Chapter 21

"Connie,” Blake slid the plastic folder to the lady sitting across from him in his office. “You know, a lot has changed over the years. My father is not the only one who calls the shots in the business anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Connie pushed forward in her seat, placing an elbow on the edge of Blake's desk. “So you will not help me? Is that what you are saying?”

He gave her a frustrated sigh.

“Are you saying I will get the contract?” Her eyes brightened up. “if I do that?”

“No, Connie, don't misunderstand me,” he darted a hard look at her. “If you write your proposal properly, I will submit it to the board who will deliberate on it as they will do to the several proposals that others have submitted. And if they find your proposal good enough, they will give you the contract.”

“In other words, you are not going to at least put in a nice word for me?”

“No, I won't,” he told her. “I hope you can still remember what happened when I stuck out my neck four years ago for you?”

She got a