Chapter 129
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The air in the meeting room instantly froze. Among the bidders at the same table, only that arrogant old guy dared to openly mock Zachary in front of everyone. A few peacemakers who knew the Flynn Group’s status stepped in.
“Being born out of wedlock wasn’t his choice. There’s no need to bring that up.”
“He can’t choose his family, but leeching off a woman’s hard work to get ahead? That was his own choice, wasn’t it?”
“A bastard who made his fortune off women doesn’t deserve to sit at our table.”
“With that young face and good looks, no wonder sugar mommies are all over him.”
As more people joined in the teasing, others jumped on the bandwagon, and the room burst into laughter. With so many voices chiming in, the insults turned into jokes. Zachary clenched his fists, his eyes looking toward Gwyneth.
Gwyneth seemed unfazed by the gossip, quietly discussing papers with her assistant beside her. She was always easily caught up in her work. Zachary suddenly remembered those early days when they built their business together.
Zachary thought, ‘Back then, I was too proud to compromise because of my dad’s status. But Gwyneth always skillfully talked with industry leaders, getting us jobs. It was her hard work that really built my career.‘
Without Gwyneth, he wouldn’t be so successful. Surrounded by mean gossip, he couldn’t say a single word to defend himself. Kate sat with her uncle, Colin. Colin flipped through the bidders‘ info, listening to the whispers with zero interest.
He sneered, “The Jenkins Group and the Flynn Group are rotten to the core.
“These gossipers can be confident, but their company power might not even compare to theirs.”
Kate didn’t care about those remarks–she found the juicy scandals among socialites way more fun. Colin shot her a look, then turned to Gwyneth, who was focused on her work.
Knowing she was married to Harrison, he couldn’t resist speaking up. “You looked impressed with Gwyneth’s professional attitude. For this bid, why don’t we-”
“Let’s just stick to business,” Kate said. “There are so many members in the Lopez family–no point sucking up to her. Our family’s profits matter more than that. Just get this project done and let’s go.”
Colin saw his niece wasn’t trying to curry favor. Glancing at the time, he immediately announced the start of the bidding. After several rounds, only Jenkins Group and Flynn Group were left.
The crowd understood Jenkins Group making it, especially since Gwyneth just got praise from Kate. But they were surprised that Zachary’s company really had some clout.
Gwyneth knew both Flynn Group and Jenkins Group well, so she wasn’t shocked by the result. Flora leaned in, curious, and asked, “Can we win this?”
Gwyneth lightly tapped the folder in front of her. “The Thornton Group and Flynn Group are more alike–they’re both more advanced.”
*Congrats to the Flynn Group for winning the project,” said Colin. The crowd gave applause as Zachary stood to accept the award, but his eyes stayed fixed on Gwyneth.
Gwyneth didn’t feel surprised or upset. After all, she only used the bidding as an excuse to find time to write a song for Elowen. The Thornton Group did everything fairly, so she had no complaints about how it turned out.
Right after the bidding ended, the same people who had been sneering at Zachary before swarmed around him. Gwyneth didn’t even glance at Zachary, who was surrounded by followers, and simply left with Flora.
As they got into the elevator, Flora said, “Mr. Jenkins is waiting downstairs. He already knows your sister is here too, but he isn’t blaming you. He booked a suite for the victory party–he seems confident about winning.”
Gwyneth thought, ‘Dad probably thought Melanie wasn’t even qualified to bid, so no way he’d blame me. Once he finds out we lost, he’ll change his tune for sure.
Sure enough, when Gwyneth reached the entrance, she saw Melanie holding her reddened cheek, crying dramatically in Quentin’s arms.
She said, “Dad, Gwyneth teamed up with Ms. Thornton to humiliate me! Look at this huge slap mark. All those people saw it–how can I face them in business again?”
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Chapter 129
The top families in Joracity all knew each other well. To Quentin, Gwyneth scolding her sister in front of everyone was unbearable. Fury made him turn on Gwyneth.
He said, “How could you fail? Are we no match for Zachary? How can I show myself in public after this?
“I even booked the party place, Gwyneth! Are you doing this on purpose to make me look bad?”
Gwyneth was being harshly scolded, and Zachary, who followed her out, heard every word clearly.
‘If I hadn’t come and won the bid, Gwyneth wouldn’t be blamed like this, he thought bitterly.
Zachary took a few steps forward. “Mr. Jenkins, it’s all because Flynn Group joined the bidding that Gwyneth lost the project.”
Gwyneth ignored Quentin’s accusations and Zachary’s attempt to defend her. Without hesitation, she opened the car door.
Gwyneth said coldly, “The Thornton Group’s bid was fair. If you can’t handle losing, then you shouldn’t have bid at all. Dad, why don’t you ask how Melanie got that slap mark?”
Gwyneth added, “Congrats on your win, Mr. Flynn.” Then she got into the car and sped away.
“Wait, Gwyneth!” Zachary called, rushing after her. He didn’t speak up for her just to show off. But he could only watch helplessly as she drove away.
Melanie yelled, “Gwyneth, you are so ungrateful. How dare you mock Dad?”
A scoff sounded out. Melanie and Quentin saw Kate walking out like a queen bee with her group, giving them a look of disdain. “If Gwyneth is ungrateful, then what does that make you, Melanie? Some kind of saint?” Kate sneered.
Kate sneered, “Aren’t you always bragging about your family? Still, you let your daughter chase my fiance, and she even dared to face me here.”
Quentin saw Melanie nervously hiding her slapped face. Only then did he realize–the slap wasn’t for provoking Gwyneth, but for crossing Kate.
Enduring one embarrassment after another, Quentin couldn’t take it anymore. But not daring to offend the powerful Thornton family, he forced a polite smile at Kate and said, “Sorry, Ms. Thornton. I didn’t discipline my daughter properly.”
Kate didn’t even bother to respond. Head bowed in shame, Quentin hurriedly took Melanie away, thinking, ‘This is just too humiliating.
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