Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Your promise
She shrugged, feigning indifference. "But with Alana absent, I suddenly find myself unwilling to sign the agreement. You know, I’ve rather taken a liking to Alana. She spent most of yesterday playing golf with me. She may not have been particularly skilled, but she certainly put in the effort. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have agreed to sign with your company."
“Now that she’s not here, there’s no point in signing this contract."
Dane and Vera’s expressions darkened instantly.
They’d suspected Alana’s influence, but never imagined Jules had agreed to partner with their company solely because of her.
They’d assumed Jules had been impressed by their company’s capabilities, which was why... Dane stammered awkwardly, "But Alana isn’t here now..."
"Precisely. Without her, this contract cannot be signed. You may leave now."
Dane’s face drained of colour.
He had given his word to senior management that this HG collaboration would be secured.
They’d even prepared champagne for a celebratory toast that evening.
Yet, at the eleventh hour, they were abruptly dismissed.
Dane pleaded earnestly, "Miss Jules, I hope you’ll take the time to learn more about our company before making your decision. Alana is merely a junior employee at our company. There’s no need for you to give her so much consideration."
Jules smiled. "What’s wrong with being a junior staff member? I simply like her. If it weren’t for her, do you think I’d even consider partnering with you lot?"
“Don’t get carried away."
Dane’s expression stiffened.
Jules dismissed him once more. "Get out. I’ve got nothing more to discuss with you lot,"
Dane relented reluctantly. "Wait, hold on. I’ll fetch Alana over. We can have a proper discussion."
Jules raised an eyebrow. "Wasn’t she feeling unwell? If she’s unwell, there’s no need to force her to come."
Dane offered an awkward, rather flimsy explanation. "It’s just a minor discomfort, nothing serious."
Jules’ smile was faint. "Oh no, if she truly isn’t feeling well, let her rest properly. Don’t make her come over. Otherwise, I’ll feel rather sorry for her."
“I... I’ll call Alana first..." Dane gave an awkward chuckle, then quickly signalled to Vera, gesturing for her to call Alana and ask her to come over.
Vera bit her lip, but rose nonetheless, stepping out of the private room to call Alana. The call connected.
Alana’s voice was cool and detached. "Hello? What is it?"
Vera gritted her teeth and ordered, "Alana, get yourself over to private room 14 at
the HG Hotel immediately!"
Alana recognized Vera’s voice and frowned.
“Sorry, I’m busy with work and can’t spare the time."
Vera insisted firmly, "Nothing is more important than signing the contract. You have ten minutes flat to be here!"
Alana retorted, "Isn’t the contract being handled by you and Manager Dane? The two of you can manage it. There’s no need for me to tag along. After all, even if I did go, the credit wouldn’t be mine."
Vera laughed bitterly. "Alana, what era are you living in, still nitpicking over such things? We’re all working for the company. Can’t you be a bit more resourceful and show a bit more self-sacrifice? Get over here now. If that contract doesn’t get signed, you’ll be in for it!"
Alana stood her ground. "I’m not going."
The frustration she’d endured from these two today hadn’t even dissipated yet. She couldn’t be bothered to deal with them any further.
Besides, helping them secure the contract wouldn’t bring her any personal gain. Why should she do such thankless work?
Vera couldn’t resist threatening, "What? Don’t you want to keep your job here?"
Alana retorted, "Go ahead and fire me if you dare."
Seeing Alana’s stubborn refusal, Vera’s face twisted in fury.
She turned and walked back with her phone in hand.
Dane whispered, "What’s the situation?"
She recounted how Alana had refused to come over.
Dane’s expression darkened.
Who’d have thought that bloody girl had such a temper? Just a few jibes this morning, and she’s already kicked up a fuss.
She really doesn’t know her place!
He had no choice but to intervene personally and call Alana.
But Alana wouldn’t answer.
With no other option, Dane sent her a text message.
Dane: Alana, come over immediately. You must be present when the other party requests to discuss the partnership. I know what you want. If you come and help the company secure this deal, I guarantee you a ten thousand commission. I’d be a bloody fool not to!
Seeing Alana still hadn’t replied.
Dane gritted his teeth and added.
Dane: Once the contract is secured, I’ll transfer you ten thousand immediately. And in three months’ time, I guarantee you’ll be made permanent!
After that, Alana finally replied.
Alana:Alright, I’m coming over.
Whether she got the permanent position or not didn’t matter, what mattered was getting that ten thousand dollars.
If Dave broke his promise again, she wouldn’t mind posting their chat history in the group. Let everyone see his true colours.
The worst consequence would be her dismissal, she’d simply walk away.
She could certainly afford that.
**********
About ten minutes later.
Alana hurried into the private room.
She appeared in a pink dress, looking as beautiful as a fairy who had wandered into the woods, making Jules’ heart flutter.
But no matter how captivated he felt, it was futile, after all, someone else had already set their sights on her.
Someone she couldn’t dare to provoke.
Alana spoke with a hint of apology, "Miss Jules, I’m terribly sorry for being late."
“It’s fine."
Jules waved dismissively, then asked with concern, "I heard they said you were ill. Are you alright?"
Ill?
Alana glanced at Dane and Vera. Seeing their evasive gazes, she guessed what was going on.
Still, she wasn’t about to foolishly call them out.
“Thank you for your concern. I was feeling a bit under the weather earlier, but I’ve taken some medicine and I’m feeling much better now."
Jules nodded. "That’s good to hear."
Dane was eager to get down to business. "Miss Jules, now that Alana is here, shall we...proceed with our discussion?"
Jules nodded, having no objection.
"Very well."
The subsequent negotiations proceeded smoothly.
Jules glanced over the contract, found no issues, and signed her name.
Upon signing, Dane grasped her hand excitedly. "Thank you immensely for placing your trust in our company. Here’s to a fruitful partnership between our two firms!"
Jules withdrew her hand with a hint of disdain. "If you must thank anyone, thank Lala. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been inclined to sign even if you’d begged me." At this remark, embarrassment immediately flushed Dane’s face.
He glanced at Alana, not expecting her to be so well-regarded.
At this moment, he dared not utter another word of disrespect to her.
Jules patted Alana on the shoulder and chuckled, "Lala, I’ve got things to attend to
shortly. I’ll be off now."
“I’ll arrange to meet you in a couple of days. You won’t refuse, will you?"
Alana sensed Jules regarded her as a friend and nodded immediately. "Of course not. I’m free whenever you’d like to meet."
“Right then, we’ll arrange something when we’re free." Jules suddenly leaned in close to Alana and planted a kiss on her cheek before departing, looking thoroughly satisfied.
The unexpected gesture left Alana’s cheeks flushed.
But remembering how uninhibited foreign friends tended to be, she shrugged it off.
Dane, seeing Jules had departed, finally addressed Alana. "Alana, you’re quite
something, getting the HG representative so taken with you. She insists on signing this contract only if you’re present."
Alana offered no explanation, merely stating calmly, "I trust you will honor your promise?”
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