Everyone stared at me in disbelief.


    "This was previously n A, but because it was too risky-something nopany had attempted before-I scrapped it for safety reasons."


    I pulled out a USB drive and opened the backup n I had prepared. "This coboration with Excel Group is centered around a new energy project. In the past, most new energy initiatives focused on resource conservation. But this time, maybe we should shift our focus toward low-carbon solutions."


    "Exin in detail," Alex immediately straightened in his seat.


    I went through the entire backup n step by step. By the time I finished, the four people in the room were still sitting upright,pletely engaged.


    "Since this was just a backup and too aggressive, the projected valuation for this version of the proposal was only 75 million. It was deemed too immature and was ultimately discarded." I hesitated as I put the USB drive away, feeling a bit self- conscious.


    But Alex was the first to apud. "Impressive. Really impressive."


    The apuse grew louder, and the encouragement boosted my confidence.


    "Either way, our original proposal is no longer viable. So instead of scrambling, we might as well go with n B."


    "I agree."


    "Same here. Worst-case scenario, we fail, but at least we give it our all."


    Several board members nodded in support.


    Alex stood up. "Serena, I''ll mobilize the entire R&D department to assist you. When you get back, exin your vision to them, and have them modify the proposal ordingly. It needs to be finalized by Thursday night."


    I nodded. "Consider it done."


    ...


    On the day of the bidding, Alex went inside for the meeting while I waited outside nervously. The meetingsted two hours, and I spent those two hours pacing anxiously in the hallway.


    "Serena, can you please sit still


    second?" Patricia, who had gone


    from excited to calm, sighed. "You''re making me dizzy with all your pacing."


    "Aren''t you nervous at all?" I asked.


    She waved her hand dismissively. "I was before. Not anymore."


    I craned my neck, trying to see if Alex wasing out yet.


    "Serena, if we don''t win this bid, do you think we''ll be held ountable?" Patricia


    asked in a little discouraged tone.


    "Why would we?" I looked at her.


    "We spent so much time on the


    proposal, and in the end, it got leaked. Even though you patched it


    up with n B, thepany still


    took a hit."


    I had been so busy these past few days that I hadn''t even thought about that.


    "Hmm..." I considered it for a moment. "I think it was done by one of our colleagues."


    "But only the three of us had ess to the proposal. If it wasn''t you or me... Then..."


    I met her gaze without saying a word.


    "But why?" Patricia was baffled. "Even if he hates you, this was still something we


    all worked hard on."


    I shook my head. "I don''t know. But Mr. Hastings will definitely investigate it whether we win the bid or not."