Chapter 332
Penelope playfully dodged her. “No way. I stood in line for two hours to get these honey cakes p>
“So p>
“So, I need to maximize their value p>
Penelope led Hannah to a small, private courtyard tucked away in a quiet alley. After she knocked, a woman in an apron answered the door. She studied Penelope for a moment before recognition dawned.
“Oh, Ms. Laurier! You’re finally here. The old madam has been asking about you every day p>
Penelope greeted her and asked how the elderly woman was doing.
“Not too well. She hasn’t eaten a proper meal in two or three days p>
Just as Penelope was about to step inside, an elderly woman with a full head of silver hair emerged, leaning on a cane. Her face lit up when she saw Penelope, and she waved eagerly. “Why did you take so long to come visit your mother p>
Hannah was taken aback. “Who is she p>
Penelope whispered, “She’s Mr. Temple’s mother. She’s gotten a bit confused in her old age and thinks I’m her daughter, who passed away p>
With that brief explanation, Penelope hurried over to the woman, giving her a gentle hug before supporting her arm. “I brought you your favorite honey cakes p>
“My sweet girl, have you lost weight p>
“I haven’t, but you have. You haven’t been eating properly, have you p>
“I miss you so much I can’t eat p>
“Well, I’m here now. Let me feed you p>
It was nearly dark by the time Penelope and Hannah left the courtyard.
“When I first joined Stone Group, my first project was a hotel for LUNA Group,” Penelope explained as they walked. “To secure the deal, I drank with them, smiled, endured everything, but I could never quite close it. It wasn’t until I managed to get close to Mr. Temple’s family—almost becoming his mother’s goddaughter—that I finally succeeded.” She recounted the story not with shame, but with pride in her strategic victory.
“LUNA Group has another hotel project coming up,” Hannah noted, a glint in her eye.
Penelope nodded. “It’s not a huge project, but it’s the perfect start for our new firm. If we do an outstanding job, we can establish our reputation right out of the gate p>
Just then, her phone rang. It was Mr. Temple.
After a brief conversation, Penelope hung up and shot Hannah a triumphant look. “Mr. Temple is inviting us to dinner. We’re heading over now p>
They arrived at the designated restaurant to find Mr. Temple already there, deep in conversation with a familiar face: Ward Sullivan.
Ward was in the middle of downing his third glass of liquor, apologizing profusely for his son Zebulon’s
previous misconduct “My son inet
arrogant and proud. I failed to raise him properly. Mr. Temple, please don’t hold it against him p>
“That was a long time ago,” Mr. Temple said, his tone tinged with sarcasm. “I’m surprised you even remembered to come and apologize. I’m not sure I deserve such an honor p>
“If you’re still upset, Mr. Temple, I’ll have another three glasses p>
“Please don’t. If you get drunk, I’ll have to arrange a ride for you, and that’s just a hassle p>
Ward laughed awkwardly. “I hear
LUNA Group’s new hotel is nearly complete and you’re looking for a design firm. We had sucra pleasant experience working together before, I was hoping we could continue our partnership p>
“LUNA Group and Stone Group have worked together before p>
“You can’t have forgotten the hotel in the East District, surely p>
“As I recall, I worked with Ms. Laurier on that project p>
Ward’s face darkened. “She was just an employee of Stone Group p>
“All I know is that I dealt with her directly. The process was smooth, enjoyable, and
the final result exceeded my company’s expectations. That’s why I intend to continue working with her p>
“She’s no longer with Stone Group p>
“Then whichever firm she’s with is the firm we’ll work with,” Mr. Temple said, his eyes shifting toward the entrance. A smile broke across his
face. “And speak of the devil here’s Ms. Laurier now p>