Chapter 6
The guy said, "Tech consultant? We never arranged for any tech consultant to meet with you. Ms. Clayton, maybe you got it mixed up?"
My blood chilled to the bone in an instant.
I realized I'd been tricked.
Those people weren't from Innova Tech at all! They were spies sent by Everglow Tech!
I'd just handed over all our project's core tech secrets to our biggest rival!
This was a mistake so huge that it could destroy my reputation for good.
I slumped into my chair, my limbs frozen and numb.
I really messed up. I was way too careless.
Just got promoted, I was eager to make a name for myself. And I let my guard down when I should've been extra cautious.
I immediately called William.
My voice trembled on the phone. "Mr. Dalton, I... I made a huge mistake."
I told him everything, from start to finish, not leaving out a single detail.
On the other end, William was silent for a long while. So long that I started to think he'd lost faith in me, maybe he'd even take me off the project.
"Alright," he finally said.
His voice was flat, impossible to read. "Stay calm. Just stay in your office and wait for me."
Half an hour later, William walked into my office.
His expression was grave, but he didn't utter a single word of reproach.
He said, "This isn't entirely your fault. They came prepared. They even copied HQ's communication style to a tee."
I muttered, "I really messed up. I shouldn't have..."
William cut me off. "Now's not the time to point fingers.
"Now that Everglow Tech has our tech specs, they'll rush to rework their proposal and pitch it to Innova Tech HQ before we even have a chance to react.
"They'll get ahead of us. Right now, what we need to do is damage control."
I said, freaking out, "How do we even fix this mess? Our core secrets are out there. It's like we're totally exposed now."
William fixed his sharp gaze on me. "No. All they got were the 'old' secrets."
I froze, dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"
William walked over to my desk and flipped open his laptop.
On the screen was a completely new tech blueprint.
It was way more advanced and refined than anything I'd ever had my hands on.
He explained, "This is the latest upgrade plan from Innova Tech HQ. They sent it over just last night, right in the middle of the night.
"The old plan has already been scrapped. So all that trouble Everglow Tech went through to steal it was nothing but a pile of expired junk."
I looked at the new blueprint, so excited that I was completely lost for words.
It felt like a miracle when all seemed lost.
"So what do we do now?" I asked, still a little dazed.
William replied, "We turn their own trick against them."
He smiled coldly. "Everglow Tech thinks they've already won, so they'll be publicly flaunting their victory.
"Let them strut around for a few days, thinking they're on top of the world. But when the signing ceremony rolls around, that's when we unveil this new plan.
"I want them to lose face in front of every reporter out there."
William's plan was bold and ruthless.
Watching him strategize with such confidence, that spark of hope I thought had died suddenly blazed back to life inside me.
"Alright." I nodded hard. "I'm following your lead."
*****
The next few days were eerily calm. Sure enough, Everglow Tech started pushing news everywhere, hyping up that they were about to clinch a partnership with Innova Tech.
Some outlets even reported that Everglow Tech's CEO was already on his way to Innova Tech HQ for the final round of contract talks.
Inside the company, everyone was freaking out.
Most people thought we were about to lose the project for sure.
Despite the crushing pressure, I followed William's orders and stayed put, holding the line.
Finally, the day of the signing ceremony arrived.
The press conference hall was packed with reporters, every seat taken.
Everglow Tech's CEO, Vincent Sharpe, sat at the head table, looking like he owned the place.
Next to him was a representative from Innova Tech HQ.
Everyone thought Everglow Tech was the star of the show today.
Vincent already had champagne on standby, ready to pop the cork and celebrate.
The press conference kicked off.
The host stepped up to the podium and launched into a long, drawn-out opening speech.
Just as the host was about to announce who would be signing the deal, the doors to the hall burst open.
William and I strode in together.
All eyes instantly locked onto us the moment we appeared.
The flashes exploded like fireworks. Reporters turned their cameras on us like sharks circling for prey.
Vincent's expression changed in a heartbeat.
He stared at us, his gaze full of shock and bewilderment.
The Innova Tech HQ rep also showed a look of surprise.
William ignored them completely.
He walked right up to the stage and took the microphone from the host.
He began, "Good afternoon, everyone, media friends, and honored guests."
His voice was calm and powerful, instantly silencing the crowd. "I'm William Dalton, representing Innova Tech Group. Today, I have an important announcement to make."
William paused, locking eyes with Vincent at the head table.
He continued, "After careful consideration, Innova Tech Group has decided to award the 1.5-billion-dollar strategic partnership project to..."
Everyone held their breath.