Free Web NovelChapter 64: Chapter 64 Partnership
Caesar’s POV
I sat in the executive boardroom, my mind drifting momentarily to Sylvia’s captivating presence from the night before. As my mate, she embodied everything an Alpha female should be.
I knew without my intervention, she would win this bid on merit alone. Her proposal was brilliant - innovative yet practical, bold yet sustainable. That’s why my brow furrowed when the project coordinator handed me the final shortlist of ten candidates, and Frostline Enterprises was conspicuously absent.
"Where is Frostline Enterprises’ bid?" I demanded, my voice dropping to that dangerous timber that made lesser wolves cower.
The coordinator trembled visibly before me. "Alpha Caesar, I-I don’t know what happened. These are just what the executive team gave me to summarize. I don’t know the details, sir."
My eyes narrowed, the wolf inside me bristling at the obvious interference. "Find out. Now."
Something was wrong. I knew how much work Sivi had put into this project. Her designs were exceptional - there was no way she hadn’t made the final cut unless someone had deliberately removed her.
Before the coordinator could stutter another excuse, Dylan, my right-hand man, stepped in. "Yes, sir. I’ll investigate this immediately." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
The coordinator wiped sweat from his brow, his scent thick with anxiety. "Sir, what about the bidding event? Everyone’s waiting for the announcement."
"Make an excuse. Let them wait," I said with finality. "
Sylvia’s POV
"Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse the delay," the coordinator announced nervously to the waiting room. "All your proposals were exceptional, and our CEO is taking extra time to review them personally. We ask for your patience for another thirty minutes. Refreshments are available, or feel free to step outside if you prefer."
No one complained. No one dared when dealing with Vertex - or more specifically, with its mysterious CEO. I raised an eyebrow, my wolf senses detecting something off about the situation. Still, I maintained my composure and decided to wait patiently.
That’s when I caught Zane’s scent approaching, that familiar mixture of pine and arrogance that once made my heart race but now only irritated my wolf. He strutted over with Chloe clinging to his arm like an accessory.
"Why are you still waiting?" he smirked. "You might as well leave now. There’s no result coming for you."
"What exactly does that mean?" I narrowed my eyes, studying him.
Chloe’s eyes glinted with malice beside him, clearly enjoying our confrontation. Whatever Zane had done to interfere with my bid, she obviously approved.
Zane lifted his chin arrogantly. "It means what it means. This project will never be yours. Consider this a reminder that crossing me has consequences."
"What did you do?" I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice, my wolf rising protectively to the surface.
He didn’t answer directly, just taunted, "You should have thought about today’s outcome when you decided to defy me."
With that, he guided Chloe away, both of them radiating smugness.
My mind raced. The proposal was flawless - I’d checked and rechecked every detail. If something was wrong, it wasn’t with my work. Someone had interfered, and Zane’s confidence suggested he knew exactly what had happened.
Before I could puzzle it out further, the coordinator returned to the podium, looking surprisingly relaxed compared to when he’d left.
"Thank you all for your patience," he announced, holding a single sheet of paper that clearly contained the results.
The room fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop as everyone focused on that paper.
"I won’t keep you in suspense any longer," he continued. "The Hot Springs Resort Development Project has been awarded to... Frostline Enterprises! Let’s give them a round of applause!"
My jaw nearly dropped. I’d been so prepared for disaster after Zane’s threats that the announcement didn’t register immediately.
The coordinator looked directly at me with admiration and a hint of something else—was that respect? Fear? "Ms. Sylvia, congratulations. Here is your acceptance document. Your company can begin preparations for project implementation immediately."
When my brain finally caught up, I rose from my seat and walked toward the stage amid applause. My wolf preened inside me, proud and victorious.
I’d done it! Frostline Enterprises had won the bid.
"Impossible!" Zane suddenly shouted, standing abruptly. "This can’t be right!"
I paused mid-step, turning to face him with newfound confidence. "I’m curious, Alpha Zane. Why were you so certain Frostline Enterprises wouldn’t win this project?" My voice carried throughout the silent room. "Perhaps Alpha Zane had inside information that Thornpack was guaranteed this contract?"
The implication was clear to everyone present. I was publicly suggesting corruption.
"You’re talking nonsense! Thornpack conducts business with absolute integrity!" Zane sputtered, panic evident in his expression.
"Glad to hear it," I replied with a slight arch of my eyebrow. "Then perhaps Alpha Zane should display some of that integrity by sitting down respectfully while I accept this award."
Our eyes locked in silent challenge, my wolf refusing to back down. Eventually, Chloe tugged at his arm, and he reluctantly took his seat, fury radiating from every pore.
I allowed myself a small smile of satisfaction. Let him play the fool if he wished. I had bigger plans.
Turning back to the stage, I approached the coordinator and accepted the contract with grace. "Congratulations, Ms. Sylvia. We at Vertex look forward to a fruitful partnership with Frostline Enterprises."
I nodded respectfully. "As do we."
Facing the audience, including a seething Zane, I delivered my acceptance speech with natural poise and authority. My Alpha nature, hidden for so long, now shone through in every word and gesture.
The storm had truly begun.
