Chapter 4

Her boss, Marcus Tanner, happened to be there too. He immediately understood the problem and approached Darren respectfully. "Mr. Lansworth, my apologies. I'll definitely strengthen employee training."

Darren said coolly, "No need. Fin Media won't be handling this project anymore. Mr. Tanner, you'll have plenty of time to train your employees now."

Marcus finally realized that while Darren appeared easygoing, he was actually the most difficult to deal with.

Marcus pleaded humbly, "Mr. Lansworth, please, give me another chance."

Ignoring his desperate pleas, Darren got in his car and left.

Hearing their major shareholder's decision, the Felman Corporation people also left the site.

Only Fin Media's staff remained.

With the loss of the “DY” project, Marcus looked like the sky had fallen. Lansworth Capital could do whatever it wanted in New York. They invested across almost every industry. If Darren said he was finished, he basically was bankrupt.

Marcus glared coldly at everyone present. "So many people here, and no one caught such a basic error?"

Shirley was first to take blame. "Hannah didn't explain clearly during the handover, but I take the most responsibility for not catching the employee's mistake."

Marcus pointed at Shirley. "At least you know you're most to blame, you idiot."

When he looked at Hannah, he hesitated.

Yesterday, when Carter from Felman publicly accused Hannah of taking shortcuts, he'd planned to fire her.

Knowing Mr. Chancer was a womanizer, he'd sent her to him. But Mr. Chancer had called to terminate their partnership. He'd been looking for an excuse to fire Hannah.

Now he didn't dare fire her—she'd arrived in Darren's car.

He couldn't figure out her relationship with Darren.

Looking at her face, his eyes shifted. "Go find Mr. Lansworth. If you can't get him to change his mind, don't bother coming back."

"Mr. Tanner, I did nothing wrong in this matter. I'm not going to Mr. Lansworth."

She'd told Carter she wouldn't chase after Darren.

Besides, she didn't want to hear more cruel words from him.

She'd rather lose her job than have her dignity trampled again.

Marcus looked at her like she owed him. "Your improper personal life cost us the ‘DY’ project. If you hadn't lost the project, today's error wouldn't have happened. You're the root cause of everything."

"First, Carter was spreading rumors about me. You shouldn't judge who I am based on one person's words. I haven't done anything improper. If I hear similar accusations again, I'll sue. Second, if you insist I'm wrong and can't tell right from wrong, then I quit."

Marcus dropped his usual friendly demeanor, revealing his ugly merchant side. "Hannah, I always thought you were responsible. Otherwise, your uncle's company wouldn't have grown to its current size."

Hannah laughed coldly. "What are you planning to do to my uncle's company, Mr. Tanner?"

Marcus dodged the question. "If you don't resolve this properly, losing your job will be the least of your worries. You don't want to face another scandal, do you?"

Scandal?

Hannah's heart turned cold. She'd thought she and Marcus at least had some mutual respect.

All these years of working without expecting rewards, sometimes using her own money to help the company through financial difficulties, understanding when bonuses were delayed again and again.

Now that he'd turned on her, there was no loyalty left.

But then again, when did businessmen ever have consciences?

The next day, she went to Felman Corporation.

Having visited many times while planning the DY project, the receptionist recognized her.

Previously cordial, today the receptionist showed clear disdain.

Rolling her eyes, the receptionist asked, "What do you want, Miss Sullivan?"

"I need to see Mr. Watson."

The most direct approach would be finding Darren, but she didn't have his contact information or know where his office was.

More importantly, she didn't want to see him—was afraid to see him.

Better to lose dignity begging Carter than to beg before Darren.

The receptionist tapped her pen on the desk. "Mr. Watson doesn't see just anyone."

"I know. Could you make an appointment for me?"

The receptionist reluctantly opened her book. "Purpose?"

"Regarding issues with the DY project."

Hearing it was business, the receptionist stopped giving her trouble.

Still, from making the appointment in the morning, she waited until noon without being called.

Her stomach was growling.

The reception area didn't allow eating.

When she asked again when Carter might see her, the receptionist only said, "Soon."

She understood—Carter was deliberately making her suffer.

If he didn't want to see her, he could simply have the receptionist send her away. If he did, ten minutes would suffice.

When she stood to grab something to eat, the receptionist called out, "Miss Sullivan, please wait a bit longer. If Mr. Watson calls for you and you're not here, I'll get in trouble."

They wanted to humiliate her, make her miserable.

Carter wouldn't see her until he'd tortured her enough. If she could achieve her goal, missing meals meant nothing.

Her stomach growled so much she kept swallowing saliva. Eventually, the hunger faded to numbness.

She could only drink water and keep waiting.

After sitting a while longer, a group entered through the main doors.

Among them was Darren.

While debating whether to call out, Darren had already walked past.

She hurried to stand but was blocked by one of his entourage. "Can I help you, ma'am?"

"I..."

Her throat felt sealed. She couldn't speak.

Since that incident, she'd never begged anyone again.

Especially not Darren.

Another hour passed.

The receptionist, taking pity, brought her a small snack. "Here, have something. Mr. Watson will see you after his meeting."

She gratefully accepted, but it was peanuts.

She was allergic to peanuts.

Checking the time—four in the afternoon already.

Carter and Darren might torture her, but surely not to death.

After the meeting, Darren went to Carter's office.

Darren perched on Carter's desk. "By the way, about the DY project—switch to a different planning company."

Carter muttered, "So that's what this is about?"

Darren, "What?"

"Hannah's been waiting downstairs all day. I thought she wanted to be project lead again. Turns out she's here for her company."

After everything he'd said, Hannah still had the nerve to come begging for the project. What a dedicated employee indeed.

Darren's knuckles whitened as he gripped his pen, pressing harder as he wrote.

"Why would she come to you about this?"

Carter shrugged. "No idea. Let's call her up and find out."

Carter phoned reception to send Hannah up. After hanging up, he stared at the office door with a complicated expression.