Chapter 44 Conversation

Wave after wave of people flooded into Valerie's office, demanding to know why she had cut their projects.

Valerie sighed in exasperation and shook her head. "You guys are the fourth group today. Didn't the first three explain why I had to cut those projects?"

The man leading the group blushed slightly, his anger barely contained. "But we already put so much work into that project..."

"If a project can't bring in revenue and comes with huge risks, it's better to let it go," Valerie's tone turned icy, her patience worn thin by the constant questioning. "This decision is final. If anyone has further objections, we can discuss it privately."

Her words silenced the group. They exchanged glances, then left reluctantly, their faces showing their dissatisfaction.

Valerie rubbed her temples, feeling utterly drained as she looked at the unfinished work on her desk.

"Ms. Brown!" Lily burst into the office, her voice filled with urgency. "We have a problem!"

Valerie's headache intensified. "What now?"

"The Carter Group is here!"

"The Carter Group?" Valerie was stunned. She never expected Aurelia Holdings' subsidiary to be involved with the Carter Group. And from Lily's tone, it seemed like they were here with a purpose.

Wasting no time, Valerie composed herself and headed to the reception room. As she opened the door, she saw the man on the sofa and couldn't help but exclaim, "Jasper?"

"Valerie?" Jasper looked equally surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that," Valerie replied, still shocked. "When the headquarters was working on the project with the Carter Group, we at Aurelia Holdings spent three months on it and almost didn't secure it. So, how come the Carter Group is now willing to collaborate and sign a project with our subsidiary?"

Jasper's eyes narrowed with displeasure. "So you're the one who cut all those projects? No wonder our long-term partners are threatening to terminate their contracts. You've been causing trouble behind the scenes."

Valerie wasn't intimidated by his accusation. She repeated the same explanation she had given her employees. But Jasper wasn't buying it. He slammed his hand on the sofa, stood up, and loomed over her, his eyes cold.

Valerie didn't back down. She looked up at him calmly. "Mr. Carter, are you planning to get physical in the reception room?"

"Valerie, are you secretly in love with me?" Jasper suddenly asked, his tone filled with unwarranted confidence.

"What?" Valerie was caught off guard. She never expected Jasper to say something so absurd. Regaining her composure, she adjusted her hair and put some distance between them.

"Are you shy?" Jasper smirked, misinterpreting her actions. "I knew it. You fell for me during that project. But I have to tell you, I'm not interested in you. So stop clinging to me."

Valerie was speechless. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore Jasper's narcissistic and annoying demeanor. Forcing a smile, she said, "I already have someone I like."

"So you're after money because of that project, aren't you?" Jasper didn't give Valerie a chance to explain. He raised his hand to silence her. "How much do you want? I'll compensate you."

Jasper's bizarre logic made Valerie laugh. She looked at Jasper in front of her and couldn't help but wonder: How has the president of the Carter Group been suppressed by someone like this for so many years? Maybe his father was the real mastermind?

She didn't want to be too involved with Jasper and had no feelings for him at all. She flatly declined, "There's no need. Even if you offer compensation, most of that money will probably never reach me. If the company finds out, they'll definitely take it back."

But Jasper was convinced she was trying to extort him and insisted on transferring the money. Seeing this, Valerie's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Fine, I want three million dollars."

"Three million dollars?" Jasper froze, staring at her like she was crazy. "Are you out of your mind? The project only made three million dollars!" He quickly put his phone away, looking at her with disdain. "I'd be insane to give you that much."

"But," Valerie feigned a pitiful look, "who will compensate for my loss? Or should I come to the Carter Group for the money when you have it?"

Jasper stepped back, clearly alarmed. "Dream on!" He seemed genuinely afraid she would pursue him for money. After a few harsh words, he left the reception room in a hurry.

Valerie muttered, "What a coward, all talk." She shivered at the thought of her earlier actions to disgust Jasper.

At least she had managed to get rid of him. Valerie sighed in relief and returned to her office to continue reviewing the remaining projects.

Many disgruntled employees had complained to higher-ups, but there had been no response. Valerie's decisive actions made everyone too scared to slack off, fearing their projects might be next.

During a break, Valerie sent a quick message to Howard.

"Ms. Brown." Lily knocked on the office door. "The general manager wants to see you."

Valerie nodded, glancing at her phone one last time. Seeing no reply from Howard, she decided not to wait.

Entering the manager's office, she saw a middle-aged man with a large belly lounging in the chair. Valerie immediately composed herself and greeted, "Mr. Wright."

"Valerie." Jeremy Wright slowly sat up and gestured for her to sit. "I heard you cut a lot of projects?"

"Yes," Valerie admitted. "Those projects had minimal profit potential and required significant time, manpower, and financial investment..."

Jeremy waved his hand, cutting her off. "That's not important." He looked at her seriously. "I know you're from headquarters and might not have adjusted yet. But here, you don't need to work as hard as you did there. Those small projects might not make much money, but they help build connections. Sometimes, connections are more valuable than the projects themselves."