The stares Cora received were enough for everyone sitting there to dig into her brain.
Who would dare refuse a contract with Julls Corp?!
"Did you not read the memo before applying for the bid?" The host asked.
"What…what memo?" Cora gasped.
"If you fail to comply with the proceedings of the bid, you will either be blacklisted or made to pay a sum of…"
"10 million dollars…" Cora whispered, clutching the parchment of paper which had been passed to her. "How did I not see this?" She whispered cluelessly.
"So, which do you want Miss Cora?" The host asked. "That rule was put in place to prevent just anyone from applying for this bid. We believe you were capable and you read all the rules before coming here today, right?"
Cora's words were stuck in her throat. She was at fault as she never even dug deeper into Julls Corp before applying. Now, she was stuck.
"Miss Cora, would you like to proceed or not?" They asked.
"Yes, let's proceed…" Cora nodded. Being blacklisted was something she didn't want to face. Also, pulling out 10 million dollars from her company funds would almost render them bankrupt! She had to play safe, but then she hoped she would be able to explain to Carla later.
"Alright, congratulations, Miss Cora. The final signing process will be communicated soon." Cora shook hands with the host and every other person seated.
And by the time she was out, she was like a walking zombie. Her company had landed a huge deal at the expense of her friend!
"Miss Cora." A thick, commanding voice resounded in the hallway and Cora turned to see Robin approaching her, with a few men behind him.
"Congratulations on your contract win." He stretched a hand to her, a small smile on his face.
Cora was taken aback at first, blown away by Robin's handsomeness and charisma. But when she recalled Carla, she took a step back.
"Thank you." She whispered, with a bow. In the next second, she turned to leave, her legs carrying her hastily but Robin called out to her.
"Wait! Cora…" He reached her, holding her hand. At this point, he wanted to introduce himself to her. But at the same time, heavy footsteps resounded from the end of the hallway.
Carla appeared and immediately she spotted Cora and Robin standing together. Her eyes dimmed, and she felt like a knife was stabbed in her chest and it was being churned.
"Two fucking traitors!" Carla snarled, her heels colliding with the floor, in large strides as she approached them. However, the men behind Robin, quickly stood before their boss, stopping Carla.
"I heard you got the contract, Cora." Carla's eyes turned red, tears that couldn't fall clouded them too. She was there to confirm what she heard.
"No, it's not what you think." Cora shook her head, she wanted to go to Carla immediately but Robin held her back.
"You don't have to explain anything to her. She lost the contract due to her incompetence. Why should you help her?" Robin sneered.
"Carla is my friend! She is your ex-wife. Shouldn't you have some sympathy?" Cora hissed. She looked fierce and quickly tore through the men, going toward Carla.
"It's not what you think. Please, listen to me…"
"Then what are you doing with him, right here?" Carla pointed to Robin. "Did he write the proposal for you? Is that why you got the contract?"
Carla snatched the document from Cora's hand. She tore through it, trying to see what was so special. She knew Robin was capable but she couldn't stand the fact that he helped her friend. It was a slap to the face.
However, Cora didn't appreciate the slander, "Stop this, Carla!" She snatched the document right back. "Robin didn't do anything! Why would you even say that? I did this on my own to help you–"
"Liar!" Carla sneered. "You and that bastard right there–"
"Enough!" Robin cut through, his gaze threatening as he stared at Carla. He stopped Carla in time before she could spill untrue words to Cora.
"This is not the place you should walk into and display your craziness."
"You will be thrown out immediately." He ordered.
"Says who? Who do you think you are?" Carla shouted.
"Me?" Robin chuckled.
"He is the chairman of Julls Corp!" The bidding host who conducted the proposal had been watching the ruckus. He was acquainted with Carla and he was surprised at her attitude.
"What did you say?" Carla gasped, and not only was she surprised, but Cora was too. They both covered their mouth in shock.
"It's a shame you don't know who you are speaking to. I guess you really didn't deserve the contract anyway…" The host sneered, his gaze mocking. He then turned to Robin and bowed.
"It's nice meeting you again, chairman."
Robin nonchalantly waved, dismissing the host. The hallway turned silent and Carla was short of words. Her body went cold and she kept repeating the words the host said.
She asked, "Is this true, Robin?"
"Yes." He didn't mince words.
"Why…" She asked, her lips quivering. "Why did you keep it from me? Why did you lie?"
"I never did." He shrugged. "You just never cared to listen to the truth. You ran after lies, that's not my fault, is it?"
"But…"
"Get her out!" Robin ordered. The men immediately stalked toward Carla and took her up. However, Cora ran after Carla, trying to get her away from the men.
Eventually, Carla was thrown right out of the building. Her butt landed on the floor, with a loud thud.
"Are you okay?"
Cora tried to help her up but she got pushed away. Carla had a blank look on her face, still in disbelief and shock. Where did it all go wrong for her? How did she not see Robin's true self?
"Let me be…" Carla whispered, staggering away from the building. But then she halted and stared straight at Cora, "You will regret what you did."
With that, Carla walked away, her body shaking but Cora decided to stay back. Everything was happening too fast and the more things unraveled, she became even more confused.
"Cora, since your company has been chosen for this contract. Would you like to move your company down here?" Robin's voice resounded from behind.
Cora turned, surprised and confused too. Everything was happening too fast and now, she had to subject herself into competing with her best friend.