CHAPTER 78

Chapter 78 Plan B

The waiter served them coffee.

William grabbed a small sugar cube with a clip and dropped it into his coffee. The once–calm surface rippled.

He then stined the coffee with a spoon

The sleeve of his suit was slightly rolled up, revealing the elegant wristwatch with a peacock dial underneath.

He looked down, hiding his emotions.

“The Maple Avenue project is a great opportunity. We’re interested, and Vertex Capital Holdings is too.”

Bryan remained composed. “So, if Swanson Corporation compromises, it’ll give Cloudex Corporation a better chance.”

William lifted his head. His gaze was calm.

“Mr. Swanson, how about we reconsider the tennis?”

Bryan paused briefly, and even Emelie, who was hiding in the coffee shop, was taken aback.

She couldn’t believe William was actually tuming down the offer. He had refused to trade her as part of the deal

Emelle pressed her lips tightly together.

“Finding it tough to meet this condition, Mr. Middleton?” Bryan probed. “Or is it that you have other projects in mind that you want Ms. Hoven to ‘assist” with?”

William didn’t reply “You’ll be coming to dinner tonight, won’t you?” he asked.

“Of course,” came the response. The dinner was the main event tonight.

William lifted his coffee cup, taking a sip before politely excusing himself

“Let’s continue our discussion on the project after tonight. I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me.”

Bryan didn’t try to hold him back. He simply rose to shake William’s hand again. “Alright”

As William descended the stairs, his expression turned frosty.

Once William had left, Bryan picked up his coffee and called out to Emelie in the coffee shop.

“Ms. Hoven, you can come out now.

Emelie stepped out from her hiding place.

Bryan glanced up. “You heard what was said just now, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” she confirmed with a nod

“He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t say no either. Instead, he brought up the dinner…

“I have a feeling he’s got another project in mind that’s a higher priority, and he wants to see if he can use you to secure it first.

“If that doesn’t work out, he’ll come back to discuss the Maple Avenue project with me as a Plan B.”

William had everything meticulously planned out.

“Yeah,” Emelie replied.

She also suspected that William’s hesitation to trade her might mean he had other plans in mind rather than just being reluctant to let her go

Bryan sighed, “If they agreed to trade a deal for you first, then I’m afraid there’s not much I can do.”

Feeling disheartened, Emelie gave a slight bow.

“I must still thank you for your help, Mr. Swanson.”

Bryan shook his head. “I’m helping out Sam. I don’t usually get involved in young people’s affairs, but this is the first time he’s come to me for help because of a woman.”

Emelie could tell that he was trying to paint a favorable picture of Samuel

“Mr. Samuel is a true gentleman. He can’t bear to see anyone in distress,” she commented

“Of course, I agreed to help not only because of Sem but also because I’m interested in the terms you discussed with me.

“Ultimately, I still hope that William will choose to bring you to my side,” Bryan explained.

After thanking Bryan once again, Emelie left the coffee shop.

As she left, she made eye contact with Patricia. Emelie smiled at her first, and Patricia nodded in response.

Emelie walked back to her room, her mind heavy with thoughts.

Over the past month, she had been out of touch with the company.

She was unsure about any urgent projects at hand. She also couldn’t decipher William’s true intentions.

With the Maple Avenue project already a major deal and the top three companies in the country competing for it, Swanson Corporation’s willingness to compromise would be a big win for Cloudes Corporation

Emelie couldn’t understand why William hadn’t agreed to trade her for the deal.

She reached for her room key card, but before she could swipe it, the door swung open from inside.

Emelie looked up and found herself facing William’s icy stare.

She instinctively stepped back. “Mr. Middleton….

William’s voice sounded frosty. “Aren’t you supposed to be back in your room already?”

“I thought I’d enjoy the good weather and take a leisurely walk outside,” Emelie explained.

Out of nowhere, William asked, “Were you walking with Samuel?”

Emelie hesitated. She couldn’t let him know about her private discussions with Samuel and Bryan.

Otherwise, with William being as perceptive as he is, he’d quickly catch on that she and Bryan had struck some kind of deal, prompting Bryan to talk to him about exchanging companions.

In short, it would be like exposing her betrayal of Cloudex Corporation, with terrible consequences awaiting her.

She answered carefully, “It was just a coincidence. I mean, the ship isn’t that big, so bumping into people is bound to happen. We just said hello.”

Suddenly, William lifted her chin and firmly pressed his finger against her lips. “Just by saying hello… Do you understand how quickly you can catch someone’s eve?”

William was certain that Bryan’s request for Emelie was for Samuel

He wondered if Emelle was some kind of seductress.

She had managed to win over Troy’s parents after just one meeting, convincing them to approve of her as a daughter–in–law.

Now Bryan, whom she had also only met once, was willing to accept her as a sister–in–law.

William’s face twisted into an unpleasant scowl as he gripped Emelie’s lip tightly, causing her to wince in pain and retreat. “Mr. Middleton…”

Letting go of her, William didn’t acknowledge her and simply walked into the room, his tone devoid of any warmth, “Go change. Dinner’s

about to start.”