Chapter 876 My Recently Made Friend
To show her determination to return to the Phoebe Group, Adeline demolished her small courtyard residence, shocking the entire city of Oceancrest.
The news spread like wildfire, and the employees of the Phoebe Group were buzzing with excitement.
Everyone believed that with Adeline's bold move, the Phoebe Group would surely overcome its current difficulties.
"Who taught you that trick? It worked pretty well," Oliver, the CEO of the Phoebe Group, remarked with a faint smile as he looked at Adeline in his office.
Leaning on the sofa, Adeline chatted with Tamsin on her phone and replied with a light laugh, "I have a very capable friend helping me."
Oliver's smile widened. "Where did you meet this friend? I'd like to meet them sometime."
Adeline shrugged. "When the time is right, I'll introduce you."
She had mentioned before that Tamsin should reveal her identity and meet Oliver, but Tamsin insisted on waiting until she had helped Adeline achieve something significant.
Adeline couldn't argue with her and felt that meeting Oliver wouldn't change much, so she went along with Tamsin's plan and didn't tell Oliver.
"We need to take the initiative," Tamsin texted Adeline. "Demolishing the courtyard was just to boost morale. It doesn't count as a real achievement."
"What we need to do now is accomplish something that seems difficult to others, to instill confidence in the company's employees."
Adeline frowned. "Are you sure about this?"
She was clueless about business and had no confidence in herself.
"Just follow my instructions, and you'll be fine," Tamsin quickly replied. "Talk to Oliver and find a challenging task for the company. We'll take it on and develop a strategy."
Adeline felt completely lost. She bit her lip, looked up at Oliver, and expressed her request.
Although Oliver doubted her abilities, he appreciated her sincerity and assigned her a task. "Recently, someone in Oceancrest City acquired the mining rights to a site in Aestrale. He currently has no partners in Oceancrest City."
"The Foster family and the Torres family are both trying to connect with Mr. Palmer. You can give it a shot."
"If you can secure this deal, it would be a significant contribution to the company's supply chain."
Adeline recorded Oliver's words and secretly sent them to Tamsin.
After a brief discussion, Adeline and Tamsin decided that securing this deal would be Adeline's first task upon returning to the Phoebe Group.
With Hugo Palmer's information in hand, Adeline returned to her office, working on her research while on a call with Tamsin.
During this time, Sebastian contacted her, saying he knew she was moving out of the courtyard and had found a place to share with friends. He also inquired about her work progress.
Adeline, trusting Sebastian, vented about how much harder this task was compared to her previous design work while searching for Hugo's information.
By evening, Adeline and Tamsin were ready to execute their plan. Hugo was having dinner with friends at Lucky Restaurant that night. Tamsin had arranged for Adeline to attend as the date of one of Hugo's friends.
Hugo valued relationships, and if Adeline could infiltrate his social circle and become his friend, half the battle would be won.
As the CEO of the Phoebe Group, Hugo would be flattered by her personal attention.
Adeline, unfamiliar with business tactics, decided to follow Tamsin's advice. She dressed up and headed to Lucky Restaurant.
Tamsin had bribed one of Hugo's small business friends, Allan Jennings. Adeline had expected Allan to be around her age.
However, when she saw a man in his fifties with a shiny bald head and a large belly at the restaurant entrance, she couldn't help but frown.
Glancing at her carefully chosen dress, Adeline bit her lip, adjusted her earring, and whispered, "Why is Allan a big guy?"
Tamsin's voice on the other end was impatient. "He's the only one willing to take you to meet Hugo tonight."
"Adeline, this is work, not a date. Get your priorities straight!"
The commanding tone made Adeline uncomfortable, but she was already at the restaurant, and the money had been spent. She had no choice but to go through with it.
Taking a deep breath, Adeline composed herself and walked over to Allan.
Allan turned and saw Adeline's youthful, radiant face. He rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Ms. Wilson, you look even better in person than in the news!"
Adeline smiled politely and checked the time. "Shall we go in?"
Allan eagerly nodded, grabbing Adeline's hand and placing it on his fleshy arm. "Come on, let's go in together!"
Adeline's brow furrowed tightly. She tried to pull her hand away. "I'm just your date tonight. We don't need to be so close, do we?"
Allan was instantly displeased. "Don't you understand? It's etiquette!"
"It's just holding my arm, not anything else!"
Adeline rolled her eyes but linked her arm with his and walked in.
The private room was nearly full when they entered. Hugo's friends, all middle-aged men, each had a young woman by their side.
As Allan led Adeline in, Hugo burst into laughter. "Oh, my God, look who Allan brought!"
"He actually brought Ms. Wilson!"
The room erupted in laughter. Adeline felt an urge to walk out. She could tell there was no respect for women in their laughter.
But if she left now, she would offend Hugo, and the deal would be off the table.
Suppressing her anger, she smiled and greeted Hugo, then followed Allan to a corner seat.
"Is everyone here?" Allan asked, glancing at an empty chair in the most prominent spot.
Hugo chuckled. "We're waiting for a new friend of mine."
"Mr. Foster."
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