Chapter 17 Charlotte's Childhood Friend
1295 Words
Charlotte felt devastated.
Gerald even brought Natalie to the office more often and deliberately let her bump into them. Charlotte was his wife, and she certainly had the right to question him. Unfortunately, she couldn't. If she asked more questions, Gerald would make things difficult for her at work!
She kept wondering why they would ever marry each other. She could be way better off staying with her grandpa!
She thought as she looked at the file in her hand. She was a woman who didn't want to admit defeat. So, since Gerald wanted to make things difficult for her, she would try her best to deal with that. He would definitely be angry if he didn't get things his way.
Charlotte had just left the office building when she ran into Natalie and Gerald again.
"It's so hot outside. You're going out?" Natalie asked.
Charlotte ignored her.
Natalie smiled and asked, "Gerald and I are going to have lunch! Wanna join us?"
Charlotte lost her appetite when she saw Natalie's face. She turned Natalie down.
"You have to have lunch anyway. Or you won't have the energy to work!" Natalie continued.
"Come on, Natalie. Let's go," Gerald cut in.
"I'm just worried she'll be hungry…"
"She won't appreciate it anyway. You don't have to do that," Gerald said.
Charlotte sneered, "I think you better know who you are. A mistress, right? Do you need me to remind you of that again?"
Natalie's face darkened. "It's you who stole my boyfriend with your dirty tactics. Don't be so aggressive!" she said with anger.
Charlotte sneered. "Whatever you say! But I'm his wife. I think you'd better stay away from him! Otherwise, your reputation will be ruined in front of everyone."
Charlotte walked away before Gerald was about to say something.
Natalie pursed her lips and complained, "Gerald? I think I'd better not visit you at the office anymore."
Charlotte made several trips to Wesley Group about the contract. Unfortunately, they were pretty stubborn. However, they overlooked the fact that the longer the fight lasted, the worse it would be for their company.
Miller Group had multiple choices. Miller Group didn't change partners only because the two companies had been working together for years. Moreover, Bruce and the chairman of Wesley Group were friends.
Both companies knew that they would sign the contract for sure. However, they also wanted to see who would admit defeat first.
When Bruce heard this, he told Charlotte, "Honey, it's okay. I know what Wesley Group wants. Go ahead and say yes. We won't lose much. Don't forget to make the contract ten years."
Bruce, of course, was on Charlotte's side. However, Charlotte insisted on not agreeing because she didn't want to be belittled.
Both companies had been at a standstill for a long time, and Dale couldn't stand it anymore, "You'd better get the contract tomorrow, or you're fired!" he warned Charlotte.
She didn't argue with Dale. Dale knew that Bruce supported Charlotte. She was still just an intern, and taking such a huge responsibility was abnormal to a newbie. Obviously, it was Gerald who told Dale to do that.
He just wouldn't stop trying to kick her out!
The next day, Charlotte went to Wesley Group again.
Unsurprisingly, she still made no progress. Wesley Group would be on the loose for all such lollygagging, and they would rather lose than settle the contract. It's unreasonable. They would suffer a much more significant loss without the deal. Charlotte started to wonder whether Gerald was behind this. If he were, it would be quite petty of him.
"I need to talk to your boss," she suggested.
Max shook his head, "I'm in charge of this. "
Charlotte squeezed the file in her hand hard and didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry, Miss Anderson!"
Charlotte walked out of Wesley Group, feeling disappointed and sad when she looked at the bustling road.
"Charlotte! Charlotte Anderson, right?"
Just as she was dazed, she heard a cheerful voice. Charlotte then felt a tap on her shoulder. When she looked up, a handsome face showed up. She thought the man's face and voice were familiar.
The man laughed. "Hey! I just thought it might be you! Charlotte, it's been a long time! How have you been?"
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"What? You just forgot all about me? We haven't seen each other in years! I'm James! James Butler!"
"James Butler?"
"OMG! You forgot about me, didn't you?"
Charlotte smiled at him. "Hey, Jim! How could I forget you? You changed a lot!"
Hearing Charlotte call his nickname, James was glad. "So glad that you didn't forget my nickname!"
"Of course not! Sorry I didn't recognize you at first sight! Just look at you...Wow! Hey, you're back in the States?"
"Got back a few days ago. I didn't expect to run into you here! Do you work here?"
"No. I'm here for a contract, but I failed..."
"What kind of contract? Tell me, maybe I can help."
Charlotte told him everything straight away. She, James, and Sally had grown up together. James had left for England after elementary school, so they hadn't seen each other in years.
"Ah, got it. Don't worry. Let me handle this!" James said after knowing what had happened.
"What do you mean?"
"Come!" James took her hand, entered the elevator, and made his way to the lounge.
James told her to sit and wait for a moment and then left immediately.
After a while, he came back with Max.
"Renew the contract, and no price added!"
"No, James, I can't do that. General Manager said that the contract must not be signed at the original price."
"Cut the crap! Just sign it! Hurry up! You know what's in our real best interests, right?"
Max looked in a dilemma. "I really can't. We'd have already signed the contract if we could do it for the original price. Believe me! I really can't do it!"
"Quit talking and sign the contract! I'll take care of everything! Don't you think I can't see what's behind?"
Max had no choice but to sign the contract. He signed a ten-year term with Miller Group based on previous prices.
James then handed Charlotte the new contract.
"Thank you very much, James!"
"A piece of cake!"
Max looked at James, and it seemed like he was in a quandary.
Max knew his boss would criticize him since he had drawn up the contract. But his boss's son had already put him into a corner!
"It's done, right? Great. How about we have lunch together?"
James insisted on buying Charlotte lunch. Charlotte thought James had helped her, and she wanted to treat him. They argued about this for a while before going to a restaurant.
"You've changed a lot. I almost didn't recognize you!"
"Haven't I? I lost 60 pounds these years! Am I hot?"
"Yes, you're so hot now! Tall and handsome...A big change! I remember you were chubby before."
James was a total foodie and turned much fatter than average when he was a kid. Charlotte didn't expect him to change so much in the past few years.
"Haha! That's what I expected---surprise you and Sally!"
"Speaking of which, I'll ask Sally to meet us later! You guys haven't seen each other for a long time."
"She must still be the same as before, a total tomboy."
Charlotte burst into laughter.
"Charlotte, you've changed too. You're a fine lady now," James chuckled.
"Thanks. I had no idea your family owned Wesley Group. Thank you for helping me out again. I would have been flustered if I hadn't met you!"
"Never mind! If you need anything, just call me!" James was only glad that he could help Charlotte.
- Writer
