Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Chief Engineer Sherman Is a Quagmire, Trapping One After Another
Jacobs shook her head. "No way."
"She already burned through so much of President Grant’s money. He’s still running around trying to plug all the financial holes. How could he have any more money for her to burn?"
"SwiftShift is the one funding this project."
"Jenson Forrest?"
Sophia Shaw was even more shocked.
’I clearly told Jenson Forrest about the situation with Lead Aerospace, so why would he still invest?’
Jacobs nodded. "I heard President Forrest was very straightforward about it. He invested ten billion all at once, and the contract is already signed."
"Because of that ten billion, the directors are all looking at her much more kindly now. They were cursing her out before, but now they’re all calling her capable."
These were all things she had heard from Timothy Morgan.
"Joanna Sherman has been acting all high and mighty again these past two days. She walks with a swagger and looks down her nose at everyone."
The directors had always been weather vanes, treasuring whoever could make them money.
Jenson Forrest was at the peak of his career right now. Getting him to invest in Zenith was basically a huge publicity stunt for the company.
Zenith’s future projects wouldn’t have to worry about funding.
Sophia Shaw just couldn’t understand it. Jenson Forrest clearly knew that once Lead Aerospace made its technology public, this project might not even break even. So why would he still invest?
Since the project had nothing to do with her, Sophia Shaw didn’t dwell on it.
She quickly turned her attention elsewhere.
...
「Outside Zenith Base.」
A luxury business vehicle pulled to a stop, and Vincent Grant and Jenson Forrest stepped out.
"The contract hasn’t gone through the formal process yet. Are you sure you want to sign?" Vincent Grant looked at Jenson Forrest, asking him seriously.
He brandished the contract in his hand. "It’s not too late to back out now."
Jenson Forrest’s eyes twinkled as he smiled at Vincent Grant. "Vincent, this is Joanna’s project. Since when did you become so unenthusiastic?"
Vincent Grant’s lips thinned slightly. "I showed the project to Sophia Shaw. She wasn’t very supportive of it."
At the mention of Sophia Shaw, Vincent Grant’s gaze instinctively darkened.
Jenson Forrest investing in this project was actually beneficial for him; it would significantly ease the board’s dissatisfaction with him.
But Jenson Forrest was both a business partner and a friend of many years. From both a professional and personal standpoint, there was no reason to drag him into a project with such poor prospects.
"Since when did President Grant start treating Faye’s words as gospel?" Jenson Forrest replied, his tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm.
He had silently changed the subject.
Joel Hale and Jenson Forrest’s assistant followed behind. Hearing the conversation, they glanced in Vincent Grant’s direction with complicated expressions.
’Sophia Shaw didn’t actually say a single word about the project being unreliable that day, yet President Grant still managed to guess it from her words.’
’I can clearly feel that President Grant’s attention toward Sophia Shaw has now far surpassed his attention toward Joanna Sherman.’
’Joanna Sherman... Does she still have a chance of becoming Mrs. Grant?’
’Could I have backed the wrong horse?’
Joel Hale waited a long time, but Vincent Grant never responded to Jenson Forrest.
The longer Vincent Grant remained silent, the more uneasy Joel Hale felt.
"President Grant, President Forrest."
Joanna Sherman strode out of the Zenith building, her curly hair bouncing behind her, her expression triumphant.
The moment the project was approved, she was made its chief engineer.
Her usual arrogance had returned to her face.
"Welcome to Zenith Base for your inspection. Let’s go to my office for some tea and a chat."
After speaking, Joanna Sherman turned to Jenson Forrest with concern. "President Forrest, have you been well these past couple of days?"
"Mm."
Jenson Forrest gave a noncommittal grunt and started walking forward.
Joanna Sherman deliberately moved closer to Vincent Grant, and the two walked side by side.
The base had been especially busy these past few days, with people coming and going around the perimeter. Many who saw Joanna Sherman and Vincent Grant couldn’t help but cast curious glances their way, whether intentionally or not.
Rumors had been circulating recently that a rift had formed between them. Now, seeing them walking together, people couldn’t help but speculate privately.
