Mirabe shot Johnny a look that screamed, "Seriously?" She shook her head and sighed. "Your background checks are about as reliable as an April weather forecast."


    Johnny caught onto her sarcasm and coughed awkwardly. "Yeah, that''s on me. I should''ve been more thorough."


    No excuses could change the fact that their sloppy research almost got him used of abusing his power.


    Mirabe forced a small smile, remembering Mr. Hammond was still around. She had to keep up her good student image. "Just so you know, myst name is Howard. Next time, don''t mix me up with just anyone."


    Johnny nodded. "This was definitely my bad. Don''t let it bother you."


    Mirabe decided not to drag it out any longer. The spectacle was over. She turned to Mr. Hammond. "Mr. Hammond, I''ll head back to ss now."


    Mr. Hammond, still stunned by the whole scene, could only nod. Mirabe gave a polite nod back and walked towards the school building, not even ncing at Mandy.


    Johnny, having wasted enough time on Mandy, had nothing more to say. He quickly left with his colleagues from the Department of Education.


    Mandy stood there, dazed, Johnny''s words echoing in her ears. If it weren''t for her foster daughter, Gilbert Corporation wouldn''t have even been on the government''s radar. And the only reason they were given a chance to bid was to repay a favor to her foster daughter?


    The focus was on repaying ''the foster daughter,'' not the Davis family. What kind of influence did her foster daughter have to get such respectful treatment from a city secretary?


    Clutching her bag, Mandy wandered the campus like a ghost, her mind racing. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered: if her rtionship with her foster daughter wasn''t so strained, could Gilbert Corporation have won the bid this time?


    Using her foster daughter''s connections to build a good rtionship with the government could''ve catapulted theirpany into the city''s top ten businesses, right?


    Some thoughts are so terrifying and full of regret that they haunt you once you start thinking about them.


    At least right now, Mandy felt that regret deeply. Her rtionship with her foster daughter was probably beyond repair, and even bringing Catherine into it wouldn''t help.


    Mandy couldn''t remember how she got back to the Gilbert residence. She was on autopilot. Colton, who had been away for several days, was back and noticed Mandy''s ghostly expression. He frowned.


    "What''s with the funeral face?" Colton''s tone was harsh.


    Mandy snapped back to reality and saw Colton. She rushed over, not even registering his earlierment. "Is Gilbert Corporation really in such bad shape?"


    Seeing that her first concern was about thepany''s financial state, Colton''s face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about now? Gilbert Corporation is doing just fine."


    Mandy threw her designer purse onto the couch in frustration. "Do you know why we failed to secure the bid?"


    Colton scoffed. "Isn''t it because of your brilliant idea to bribe people? A solid project ruined by your stupidity."


    Overwhelmed with frustration, Mandy couldn''t hold back any longer. Her emotions erupted in response to Colton''s usations.