Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
The moment Brinley appeared in a fitted white suit, Colin’s fists clenched.
She stood tall, composed and confident—nothing like the soft, naïve woman he had once known.
“Next, VantagePath Realty p>
When her company’s name was called, Brinley strode to the podium and began her presentation without hesitation.
A 3D model rotated on the screen, displaying the intricacies of her design and integration plan with striking clarity.
“Our innovative spatial planning can increase land-use efficiency by thirty percent,” Brinley concluded.
The moment she finished, the room erupted into applause.
Her delivery was polished and professional. Every data point connected seamlessly to the government’s requirements, each stage of the design laid out with flawless precision.
Colin was no longer smiling.
He couldn’t reconcile this poised strategist with the Brinley he remembered. Even more startling was her command of urban planning. She answered technical questions with ease—areas his seasoned team of experts usually had to debate at length.
“Next, Palmer Group p>
𝗢𝗋𝘨𝘢ո𝘪𝘻е у𝗈𝘶𝗋 li𝗯𝘳𝖺𝗿𝘆 oո
Colin forced down his unease and stepped onto the stage, beginning his presentation. But by the third slide, the development district director cut in.
“Mr. Palmer, VantagePath Realty’s proposal is clearly superior to yours p>
Colin blanched, a thin sheen of sweat forming at his temples. He opened his mouth to protest, but the words died before they could form. There was no point.
Compared to Brinley’s, his proposal fell short—especially in its interpretation and application of policy.
“The committee has reached a unanimous decision,” the director announced. “VantagePath Realty’s proposal best aligns with Bleron’s development plans. The contract will be awarded to VantagePath Realty p>
Thunderous applause filled the room. Colin shot to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor.
He glared at Brinley, who stood onstage with a calm, composed smile as she shook hands with the director.
Watching her smile—and the effortless grace with which she carried herself—hit Colin like a physical blow.
After the meeting ended, he intercepted her in the corridor.
“Why?” he rasped. “You knew how important this project was to me. Was this all just revenge? Fine, take the project! I don’t care about anything else—just come back to me p>
Brinley looked at him with cold, faint amusement, as if he were a stranger. “Mr. Palmer, VantagePath Realty won fairly. This project was never yours to grant. It was mine to earn. What you should be asking is why Palmer Group failed p>
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him behind.
The sharp click of her heels against the hallway floor struck Colin like another blow, leaving him breathless, hollow with pain.
That evening, Brinley returned to Hillcrest Villa.
The satisfaction of winning the bid had washed away her exhaustion.
“You’re back.” Austin’s voice drifted from the living room.
He sat on the sofa with a stack of documents in hand. In recent days, they had both been so busy they rarely crossed paths.
Brinley acknowledged him with a small nod as she bent to change her shoes, her eyes catching—against her will—on the glimpse of his collar left slightly open.