Chapter 39


    The document was a mess, stained and reeking of something foul.


    Ian had a notorious obsession for cleanliness. He would have a fit if this filended on his desk. It


    didn’t take a genius to predict the ensuing drama.


    ra’s fingers whitened as she pinched the papers.


    Heidl, the pampered heiress of the Campbell n, had stooped to y assistant at Hayes


    Corporation. ra wasn’t born yesterday; she knew exactly what the y was here. She’d even bet


    herst dor that this kind of sabotage was going to be a regr


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    urrence.


    A dark smirk yed on ra’s lips.


    Fifteen minutes ticked by before ra stepped back into the boardroom, empty–handed. Heidi’s


    face lit up with smug satisfaction, which vanished as quickly as it appeared. Pretending to be the


    good Samaritan, she implored, n, this contract hup might cost us a pretty penny, but I’m sure


    Ms. ra’s slip wasn’t intentional. Could you possibly not punish her for my sake? I’ll cover the


    losses.”


    Heidi, undeterred, smiled brightly. “The Campbell family’sunching a resort development on the


    outskirts. It’s a multi–billion dor project with a bright future. It’s highly sought after. I could talk to


    my father and reserve this opportunity for you.”


    ra offered a thin smile. “Mr. Hayes, our team has researched that project. Thest developer


    shed with the local government and absconded with the funds. They’re re–tendering to find a


    sucker to fill the hole. I’d rather we not be that sucker. Besides, the project involves discing local


    farmers–it’s a headache we don’t need.”


    As she spoke, ra cast the investigative report onto the big screen. The shareholders nodded in


    agreement with her analysis.


    A clenched fist was Heidi’s only response. Was ra insinuating that the Campbell family would be


    the fools?


    Heidi, trying to maintainposure, pressed, “Since my offer doesn’t appeal to you, Ms. ra, how


    do you propose we mitigate the loss of this contract?”


    Unruffled, ra pulled out a USB drive from her pocket, her demeanor steady. “The contract ended


    up in a bathroom trash can, not exactly presentable for the boardroom. I’ve scanned the documents


    onto this drive for our discussion. Also, I’ve arranged for a


    11:129


    fresh copy to be delivered. It should be here within half an hour, so there’s no dy in signing.”


    As the scanned contract appeared on theputer, a fleeting smile crossedn’s face. Yet his tone


    remained cool as he addressed ra, “I don’t want a repeat of this mistake.


    ra nodded firmly. “Mr. Hayes, I’ll be more vignt against the snakes in our midst.”


    With that, she cast a nce at Heidi, offering a smile that was more a polished de than a gesture


    of goodwill..


    It was a clear signal, and the seasoned shareholders caught on without a word. Respect for Heidi’s


    status as the Campbell heiress was the only thing keeping their mouths shut.


    Anger shed through Heidi, her fists so tight her nails dug into her palms, yet she felt no pain.