Chapter 256

"That part isn't urgent, but I put together a proposal for you to check out. If you think it's good, I'll go ahead with it."

Asher's sincerity really got to me. "Asher, you won the bid because you're talented. No need to stress so much."

"I can't help it. I'm just worried that if I mess up, it'll make you look bad."

We both went quiet. Even though the incident was resolved, we knew people would still talk behind our backs.

I used to think that if you were honest, rumors couldn't hurt you. But after my divorce, I realized how damaging gossip could be.

Thinking about this, I quickly said, "Asher, just keep a cool head and stick to the plan. It'll all work out."

"Caroline, your faith in me means a lot."

Asher's eyes were actually red.

I knew how hard he had worked over the years. Winning the bid must have brought a lot of pressure.

I glanced at the proposal. It looked fine, but something came to mind.

"Did you pay the performance bond like you're supposed to?"

Asher chuckled, "Yeah, I did. The day after we won the bid, I had the finance team pay it right away to avoid any mistakes. The service fee was paid too. I wouldn't forget something like that."

I sighed in relief. "There was a small company that won a bid for the first time and didn't know the process, so they didn't pay the fee and ended up breaching the contract."

"But speaking of that, I paid the fee, but I haven't received the award notification or the contract yet."

Asher suddenly remembered.

I frowned. "They haven't given it to you? I'll follow up."

To avoid suspicion, I hadn't been involved much with the project these past few days.

I didn't realize they were still holding up the process.

It seemed Asher came today not just to show me the proposal but also to ask about this.

"Asher, don't worry. With me here, there's no way you'll miss out on the award notification."

With my assurance, Asher felt relieved.

After Asher left, I went to the project department to inquire.

I found out that Clementine Bennett, who had been handling the bidding, was on vacation. She was one of the company's earliest employees.

Coincidentally, her vacation seemed to have delayed this matter.

"Her position is so important. How could she go on vacation without a handover?" I still felt something was off. "Give me all the specific contracts. I'll take a look. The notification and contract need to be signed quickly, or we'll be in breach."

Even though we had a month, four or five days had already passed.

There weren't many working days, and who knew what other changes could happen if we delayed?

The assistant nodded. "I'll urge the project department to handle it by tomorrow."

On my way back, I still felt uneasy.

I hadn't interacted much with Clementine before. Although she had been with the company for a long time, she was always an ordinary employee, not in the project department.

Later, when I was home sick, I heard she got promoted under Brandon's management, eventually becoming the project manager.

I had my doubts about this, but after secretly observing, I found Clementine's work ability was indeed good, so I didn't say anything more.

In my impression, this was the first time she hadn't completed her work.

A cold wind blew, and I heard footsteps behind me.

I hadn't planned on taking a cab today, so I was walking along the main road outside the company. Was someone following me?

I walked a few more steps casually, crossed the street, and took a quick glance.

Sure enough, a guy in a baseball cap was tailing me.

But he must've sensed I was onto him because he suddenly stopped following and ran straight toward me.

I was about to call out to a passerby when the man said, "Caroline, don't be scared."

Don't be scared? Yeah, right!

I took two steps back, ready to call for help.

The guy had a hat and mask on, so I could only see his eyes, and his hair almost covered his forehead.

"Who are you?"

He hesitated before saying, "Who I am doesn't matter. I just want to warn you that Clementine and Alfonso from your company are in a relationship. Be careful."

After saying this, he glanced at me, looked around, and took off.

I stood there, stunned.

Clementine and Alfonso? Could it really be such a coincidence?

Although I had felt something was off today, when had my intuition ever been this accurate...

But rather than trusting Clementine, I preferred to investigate.

This guy wouldn't warn me for no reason.

Thinking of this, I quickly called another assistant, "Remy, there's a change in plans. Can you catch the next flight back?"

Remy was an assistant I had secretly trained after my divorce.

She was studying abroad and helped me handle international business in her spare time.

I hadn't asked her to come back before because I didn't want to draw too much attention. Most of the company's employees were trained by me, and after my divorce from Brandon, they chose to side with me.

But now...

I needed to keep a closer eye on the company.

After talking to Remy, I still felt uneasy and sent her a message to investigate secretly.

I also contacted Simon.

Actually, my first thought was to contact Royce.

But our relationship was awkward now. When I opened his WhatsApp, I saw he had sent me many messages.

I had decided to cut ties with him, so I hadn't replied to any of them.

If I bothered him now for my own issues, it would seem like I was using him as a tool.

Sighing, I exited Royce's chat and thought of someone else.

I took out the note Maeve had given me and added the number.

Maeve quickly accepted the request and asked if I was Caroline.

I replied, "Yes."

[I've been wondering when you'd reach out. Have you made up your mind?]

Made up my mind about what?

I remembered Maeve had mentioned something about Brandon.

But I felt Maeve was more than she seemed. She had many improper relationships with men, but when she spoke to me that day, I realized she was a powerful network herself.

Maybe it was because she had so much evidence and leverage that she could navigate the social circles without failing?

I wanted to ask her about Alfonso, how much she knew.

But as I typed the message, I deleted it word by word.

[Not yet, just thought we might be in touch in the future.]

Maeve quickly replied.

[It's only a matter of time. You're always welcome.]

Even though she was someone despised in mainstream circles, at that moment, I found her mysterious and intriguing.

I shook my head, clearing my chaotic thoughts, and opened her Facebook.

The first thing I saw was Maeve's post from today.

She had gone to a hot spring, wearing very little. Her figure was exceptionally well-maintained for her age.