Chapter 562


    Colton stumbled backward, his heart pounding in his chest. Before setting foot in this ce today, he


    had been daydreaming about Gilbert Corporation’s climb up the localdder, envisioning their


    breakthrough into the top ten businesses of the city, bing the year’s breakout sess story.


    Why were those dreams shattering now? Why had it all gone wrong?


    Confused and desperate for answers, Colton reached out and grabbed Travis by the arm. “Didn’t you


    guys at the city hall say that you were taking a close look at Gilbert Corporation? That we had a strong


    shot atnding the contract? Why the sudden cold feet?”


    As Colton’s grip tightened, Travis winced and pulled away with an irritated jerk of his arm. “How am I


    supposed to know why?”


    After a pause, a thought seemed to strike Travis, and he stared Colton straight in the eye. “So, you’re


    telling me there’s no backroom deal between the Gilbert family and Johnny’s crowd?”


    Colton was taken aback. “If I had an in with Johnny, would I even be here talking to you?”


    Hadn’t Travis said the city’s top brass would give special consideration to Gilbert Corporation? That


    they had a great chance of winning the bid? Wasn’t that why Colton hade here, full of hope?


    Travis‘ frown deepened. “But if you’re not chummy with Johnny, why would he mention giving Gilbert


    Corporation a closer look?”


    He had only cozied up to Colton because he’d overheard the higher–ups talking about focusing on


    Gilbert Corporation for the old town redevelopment bids. At the time, Colton had acted like he and


    Johnny were strangers, and Travis had assumed he was just ying it cool, keeping his connections


    under wraps.


    He’d been an assistant director for years, always just shy of a promotion. So he yed along with


    Colton, pretending to be clueless. But now, judging by the turn of events… Travis had been the fool all


    along.


    “I swear, I don’t know Johnny. No one in the Gilbert famil


    by Travis‘ repeated questioning.


    Travis studied Colton’s bewildered expression. It wasn’t


    or on the board has ever rubbed elbows with him,” Colton insisted, bewildered


    act. Had everyone been mistaken, leading to this farce?


    At that moment, Travis realized that no amount of untangling the situation could save his career. If it


    hadn’t been for Colton attempting to slip Johnny a business card, Travis could have walked away from


    any misunderstanding. But now, shoulders heavy with regret, he had nothing more to say. He turned


    and trudged out of the private dining room, his silhouette heavy with defeat.


    Colton watched Travis leave, only then fully grasping the magnitude of their blunder. His fingers


    loosened, and the bank card slipped from his grasp, fluttering onto the plush carpet.


    Beside him, Mandy’sposure crumbled, the mask of a high–societydy falling away. She tiptoed


    over, bent down, and carefully retrieved the card. Her lips parted, “Honey…”


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    Hearing Mandy’s voice, Colton was reminded of whose bright idea it had been to offer the bribe. His


    face darkened with anger. He spun around, his eyes icy as he thrust the proposal document he’d been


    clutching into her hands. “Look at the brilliant n you cooked up! Happy now?”