You've Done An Excellent Job

Evelyn glanced at Genevieve, her expression calm. She retrieved a contract from her bag. "Nathanial, Mrs. Sterling has agreed."

"She's already signed. She even paid a deposit."

Nathanial's eyes lit up with excitement. He took the contract from Evelyn. He flipped through the pages in sheer astonishment. "You actually managed it!"

A wave of relief swept over him. Aethelgard Industries had repeatedly failed to secure Beatrice's business. He had nearly given up all hope.

It felt almost like a miracle that Evelyn had succeeded this time.

Genevieve, standing nearby, stared at the document in Nathanial's hands. She took several deep, shaky breaths. Then she whirled around to face Evelyn. "Evelyn, failing would have been acceptable. No one would have blamed you. But using underhanded methods to get Mrs. Sterling's signature? If this gets out, our entire team will be humiliated!"

Evelyn frowned and met Genevieve's glare. "What are you implying?"

Genevieve's expression hardened further. Her voice was tight with fury. "You know exactly what I mean! No one on our team has ever closed a deal with Mrs. Sterling. Yet you did it in a single meeting? I can't help but question what kind of shady tactics you used!"

A slight smile touched Evelyn's lips. She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Please, enlighten me. What specific 'shady tactics' do you think convinced Mrs. Sterling to sign?"

Genevieve, seething, found herself at a loss for a concrete accusation.

Had the client been a man, she might have spun a sordid tale about Evelyn.

But Beatrice Sterling was a respected woman in her forties. What scandal could she possibly invent?

Would she dare suggest Evelyn seduced Beatrice to get the contract? The idea was too absurd to hold any weight.

"That's enough," Nathanial interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument. He clearly had no patience for Genevieve's baseless insinuations. "The deal is closed. That is the only thing that matters."

He looked at Evelyn with clear satisfaction. "You've done an excellent job. It's been years since we've had Mrs. Sterling as a client. Dedicate yourself fully to this project. Show her the true caliber of our team's skills."

Evelyn gave a crisp nod. "Understood, Nathanial."

After a brief pause, she added, "If there's nothing else, I'll return to my desk. I need to start working on the initial designs."

Nathanial's expression turned serious. "Good. Focus on your designs, but remember to take breaks. I'll have afternoon tea arranged for the team. If this project is successful, you will be our lead designer. You might even complete your probationary period early."

"Thank you, Nathanial. I'll get to work now." Evelyn gathered Beatrice's contract and the associated documents. She turned and walked back to her workstation.

Nathanial watched her go. His mind was already filled with visions of the bonuses he would receive if the deal proceeded smoothly. He was completely oblivious to the rigid, furious expression on Genevieve's face.

Genevieve clenched her fists. Her entire body trembled with barely suppressed rage.

A cold wave of panic washed over her.

Evelyn had secured Beatrice Sterling's approval. She had severely underestimated Evelyn.

It was well-known within Aethelgard Industries that Beatrice had a special connection with the company's enigmatic founder. This fact had only increased Nathanial's desperation to secure her project.

Previous designers had faced brutal rejections from Beatrice. Some had even resigned after their failures.

Yet, Evelyn had triumphed against all odds.

How was that even possible?