not only joined in but also glared fiercely at the other executives. “What are you all staring at?” he demanded in his tiny voice. “Clap!”
The executives exchanged helpless glances before raising their hands to follow suit. With Burt Dalton stepping into the Director role, his rank had just skyrocketed past theirs. The corporate world was a battlefield, and one wrong move could cost you everything. Faced with a new superior, they naturally had to change their tune.
“Thank you, everyone,” Burt said, offering a polite but entirely fake smile. He had figured out exactly what kind of snakes populated this room a long time ago. Aside from Mr. Langley, he didn’t trust a single one of them.
***
After the meeting, Luella was summoned to Lachlan’s office.
The moment she pushed the door open, a heavy slap connected with her right cheek. The sharp sting burned her skin. It wasn’t that she couldn’t dodge it; she simply chose not to. The more ‘weak’ she appeared, the more Lachlan would believe he had her completely under his control.
“You worthless brat! What exactly are you doing?” Lachlan stood with his hands on his hips, his face dark as he screamed at her. “Didn’t you say the partnership with Subterra Vanguard was practically a done deal? How did it turn into this mess!”
She was ruining the political layout he had spent so long building.
“I don’t know,” Luella said, pressing her lips together, her expression perfectly blank. “You know how temperamental the boss of Subterra Vanguard is. Two sentences he didn’t like, and he threatened to walk away.”
*Luella: I’m so sorry, Juniper.*
“But fortunately, Burt managed to salvage it,” Luella continued, lifting her chin and feigning respect. “Burt and I are flying out to Australis tonight to finalize the deal. Leverage is everything in negotiations With the combined backing of Subterra Vanguard and the Schwartz Group, your position will be untouchable.”
Hearing that, Lachlan finally felt a sliver of relief. That would be perfect He was still furious
remembering his recent diplomet
trip where he was nearly left without
a seat at the table.
“Go. Report to me the second anything changes,” Lachlan ordered.
“Understood.”
Luella closed the door behind her, touching her stinging cheek with a deep frown.
That would be the last time he ever laid a hand on her.
***
At the airport.
Burt stared at his boarding pass, utterly confused. “Mr. Langley, aren’t we going to Australis to finalize the deal? Why is your ticket for Borealia?”
“I have some personal business to take care of. I’ll meet up with you when I’m done.”
Luella reminded him repeatedly to keep things quiet. “Director Dalton, pleasure doing business with you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
The two shook hands and headed to their respective gates.
***
4:00 AM.
Luella appeared at Jimmie’s front door, gripping the handle of her suitcase. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
“Luella?” Jimmie answered, his voice thick with sleep and incredibly raspy.
“Miss me?” Luella asked, a soft smirk playing on her lips.
“Hmm?” Jimmie had been going to bed early lately to maintain his complexion. His
brain was still foggy, and he answered instinctively, “Yeah. I do.”
Luella: “Then open the damn door!”
Jimmie: “???”
The next second, he snapped completely awake and practically scrambled out of
bed, stumbling wildly toward the front door.
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