?Chapter 1447:


    She dashed into the bathroom, twisted the faucet to create masking noise, and pressed the answer button with trembling fingers.


    “Hello, Josie, how did it go?”


    Josie didn’t speak right away. Instead, she remained silent for what felt like an eternity before finally letting out a heavy, defeated sigh.


    “Stel, the project still went to Briggs Group.”


    The hope and anticipation filling Ste’s eyes shattered like ss struck by a hammer as she stumbled onto the toilet seat.


    “How could this happen?”


    Why had they still failed? Could Briggs Group truly have developed a superior n in such an impossibly short timeframe? How had William known she was nning to infiltrate hispany to steal those documents?


    None of this made any logical sense whatsoever.


    “Stel, I know this is a big blow to you, but it’s okay. We still have other opportunities ahead of us.”


    Josie’s words offort filtered through the phone, carrying genuine warmth as she hoped to ease some of Ste’s profound disappointment and sorrow.


    Ste bit her lip. “Josie, do you know what actually happened in their meeting today? Why did they ultimately choose Briggs Group over us? Was Marc’s proposal somehow not good enough?”


    Josie had actually learned the devastating resulttest night. She had hesitated throughout the entire day before finally gathering the courage to call Ste, terrified her friend wouldn’t be able to handle such crushing news.


    “I heard that Briggs Group’s proposal was described as the most impressive andprehensive they’ve ever reviewed, plus… they offered a two percent discount.”


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    A two percent discount?


    Briggs Group had nevercked for lucrative partnerships, so why would they suddenly offer any discount at all?


    The only logical exnation was that William had specifically wanted to prevent Marc from securing the project, and he was willing to sacrifice his own profit margin rather than let Marc have it.


    Ste gritted her teeth. How could William be so ruthlessly calcting!


    Josie, registering the loaded silence stretching between them, wanted to offer additionalfort, but suddenly a knock sounded at Ste’s door.


    “Ms. Russell, are you okay in there?”


    Tasha’s concerned voice snapped Ste sharply back to reality.


    “Josie, I can’t talk now. Come see me tomorrow, and we’ll discuss this in person!”


    Josie, acutely worried about raising William’s suspicions if she visited the vi too frequently, countered quickly, “No, Stel, there’s an exclusive wine tasting event organized by a prestigious host tomorrow evening. William is absolutely certain to attend something like that. You should go with him, and I’ll arrange to meet you there discreetly!”


    After ending the call, Ste tucked her phone away securely and unlocked the bathroom door,posing her expression.


    “Tasha, what is it?”


    Tasha extended a ss of warm water and some pills toward her. “This is the medication the hospital prescribed for you. The instructions specify you should take it before meals. You should take it now, and I’ll prepare some mild porridge for you to eat afterward.”


    Ste cast a cautious nce through the doorway and down the hallway, confirming William wasn’t within earshot, before nodding.


    The doctor’s prescribed medication proved far more effective than her usual painkillers, working quickly to ease the relentless cramping in her abdomen.


    Within a short time, she even regained enough strength and appetite to eat.


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