"This is just my fate," James Reed sighed, clearly unable to muster a smile, yet he forced out a grin uglier than a cry.

"In the end, I’m not part of the Seymour Family, I’ll never belong there; I’m always an outsider."

James’ words struck Hayley Cole right in her deepest, hidden pain.

James is an outsider to the Seymour Family, isn’t Hayley also an outsider in the Cole Family?

If the Cole Family truly considered her one of their own, why would the bidding process result like this?

"Of course, others have connections. We just can’t compare." Just as Hayley was feeling upset, Sophie Wilson coldly mocked from the side.

To add insult to injury... Well, she can do just that and would never miss the opportunity.

Hayley’s face turned dark, and she abruptly stood up, glaring at Sophie Wilson with anger, and sharply rebuked, "Sophie Wilson, who are you talking about?"

"Do you think I’m talking about you?" Sophie asked with amusement.

"Who else?" Hayley angrily retorted, wanting to see what excuse Sophie would come up with. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Congratulations, you guessed right," Sophie’s words nearly caused Hayley to spit blood in rage, "You... you... Sophie Wilson, I’ll beat you to death!"

"Be quiet, or get out!" Jason Cole slammed the table, his authoritative voice echoing in the conference room, causing everyone’s ears to ache.

Clearly, he was truly angry.

Jason’s fury felt like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering Hayley who was furious to the point of losing reason.

No, she couldn’t leave now; she needed to figure out what was happening.

Hayley reluctantly sat down, but still glared angrily at Sophie Wilson, and whispered coldly, "Sophie Wilson, if we couldn’t win the bid, do you think you can?"

"Not to mention with such a high bid... it might just be another discarded bid." Hayley finished speaking, feeling pleased inside.

The earlier frustration quickly vanished.

James couldn’t win the bid; her brother said it was due to bias and was discarded.

The project bid submitted by Sophie Wilson’s company is another discarded bid, isn’t it?

Those company’s bid prices are even more unusual, Sophie Wilson surely won’t succeed here.

Sophie Lee, sitting further back, coldly watched the earlier scene, internally sneering.

Sophie Wilson had thoroughly offended Hayley Cole this time.

If even James couldn’t win the bid, their project’s bid was even worse.

That worked out well; her company didn’t need to put up extra manpower to take the project.

Originally, she deliberately undercut the price, paid manpower costs, just to win the project and disgust Sophie Wilson.

Discarded bids are even better.

She wouldn’t need to lose any money on it.

Sophie Lee felt like she had finally let out some anger, wasn’t Lucy Wells just bold enough to associate with Young Master Bright because she was Sophie Wilson’s friend?

Now, things are different; Sophie Wilson offended Hayley Cole, and in the future... Sophie Wilson won’t have it easy, and Lucy Wells’ situation will be even worse.

After all, Hayley Cole is a member of the Cole Family, and ultimately, Hayley Cole will come out on top.

"Shut up!" Jason Cole reprimanded, and Hayley reluctantly shut her mouth, then the announcer continued to reveal the bidding results.

"The winning bid for the fifth project is..."

Hayley proudly raised her eyebrows, staring at Sophie Wilson, waiting to see her face change dramatically.

"Joya Grande Decor!"

Hayley suddenly turned her head, staring at the announcer as if she had seen a ghost, wasn’t Joya Grande Decor Sophie Wilson’s company?

Why did Sophie Wilson win the bid?

——

Recommended reads: "Sweet Warm Marriage: Master Ning, Strongly Pamper" by Yue Xi Xichuang. "Except in bed, I don’t let her do any physical work."