Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Bet You Didn’t Expect That!
"You’re here affecting my appetite."
The woman across from her was stunned for a moment, an astonished look flashed in her eyes. It seemed she didn’t expect such words to come from Thea Lynch’s mouth.
Though not vulgar, the words were sharp and unpleasant, making others uncomfortable.
"I had heard you were difficult to get along with, cold to others, but some said you’re nice and well-mannered. Seeing you today..."
Her gaze unabashedly scanned Thea Lynch up and down.
What she left unsaid was self-evident.
To Thea Lynch, these words were neither here nor there. She showed no expression, as if she didn’t think the words were about her.
She slowly asked, "From The Sullivan Family?"
"You know me?" The other party raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"No."
"..."
Thea calmly withdrew her gaze, stood up with her tray, and left two words: "Just a guess."
Sarah Sullivan was stunned, then hurriedly followed upon realizing it.
Just before the elevator doors closed, she managed to squeeze in. It was just the two of them in the carriage.
The elevator ascended.
"You’re not an employee of Stratus. How did you get in?"
"That’s none of your business. You can’t drive me away anyway." Sarah smugly shook the employee badge in her hand.
Thea glanced at it but said nothing.
Soon, the elevator doors opened, and she walked out first.
Sarah followed closely, "Hey, let’s talk."
"We don’t know each other. What’s there to talk about?"
"Once we chat, we would know each other, right? One day, I might be your client."
"That’s something you should discuss with my superiors. My client is Stratus."
"I..." Sarah had just started speaking when Thea suddenly turned around, gesturing, "Ahead is the Stratus R&D department; please stop here."
Sarah: "..."
"Hey!" The automatic door closed in response, blocking Sarah’s voice. She pressed against the door, staring in, and shouted, "Thea Lynch? Thea Lynch!!!"
Separated by a door, Thea continued to stride into the office without looking back, seemingly not hearing her call.
When Foreman Chandler and the others returned, they looked somewhat perplexed. They gazed at Thea, who was dealing with files, hesitant to speak.
"What’s up?" Thea glanced up at them before returning her attention to her work.
"Foreman Lynch, there’s a pretty woman at the entrance asking for you. It seems like she’s from an external partner if she managed to get in."
They had gone out for lunch, while Thea, busy with work, went to the cafeteria alone.
No one knew what had happened when Thea went to the cafeteria.
"I know," Thea remained expressionless.
Foreman Chandler and the others exchanged glances, hesitating to speak.
Noticing they had something to say, Thea encouraged them, "Just speak up. We’ve known each other for so long, there’s nothing we can’t discuss."
"Why be so cautious."
The group scratched their heads, smiling awkwardly, eventually, Foreman Chandler spoke up, "Nothing much, just that she stopped us earlier and asked us to deliver a message."
Seeing Thea’s indifferent manner, it seemed there was some discord with the woman outside, so they decided it wasn’t necessary to mention it.
Still busy with work, Thea inquired during a pause, "What did she say?"
"She said she’ll keep waiting outside for you." Foreman Chandler softly added, "She seems like trouble Foreman Lynch..."
The visitor looked young but appeared angry, seemingly not easy to deal with.
Thea waved it off, smiling open-heartedly at the concerned colleagues, "It’s okay. When you’re famous, you attract attention; maybe she’s here for an autograph."
She joked lightly, catching Foreman Chandler and the others by surprise.
Fortunately, Foreman Chandler quickly responded, "I thought so too!"
"Our Foreman Lynch is quite the figure, the talk of the industry. Anyone who knows the field knows Thea Lynch."
Thea smiled, saying no more.
She brushed it off with a joke, and the others got the hint, refraining from further questions. They pretended not to notice the woman outside the R&D department, taking a break before concentrating back on work.
——
The afternoon was filled with meetings in the R&D department, and as the assistant was not present, Thea handled all small tasks personally.
After the meeting, everyone felt relieved.
Walking ahead with Foreman Chandler, Thea commented, "Foreman, I think at this pace, we should meet the deadline by April."
"Perhaps." Thea couldn’t guarantee anything too definitive; no one could make such promises.
"Valiant has given us ample time, so we can take it slow."
Externally, Thea could offer a slight assurance. But internally, she wanted everyone to stay focused and cautious until results were achieved.
Foreman Chandler’s assistant caught up, "Foreman Chandler, Foreman Lynch, there’s a situation."
"Tomorrow’s online meeting with Valiant is requested to be moved an hour earlier."
Thea: "What was the original time?"
"Nine o’clock. They want to change it to eight. If that doesn’t work, they’d have to delay it to around noon, as their R&D manager will be traveling."
"Eight..." Thea thought about the next day’s schedule. Without an assistant, there was no one to remind her of meetings.
"It’s fine with me."
Then she looked at Foreman Chandler, who said, "If Foreman Lynch is okay, I’m fine too."
This meeting was mainly for the two of them anyway.
It wasn’t too troublesome, just meant arriving at the office earlier.
"Alright."
Thea directed Foreman Chandler’s assistant, "Inform Valiant."
"Will do!"
Since they had to come in early the next day, Thea organized her files back in the office and didn’t work overtime.
Foreman Chandler joined her.
"It’s rare to see Foreman Lynch leaving on time." He teased, "Most people just clock in and out, but it’s rare for Foreman Lynch not to be enthusiastic."
"That’s because I’m often late in the mornings." Thea smiled, "I have to make up for the time I owe."
She now had flexible working hours without a set schedule.
Thanks to Ian Preston recently, she had been arriving mostly on time. Previously, she was either just on time or late.
The two exited the R&D department together to wait for the elevator. Thea was looking for a USB drive in her bag, unaware of someone behind her.
Suddenly, someone tapped her heavily on the shoulder. She took a breath and turned around tardily, only to meet Sarah Sullivan’s smiling eyes.
The other smiled with a feigned innocence, "Surprised, aren’t you? I haven’t left yet!"
