Chapter 171
The rest of the Stone family and the executives piled on with their ridicule, particularly the Stone family.
"Con, Celena. You've got to step it up, you only have two days!"
"Psh, her? Two days? She'd be lucky to figure it out in a month! I can't fathom why she's so eager to compete when she's clearly clueless!"
"Would anyone like her even get a shot at cooperation, let alone be in charge, if it weren't for sheer pity?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Ha! She's clueless, alright. Remember her big talk about proving herself? Well, here's her chance. However, just look at her. Does she seem ready to prove anything?"
Celena absorbed the jeers, a knot of injustice tightening in her chest. She kept her head down, her face ashen, as tears streamed down unchecked.
Why did they despise her so much when she was one of their own, a Stone through and through?
The conference room door swung open. Liam strode in. He quickly found Celena in the corner, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face. His expression darkened as he spoke with a biting chill, "She needs a materials supplier, that's all! Let Celena handle the talks. There is no need for two days, she can seal the deal tomorrow!"
His declaration silenced the room, all eyes fixed on him. They all wondered where Liam found the audacity to promise that Celena could secure the contract by the next day.
"Alright then, tomorrow, five suppliers! If Celena doesn't lock in contracts with all five by tomorrow, she's out of the project. And you, Liam, you'll be leaving the Stone family behind!" Reginald's voice
boomed, his eyes blazing with fury. The project had not even kicked off, and Liam was already overstepping his bounds, crashing the Stone family's meeting with no regard for authority.
"Alright," Liam responded calmly, accepting the challenge without a hint of hesitation.
No sooner had he agreed that Celena was by his side, her panic evident. She stood up, rushed to Liam, and clutched his arm. "Liam, don't do this! Grandpa's right, I don't know the first thing about this. How am I supposed to handle negotiations?"
"Oh, Celena, now you admit you're clueless? Why'd you steal the deal fromin the first place? You're just itching to grab the Stone family's reins and hand them over to Liam, aren't you? Well, you've certainly got big plans!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmCheryl's screech cut through the air once more as she stood there, arms crossed, glaring at Celena with fury etched across her face.
Liam shot Cheryl a frosty look before turning to Celena, who was practically vibrating with anxiety. "Don't worry, trust me!" he said.
For sreason, Celena, who had been filled with doubt, found herself filled with an unexplainable faith in Liam. His words were like a soothing river, and she nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Okay! I trust you!"
Cheryl's laughter grew louder at Celena's nod. "So you've agreed! Well, I can't wait to see how you're going to secure those contracts from the five suppliers!"
"You've taken on the challenge, so it's in your hands now! This meeting is over!" Reginald declared, and with a firm tap of his cane, he strode out of the room. The others quickly followed, leaving Liam and Celena alone in the silence of the conference room. Celena had red eyes from holding back tears, while Liam was the picture of serenity.