Testing Him


    Carol awaited my decision. After some thought, I looked at her and said, “Since he’s already here, let’s


    meet him.”


    Carol smiled. “He might be up to no good, you know.”


    It’s u


    up to us to decide whether to work with them, right?” I said dismissively, “Let’s see what he says.”


    “All right, but please be careful.” Carol left, and I watched her go with a raised brow, feeling fond of her.


    A


    whileter, she led Damian into my office.


    The chubby man appeared to be in histe thirties. He smiled and shook my hand to greet me, “Nice to


    meet you, Ms. Chloe.” 1


    “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Damian. Have a seat.” I gestured toward the chair before my desk instead of


    the sofa.


    Thanks!” He sat on the chair. “I heard so much about you. People keep telling me how well your


    company


    is doing.”


    I chuckled. “I’m sure every contractor in Foswood has heard of how I almost ran thepany to the


    ground. I’m afraid you’re misinformed, Mr. Damian”


    Damian blushed and smiled embarrassedly. “You’re being modest, Ms. Chloe.”


    I asked, “So what can I do for you?”


    “Oh, yes.” Damian dropped his smile. “I’m here to seek your help.”


    He told me Echelon Group had several unfinished duplexes due to particr circumstances in the


    preliminary construction phase. However, other buildings in the same project had beenpleted and


    handed over.


    The situation was awkward because the more prominentpanies were unwilling to handle the units.


    In


    contrast, Echelon Group didn’t want to risk engaging smallerpanies for quality sake.


    Since Tanum Corporation had a good reputation regarding work quality, Damian wanted to see if we


    would handle the remaining units. Moreover, Tanum Corporation used tiles from Surface Solutions and


    floorings from yton Interiors, which other contractors might be unable to secure.


    I considered what he said and noticed he hade prepared. I had just eliminated most of my


    Since I only listened and did not say much, Damian couldn’t figure out my thoughts and looked at me


    awkwardly.


    After a moment, I asked, “How many square meters in total?”


    “Oh… there are eight units, each with 4,800 square meters. That makes it approximately 50,000


    square


    meters altogether.” Damian looked at me with urgency. It seemed he was determined to make this


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    happen.


    In other words, Echelon Group was eager to strike a deal with Tanum Corporation.


    I pondered momentarily before asking, “I’m unsure how much you know about Tanum Corporation, but


    Matthew Murphy has always managed it. However, we got divorced, and I got thepany back.”


    “Yes, I knew about that Damian nodded.


    I hated how fast bad news traveled. I guess everyone in Foswood had learned about our divorce. I


    smiled.


    and continued, “Anyway, I repositioned our business to target the mid to high–end markets when !


    resumed control of thepany.”


    Damian nodded.


    1 just terminated our previous suppliers‘ contracts. I’m afraid I might be unable to use the products from


    thepanies you mentioned just now.” That was just an excuse, but Damian’s expression remained


    unchanged.


    I continued, “Our pricing will be much higher than before. After all, costs have increased, and I must


    ensure I can still profit.”


    I purposely said that to test Damian.