Chapter 1183: Trap

Chapter 1183: Trap

Mr. Burris just smiled, not mentioning a word about the conversation

between him and Ayan last night. He simply said, "Even if he wants it,

he needs the ability and the appetite to handle it."

The secretary didn't fully understand Horace's words, and his

expression naturally showed confusion. However, Horace didn't provide

further explanation. He looked up at the secretary with a cold

expression and said, "Notify the senior executives of all departments to

have a meeting!"

Although the secretary had many questions, since Horace had given

the order, he naturally followed it.

Horace fulfilled Preston's request and informed the senior executives of

the Simpson Group that he would also be joining the project. This news

shocked and surprised all the other executives, apart from Preston and

Horace themselves.

After all, Preston and Horace had been at odds before, and considering

Horace's opposition to Brody, who Preston worked for, everyone was

confused about what was happening now.

While everyone felt puzzled, they didn't inquire too much and simply

nodded in response.

This meeting was only to announce the matter and was, of course, very

brief, dispersing in less than ten minutes.

Although it was short, Preston was extremely satisfied. He wasted no

time and immediately went to the museum to find Jenson.

However, he was informed, "Sorry, Mr. Evans is on a business trip and

is not in Hance City."

"He's on a business trip? Then who is in charge of the Armstrong

Corp's collaboration project with the museum?"

“The decision-making power for this project has been fully handed back

to the museum itself because Mr. Evans has yet to find a suitable

partner. Therefore, the museum has taken back the decision-making

authority.”

This was explained by Jenson's assistant, and his words were unlikely

to be false. However, Preston didn't believe it. He inquired with several

people and finally obtained the same result: Jenson had gone on a

business trip two days ago.

Preston was extremely annoyed. He went directly to the museum's

personnel, but they didn't pay him any attention and practically ignored

him.

Faced with this situation, Preston was completely at a loss. He didn't

know what to do.

Quintus saw his state and expressed his concern, saying, "Mr. Walker,

what should we do now? If we can't reach Mr. Evans and he's not in

Hance City, then we have no chance with this project!"

Preston already knew this, and his face turned serious. His expression

was particularly grim.

With a stern face and intense emotions brewing within, he didn't know

whom to vent his frustration towards.

Back in the car, he sat there motionless, not allowing the car to move.

He tightly pursed his lips, maintaining silence, while the coldness in his

eyes grew more apparent. After a long while, he finally spoke, "I always

feel like there's more to this situation, like everything is a trap.”

However, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

“I always feel like something is strange, as if I'm being calculated by

someone.”

This feeling persisted for a long time until Quintus’ phone slowly rang at

that moment.

Quintus instinctively looked at Preston, relieved that he didn't show any

significant emotional changes. If it wasn't an important call, he would

have wanted to hang up right away. After all, Preston was in a bad

mood at the moment, and receiving an unrelated call could easily make

him feel like cannon fodder.

Upon seeing the incoming call notification, Quintus subconsciously

looked at Preston and whispered, "Mr. Walker, Mr. Burris’ secretary is

calling.”

Preston also narrowed his eyes instinctively and glanced lightly at

Quintus before saying in an extremely cold tone, "Answer it!"

Quintus hurriedly answered the call, "Hello, this is Quintus.”

The other party said something, and Quintus's expression stiffened. His

eyes instinctively glanced at Preston, revealing a complex mix of

emotions. He softly replied, "Okay, I understand. I'll tell Mr. Walker right

away."

Quintus always referred to Preston as Mr. Walker, so he didn't realize

that these words would fall into the ears of Horace and his secretary.

After all, their focus was not on these minor matters at the moment.

After finishing the call with Horace's secretary, Quintus immediately

informed Preston about the conversation. He said, "Mr. Walker,

Horace's secretary called and said that the museum has arranged a

new person to negotiate the collaboration with Armstrong Corp. This

person is from the museum itself, and they specifically requested to

work with Horace. They highly appreciate the collaboration between

Horace and Ayan. The person is currently at the company. Should we

rush back?"

After listening, Preston's face completely darkened. But now he had no

spare energy to think about or get angry over these matters. The

priority was to immediately return to Armstrong Corp and intercept the

person, taking the collaboration away from Horace's hands.

Preston and Quintus hurriedly drove back to Armstrong Corp,

coincidentally meeting Horace and the museum representative as they

came out of the meeting room.

Preston didn't have time to greet Horace; he directly expressed his

identity to the museum representatives, saying, "I am the person in

charge of the museum project at Armstrong Corp. I used to coordinate

with Jenson, who is currently not in Hance City. However, he entrusted

me to liaise with the new project representative.”

Upon hearing Preston's self-introduction, the museum representative

furrowed their brows involuntarily, as it seemed quite abrupt. They

turned to Horace beside them and asked, "Mr. Burris, what is going

on?"

Horace also gave a glance to his secretary, then explained in a gentle

voice, “This is one of our project directors. He had a collaboration with

Mr. Evans, the previous representative of the museum project. So when

he saw you coming to Armstrong Corp, he was happy."

Preston looked dissatisfied and glanced at Horace, but Horace didn't

even spare him a glance. The explanation from Horace made the

museum project representative somewhat displeased, with a cold and

indifferent expression. However, they continued chatting with Horace,

praising his ability to secure the collaboration with the Simpson Group.

These words naturally fell into Preston's ears, but he was reminded by

Horace's secretary not to say anything further.

After seeing off the museum representatives, Horace returned to his

office, where Preston was already waiting.

Horace had a completely different attitude compared to the morning.

Just as he entered the office, Preston approached him with excitement,

questioning, "What do you mean? Didn't we agree on this in the

morning? What is your intention now? Why did they directly approach

you for this project? I told you, this project is mine. Didn't you promise

me?"

Facing Preston's barrage of questions, Horace remained cold and

indifferent, as if he was looking at someone unimportant and

inconspicuous.

When Preston finished speaking and his emotions slightly calmed

down, Horace spoke in a calm tone, "Firstly, they didn't come here at

my invitation; they came on their own. Secondly, they specifically

requested to work with me on this project. I mentioned that you and

Jenson were collaborating, but their response was that Jenson has

already withdrawn from this project. As for the previous collaboration,

it's no longer relevant. So, I can't simply reject the project, can 1?"

Horace's response left Preston speechless, as refusing the project was

simply not an option. After all, Armstrong Corp was in great need of

projects.

Even though Horace was currently busy with the Simpson Group

project, he could still spare some time. Sitting in his position, he had to

handle a lot of work, including overseeing all of Armstrong Corp's

projects.

Horace sat behind his desk, glanced lightly at Preston, and said, "Mr.

Walker, I understand your current emotions, but Armstrong Corp

doesn't solely rely on this one project. Without the museum project, you

can take over other projects. So, I hope you can be more rational and

not let it affect your work."

Preston couldn't even listen to what Horace was saying at the moment.

He was filled with anger and had no outlet to vent it. His expression

was extremely grim as he sat in his chair, unresponsive. His vacant

gaze was fixed on Horace, as if trying to decipher the true meaning

behind his words.