NovelEnglish"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Charlotte Emerson of NC Corporation," Charlotte announced with a smile. "Our company's design concept is based around one word, that is, 'love'." "The design style of the building references Greek peristyle courtyards as a foundation and incorporates the modern minimalistic style that teenagers of today absolutely fancy..." "Just a minute, Miss Charlotte. If I may ask, where is your design print?" interrupted one of the judges seated below the stage.
"My humblest apologies. Our designs are still in the making and we hope that the judges will allow us a little more time," replied Charlotte apologetically.
As soon as she finished speaking, the audience broke into an uproar.
It was common knowledge that NC Corp was currently a major player in the industry. To think that they would show up without a design print! The few judges exchanged meaningful glances and hushed dialogues for a good while.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFinally, the judge from earlier conveyed the outcof their decision to Charlotte. "Although the design you described earlier sounded marvelous, it's a pity for us to inform you that NC is disqualified from the bidding as per pre-set rules." Even though Charlotte had already expected this, she was still slightly upset by the news. She had prayed that she could at least seize a second opportunity.
Following the judges' discussion, the results were announced. This taround, the winner of the bid was Emerson Corporation.
Upon seeing the nat the top of the board, Elaine's smile simply grew. As proud as a peacock, she stalked toward Charlotte and stopped her before she could leave.
"Tsk, tsk. I didn't expect NC to make such a low-level mistake and cto a bid without a design." Elaine's smug expression was all Charlotte could see and she felt her stomach lurch. She suppressed the urge to get out of there pronto and asked in a low voice, "What means did you use to steal NC's designs?" Judging from her knowledge of Elaine's dirty tricks, she knew for a fact that Elaine must have bribed an internal member of NC Corp with big bucks.
But who could this rat be? And when did Elaine steal it? "Haha, aren't you itching to know!" Elaine guffawed. Then, she suddenly scooted closer to her. She put her lips to Charlotte's ear and cooed, "It won't be long. You'll find out in due time." Glaring at the wide smile on Elaine's face, Charlotte couldn't help but feel a chill trickle down her spine.
She chewed on Elaine's words, trying to decipher their meaning.
Having beat around the bush enough to confuse Charlotte, Elaine ultimately turned around with a flick of her long hair and sashayed away.
Charlotte stood nonplussed in the sspot as she sent Elaine off with her eyes. Her sixth sense bugged at her and told her that this was only the beginning of what was yet to come.
Not too far away stood Christopher and the rest of the team who happened to witness their encounter. However, the distance between the group and the two kept the conversation obscure from them.
Christopher waited for Elaine to disappear from sight before approaching. His eyes housed an eternal touch of tenderness and his voice was forever an unostentatious warmth. "Charlotte?" "Hm?" Charlotte was pulled back to her senses. She looked up to greet him, "Mr. Gibson." "You don't mind if I call you that, do you?" asked Christopher like the gentleman he was.
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With so much on her mind, Charlotte couldn't care less about titles. She shook her head with anguish still evident on her face and sighed, "Mr. Gibson, I have only myself to blame. I will accept any form of punishment the company may wish to inflict on me." The fact that she was the one who let the design drafts slip meant that she had every reason to bear full responsibility.
Still, Christopher merely smiled and said, "There's no denying that the company will demand anexplanation buf everyone's pretty exhausted already. We should all return hand rest for the day. Only when you sleep well will you be more clear-headed for judgment." "Mr. Gibson, do you not blme?" Charlotte looked at Christopher in surprise. Not only did he not blher, he even sent her hto rest! "It's as they say, a thief from within is difficult to forestall. You don't have to feel so guilty about this."
Hearing Christopher's words, Charlotte's scrunched-up features finally relaxed, she looked at the man in front of her with utmost gratitude for not doubting her at all. "Thank you, Mr. Gibson," Charlotte uttered sincerely.
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