Angry

Beatriz observed Luca’s expression, unable to discern his emotions, and immediately continued her probing. "Forget that for now. I'm here today to discuss whether we should change Ezra's school. I’m worried about him being in the same kindergarten as Vanessa's child."

With a loud ‘bang,’ Luca slammed the folder shut, a flash of anger flickering in his eyes. "Get out."

Meeting his gaze, a chill spread through Beatriz's heart. She remained still and continued, "Vanessa and Daxton are not good people. How can their child be any better? I heard that she even got into fights with other kids in kindergarten, and I..."

"Have you said enough?"

"This is the truth! Five years ago, she betrayed you and slept with Daxton, colluding to deceive you. These..."

Luca's dangerous gaze wrapped around Beatriz like a snake, his thin lips parting slightly. "Get lost."

Realizing that Luca was genuinely angry, Beatriz smartly chose to leave, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. Although she had angered Luca, she at least knew that the thorn in his heart remained, unable to be erased.

With this, she felt reassured.

However, Vanessa was in Beatriz's eyes, plotting and calculating. She was more than willing to continue the unfinished business from five years ago.

Only Luca remained in the office. He pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing aside all the chaotic thoughts.

The secretary entered with a pile of documents and hesitated upon seeing his fatigued expression. "Mr. Kensington, regarding the bidding conference this afternoon..."

"Proceed as usual."

The secretary nodded, "I just received news this morning. In addition to the usual competitors, there’s a formidable opponent this time." Handing the documents to Luca, he continued, "This company has strong capabilities overseas. The owner is a foreigner who has always intended to develop in the domestic market. They recently established a branch, and the owner is Miss Saxon."

Luca paused for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. "Proceed as usual."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Vanessa was busy preparing the bidding materials to hand over to her assistant.

"It's almost time. Go prepare the car."

"Okay."

At one o'clock in the afternoon, cars from various companies began to arrive at the X Business Building as scheduled.

Vanessa and her assistant arrived early. They noticed that other companies were represented by vice presidents accompanied by relevant personnel, a group of ten or so, looking imposing and unstoppable.

In contrast, Vanessa's group consisted of just the company owner and a secretary, exuding an aura of being out of place.

Everyone else was greeting each other, but Vanessa’s surroundings felt cold and desolate.

"I didn’t expect our company to be so low-profile," Vanessa remarked with some emotion.

"It’s not just low-profile; it’s completely unknown, boss. Look at their expressions—thirty percent smile, seventy percent mockery," the assistant grumbled, handing Vanessa a glass of champagne. "They really have no vision."

Vanessa chuckled lightly, her gaze falling on a familiar figure not far away.

Beatriz Langley, representing Ness Corp to participate.

A surge of hatred crossed Vanessa's face as she tightened her grip on the glass in her hand.

Beatriz also glanced over, sending a provocative look in Vanessa's direction.

Vanessa raised her glass, a smile curving at the corners of her lips as she returned the gesture with the same smile.

At 1:30 PM, it was time to enter.

Vanessa was assigned to the left side of the front row.

Once everyone settled in, they realized that a no-name small company had managed to take a seat above them?

Focusing on the prepared materials, unfriendly remarks drifted into her ears.

"How come I've never heard of this company?"

"I heard it’s a newly established small company. The people here are quite young; they’re probably just here to gain some experience."

"I’m afraid they won’t even be able to speak up later."

Laughter followed from the crowd.

Vanessa cast a cold glance at the speaker, her smile remaining on her face but not reaching her eyes. With her red lips parting, her tone was calm yet firm: "If you don’t conduct prior research on opponents you’re unfamiliar with, then if I were your boss, I would have fired you on the spot for such a blunder."

The few individuals who spoke were relatively high-ranking within their company. Being publicly reprimanded by Vanessa, their faces turned a mix of red and black, and just as they were about to retaliate, the door to the conference room was pushed open.

The clients had arrived.

The entire room fell silent as the head of the advertising department began to announce the bidding rules and the order of presentations.

Beatriz stood up, her face lit with a confident smile, as if she had already secured victory, and walked up to the podium.

After a round of discussion, applause erupted in the hall. Enjoying the praise, Beatriz looked towards Vanessa with a smirk and said, "This time, Ness Corp is collaborating with the K Group, and we have the most robust resources and experience, which cannot be compared to those small, lesser-known companies. Having a little self-awareness would do them good—especially those who don’t know their limits and still try to take on big projects. ."

Her words were pointed, drawing the crowd’s attention to Vanessa, who faced their derisive gazes.

Vanessa raised her eyelids to look at Beatriz and smiled. "I remember there’s a gazebo the locals are reluctant to tear down. It can’t be forcibly demolished, so renovation is the only option. Yet, in your so-called plan, it hasn't been mentioned at all, has it?"

Just as Beatriz opened her mouth to explain, Vanessa didn’t give her the chance.

"Ness Corp and K Group’s design aims to establish a commercial district. Setting aside the fact that the proposal has a short-lived, plastic aesthetic, don’t you think a gazebo would feel completely out of place in a modern architectural setting?"

Beatriz kept her smile but said nothing.

"I assumed Ness Corp would’ve conducted a field investigation, but I didn’t expect such a basic oversight."

***