Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Two days after, Jessica was seated in her new office at Graves' Construction. She was twirling in her chair, reminiscing about the evening event of two days ago. Her phone beeped. It was an acceptance to participate in the contract competition. She smirked.

"Well, here's cheers to a big first win." She muttered. She went through her proposal over and over again, before emailing it to the company. She replied with an invitation to present her proposal to the company that same day.

"Ooh. Sweet cheesecakes!" Jessica grinned. "Things are going well now."

Clearing her throat, she stood up and began to rehearse her speech. When she was done, she arranged everything she was going to need and packed them neatly into her bag. She couldn't afford to go late or not in style, so she had Levi pick her up and drop her at the company. After all, she was going to pay for it.

The two hours she spent there were the most difficult two hours in her entire life, after her labor of course. She was, at some point, scared for her life. Perhaps these people were a wrong choice? She didn't know. They said the winner would be announced by the following day.

Jessica had one thing that most of the other candidates didn't have. That was the conviction. She was convinced within herself that regardless of how difficult it was, she was going to win the contract. And it was exactly so for her. She got to work the following day to see the congratulatory mail on her laptop.

She didn't scream, no. She just grinned satisfactorily. The news was going to carry it. Out of all the known and popular companies who bid for the contract, Graves' construction, a newly restarting company, bid them to it, and won the contract.

She went to sign the contract at the company. Surprisingly, other bidders were there too. Aw, she cooed in her heart as she walked past them. After signing the contract, Gary appeared around her, happily congratulating her.

"You did very well." He applauded. Jessica smiled, saying "Thank you."

"C'mon, I brought my car, let me give you a ride back to the company."

Edwin was totally shocked that Jessica outbid him. She was taken in his stead. As much as he didn't like it, he was still happy she was doing very well. His happiness was short-lived as his phone began to ring. When he checked the caller, it was his father. His smile turned into a scowl. The old man was going to complain about his incompetence to bid on a simple contract that could have earned them a billion-dollar sale.

"Dad."

"Edwin Turner!" The man began in a very strained tone. Edwin could tell his father was dying of anger but didn't want to show it outrightly. At this point, he couldn't care any less about it.

"Yes, dad?"

"I want you home in the next ten minutes!" Edwin sighed. He simply packed up and left for the Turners' Mansion.

Edwin greeted his mother when he got into the house. She answered him on a lighter note. He ignored her and went straight to his father's home office. For the first ten minutes, neither he nor his father said a word to each other. When he relaxed in his seat, savoring his father's pained glare, the man began to speak.

"How did this happen?! Tell me!"

"How did that happen?" He also wanted him to snap.

Mr. Turner took deep breaths to calm himself down. It wasn't the end of the world yet.

"How did you lose the contract to a new company?! How the hell Edwin?!"

"Need I remind you, dad, that the panel of judges isn't influenced by wealth or reputation? They knew what they wanted, and they went for it. We still have better collaborations that could earn us even better than whatever Graves' Construction could earn from this."

"Did you say, Graves?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, my God!" Mr. Turner murmured slowly. The same Graves he had silenced? Who gave them the voice to speak again? Not to mention speaking where he was to speak?! Not again! These people were back to destroy his reputation again!

"Anything the matter, dad?" Edwin asked with a mock caring tone.

Mr. Turner lowered his eyes. He was afraid and he didn't want his family to know. Because why would he be afraid of a small company? In truth, he knew how smart Mr. Graves was when it came to business.

His mother barged into the office. She quickly sat herself beside her son. Edwin ignored her as well. What was going on with his parents? It was just a contract. They had better options.

"Edwin." His mother called firmly. "You have to explain to me why you-"

"Mom. The contract wasn't my fault." Edwin replied with a small frustrated sigh.

Mrs. Turner shook her head. "Not that. Edwin, you have to engage Hannah Reid. Time is not on our side. With this new company on our track, we have to join with the Reid family so that we can boost the company further."

Edwin stared at her. "So in essence?"

"Edwin! You have to engage her at least. Even if you're not ready to marry her, you have to carry on with the engagement."

Edwin kept mute. His mother was still talking and saying different things to try and convince him to carry on with the engagement. His father was also chipping in some convincing words. He wasn't paying attention at all. His entire thoughts were on Jessica and Gary. Were they in a relationship? He wasn't going to let them. He only wanted to know if she still cared about him. The best way to do that was to make her jealous. He smirked evilly.

"So what do you say, Ed?" Mrs. Turner asked.

"Mom. You have an engagement banquet to plan." Edwin said firmly. Mrs. Turner smiled very widely.