Chapter 102
Charlotte's expression was completely calm, without even a hint of displeasure.
The receptionist froze when she noticed this.
She had made herself perfectly clear, and her attitude was obviously unwelcoming.
Most people in this situation would either leave in embarrassment or anxiously beg for another chance.
But someone who just quietly sat down to wait without making any fuss? That was a first for her.
Then, as if something had just crossed her mind, the receptionist spoke up with an awkward look on her face.
"Ms. Johnson, there's really no telling when Mr. Collins' meeting will wrap up. Maybe you could come back another time..."
"That's fine." Charlotte shook her head with a smile, pulled out her iPad from her bag, and opened a document. "I have nothing else on my schedule this afternoon. I don't mind waiting here."
The receptionist opened her mouth but stopped herself.
Seeing Charlotte working so focused, she didn't feel right saying anything more. So she kept a quiet eye on Charlotte's every move while discreetly updating her supervisor on the situation.
Time passed. People came and went through the lobby.
Charlotte sat on the sofa, completely unbothered. She focused on her tablet, occasionally glancing up to watch the employees walking in and out.
After a while, the revolving door finally spun again. A few middle-aged men in suits walked in, laughing and chatting.
The one in the middle looked to be around fifty, with a receding hairline and a beer belly.
But he seemed to be in great spirits, his face flushed and wearing a light smile.
The moment he appeared, Charlotte locked her eyes on him and narrowed them slightly.
"Finally."
With that, she stood up, straightened her blazer, and walked toward him with purpose.
When the receptionist saw Mr. Collins walk in, the color drained from her face.
She opened her mouth, instinctively moving to step forward and warn him.
But she was too slow. Charlotte had already reached Jack first.
"Mr. Collins, good news? You look like you're in a great mood."
When Jack saw her appear out of nowhere, his expression shifted slightly, a flash of surprise and barely concealed irritation crossing his face.
But those feelings were quickly buried under a layer of polished pleasantries.
"Well, if it isn't Ms. Johnson from the Langley Group! What brings you all the way here?"
He laughed it off, his face full of exaggerated surprise.
"Are you here to see me? Bad timing, I'm afraid. I just got back from dinner with some important clients, and I've got another meeting starting any minute."
Charlotte caught the hint behind his words. Her eyes cooled, though her smile stayed in place.
"I know you're busy, Mr. Collins. That's why I've been waiting here for you."
"But I'd think that a meeting, no matter how important, shouldn't take priority over the MindSync project our two companies have already signed off on, right?"
With so many people around, Jack couldn't afford to make a scene. He forced out a smile.
"Ms. Johnson, we can just talk about MindSync over the phone. You're a busy person. There's really no need to make a special trip."
"Besides, today really isn't a good time. How about we reschedule? We can sit down and have a proper talk then."
But Charlotte wasn't buying any of it. She shook her head firmly.
"No need to reschedule. Today works fine. I only need ten minutes of your time, Mr. Collins. Just to get some clarity on what exactly this so-called internal comprehensive review is flagging as high-risk. I'd like to understand that."
"And honestly, since we're already partners, I don't think that's too much to ask, is it?"
In just a few sentences, Charlotte had cut off every exit Jack had.
If he kept stalling, word would get out that Sunrise Tech couldn't be trusted and didn't respect its partners. Who would want to work with them after that?
The thought made the corner of Jack's mouth twitch.
He glanced over at the colleagues and partners waiting nearby, watching them all strain to listen in, and he bit down hard. There was no getting out of this today.
He took a deep breath and turned to his assistant with a strained smile. "Take our guests upstairs for some coffee. Ms. Johnson and I have a few project details to go over. I'll be right up."
He flashed an apologetic smile at the group.
Once they were gone, Jack turned back to Charlotte with obvious reluctance and gestured toward the hallway. His tone had gone cold.
"After you, Ms. Johnson."
Charlotte couldn't care less what was going on in his head. That wasn't her concern.
They stepped into the elevator. The numbers on the display blinked one by one. The silence between them was suffocating.
Charlotte stood on the right side, arms crossed, watching the man's sour expression reflected back in the elevator wall. She laughed inwardly, though nothing showed on her face.
Finally, once they were inside his office, Jack dropped all pretense. No more fake smiles, no more hollow pleasantries.
He dropped into his chair, leaned back, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked Charlotte up and down with a cold, calculating stare.
"Alright, Ms. Johnson. You want to tell me why you had to show up here in person?"
"What exactly were you trying to pull out there, saying all that in front of everyone?"
Charlotte looked at the man's dark, displeased expression and didn't flinch. She calmly settled onto the sofa and set her bag down beside her.
"I think my reason for coming is pretty clear. A sharp man like you, Mr. Collins, has probably already figured it out."
She held his gaze, speaking slowly and deliberately.
He let out a dismissive snort, then picked up the cup on his desk and took a sip, completely ignoring her.
Rude as it was, Charlotte didn't react. She kept going.
"I want to know the real reason Sunrise Tech is pulling out of the deal."
"The real reason?" Jack looked like she'd just told a joke. He burst out laughing.
"Ms. Johnson, you're still young. Some things are better left unsaid. Saying them out loud just makes everyone uncomfortable. I already gave you a reasonable explanation. That should be enough. Don't push it."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow at his cold laugh but said nothing. She just let her eyes grow colder.
Jack seemed to notice her stare. He didn't react much, just propped his elbow on the desk, his eyes full of arrogance.
"Fine. Since you really want to know, I'll be straight with you."
"I'll admit it, Ms. Johnson. You're impressive for your age. You came into the Langley Group and got handed a project as big as MindSync almost right away."
"But here at Sunrise Tech, we play it safe. We can't afford mistakes."