Chapter 82
My voice drowned out Jane's. Then I pulled out the USB drive I had prepared in advance, which contained all the materials I'd prepared for these projects.
I displayed them one by one in front of everyone - the detailed data sources from those project materials, the analytical logic, and the test site research process.
Although I knew those projects would definitely succeed, I wasn't arrogant enough to think that any project I submitted would get unconditional support from the company's upper management.
Even if Michael supported me, I couldn't put him in a difficult position.
When all this data was displayed in front of everyone, some people who had originally wanted to support Jane stopped talking.
Jane looked at me with a complicated expression, clearly not expecting this twist.
I smiled back at her. "Ms. Ross, do you have any other questions? If you do, I can clear them up for you!"
Jane pressed her lips tightly together and ultimately couldn't say anything.
Michael had wanted to help me, but seeing that I'd resolved things myself, he stood up and started clapping.
"Everyone, do you have any other concerns about Ms. Smith?"
Whether it was the senior leadership or colleagues attending the quarterly meeting, they all looked at each other and shook their heads.
Everyone could probably tell that Michael was supporting me unconditionally.
I disconnected the Bluetooth. The rest of the time wasn't my show anymore.
After the meeting ended, I brought the USB drive to Michael's office. As soon as it reached Michael's hand, he casually placed it on the desk, then grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him.
"Mr. Johnson, we're supposed to be discussing business right now," I reminded him softly.
Michael pressed his lips together. "We can take our time. We have half a lifetime."
Whether this was discussing business or romance, probably only Michael knew.
Fortunately, he also knew not to waste time now. After staying in his office for a while, I quickly left.
As soon as I got to the project department, my employees came up to greet me.
My stellar performance at the quarterly meeting was naturally something glorious for our project department, too.
Everyone kept clapping, and I smiled at them.
At this moment, the project department employees respected me even more.
Even when I was in my office, I could hear occasional discussions about me from outside, but they were no longer the disparaging remarks from before - instead, they were all praise.
"Ms. Smith, there's a package for you. It was sent to the Johnson Group with my contact information on it."
My happiness didn't last long. When Tom walked in with the package, I suddenly had a very bad feeling - something was wrong with this package!
Tom had only been at the Johnson Group for a short time. No one would put my package under his number!
Tom obviously knew this too, so he didn't let me touch it when opening the package.
When the package was opened, the empty box contained only one photo. Looking carefully, I found it was actually a photo of Lucy and me together, even from when I was little.
Had someone been watching me even back then?
When I picked up the photo, I discovered that Lucy's face in the photo had been scratched, and even the photo paper was punctured, which was enough to prove how much hatred the person who destroyed this photo had in their heart.
"Ms. Smith, this is my fault. I should have checked it first!"
Tom said anxiously.
I shook my head. "Since they wanted to get it to me, even if not through you, they could have used other methods. After all, I don't know who else around me might be one of their people."
But could it be that this person didn't have a grudge against me, but against my mother?
Michael always cared a lot about things concerning me. I knew that if I didn't tell him about this, he'd be upset when he found out later.
But when Michael found out, his expression changed instantly.
"Investigate. Within a week, you must root out whoever's behind this for me!"
He made a phone call with a dark expression, then held my hand.
"Nancy, during this time, you must stay with me; I won't feel at ease."
I didn't refuse.
But I wondered - did John know about this?
It hadn't been long since I last sent John away... Michael definitely wouldn't let me go see John alone, but if Michael went with me, John would certainly become guarded.
After thinking it over, I called John without telling Michael.
After receiving the call, John agreed right away.
"Nancy, if you want to see me, of course, I'll come see you. Just tell me where, and I'll come right away!"
After setting a meeting time, I specifically chose a busy coffee shop.
When I went out, I deliberately made my face look paler and did my hair very casually.
As soon as I entered the coffee shop, I saw John sitting inside, anxiously holding his phone and looking around, as if searching for me.
The moment he saw me, he immediately stood up from his chair and greeted me with excitement in his eyes.
"Nancy, I'm so glad you're willing to see me. Please sit down. We can have a good talk. I'm willing to give you a chance, because I really do love you."
The affection in John's eyes made me feel sick. I curled my lip and said with a cold laugh, "Really?"
After we sat down, John took the initiative to speak. "Nancy, I heard that your project department has brought quite a few projects to the Johnson Group."
I nodded and saw John's eyes light up across from me. When he looked at me, there was clearly some greed in his expression.
I pulled at the corner of my mouth.
Why did John think I wanted to get back together with him? He seemed overly confident.
But this also showed John was stupid, which would make things simpler if I wanted to do something.
Standing in front of John, I still smiled.
Seeing my attitude wasn't bad, John continued proactively: "The Brown Group is facing a crisis right now. If I could get even one of those Johnson Group projects, it would solve our urgent problem. My position at the Brown Group would become more secure, and I might even become the Brown Group's sole heir!"
He was clearly hinting at something. After finishing, he looked at me eagerly, desperately hoping for an answer.
I nodded.
"I heard about it. I know the Brown Group hasn't had it easy lately."
John stared at me. "So Nancy, are you willing to help me? I don't want all of the Johnson Group's projects, just one or two to help me get through this crisis."
I lowered my head and smiled. "But those projects belong to the Johnson Group and have nothing to do with me. Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't."
John became anxious. "What if you were willing to let me see the project files? Maybe I could find a way."
I sneered inwardly. John really was treating me like a complete fool; otherwise, he wouldn't say such things.
He should think about it - why would I agree to this?
"I'd like to help you, but I don't have the authority. At the end of the day, I'm just an ordinary employee at the Johnson Group."