Chapter 67

Chapter 67

"I need to meet with some of these executives privately and feel out their positions. If this project actually gets completed, I'm going to make these executives see me in a whole new light!"

When facing William, the cold and distant demeanor she usually carried would fade away considerably.

In its place was a liveliness that outsiders never saw and the ambition hidden in her heart. She seemed to no longer hide these things from William.

William chuckled softly.

"Yes, our Ms. Taylor is just that amazing."

His voice was slightly husky, and through the receiver, each word fell clearly into Isabella's ears.

Like a pebble thrown into calm water, it instantly created ripples. Isabella's face flushed with a rosy tint, as if she'd applied blush.

Isabella gripped the phone pressed against her ear, her ear tips burning hot. She cleared her throat and said, trying to appear composed.

"The workers have finished eating. I should go supervise now. Let's talk on the phone again next time."

William hummed in acknowledgment, and she immediately hung up.

The phone in her hand had now become a hot potato. Isabella tossed it aside and wearily rubbed her temples.

William's words still echoed in her ears, over and over, striking straight into her heart.

After a long while, the flush on her face finally subsided a bit, and her ear tips weren't as hot, though her evasive eyes still revealed her current distraction.

The car window was tapped a few times lightly, pulling Isabella's thoughts back.

Briar stood outside the car window, her expression somewhat unpleasant.

"What's wrong?"

Isabella grabbed her safety helmet and asked while getting out of the car.

Briar glanced at the distance, where a car was parked. A man had gotten out and already put on his safety helmet. He lifted his bespectacled face and looked in their direction.

"Mr. Collins is here."

Isabella frowned slightly and turned to look.

In the distance, Martin had already put on his safety helmet and was walking toward them with steady steps.

In just a few steps, he was only a few paces away from them.

"Ms. Taylor, something came up this morning on Mr. Rogers' end, so I went to the company. I couldn't supervise this morning, I'm really sorry."

Martin still wore his gentle smile, his eyes looking at Isabella earnestly.

"Ms. Taylor, you've been supervising all morning. Let me take over this afternoon so you can go back and rest?"

Isabella pulled at the corner of her mouth, revealing a cold and distant smile.

"It's fine. Actually, Mr. Collins doesn't need to make a special trip to the construction site. Just send someone to check in occasionally."

"Mr. Collins must be quite busy normally. You don't need to pay too much attention to the site. I'm here, so it's fine. If there's nothing else, you can head back."

As if he hadn't expected Isabella to so blatantly ask him to leave, Martin paused slightly, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes.

Then it was replaced by warmth again. He looked at Isabella and smiled.

"It's fine, these are all things I should do. I went to Mr. Rogers' company this morning to handle some small matters and hand over some work."

"This was all specially arranged by Mr. Rogers. His intention is for me to wholeheartedly assist Ms. Taylor in completing the next phase of the project."

"This is part of my job. If I go back to the company now, Mr. Rogers probably won't be happy. Ms. Taylor, we're both working people. You should understand my position, so please don't make things difficult for me."

Martin smiled bitterly, as if he was genuinely afraid of being scolded by Harold.

Seeing this, Isabella couldn't very well insist that Martin leave. Besides, no matter what she said next, Martin would have other excuses to deflect her.

It would be better to just let Martin stay. With Martin right under her nose, even if he wanted to cause trouble, he probably wouldn't have the chance.

"Since it's Mr. Rogers' arrangement, let's follow his arrangement. Briar, get Mr. Collins a cold drink."

Now wasn't the time to tear off the mask. Isabella could only suppress her impatience and irritation and continue the act.

"It's a bit hot and dry on the construction site. If Mr. Collins gets thirsty or hot, you can ask Briar for a cold drink."

Martin lowered his eyelashes, then smiled gently.

"Ms. Taylor is very thoughtful. Then I'll follow Harold's arrangement and go in to check on the site?"

Isabella nodded slightly and followed behind him.

Martin had also brought his assistant. The group entered the construction site one after another.

By this time, lunch break was over. Willie was unreliable, so Isabella had arranged for one of her own reliable people to take Willie's position and start directing the workers on when to work and when to rest.

Perhaps the morning's intimidation had worked, because the rest of the construction site went smoothly. The workers all followed the instructions of the person Isabella had assigned, working or resting accordingly.

The atmosphere was harmoniously strange.

Martin's gentle smile froze on his face. He scanned the orderly construction site, a trace of irritation flashing in his eyes.

With the site running so smoothly, he had no way to interfere and cause trouble.

"Ms. Taylor's abilities are truly outstanding. In just one morning, the building has already taken shape. If we continue at this pace, it will be completed very soon."

Irritation aside, some polite words had to be said. Martin wore a smile on his face as he looked at the construction site that had already taken shape and gritted his teeth.

"Mr. Collins is too kind. These are all things I should do. The main thing is that the people on site were well chosen. These workers are indeed quick, do good work, and are obedient. Everyone is cooperating."

She had already arranged for cold drinks in the afternoon. The workers, having received cold drinks, naturally worked even harder.

Plus, everyone had seen the site's food at lunch, and they were even more determined to stay and work here.

Good food, good drinks, and high pay—how could they possibly want to leave? They didn't dare play any tricks here and waste time either.

Isabella felt even more confident using such a work crew.

Martin somewhat unwillingly scanned the work crew again, feeling irritated.

Yesterday's schemes had yielded no results, and today Harold had specifically called him over just to warn him that he couldn't let the project continue so smoothly.

If the project kept going this smoothly, Harold would probably become completely restless, and he might end up being targeted, too.

"Ms. Taylor, doesn't this work crew have a foreman? I've been watching for a while and only see your people directing and giving orders. I haven't seen a foreman." Martin turned to look at Isabella with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

His expression made Isabella sneer inwardly.

Martin was clearly full of bad intentions, yet he put on this gentle and harmless appearance.

"The foreman isn't very familiar with some details of my design plans. To prevent any accidents, I had my own people direct things."