Chapter 24
These past few days, I had a lot on my mind, I was still mulling over the merger with Peterson Group.
“You really should rethink teaming up with Peterson Group. Don’t rush into decisions,” Albert said during yesterday’s lunch.
“What do you know about that company?”
“You and Bradley should really dig into it. Troy’s known to play dirty,” Albert’s words caught me off guard, Was Troy really like that?
If he was, I would outright refuse to collaborate with Peterson Group. Regarding the arranged marriage and the company merger, I needed to investigate it myself.
As usual, I contacted Carrie, my friend and business partner. She had extensive knowledge of the business world, especially the property sector that I was interested in.
“Carrie, please gather all the information you can about Peterson Group and send it to me as soon as possible.”
“Sure thing, Sarah.”
I hung up with Carrie and called Bradley through the office phone.
“Hey, Brad, I need an office girl to my office, pronto!”
Shortly after, an office girl walked in.
“Could you tidy up my office? Bring all the files from the cabinet over there and organize them alphabetically. Quick!”
“Sarah, how about giving out tasks one by one instead of all at once?”
I immediately raised my head to see the person whose voice I recognized.
“Have you forgotten who’s in charge here?”
Lorraine scowled and pouted.
“If you don’t need the money anymore, feel free to leave!” I retorted.
175
140 BUNA
“Alright, I’ll do it,” she replied hesitantly while tidying up the cabinet.
It took Lorraine nearly two hours to finish the job. During that time, she didn’t speak to me at all.
“When you’re done, get me lunch from the restaurant across the main street.”
“Why not order online?”
Despite Lorraine’s situation, she was still so bold.
“Why bother ordering online when I have someone I can boss around?” I teased back with a smile.
With an annoyed look, Lorraine obeyed my order. The restaurant I had in mind was quite far, and she had to cross using the pedestrian bridge, which was pretty high. It was high time she knew how it felt to be bossed around without feeling appreciated, just like what she had done to me back then.
*Ma’am, our sales have dropped drastically this month. Many of our clients are switching to other companies,” Augustus from the marketing department reported on our company’s sales performance.
“Where are they going?”
“There are several companies, Ma’am. Even though those companies are small and new, they’re offering prices way below what we’re offering.”
“Hmm… it seems like they are being backed somewhere. I need to investigate this. This afternoon, I’ll have a briefing with the entire marketing division. There are no exceptions. I want everyone in the meeting room in ten minutes!” I instructed firmly.
“Got it, Ma’am,” Augustus replied before leaving my office.
I suspected an employee had been leaking our clients‘ data to our competitors. The only ones who had access to that data were the marketing division staff.
All the marketing division employees were already in the meeting room, and I
marking this
afgeply and she
ARTEMITTUNKEN, ANNtyne huge we can work hard together to mcrease our The company needs your support and unweiding loyalty at the moment.
But I find a tator among an, wordt tegiture to fire them.”
They all stayert siler and lowered their heads Only Kendall seemed very
estiens. It obert like she was messaging someone.
sright, that’s all from me Good day, everyone.”
left the meeting room and went back to my office. On my desk was a pack of the restaurants foot and a sat of cutlery However, I was not in the mood for food now
Suddenly, my phone rang it was They calling
“They beautifull”
They Troy What’s up?
“What about my offer yesterday? Can we start the collaboration? Or should we just get married as soon as your divorce paperwork is done?”
Troy burst into laughter on the other and
Honestly, I found it strange that a big company like Peterson Group suddenly insisted on collaborating with my small company.
Let’s talk about it later. Is it clay if I come to wist your office?”
They of course! I’ll send a driver to pick you up.”
“Oh, there’s no need. I’m already on my way with my driver. Alright! See you there.”
I didn’t know why, but really wanted to wait Penarsson Group’s office. I fett like
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observed each one of their faces.
Hmm… turned out Kendall was also part of the marketing division. She seemed uneasy when our eyes met. I stared at her sharply and she instinctively lowered her gaze. That was unusual.
My first suspicion was that homewrecker. She would have a motive to ruin me, so I needed to investigate her, too.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I hope we can work hard together to increase our sales. The company needs your support and unyielding loyalty at the moment. But if I find a traitor among us, I won’t hesitate to fire them.”
They all stayed silent and lowered their heads. Only Kendall seem very restless. It looked like she was messaging someone.
“Alright, that’s all from me. Good day, everyone.”
I left the meeting room and went back to my office. On my desk was a pack of the restaurant’s food and a set of cutlery. However, I was not in the mood for
food now.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Troy calling.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, Troy. What’s up?”
“What about my offer yesterday? Can we start the collaboration? Or should we just get married as soon as your divorce paperwork is done?”
Troy burst into laughter on the other end.
Honestly, I found it strange that a big company like Peterson Group suddenly insisted on collaborating with my small company.
“Let’s talk about it later. Is it okay if I come to visit your office?”
“Hey, of course! I’ll send a driver to pick you up.”
“Oh, there’s no need. I’m already on my way with my driver. Alright! See you
there.”
I didn’t know why, but I really wanted to visit Peterson Group’s office. I felt like
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I’d find some clues there.
I hurriedly left my office and immediately called Joshua.
“Josh, get the car ready! I’m going out.”
“Alright, Ma’am.”
The distance from my office to Troy’s office wasn’t too far. But traffic in the afternoon was unavoidable.
Finally, I arrived in front of Peterson Group’s grand building. Someone was already waiting for me in the lobby.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Johnson. Let me take you to Mr. Peterson’s office.”
“Alright, thank you.”
We entered the director’s exclusive lift and went straight to the room where Troy was.
As we passed by a few employee desks, I saw someone who seemed familiar But I just couldn’t remember where I had seen him before.
He seemed to be one of Troy’s trusted people because he had a serious conversation with the guy who escorted me here. I wondered what they were talking about.
I kept thinking about where I’d seen him before. Hopefully, this would be one clue to finding the traitor in my company.
Wait a minute… I just remembered. He was the guy I saw with Kendall at the hospital!
Could this be related to the drop in my company’s sales? Or was it true what Albert had said, that Troy often engaged in dirty competition?
I had no idea.
“Welcome to Peterson Group, Ms. Johnson.” Troy warmly welcomed me.
I was startled when he tried to hug me. Luckily, I quickly avoided it by reaching for his hand and shaking it.
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“How are you, Mr. Peterson?”
“Delighted by the arrival of a beautiful angel,” He replied, then chuckled,
“Come on, let’s sit! This is my office. I hope you like it. Because all of this will soon be yours too.”
I just responded with a smile to his words. Why was he so sure that I would accept this arranged marriage?
Hopefully, I would get some clues to save my company soon. Otherwise, my company’s clients would switch to other companies. And Johnson Corp would be at risk of bankruptcy.
