Chapter 545


    Mandy pondered for a moment before suggesting. “How about we do some digging on this secretary?


    If they’ve suddenly taken a shine to Gilbert Corporation, it seems only right to show some appreciation,


    doesn’t it?”


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    Cotton tumed to look at Mandy as if weighing the feasibility of her suggestion.


    Their voices weren’t low, and Summer, standing nearby with a cup of water, caught snippets of their


    conversation.


    Bidding? City Secretory?


    Leaning Sgainst the kitchen counter, Summer’s face momentarilypsed into a daze.


    She remembered that in her past life, the Gilbert family had aimed to break into real estate by bidding


    on the renovation of the city’s old district. If she recalled correctly, they hadn’t won the contract, had


    they?


    Moreovec not long after their failed bid, rumors had swirled about turmoil within the city council. News


    had broken that a high–ranking official had fallen seriously ill, which caused the urban renewal project


    to be shelved. The Gilbert family had poured a significant amount of money into the venture, only to


    come up empty–handed.


    “What are you daydreaming about standing there?” Having just finished his homework, Aiden walked


    over and was surprised to find Summer lost in thought


    Summer nced at Aiden before straightening up and heading towards the living room without a word.


    She settled onto the couch with her water cup, her expression giving nothing away as she spoke,


    “Mom, Dad, did I just hear that our family business is involved in a bid?”


    Mandy was in high spirits, and her previous annoyance from the car ride seemed to have dissipated.


    She hummed in response, “Gilbert Corporation is branching into real estate. If we win this bid, the


    future’s looking bright for the Gilbert family.”


    Summer, fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup, feigned curiosity after a pause, “Is our chance of


    winning the bid high?”


    “Yeah, barring any surprises, we should win,” Colton replied with a certainty that suggested victory was


    all but assured.


    Summer looked at her father, mouth opening as if to say something, but Mandy had already turned


    back to continue the conversation with Colton. The two of them were so engrossed that Summer found


    it hard to chime in.


    “Colton, you should take your friend from the council out for a meal and inquire about this City


    Secretary. I’ll also reach out to an official’s wife I know. We need to nail down this bid,” Mandy


    suggested.


    Colton uncrossed his legs and nodded. “I was thinking the same. This is a pivotal moment for Gilbert


    Corporation. We can’t let this opportunity slip through our fingers.”


    “We’ll spare no expense to secure this project” Mandy said, her eyes alight with an intense desire for


    power and prestige. After all, no one enjoyed stagnation.


    Summer listened to their conversation, her brow furrowing slightly. She knew it wasn’t her ce to


    interject, but she couldn’t help herself, “Actually, I don’t think stuffing envelopes with cash is necessary.


    These city contracts are tricky to win, especially with old district renovations. It’s unlikely to go in favor


    of the Gilbert family, considering other big yers are involved


    Her sentence was cut short by Colton’s interjection, “You’re just a kid. You don’t understand these


    things. Don’t voice your opinion.”


    Colton’s mood soured, his good spirits dashed by his daughter’s unsolicited advice. He was so imitated


    that he failed to notice how his daughter knew the city’s tender was for the old district’s renovation.