CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 150: THE PREDATOR BEHIND

Again and again.

Stella Grant stared at the message on her phone, suddenly feeling some admiration for this person’s tenacity.

While admiring his tenacity, Stella also felt amused. On what basis did he conclude that she would certainly help him with this favor?

Even if he found out about the unspeakable relationship she had with Silas Sutton, weren’t there many women who had been involved with Silas?

In the Veridia circle, one cannot say that a stone thrown would hit seven or eight, but certainly one or two.

Stella’s slender and fair fingertips tapped the screen, instead of deleting, she forwarded it to Silas Sutton.

Consider it returning a favor.

After forwarding, Stella picked up the phone in front of her and dialed an internal line.

The phone connected, Stella spoke succinctly, "Assistant Wright, come in for a moment."

With that, she hung up the phone.

After the call was cut, not long after, Peter Wright knocked and walked in.

Stella glanced at him, tapping the documents on the table with her fingertips, "Assistant Wright, could you do me a favor? Help me categorize these, putting similar situations together."

Peter moved forward to pick up the files, probing, "Did Manager Grant finalize the Shawn Bishop project?"

Stella smiled, appearing approachable, "Yes."

Seeing Stella’s gentle face, Peter’s smile seemed a bit stiff. If he hadn’t experienced her sternness when she first settled in, he might have believed she was easy to handle. "Congratulations, Manager Grant."

Stella smiled gracefully, without becoming overly proud, "It’s all thanks to the company’s platform, and I should also thank Assistant Wright for the help you provided me back then."

Speaking of help, Peter’s smile became increasingly stiff, "It’s, it’s nothing."

Stella, "Nothing is truly certain. Whoever has helped me, I will definitely remember. When the celebration banquet comes, I’ll ensure Assistant Wright gets a seat at the main table."

Feeling anxious and off guard, Peter worried Stella might discover something, so he dared not retort, "Thank, thank you, Manager Grant."

Stella smiled faintly, "It’s nothing, go ahead and handle these documents."

Peter, "Yes."

Watching Peter’s departing figure, Stella picked up the pen on the desk and twirled it in her hand.

Once and twice, never thrice and four times.

He’s already stepped on her bottom line twice.

At ten in the morning, Stella checked the time and called Hugh York to arrange a lunch meeting, casually mentioning the contract negotiations.

Hugh agreed, cheerfully saying over the phone, "Forget the lunch meeting, I’ll have time around eleven, just bring the contract over."

By saying he had time at eleven, Hugh was implying he didn’t have time at noon.

Stella understood the nuances, not mentioning the lunch meeting again, responding with good humor.

After hanging up with Hugh, Stella took the contract, left the company, and bought some good tea on her own dime.

Hugh was famously known for his love of tea in the circle. If he didn’t have time for lunch, she’d tailor to his preferences by bringing a gift.

In the business world, relationships work like this—they’re reciprocal.

If someone provides you with convenience, you should know how to appropriately express goodwill.

After purchasing the tea, it was twenty past ten. Stella drove to Shawn Bishop and stayed in the car at the parking lot until ten fifty, then adjusted her stance and stepped out of the car.

Hugh had already arranged for his assistant. When Stella arrived at Shawn Bishop and explained her purpose, the assistant led her to Hugh’s office.

Stella wasn’t naive. She instantly saw the underlying dynamics.

She didn’t have the capability to earn such an honor from Hugh; it was extended due to Silas Sutton.

Stella dared not act presumptuous, subtly placed the tea leaves down first, then respectfully handed over the contract with both hands to Hugh.

Hugh took it with a grin, without even looking, immediately scribbling his signature down with flourish where needed.

After signing, Hugh’s finger pressed onto the contract without releasing, looking up to ask Stella, "Grant, the contract’s signed. Can I ask you something personal next?"

Stella smiled, having already guessed what Hugh would inquire.

Sure enough, Hugh casually asked with a chuckle, "Your relationship with President Sutton...?"

Stella, "Just a superior-subordinate relation."

Hugh laughed with a deep layer of meaning, "Then, shall I introduce you to a boyfriend sometime?"

Stella replied respectfully, "Sorry, President York, I appreciate your gesture, but I have a boyfriend."

Hugh was curious, "Who?"

Stella reluctantly brought Ray Woods out as a decoy, "Ray Woods, the sales manager at Sutton Group."

Hearing Stella’s reply, Hugh’s expression paused for a moment, whether genuinely recognizing Ray or just humoring her, he nodded seconds later, "A young and talented man."

Stella smiled but didn’t engage further.

Leaving Hugh’s office, Stella held the signed contract, and feeling joyful, she sent Ray Woods a message: Went to Shawn Bishop today to sign the contract, used you as a shield.

Ray replied in seconds: Use away.

Meanwhile, after Stella left, Hugh turned to a man who emerged from the lounge, "She said there’s nothing between her and Silas Sutton."

The man’s skin was overly pale, seemingly sickly, and his expression was grim, "Do you believe her?"