Chapter 45
At her words, the secretary standing nearby gasped. “You’re from KINY Group p>
Penelope shot her an apologetic smile before turning her attention back to Theodore. “Mr. Stapleton, I hope you can give me a few minutes of your time. I’d like to discuss a potential partnership between our companies p>
Theodore finally set down his file and looked up at her. His handsome face was devoid of expression, but his eyes were cold and sharp, not just with anger, but with something else he seemed to be restraining.
The moment she saw his face, Penelope was hit with a vivid, mortifying memory of that drunken night, drooling as she slurred, “Hey, handsome. How much for one night p>
How much… for one night p>
She quickly looked down, squeezing her eyes shut as if she could physically erase the memory. It didn’t work.
“What’s that in your hand?” he asked.
“Turtle!” she blurted out.
“Ahem, I mean, ingredients for a restorative broth,” she corrected herself hastily. “Dr. Olson asked me to deliver it to you, Mr. Stapleton p>
Theodore’s eyes narrowed. “I was talking about what’s in your other hand p>
“Oh, right,” she said, remembering the other bag. “Your shirt. I had it cleaned.” She stepped forward and placed the bag with the shirt on his desk, then, after a moment’s thought, set the bag of herbs next to it.
“Do you always drink this early in the morning?” Theodore asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Huh? I haven’t had anything to drink p>
“Really? Because you don’t seem entirely sober p>
Penelope blinked. He was definitely mocking her.
“Mr. Stapleton, I truly believe a partnership between our companies is possible “Linda, show her out p>
He wasn’t giving her an inch. Still, Penelope placed a project proposal on his desk. “Mr. Stapleton, it’s true that KINY Group needs a concession from Zenith Group, but this
partnership would be mutually
beneficial hope you p>
us both
a chance to sit down and discuss the details p>
“Ms. Laurier, please leave immediately, or I’ll have to call security,” the secretary, Linda, said firmly.
“Linda, you see the potential for this partnership too, don’t you?” Penelope asked, turning to her.
Linda was momentarily stunned. “Why are you asking me p>
“As his secretary, are you telling me you’re not familiar with the situation p>
“Of course I’m familiar with it!” Linda retorted, defensive. She couldn’t admit to ignorance in front of Mr. Stapleton; it would reflect poorly on her competence.
“Then tell me, why is Zenith Group so adamantly against even discussing this with KINY Group p>
“Because there is no benefit to Zenith Group. We don’t engage in pointless negotiations p>
“Could you be more specific p>
“First of all, the plans for our commercial district are finalized. Any changes would require a complete resubmission and approval process. Second, we already have a major shopping
center in that district adding another one offers us no advantages and would only create unnecessary competition. Third, we chose that specific location for the new office building with a clear vision in mind: it’s designed for individual freelancers and remote workers, with a key selling point being the riverfront view. Furthermore p>
Linda rattled off a long list of reasons, effectively outlining every perceived drawback of a partnership between Zenith and KINY. Penelope mentally filed away every single point.
When Linda finally finished her breathless explanation, she saw a cunning glint in Penelope’s eyes and had the sinking feeling she had just been played.
“So if we could turn all of those drawbacks into advantages,” Penelope said, looking directly at Theodore, “would a partnership then be possible p>
Theodore’s gaze deepened. “Show her out p>
This time, Penelope didn’t argue. As she left, she offered one last piece of advice. “You should probably put them in the fridge. On a hot day like this, if you leave them out until young go home tonight, they’ll be O completely spoiled p>