Upon hearing what Celeste had just said, Wynn <b>replied</b><b>, </b>“I see<b>.</b><b>” </b>
With a sharp gaze fixed on Celeste, she added, “In that case, Ms. Rodriguez, will you please tell me what issues my proposal has so I can revise it ordingly?”
Celeste immediately <b>realized </b>that she was being challenged <b>on </b>purpose, with the intent to make things difficult for her.
Hence, she smiled and responded, “Ms. Locket, any issues with the proposal are yours to resolve. Do you think it’s appropriate for us to pinpoint the issues for you? Let me remind you that we’re not obligated to <b>work </b>with you. By <b>asking </b>that sort of question, are you <b>implying </b>that you want to coborate with us but you have no clear understanding of ourpany’s needs? If that’s the <b>case</b>, I’m even more convinced that your team is incapable of meeting our standards.”
Wynn’s words indeed reflected her doubt <b>toward </b>Celeste and <b>her </b>deliberate attempt to put Celeste <b>in </b>a tough spot.
She was sure <b>that </b>Celeste wouldn’t be able to point out the ws in the proposal when she asked that question, and at the same time, she <b>set </b>a trap.
If Celeste took the bait and listed the issues, she’d have an easy way to strike back.
However, to her surprise, Celeste didn’t fall for it at all. Instead, she took the opportunity to set up a bigger trap for Wynn.
That was what Wynn <b>was </b>thinking. Keeping her cool, she said, “Ms. Rodriguez, I’m afraid there’s <b>a </b>misunderstanding. What I’m suggesting is that coboration should benefit both parties. If there are problems with the proposal, wouldn’t it be best for both of us to discuss and solve them together?”
Celeste paused as she was drinking. She was caught off guard by Wynn’s question.
Then, she asked, “Is this your first time negotiating a partnership, Ms. Locket?”
Wynn furrowed her brows. For a moment, she didn’t know why she had asked that question.
Without waiting for Wynn’s reply, Celeste went on with a smile, “What you’re suggesting, discussing and improving together, happens more in family or school settings. In business, peoplee together for profit; without it, they part ways. So, why would <b>we </b>choose the less than ideal option when there’s a better one avable?
Celeste’s voice was gentle<b>, </b><b>and </b>she <b>was </b>even smiling, but Wynn felt a cold shiver run through her as she listened
to her talk
She stared nkly at Celeste. She <b>knew </b>she had underestimated thetter.
Celeste pushed the cup of tea closer to Wynn and said, “Have a taste of the tea, Ms. Locket.”
Wynn stilled for a moment.
With the way things were, she couldn’t refuse, even if she didn’t want any.
She lifted the cup of tea and muttered, “Thank you, <b>Ms. </b>Rodriguez ”
“You’re very wee, Ms. Locket.”
Matthias had been paying attention to what <b>was </b>happening on their side.
Honestly, he <b>was </b>quite worried that Wynn would take advantage of Celeste again.
He was truly surprised when he heard that Celeste had so effortlessly rendered Wynn speechless.
After he had gone through the proposal, talked with Ethan, and seen them out, he gave Celeste a thumbs–up. That was impressive.”
Celeste lowered her gaze and chuckled. “Well, I worked as a secretary at Fleming Group for a reason<b>.</b>”
Although ordinary secretaries like her didn’t often interact with the major clients of Fleming Group, she had still dealt with plenty of people and situations over the years, and those had built up some <b>experience </b>for her.
Matthias forgot all about this,
He asked, “So, were there really ws in the Lockets‘ proposal?
“Yes, there were.”
While the proposal was written in great detail, the technical aspects were also spot–on
Celeste suspected that Trevor had personally assisted the Lockets with it.
Yet, for some reason, when it was put into practice, it was just a little off.