Chapter 91
Just as Joycelyn was still immersed in the shame of sending Ellison that link and struggling to regain composure, the door to the director’s office swung open. Linda walked out briskly, a stack of papers in hand, and snapped, “Everyone, come to the conference room for a meeting.”
Joycelyn quickly straightened up, took a deep breath, and sipped her water to calm her nerves. Grabbing her notebook, she stood and followed her colleagues to the conference room.
Once there, Linda wasted no time. Sitting at the head of the table, she dove straight into the agenda.
“Our subsidiary’s new project with Ms. Wilson has launched successfully and is already showing impressive results,” Linda announced, her voice firm. “The event held previously was organized by our department, and everyone performed exceptionally well. The company has decided to involve our planning department in the later stages of promotion and arrangement. This is the most promising project for the future, so make sure to make the most of this opportunity.”
Aurelia, still a little taken aback by Linda’s directness, raised an eyebrow. “When was this notice issued? I didn’t receive anything on my end.”
Linda’s gaze flickered toward Aurelia with mild disdain. “You’ve just been promoted to director, so it’s natural you weren’t informed. But now that you’re leading the team, it’s time for you to understand the scope of this project.” Linda’s words were crisp, and she completely disregarded the fact that Aurelia held an equal rank.
Opening her laptop, Linda began to set up the PowerPoint presentation. “There’s a meeting this afternoon with Mr. Johnson, the project leader, and the head of design. Let me first give everyone an overview of the core aspects of the project.”
Joycelyn’s gaze shifted to the screen, where images of cutting-edge technology filled the slide. As the country pushed for rapid advancements in new energy sources, the chip sector, still dominated by foreign companies, was being disrupted by Ruby’s studio. Even though Ruby’s improvements were modest, they were a significant leap forward domestically.
Joycelyn couldn’t help but admire Ruby’s resilience. Despite the challenges she faced, including her disfigurement, Ruby continued to work closely with Grant Group. That’s real strength, Joycelyn thought, feeling a pang of respect for the woman’s unwavering resolve.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Joycelyn asked, “Linda, has Ms. Wilson signed the collaboration contract yet?”
Linda shot her an irritated look. “Isn’t that a rather obvious question? If the collaboration weren’t finalized, why would we be planning this meeting?”
Joycelyn bit her lip, chastised into silence. Meanwhile, Selene couldn’t resist adding her own question. “Wasn’t Ms. Wilson at odds with Mr. Grant before? How is it that they’re working together now?”
“Grant Group is a leader in the business world,” Linda replied, her voice flat and dismissive. “In the business realm, profits come before personal matters. Ms. Wilson’s decision to partner with us makes perfect sense. You really think Mr. Grant and Ms. Wilson can’t get things done? If that were true, the company wouldn’t have lasted this long.”
Selene rolled her eyes in response, clearly unimpressed by Linda’s tone.
Joycelyn, sensing the rising tension, gave Selene a reassuring pat on the arm. Linda’s not wrong, she thought. In the end, it’s always about the money.
As the meeting ended, Joycelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that this collaboration had come out of nowhere. Ruby probably won’t even attend, she mused, recalling that Ruby was still recovering from her facial injuries. The idea of her showing up seemed unlikely.
After a short lunch break, Team One, including Joycelyn, headed to the subsidiary for a meeting. There, they were greeted by Peter, who had previously served as the emcee at an event. However, standing next to him was someone Joycelyn hadn’t expected to see: Octavia.
Octavia was dressed in a sharply tailored black-and-white outfit, complete with black silk stockings and a form-fitting blouse. She looked stunning, but too polished—almost like she wasn’t here for business at all.
Joycelyn’s eyes narrowed as she recalled that Octavia had been the one to approach Peter for his contact information not long ago. If things had progressed as I suspect, Peter’s already charmed by her, she thought with a hint of disdain.
When Octavia caught sight of Joycelyn, a smug, almost condescending smile tugged at her lips. Aurelia, ever quick to notice, whispered to Joycelyn, “Isn’t that your stepsister? What’s she doing here? Could it be…?”
Joycelyn didn’t dignify the question with a response, her expression unchanged. “Ignore her,” she said flatly. “We’re here to work.”
Selene, who had been listening intently, clicked her tongue in irritation. “Tsk. Gossip even before the work’s been assigned. You know, Peter’s not a young man. He’s definitely married. You’d better be careful, or his wife might show up, and that’ll be a mess, especially since you’re Octavia’s sister.”
Joycelyn’s thoughts turned darker. I’ve already cut ties with her, she reminded herself. But I still feel uneasy about that whole thing with Cedric and his brother. It feels like Octavia’s somehow involved.
Octavia, however, seemed to have no interest in Joycelyn. She walked right past her and straight toward Linda, her gait oozing confidence. “Ms. Lorne, this way, please,” Octavia said with a familiarity that made Joycelyn’s stomach churn.
The brief exchange between Octavia and Linda was almost imperceptible—just a brief glance, but it was enough to make Joycelyn suspicious. They know each other, she thought, her curiosity piqued.
The rest of the meeting was uneventful. When they entered the large conference room, the team from Ruby’s side had already gathered. To Joycelyn’s surprise, the representative sent by Ruby’s team was none other than Liam.
The moment Liam laid eyes on Joycelyn, his gaze lit up. She glanced at him quickly, but there was no recognition in her expression, at least none that she let show. It’s been years, she thought, and there’s no reason to bring up the past now.
Liam, ever the professional, shook Linda’s hand, but they kept the conversation polite and formal. The meeting began, with Peter taking the lead, while Octavia silently delivered him a cup of coffee. She shot him a glance laced with more than just professionalism before retreating to the secretary’s office.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours, and as it concluded, Joycelyn and Selene made their way to the washroom.
There, they bumped into Octavia once again. She was swaying confidently in three-inch heels, her hips moving with a practiced grace that spoke volumes. When she saw Joycelyn, she deliberately blocked her path, a smug smile playing on her lips.
“My dear sister,” Octavia said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “You’ve been working for two years, but you’re still just an employee. Meanwhile, I’m still an intern, yet I’m already the chief secretary to the vice president. My salary’s several times higher than yours. You’re really inferior to me in every way.”
Joycelyn maintained her calm demeanor, her voice soft but edged with ice. “Indeed, I’m not as willing as you to go all out. Accepting men in their forties and fifties doesn’t seem to be my style.”
Her serene expression cracked into a small, knowing smile, her clear eyes cool and unwavering.
Octavia’s face darkened instantly. Her lips curled into a sneer. “I’m doing better than you. At least I didn’t end up with a gigolo who sells insurance. His monthly salary probably doesn’t even add up to a fraction of mine. You’re hardly in a position to lecture me.”
Joycelyn’s smile faded as she met Octavia’s cold, calculating gaze. “You’re right. I’m not lecturing you. Just pointing out facts.”
