A Curveball I thought the situation with his cousin had been resolved, but I soon found


    myself face–to–face with her.


    On Monday, Ryan officially joined the team.


    His presence gave me a boost of energy, as if he had lifted half of the weight off my shoulders.


    As a show of trust, I gave Ryan a detailed ount of Tanum Corporation’s entire development process,


    including how it had been hollowed out.


    He even yfully referred to it as my second venture.


    On Tuesday, I went to ATL Empire for a meeting.


    As’s cousin was there instead of him.


    She looked stunning in a pantsuit and came to our project meeting.


    Throughout the meeting, her gaze remained locked on me, making me uneasy.


    It was not until the meeting was over and Carol and I were walking out that she called, “Ms.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Chloe!” I turned around and saw her approaching with a cheerful smile.


    “You’re Ms.


    Chloe, right?” “Yes, I’m Chloe Hartz!” I nodded, extending my hand in a friendly gesture.


    After all, this was ATL Empire, and I needed to maintain decorum.


    “Ste White!” She shook my hand but didn’t release it.


    Her eyes remained fixed on my face.


    I smiled and asked, “Do you know me?” “No, I just found you beautiful and felt like I’d seen you before!”


    Her guarded words suggested she wasn’t being truthful.


    “I didn’t expect such a major project at ATL Empire, and a woman as a partner, no less! You seem quite


    impressive.


    I’ll have to learn from you!” Her words were kind, and I modestly said, “I’ve just been fortunate!” “Let’s


    exchange numbers! It’ll be convenient for us to stay in touch!” Her eyes were sincere, and she had her


    phone ready, She left me no choice but to exchange numbers.


    “I don’t text much, so I might be slow to reply sometimes.


    I hope you don’t mind!” “Sure, let’s grab a coffee sometime.


    I’m new to Foswood and don’t have many friends yet! Of course, only if it doesn’t inconvenience you!”


    “No problem!” I assured her.


    “I should head back now.


    There’s still work waiting for me at the office.” way As Carol and I left, I saw out of the corner of my eye


    that Ste was standing still in the hallway.


    She was staring at me as I walked away.


    I I had a strange feeling about Ste.


    There was something peculiar about how she looked at me.


    We had weed several new team members in thest few days, and the office felt lively.


    However, as soon as I returned to my office, Josh Miller came in.


    He was in charge of procurement.


    “Ms.


    Chloe, several suppliers have ended their contracts with us!” I nced at the report he handed me.


    These were the leading suppliers of our essential raw materials.


    Josh looked pained.


    “It must be Matthew’s doing.


    He-” I raised my hand to stop him.


    I knew this was a move by Matthew to undermine me.


    “Get Mr.


    Ryan for a meeting and have your team join us.


    We need to get clients for equivalent products as soon as possible.


    Only deals we secure ourselves will have loyalty.” I refused to believe there weren’t better partners


    outside of Matthew’s clientele.


    Fred Meyers was a prime example of that.


    Matthew had dismissed Fred and only thought about the cost.


    I encouraged my staff to aim for high–quality endeavors.


    The proposal made my heart skip a beat.


    Matthew only cared about profits.


    Didn’t that mean I had a chance to strike back? A n formed in my mind.