Chapter 13 Ruby Planned to
Esme’s voice trembled with disbelief as she processed what Athena had just said. The name “Brad Maxwell” carried weight in the industry, and to hear Athena speak of a successful deal with him seemed almost impossible.
“How… How did you manage that?” Esme stammered, still in shock.
Athena calmly set the folder down on the desk in front of her. “Let’s just say, Mr. Maxwell was impressed with our proposal. He agreed to discuss the contract further this afternoon. You can join the meeting if you’d like, Esme.”
The room went quiet for a moment as everyone in the sales department tried to wrap their heads around the fact that Athena had pulled off something they had believed to be impossible. Esme, who had been so sure that the deal was lost, now looked embarrassed, her face flushed with frustration and disbelief.
Athena stood there, composed as ever, as her colleagues exchanged confused glances. She knew that her actions would speak louder than words, and she was determined to prove herself once again. Her success with Maxwell Electronics wasn’t just about the deal—it was about showing everyone that she wasn’t just a secretary or a bystander in the company. She was capable of achieving more than anyone had given her credit for.
Esme clenched her fists, clearly frustrated by Athena’s calm demeanor. She had expected Athena to be flustered, to apologize for the lost deal, but instead, she was acting as though she had already won. “But the proposal had so many flaws,” Esme finally said, trying to undermine Athena’s confidence. “How did you manage to convince Mr. Maxwell?”
Athena didn’t flinch. “I’m sure you’ll get all the details after the meeting this afternoon. But, for now, I suggest you focus on preparing for the next project,” she said coolly, her eyes never leaving Esme’s.
The tension in the room was palpable, but Athena remained unshaken. She had come to terms with the fact that not everyone would support her. But as long as she could keep proving her worth, the opinions of others didn’t matter.
As she turned to leave, one of her colleagues approached her with a hesitant smile. “Congrats, Athena. I didn’t think you’d be able to turn it around, but it looks like you really pulled it off.”
Athena smiled softly, her eyes momentarily softening. “Thanks. But there’s still a lot more to do. The contract is just the beginning.”
As she walked toward the door, she caught a glimpse of Esme, still glaring at her, unable to accept the defeat. Athena couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that she had outsmarted her and everyone else who doubted her.
The meeting with Maxwell Electronics loomed ahead, but Athena was ready. She had already faced so many challenges and obstacles, and each one had only made her more resilient. Whatever happened next, she was determined to continue proving her worth—no matter who tried to stand in her way.
Meanwhile, in the background, Esme’s frustration simmered. She was no longer just angry at Athena for taking the deal—she was angry at herself for underestimating her. As much as she hated to admit it, Athena had shown a side of herself that was undeniably impressive. It was clear that the game wasn’t over yet.