After weighing his options, Ramsey ultimately decided to walk away.


    Finding new investors would slow down AeroEdge’s current operations, but if he gritted his teeth and pushed through, they’d survive. Worst case, he’d mortgage everything he owned–it was still better than having no future at all.


    He was just about to speak when Noreen finally broke the silence.


    “Sorry, I have a few things to say.” She cast her phone screen onto the projector, showing several news headlines.


    Fresh off the press–announcements about a new national initiative to elerate the development of modern agriculture.


    “AeroEdge has always specialized in agricultural drones, providing crop protection UAVs and smart farming solutions. Our products are already being used across several countries. When I wrote the project proposal, I factored all of this in–the data I provided is solid and well–supported. With government backing, AeroEdge’s prospect’s will only look better than our predictions.”


    She kept it brief, said her piece, and sat back down.


    Ramsey felt a surge of gratitude toward Noreen. When he turned back to Bianca, his confidence had returned. “Secretary Gilmore may just be an executive assistant, but her business instincts are razor–sharp–they rival anyone’s with an Ivy League MBA.”


    Bianca’s expression shifted slightly.


    Seth, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. “Director Lowell only just returned to the country, so she’s not fully up to speed with local policies. That’s probably why she overlooked this point.”


    Hisment was clearly meant to give Bianca a way out.


    Noreen had expected Seth to stand up for Bianca, but she hadn’t expected him to do


    it so tantly.


    Maybe that’s what favoritism looks like.


    Bianca smiled with effortlessposure, emboldened by the support. “That’s on me. Sorry to have made things awkward for you, Mr. Caldwell.”


    Ramsey didn’t get a chance to respond.


    11:59


    Instead, Seth stepped in to rify, “It’s not your fault. You’re new to this project. If anyone’s to me, it’s Secretary Gilmore–she didn’t hand over the project properly. That was her misstep.”


    His voice was calm, but his wordsnded like a dull de, each one sinking into


    Noreen’s chest.


    Clean. Unhesitating.


    Ramsey couldn’t stand it and stepped in for Noreen. “How can you me Secretary Gilmore? That policy was only announced ten minutes ago. She couldn’t possibly have predicted it when she drafted the proposal. If she had, it would’ve been nothing but empty promises.”


    Noreen didn’t want to argue anymore.


    She didn’t even want to say another word.


    One by one, the figurative lights in her mind flickered out, and the rooms of her heart grew darker.


    “Excuse me, I’m not feeling well. I’ll step out for a moment.”


    She hadn’t eaten all morning, and now her stomach was rebelling.


    The bread in her bag had gone cold and tough, but she forced herself to eat, bit by


    bit.


    Thankfully, there was hot water in the pantry. After half a cup, her stomach finally settled.


    She <i>took </i>her medication, and gradually, the world seemed a little brighter.


    Seth and Bianca walked out of the conference room together, their faces rxed and pleased.


    Ramsey followed close behind, also looking in good spirits.


    So, it seemed the deal had gone through.


    Noreen let <i>out </i>a silent sigh of relief.


    “Secretary Gilmore, Director Lowell wants to tour Aero Edge’s production line. Would you like to <i>join </i>us?”


    Noreen was about to decline when Seth cut in, “You didn’t coordinate the project properly before, nearly jeopardizing this partnership. Now you don’t want to help Mr. Lowell get better acquainted?”


    11:59


    Chapter


    So, he really did believe the near–miss was all her fault.


    Seven years of tireless work for the Aurelion Group, and in the end, it meant. absolutely nothing.


    11:59


    ?/?