Chapter 282 Failure
In the following days, George didn't hang out with Lucas and Emma. He was swamped prepping for a big city development project bid. The team had been grinding on it for weeks, and everything was riding on this opportunity.
The project was huge, involving the construction of a complex in the city center. Winning the bid would mean big bucks and major prestige for the Russell Group.
During the prep phase, Joshua led the team through intense market research and competitive analysis. They looked at their competitors' strengths and weaknesses and came up with a detailed bidding strategy. The team had countless internal discussions to make sure every detail was spot on.
"We need to highlight our technical advantages and past successes," Joshua stressed in a meeting. "At the same time, we have to make sure our bid is competitive but still profitable."
After several rounds of improvements, they finally submitted the bid documents just before the deadline. Joshua and the team let out a collective sigh of relief, looking forward to the upcoming evaluation meeting.
A few days later, the evaluation meeting went down as planned. Reps from all the bidding companies gathered, and the evaluation committee, made up of government officials and industry experts from Lakeside Haven, reviewed all the bid documents.
The Russell Group's reps were brimming with confidence. Joshua presented the company's technical plan in detail, emphasizing their successful experience with similar projects and showcasing a slick PowerPoint presentation that clearly outlined the project's feasibility and economic benefits.
"Our plan not only ensures high-quality project completion but also guarantees on-time delivery," Joshua said confidently, grabbing the judges' attention.
Meanwhile, in the Bright family delegation, Juliet Bright wore a confident smile, seemingly sure of their bid's success.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we present an unparalleled proposal," Juliet began, her gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Joshua with a slight, provocative smile. "I think everyone knows how conservative Joshua's plan is. In a project like this, it won't suffice to rely on outdated concepts."
"Juliet, your plan may be flashy, but it lacks practical feasibility," Joshua shot back without missing a beat. "We need a realistic plan, not empty slogans."
Juliet responded with a disdainful smile. "We need breakthroughs, not stagnation. Some old ways just don't work anymore. Don't you agree? Like the Russell Group."
Juliet's implication was clear. He mocked the Russell Group for being old-fashioned and resistant to change.
The Bright family, unlike the Russell family, was a rising power. In the past decade, they had outcompeted at least ten major families in Aetheris. Their next target was the Russell family in Lakeside Haven.
Initially, the Bright family hadn't planned to go head-to-head with the Russell family so soon, but they unexpectedly got their hands on the Russell Group's bid documents.
Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity, so the Bright family decided to compete.
When it came to bid prices, all the verbal sparring was just for show.
Joshua was confident in his proposal.
However, just as they were feeling optimistic, an unexpected issue arose. During the review process, the evaluation committee discovered that parts of the Russell Group's bid were strikingly similar to the Bright Group's proposal, with some data almost identical.
"This can't be!" Joshua was shocked, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Their bid documents had been leaked to the competitor. Where had the breach occurred?
Joshua immediately thought of the night a few days ago when the Russell Group building had an unexpected power outage. George's office had shown signs of an intruder, but when they investigated, they only found Isabella.
Since Isabella was George's wife, they didn't dare question her, and the inspection was cursory. But now, in hindsight, Isabella's behavior seemed highly suspicious.
Could Isabella be a spy?
Joshua reported the matter to George, who didn't seem surprised, only sighing softly.
Joshua didn't see disappointment in George's eyes, but rather sadness and guilt. He couldn't understand why but didn't press further and was about to leave.
George called him back. "Joshua, I need you to do something for me."
George pulled a small, transparent sealed bag from his pocket and placed it on the desk, indicating for Joshua to take it.
Joshua picked it up, puzzled, and saw it contained a few strands of hair. "What's this?"
George said, "Take these hairs to Sophia and Henry and tell them it's Emma's hair. If they want, they can use it for a paternity test, but I hope they don't tell Isabella about it, no matter the result."
"Yes, Mr. Russell."
They were overjoyed to receive the hairs. Emma had been gone for many years, and they hadn't expected George to still have her hair. Although they were already convinced Emma was their daughter, having her hair for a paternity test was a way to honor her memory.
They paid a hefty sum for the fastest test, and the results came back quickly. Emma was indeed their child. They informed George, hoping he would return Emma's ashes so she could be with them.
"Emma's ashes are gone," George said with a sorrowful smile.
"How could they be gone? Could they have been stolen?"
Indeed, Emma's ashes had been stolen. Not only that, but her grave had been desecrated, denying her peace even in death.
All of this was Anna's doing.
"Anna! I will never forgive you!"
George ignored them, staring blankly at a photo of Isabella. He had always suspected that there couldn't be two people who looked so alike. It turned out they were the same person.
The hair George gave to them wasn't from Emma three years ago but was pulled from Isabella's head while she slept. Isabella's long-held secret was finally exposed to George.
Despite Emma's repeated reassurances, George knew she no longer loved him.
She had returned for revenge.
Whether it was sending Anna to prison to hurt him or stealing the bid documents, these were all Emma's acts of vengeance.
But George didn't hate Emma.
He was willing to join her in her revenge, even if it cost him his life. So now, he was also willing to be Emma's accomplice, letting Sophia and Henry live with their regret.
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