Chapter 562
Colton stumbled backward, his heart pounding in his chest. Before setting foot in this place today, he had been daydreaming about Gilbert Corporation’s climb up the local ladder, envisioning their breakthrough into the top ten businesses of the city, becoming the year’s breakout success story.
Why were those dreams shattering now? Why had it all gone wrong?
Confused and desperate for answers, Colton reached out and grabbed Travis by the arm. “Didn’t you guys at the city hall say that you were taking a close look at Gilbert Corporation? That we had a strong shot at landing the contract? Why the sudden cold feet?”
As Colton’s grip tightened, Travis winced and pulled away with an irritated jerk of his arm. “How am I supposed to know why?”
After a pause, a thought seemed to strike Travis, and he stared Colton straight in the eye. “So, you’re telling me there’s no backroom deal between the Gilbert family and Johnny’s crowd?”
Colton was taken aback. “If I had an in with Johnny, would I even be here talking to you?”
Hadn’t Travis said the city’s top brass would give special consideration to Gilbert Corporation? That they had a great chance of winning the bid? Wasn’t that why Colton had come here, full of hope?
Travis‘ frown deepened. “But if you’re not chummy with Johnny, why would he mention giving Gilbert Corporation a closer look?”
He had only cozied up to Colton because he’d overheard the higher–ups talking about focusing on Gilbert Corporation for the old town redevelopment bids. At the time, Colton had acted like he and Johnny were strangers, and Travis had assumed he was just playing it cool, keeping his connections under wraps.
He’d been an assistant director for years, always just shy of a promotion. So he played along with Colton, pretending to be clueless. But now, judging by the turn of events… Travis had been the fool all along.
“I swear, I don’t know Johnny. No one in the Gilbert famil
by Travis‘ repeated questioning.
Travis studied Colton’s bewildered expression. It wasn’t
or on the board has ever rubbed elbows with him,” Colton insisted, bewildered
act. Had everyone been mistaken, leading to this farce?
At that moment, Travis realized that no amount of untangling the situation could save his career. If it hadn’t been for Colton attempting to slip Johnny a business card, Travis could have walked away from any misunderstanding. But now, shoulders heavy with regret, he had nothing more to say. He turned and trudged out of the private dining room, his silhouette heavy with defeat.
Colton watched Travis leave, only then fully grasping the magnitude of their blunder. His fingers loosened, and the bank card slipped from his grasp, fluttering onto the plush carpet.
Beside him, Mandy’s composure crumbled, the mask of a high–society lady falling away. She tiptoed over, bent down, and carefully retrieved the card. Her lips parted, “Honey…”
Hearing Mandy’s voice, Colton was reminded of whose bright idea it had been to offer the bribe. His face darkened with anger. He spun around, his eyes icy as he thrust the proposal document he’d been clutching into her hands. “Look at the brilliant plan you cooked up! Happy now?”