Only after the pair had passed did they dare to whisper among themselves. "They seem to be on good terms. President Grant probably sidelined her before just to appease Chief Engineer Shaw."
"I think so too. Otherwise, Chief Engineer Sherman wouldn’t have been able to get a new project approved so quickly."
"Sigh, it’s just different when you’re the one being doted on."
"What are you talking about!" Joanna Sherman’s assistant appeared out of nowhere, glaring unhappily at the gossiping employees. "Don’t spread nonsense! Our Chief Engineer Sherman earned this project through her own abilities!"
"Chief Engineer Sherman isn’t the type of woman who waits around for a man to coddle and spoil her. She’s extremely capable!"
The two employees who were talking were just low-level staff at the base. They didn’t dare provoke Joanna Sherman’s assistant and could only lower their heads and leave quickly.
Joanna Sherman led Vincent Grant and Jenson Forrest to the office building.
As they walked up to the second floor, they happened to see Elias Underwood coming out of Sophia Shaw’s office.
Joanna Sherman deliberately called out to him, "Elias Underwood, my project was just approved today. If you’re willing to join, I can save the deputy director position for you."
Although Elias Underwood held a high position on Sophia Shaw’s team, he had already worked on plenty of satellite launch projects. How could that compare to the research value of reusable rockets?
Joanna Sherman was extremely confident in her project, so she naturally assumed Elias Underwood would be tempted.
But Elias Underwood curled his lip in disdain. "I think I’ll pass. Chief Engineer Sherman’s project is a quagmire. You’ve already dragged President Grant into it, and now you’re pulling President Forrest in too. I don’t want to be an accomplice."
Jacobs, who had just come out behind Elias Underwood, heard this and let out a snort of laughter.
She gave him a thumbs-up.
’In the entire company, only Elias Underwood would dare to insult Joanna Sherman right in front of Vincent Grant.’
’So satisfying!’
Joanna Sherman never expected Elias Underwood to insult her like this in front of Vincent Grant and Jenson Forrest. Her beautiful face twisted, her expression a mix of embarrassment and fury!
Her fists clenched unconsciously. She turned to look at Vincent Grant, expecting him to stand up for her.
But instead, she saw Vincent Grant’s gaze pass through the glass wall across from them, landing on Sophia Shaw, who was on the phone.
His eyes were focused and full of affection; he hadn’t even heard Elias Underwood’s insult!
"Vincent Grant!" Joanna Sherman called out, her voice trembling.
Suddenly, Sophia Shaw burst out of her office.
Her phone was still clutched in her hand. "Ms. Archer, you go to the hospital first! I’ll be right there!" she said as she rushed past.
In a flash, she was rushing down the stairs.
Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, Vincent Grant caught up to her, calling out, "Did something happen to Bun?"
Sophia Shaw glanced back at him.
Vincent Grant noticed her wide, misty eyes were filled with deep worry and anxiety, and his heart couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
Joanna Sherman also chased after them. Not giving up, she grabbed Vincent Grant’s arm. "President Grant, several directors are waiting in the office. There are still some important procedural details about the project that you need to explain."
In the moment Vincent Grant hesitated, Jenson Forrest also caught up.
Joanna Sherman assumed Jenson Forrest was there to persuade Vincent Grant and breathed a secret sigh of relief. But then she heard Jenson say to Sophia Shaw, "You’re not in a state to drive. It’s not safe. I’ll take you!"
Sophia Shaw knew Jenson Forrest was right, so she didn’t stand on ceremony. With a simple "Okay," she ran off with Jenson, not sparing the other two another glance.
Joanna Sherman: "..."
Before she could even react, her grip suddenly went empty. Vincent Grant had pulled away from her and run off after them.
Joanna Sherman was furious. She chased after them, yelling, "President Grant! President Forrest!"
Her foot caught on a metal plate Vincent Grant had just stepped over, and she stumbled to the ground.
Two employees carrying equipment walked past, stepping on the plate as they went.
The plate shifted, pinning her leg...
