bChapter /bb169 /b

    b“/bbThat’s /bexactly why you’re ba /bdepartment head. If everyone worked as hard as you, Centrium Corporation would be soaring bto /bnew heights in bno /bbtime /bBryson saidb, /bhis ttery making me want tough.

    He always spoke with half–truths–I never took him seriously.

    “That being said, thepany’s sess can’t rest on just your shoulders. I’ve noticed your efforts and reported them to the higher–ups. The bbig /bboss has decided you’re not allowed to overwork yourself like this anymore. If you get burned out, that would be a huge loss for thepanyi,/ibi” /i/bBryson added. So much for my excuse toe in early.

    But it didn’t matter anymore–I no longer needed to avoid Josh.

    He had stopped leaving breakfast at my door for several days now. He must have finally gotten the message.

    “I heard you have an important client visiting today. A big deal?” Bryson asked as he shifted the topic.

    “Yes, they’re arriving at ten—just an hour from now,” I replied with a smile. “If there’s nothing else, Mr. Skinner, I’ll go make the final preparations.”

    “Of course. Best of luck, Zoe,” Bryson said, raising his coffee cup in a toast.

    Returning to my office, I reviewed the necessary documents onest time. By 9:50, I headed to the meeting room and double–checked the setup.

    This client was crucial. If I secured the deal, it would not onlypensate for the loss of resources that Alvin had stolen but also increase our department’s performance significantly.

    At exactly ten, the client arrived.

    But, the moment I saw who it was, my face darkened.

    It was Alvin.

    But I wasn’t supposed to be negotiating with the Dolton Group. He was here under a different name.

    He took in my expression, a rxed smile ying on his lips. Extending a hand, he greeted me, “Hello, Zoe.”

    I did not take his hand. Instead, I stared at his everposed face, my anger ring. But I kept it hidden, fixing him with an icy gaze and asked, “Are you here for a genuine business negotiation, or are you just here to cause trouble?”

    “Of course, I’m here for business. What else would I be here for?” Alvin responded, his demeanor both roguish and mischievous.

    This starkly contrasted with the cold and aloof man he used to be around me.

    “Fine. Then let’s begin our discussion,” I said. Even though I knew he had ulterior motives, I still underwent the proper procedures.

    I had thoroughly researched Enphase Renewable Energy Company, thepany he was using for this deal. It had promising potential and impressive growth, having been established two years ago.

    Clearly, Alvin wasn’t dedicating all his efforts to the Dolton Group. The reason was obvious–after all, thatpany was his father’s legacy, which bmeant /bhe had to share it with Philip.

    Alvin cooperated and agreed to all my conditions without hesitation, making the negotiation surprisingly smooth.

    But his easypliance unsettled me–there was no way he hade just for business.

    Sure enough, when I handed him the contract to sign, he pulled me aside and said, “Zoe, what’s the point of being ba /bdepartment head at such a bsmall /bpany?”

    bChapter /bb169 /b

    bI /bbdidn’t /bbrespond/b, simply pressing my blips /btogether and watching him.

    b“/bbIf /bbyou /bstop being stubborn, I’ll make you your boss. Enphase could be yours,” Alvin said grandly.

    b“/bbSo/b, Mr. bDolton/b, you didn’te to negotiate–you came to poach me instead,” I mocked.

    b“/bZoe, I just want you back by my side,” he said, his expression uncharacteristically sincere.

    bI /bstared at his thin lips. They say men with thin lips are often unfaithful–perhaps there was some truth to that.

    “Alvin, I don’t want to keep repeating myself. You should know by now that we are never getting back together,” I stated firmly.

    His face darkened. “I’ve done all this for you, and you still won’t give inb?/b”

    “I just want you to let go of the past and stop pestering me,” I replied, making his smile falter.

    Before he could say anything else, Bryson walked over. Standing beside me, he nodded slightly at Alvin before turning to me and saidb, /b“Zoe, bI /bjust bgot /bword from the higher–ups. The boss has rejected this deal.”

    bAD /b