Chapter 62 Just a Car
He held the firm belief that the young lady, Natalie, should not be driving herself. In his mind, she should be accompanied by a chauffeur or a butler when venturing out, a consideration he had not fully thought through.
Natalie, however, brushed off his concerns with a smile. "There's no need. I can handle it. Don't worry," she reassured him, her words brief before she ended the call.
The car glided out of the garage, making a beeline for the company. The roads were clear, devoid of the usual congestion, making the journey seamless. Yet, she couldn't comprehend why the surrounding vehicles seemed to yield to her, maintaining a significant distance as she navigated the streets. The peculiarity did not escape her notice, but she pushed it aside as she reached the company building.
Handing over the keys to the doorman for parking, she strutted in, her high heels clicking against the floor. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Jessica, her gaze seething with anger and disdain. Natalie found it odd. Could Jessica have known that she had handed the recording over to Victor? Surely, the news couldn't have spread that quickly.
"Ms. Cole, why aren't you heading upstairs to work?" Jessica sneered, her eyes filled with contempt. "Mr. Clark really likes you, huh? Gifting you such a luxurious car. It must be worth around four hundred thousand dollars, right?" Natalie couldn't possibly afford a Cayenne on her own. The car was top-tier, after all.
Natalie's brows furrowed at Jessica's words, then a realization dawned on her. She chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It's just a car. I don't need someone to gift it to me. I can afford it," she retorted, her gaze briefly resting on Jessica's flushed face before she turned away nonchalantly, heading towards the CEO's exclusive elevator. She was not a woman who would be content with a mere second-hand Audi.
Upstairs, Aaron greeted her and they spent some time discussing the meeting agenda. Natalie, still in her high heels, proceeded to the meeting room where Jessica had also entered. She scanned the room, noting that the group was almost fully assembled. "Let's begin," she announced.
The negotiations with the Zorblax Group had reached a preliminary agreement, but their core interests lay within the intricate details. Any misstep could lead to significant profit loss, necessitating a thorough discussion.
Several shareholders, who also held positions as department heads, were already quite displeased with Natalie. Their work had become less proactive in Victor's absence, and the discussion seemed to drag on without reaching a conclusion. The proposals put forward by Natalie's team were being shuffled around.
Surveying the room, she could see many hoping for her to stumble, and an idea struck her. Jessica sat there with an air of indifference, while Derek, who rarely attended meetings, remained silent. He merely watched as Natalie was pressured by the others, offering a smile in a feeble attempt to support her.
"Ms. Clark is still quite young. Although she has secured the Zorblax Group project, she lacks maturity in this field. This project could either yield profit or result in loss, so naturally, we are hesitant to take too many risks. Ms. Clark, you need to empathize with us more," he advised.
Natalie responded with a smile. "Empathize? So, according to you, should we breach the contract with the Zorblax Group?" Derek's face paled. Would his single statement lead to a breach of contract? Victor would be furious upon his return!
"Of course not. It's just that Mr. Clark is abroad, and we can't make decisions. Why not set this matter aside until Mr. Clark returns..." He was just stalling. Timing was crucial. Without seizing the opportunity, the Clark Group would lose its leading position in this project, and even if they participated later, it wouldn't hold much significance.
Natalie lowered her gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her eyes, however, held a cold glint as she surveyed the people below. "So, if Mr. Clark doesn't return, will none of you work anymore? Are you planning to go on strike?" The usually gentle Natalie had suddenly flared up, taking everyone by surprise. This woman, who they had assumed to be a pampered mistress, had a fiery temper.
"You are all esteemed professionals in the workplace. If you continue to delay progress because the boss is absent, will you bear the ultimate loss in the end?" She questioned, her gaze sweeping over the people below. They had hoped to take advantage of her while Victor was away. Unfortunately for them, she was not one to be trifled with.
