In Idaâs office.
Ellinor was sitting at Idaâs desk, diligently going through the companyâs financial reports for the last six months and a few of the most recent projects.
Ida called her secretary and asked her to prepare a glass of milk for Ellinor.
Ida took the milk from her secretary and personally handed it to Ellinor. âHave some milk before you continue reading.â
Ellinor grunted in acknowledgment and took a sip of the milk, but her gaze never left the computer screen.
At that moment, Idaâs phone rang, and she stepped aside to take the call.
After hanging up, Idaâs facial expression became complicated. âBossâ¦â
Ellinorâs gaze stayed fixed on the computer screen. âWhatâs up? Spit it out!â
Ida adjusted her glasses. âThe call was from the head of the Blanchet Corporation.â
Ellinorâs hand movement faltered; as expected, the Blanchet Corporation was knocking on their door âHmm, what did the head of the Blanchet Corporation say?â
âThe head of the Blanchet Corporation said that theyâre very satisfied with the new office building we designed and that theyâre interested in working with us again. The Blanchet Corporation plans to develop a new project soon, and they want us to undertake it, so they want to arrange a meeting to discuss it.â
Ellinor looked up at Ida and asked. âWhat do you think?â
Ida also found the Blanchet Corporationâs actions unusual. Normally, people in the industry would fight over their projects; it was rare for the Blanchet Corporation to actively seek out a partner.
Moreover, Theo had already discovered her whereabouts.
Something was definitely up.
After some thought, Ida said. âI think we should reject it. Thereâs no need for us to meet.â
Ellinor chuckled. âWhy not take it? Who doesnât want to make money?â
Ida looked at her in confusion. âAre you sure you want to take this project?â
Ellinor put down her mouse, leaned back in her chair, and slowly sipped her milk. âThe problem isnât whether Iâm sure or not, but the fact that the Blanchet Corporation hasnât given us a choice. Even if we reject this project, theyâll quickly come up with another one. Even if we refuse the project, they can find another way in. Since the Blanchet Corporation came directly to us, itâs like theyâve laid their cards on the table. Letâs take this project and then see what our next move should be.â
Having thought it through, Ida agreed. After all, Theo wasnât easy to deal with.
âEllinor, I understand. Iâll arrange a meeting with the head of the Blanchet Corporation and see what theyâre up to.â
Ellinor lowered her head to drink her milk, but her mind was racing.
It seemed that her standoff with Theo had begun. Although it wasnât what she had wanted, it was inevitable. Theo knew that she cared about Ida, Chase, and the Crescent Society, so he would definitely target them.
She could only take one step at a time.
Ida stepped aside to return the call and arrange a meeting with the head of the Blanchet Corporation.
Meanwhile, a knock was heard at the office door. Assuming it was a subordinate bringing in documents, Ellinor casually said, âCome in.â