Chapter 959 Lily Loses the Project, Breaks Down Again
Conference Center
"We're determined to win this project," Lily announced, leading the Powell Corporation team. She was ready to put both the Raymond Group and Cunningham Group in their place.
Lily was in high spirits today. The Cunningham Group was still embroiled in controversy, and the Raymond Group was caught in the crossfire. With Ethan showing no signs of divorcing to avoid conflicts of interest, both the Cunningham family and Raymond Group were surely out of the running.
And with them eliminated, only the Powell Corporation had the capacity to secure this project.
"The Raymond Group has likely lost all credibility. I wonder if you're representing the Cunningham Group or the Raymond Group today?" Lily remarked mockingly as Jasmine approached alone.
In her moment of triumph, Lily didn't consider Jasmine a threat at all.
"I'm here on behalf of Mrs. Douglas. What's your role now—security guard or watchdog? Since when is this your business?" Jasmine replied coolly, giving Lily a dismissive glance.
Lily's face darkened with anger before she forced a smile. "Jasmine, let's see how long you can keep up this brave front."
She really wouldn't give up until the bitter end.
"Don't worry, I'm not competing with you on that front. If winning means that much to you, be my guest. After all, corpses are the stiffest things around." Jasmine pushed past Lily and walked straight into the conference hall.
Lily stumbled against the door, glaring furiously at Jasmine.
Her assistant quickly steadied her. "Ms. Taylor, don't stoop to her level. The Raymond Group and Cunningham Group are bound to lose anyway."
Lily nodded with a cold smile. "You're right."
Time to watch the show.
Just as Lily was about to enter the conference room, Avery arrived.
Lily frowned. "Ms. Hawthorne, you aren't invited, are you? The Hawthorne family isn't on the guest list."
"Rhett and I were married in all but name. Lyanna transferred all his shares to me," Avery explained with a smile. "I'm here representing the Murray family, which is one of the finalists for this project, isn't it?"
Lily was stunned. Avery was representing the Murray family?
Hadn't she heard the Murray family had withdrawn from this project?
"Don't worry, Ms. Taylor. We've prepared for every contingency," her assistant reassured her. "Since Mr. Hamilton isn't competing against us, the Powell Corporation has the best chance of winning. The Murray family is in such disarray—what kind of proposal could they possibly present? The client won't choose them."
Lily was growing anxious, with an uneasy feeling she couldn't shake.
Taking a seat beside Vincent, she whispered, "Avery's here too. I wonder if she'll be a wild card."
Vincent glanced at her and smiled. "Getting nervous?"
Lily clutched Vincent's arm anxiously. "I thought we had this in the bag. I never expected Avery to acquire Murray Group shares."
Vincent looked ahead. "I heard she gave up management of the Hawthorne Group due to her pregnancy. She only holds passive shares in the Murray Group without any management role or project involvement."
Lily sighed with relief. "That's good."
"But whoever acquired Beck's shares in the Murray Group might be a different story. What if they're not so accommodating?" Vincent whispered, deliberately unsettling Lily.
Lily's heart sank again.
"Thank you all for coming today for this project presentation..."
At the front, the client representatives had opened their laptops.
Lily sat up straight, casting a proud look at Jasmine, exuding confidence.
Jasmine smirked, leaning against Ethan's arm.
Ethan patted the back of Jasmine's hand reassuringly.
"After extensive deliberation, our team has decided to award this project to the Murray Group."
The announcement stunned everyone in the room.
Lily jumped to her feet, eyes wide with shock.
What? The Murray Group?
"On what grounds?" Lily demanded angrily.
"Please remain calm. Although the Murray Group has new ownership, their project proposal is clearly more comprehensive and well-reasoned." The client displayed the Murray Group's new proposal.
Lily stared at the screen in disbelief. How was this possible? Who was behind the Murray Group now?
Wait—this proposal incorporated elements that both the Cunningham Group and Raymond Group had been working on. Could Ethan be behind the Murray Group's new ownership?
Lily clenched her fists in frustration, glaring at Ethan.
It was obvious—she'd been outmaneuvered by Ethan.
She had thought with Vincent on her side, success was guaranteed. As long as Vincent wasn't competing against her, she was certain to win this project.
Who could have imagined that the Murray Group, seemingly eliminated early on, would return and win the project this way?
"Vincent..." Lily looked down at him in panic.
Once the client had made their decision, it was final.
What could they do now?
Vincent sat impassively before speaking coldly, "Is this what you called 'foolproof' and 'confident'? If I had known... I would have taken action myself. Now we've handed a sure thing to someone else!"
Vincent stormed out angrily.
Lily frantically tried to follow him, but Vincent shook her off. "I need to clear my head. Don't follow me."
Lily nearly lost her balance, standing awkwardly at the doorway.
How had everything gone so wrong? Where had they miscalculated?
Jasmine gave Lily a cold, mocking look.
How ironic.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. This Vincent was quite the actor—what a waste of talent not to be on stage.
Jasmine stood up and left with Edward and Ethan.
Passing Lily, Jasmine couldn't resist twisting the knife. "Seeing how proud you were earlier, I thought the Powell Corporation had this project locked up. How embarrassing for you."
Lily clenched her fists in rage, looking venomously at Jasmine. "Don't get too cocky, Jasmine. Whoever's behind the Murray Group is formidable—you're not in the clear either."
With that, Lily turned and left.
Jasmine sighed and shook her head. Those who did wrong eventually faced the consequences. Lily's ambition had consumed her.
She would inevitably face the punishment for her misdeeds.
She was beyond redemption now.
At Connor's counseling office, Vincent had come to find some peace. This was the one place Lily wouldn't follow him—his therapy sessions.
"Are you treating my office like a hotel now?" Connor asked resignedly, tossing Vincent a key. "Take this so you don't get locked in again."
Vincent caught the key and lay down on the therapy couch, closing his eyes.
But after a moment, he frowned and opened them again. "I used to feel drowsy and want to sleep when I lay here. Why isn't it working anymore? Has it lost its magic? Did you secretly change the couch?"
Connor looked at Vincent with concern. "What's bothering you now?"
"Nothing..." Vincent said irritably. "It's just..."
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Selene.
"If there's nothing wrong, I'll be going. If you need actual therapy, come back tomorrow, early—and be prepared to pay for it," Connor said matter-of-factly.
Vincent turned over without responding to Connor.
He tried to force himself to sleep.
Unfortunately, sleep wouldn't come.
Finally, frustrated beyond endurance, Vincent sat up and messaged Selene on Facebook: [Connor's counseling office. Come now. Within thirty minutes.]
Selene quickly replied: [No.]
Well, that was $60,000 wasted. And it had only been a few days...
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
