Despite Chloe’s relentless attempts to provoke her, Eleanor remained completely unfazed. She didn’t utter a word in response, her expression unreadable. To her, Chloe was just an old classmate putting on a pitiful performance... a minor distraction while they waited for the manager to arrive. Until then, Chloe’s drama was rely a way to pass the ti.
Chloe, however, wasn’t done.
"Did you manage to gather so decent savings?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "I can offer you my employee discount, though I have to warn you, Liberty Properties might still be too expensive for you. As a forr classmate, I could try to get you the highest possible discount... but honestly, if you go next door, you’ll find a larger place for the sa price. The quality isn’t quite as good, but it’s budget-friendly. You could probably afford that."
She paused, flashing a rehearsed smile before adding, "I might even pull so strings to get you a deal over there."
Chloe spoke in a tone laced with false generosity. In her mind, she was now in a superior position to Eleanor. After all, she had bought a ho for her family, while Eleanor was here... house-hunting like an ordinary person. It gave her a fleeting sense of power.
"If you’re looking to rent, you’ve co to the wrong place," she said casually. "We don’t offer rentals here. Co, let’s go next door. I’ll help you find sothing more affordable."
Teresa finally spoke again, her patience thinning. "Miss, we didn’t co here to buy anything. We’re here to et soone."
Chloe’s excitent dulled slightly, though she quickly regained her composure and redirected her attention toward Eleanor.
"You really don’t rember ?" she asked, feigning surprise. "I’m Chloe. Chloe Wilkinson. We were classmates in high school. I was the class captain... you must rember that!"
Eleanor finally acknowledged her. "I rember you. And thank you for the offer," she replied flatly, her face a mask of indifference.
Teresa added helpfully, "We ca to et the manager."
Just then, a voice called from the doorway, slightly out of breath. "That would be ."
A middle-aged man with a protruding belly stepped into the room, wiping sweat from his brow. He had clearly rushed to the office.
Chloe imdiately straightened up. "Manager Thompson! Good morning," she said politely.
Brandon Thompson nodded at her, catching his breath. He then walked over to Teresa and gave a slight bow.
"Miss Li, apologies for the delay," he said respectfully.
Teresa gestured toward Eleanor. "Mr. Thompson, this is my boss."
Brandon turned to Eleanor and gave a deeper bow. "Welco to Liberty Properties, Miss. Please forgive for keeping you waiting. Shall we move to my office?"
He turned to Chloe. "Assistant Chloe, please send so refreshnts to my office."
Then, without another word, he led Eleanor and Teresa down the hallway.
"Please, have a seat," Brandon offered as he gestured toward the two chairs opposite his desk.
Eleanor and Teresa sat down, while Brandon settled into his own chair and began laying out several design drafts on the table.
"These are the proposed designs for the boundary walls of the villa district," he explained. "Let walk you through the pros and cons of each option."
Eleanor reviewed the plans carefully. After a thorough discussion, she selected a design that included the incorporation of the road between the villas into a single, enclosed private space. Fortunately, this section of road was a dead-end and only served her properties. However, it would still require formal permission from the local municipality to close it off permanently.
"I’ll handle the permission," Eleanor said with calm authority.
Brandon nodded. "Excellent. I’ll have the necessary docunts prepared for your signature."
At that mont, Chloe entered the room quietly with a tray of snacks and tea. She placed it on the table with a respectful nod, her deanour noticeably different from earlier. Without a word, she exited the room.
While sipping tea and nibbling on pastries, Eleanor, Teresa, and Brandon finalized the details regarding construction tilines, cost estimates, and required permits. Once an agreent was reached, Eleanor stood up to leave.
Brandon rose with them and accompanied them toward the exit, along with Chloe and two other staff mbers. But as soon as they stepped outside, everyone froze in shock.
A line of ard guards stood at attention near the entrance.
Office workers nearby stopped what they were doing and stared as Eleanor and Teresa stepped into the middle vehicle of a black Range Rover convoy. With a hum of engines, the convoy pulled away from Liberty Properties, leaving stunned employees in its wake.
Brandon turned to Chloe, visibly puzzled.
"Assistant Chloe," he said slowly, "earlier I saw you speaking with Miss Li’s boss. What’s your relationship with her?"
Caught off guard, Chloe blinked. "She was my classmate in high school," she replied, her voice subdued. "I was the class captain. She ca from a rich family. We weren’t... close. But surely classmates."
Brandon raised an eyebrow. "And how long have you been with the company?"
"Over five years," Chloe answered hesitantly.
Brandon smiled. "Then congratulations on your promotion."
Chloe’s eyes widened. "Promotion?"
"Yes," he said. "Head Office asked to promote soone to Assistant Manager to oversee the Eastern Villa District. If you have no objections, I’ll nominate you."
Chloe was stunned. After years in the sa position, with no promotions and little hope, she had all but given up. She had seen others... often less qualified and juniors get ahead, and knew exactly what so had to do for advancent. She had chosen peace and stability over ambition.
Now, out of nowhere, this golden opportunity had landed in her lap.
"I accept," she said slowly. "But... may I ask why?"
Brandon gave a knowing smile. "You’re in luck. Your classmate just bought all ten villas in that district and intends to turn the entire area into her personal estate. We need soone she might trust... to liaise with her. If she’s happy, we get more business. And who knows? You might find yourself in line for another promotion soon."
With that, he walked back into his office.
Chloe remained standing outside, frozen in disbelief.
All it took was a chance eting with Eleanor Whitmore... the girl she once envied and just mocked.
***
Later, at Heimdall Tower.
When Eleanor arrived at her office, her assistant Lily greeted her with an update.
"Boss, Miss Aisha Bello is ready to depart for Nigeria. She’s requested to et with you before her flight."
Eleanor nodded. "Send her in."
A few minutes later, Aisha entered the room and took a seat across from Eleanor.
"So, Aisha, ready for your new adventure?" Eleanor asked with a gentle smile.
Aisha hesitated. "I wouldn’t call it an adventure I’m looking forward to. I’d have preferred almost any country besides Nigeria. My family still lives there, and the mories... aren’t the best."
Eleanor leaned back. "Don’t worry. You won’t be confined there. You might have to travel to other West African countries too. I t with the Kachalla family yesterday and we made a deal. They’ll handle security and local matters so you can focus on our projects."
She added, "Within the economic zone, we hold the reins... not them. Your contact will be Edem Kachalla. Once you land in Abuja, call him. He’ll handle your security."
Turning to Teresa, she said, "Share Edem’s number with Aisha, and notify him of her flight schedule. They should escort her directly from the airport."
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