Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The musicians kept playing classic tunes as the guests enraged themselves in discussions, munching
on appetizers, and dancing.
“The way the night is going, you might just end up shaving your hair.” Jeff teased, smiling at Charles,
but he got an icy stare in return.
“Catherine may be assigned to that account, but just as it was easy for it to be taken from Chloe and
passed onto her, it's that easy to snitch it from her grip,” Charles replied with a frown.
Then glared at his cousin before walking away, heading towards Bill.
“What is he up to?” Jeff mumbled, scowling as he watched Charles meet up with the chairman of the
MC group.
At the same time, Catherine and Rome were in the process of walking towards Bill when she saw her
cousin and him talking, and she stopped in her tracks.
“What's wrong, wife?” Rome softly asked, sadly gazing at her.
“My cousin is planning on killing two birds with one stone. Since that's his intention, then I'm going to
take a step.” Catherine mumbled with a slight smile.
“Why are you letting them step all over you? That account was rightfully given to you by your
grandfather, you're just going to disappoint him by letting Charles have it?”
“But…”
“No, but. Look into my eyes.”
A look of hesitation crossed Catherine's face. Then she took a deep breath and gazed directly into her
husband’s eyes.
“You are just as qualified to get those accounts as any of your cousins, so what's stopping?” Rome
said, resting his palm against her cheek.
“Nothing,” Catherine mumbled, smiling softly.
“Then don't let nothing hold you back.”
“You are right. The only person that can stand in my way, is myself and I am tired of being my stomping
block.”
A frown settled on Charles's face as he stared at Bill and firmly said, “Why can't you give me the
account? I have spent minutes pitching a great proposal to you, and it's not worth your interest!”
“How should I put this nice and simple? Your kind of ideas is old-fashioned and dull. I'm looking for a
fresh mind with inspiration and creative concepts, not something sterile.” Bill casually said, taking a sip
of his drink.
At that moment, Catherine and Rome joined them, and Charles shot them an icy stare. But they
ignored his mad eyes and gazed at Bill.
“Another Barlow. I already told your cousin that I'm not accepting your family proposal for my account.”
Bill said, shoving his hand into his pocket.
“Charles is extremely brilliant and talented, but he doesn't represent the entire Barlow family, and
neither does his proposal. Please give me a chance to show you what it means.” Catherine said with a
pleading expression.
“As you said, your cousin is extremely brilliant, if I didn't like his plan, what makes you think that you will
be any different?”
“Because we are not the same. Maybe you might accept mine or not, but at least give me the chance
to prove to you what I can do.”
After taking another sip of his wine, Bill let out a deep sigh and said, “Fine. Wow me, Miss Catherine.”
Although she sounded confident, her heart was beating rapidly and her mind kept crowding with
unnecessary thoughts until she felt Rome's hands in hers, and everything suddenly became calm.
Then without giving in to her fear, Catherine boldly pitched her proposal, making sure not to leave any
details out. By the time she finished, Bill was staring wide-eyed at her with his jaw hanging loose.
For a while, he thought Catherine was just a woman with a powerful husband, that's why he had to give
her the project.
But after hearing her brief presentation, his mindset totally reauthors itself, making him see her as a
woman with a powerful mind and excellent potential.
“That was perfect. Exactly what I envisioned for this project. I loved every single bit of your plans, and I
can't wait to work with you, Miss Catherine.” Bill said, extending his hand to her with a bright smile on
his face.
For a second, Catherine glanced at Rome with happiness glowing in her. Then she held Bill’s hand and
shook it.
“Hey, Elon, Benjamin, Francis. Come here for a second.” Bill called out, letting go of Catherine's hand.
Gazing away from Richard for a moment, Elon stared at Bill and slightly smiled. Then he gazed back at
him and said, “Excuse me.”
“But I'm not done explaining the rest of my proposal yet,” Richard said anxiously.
“I got to go.”
“How about later then?”
“There's no later, kid. The contract is not yours.”
In dismay, Richard watched as Elon walked away and met up with Bill. Then his gaze rested on Jeff
sadly approaching him.
“Lost the account?” He asked when his cousin came closer.
“Yep,” Jeff mumbled, standing by him with his hand resting in his pocket.
Both of them stood in silence, staring at Charles and the others.
“Do you think he double-crossed us and got all four accounts?” Jeff asked with a frown.
“It wouldn't be shocking if he did. Charles had always been like that, stepping on others to get what he
wants.” Richard mumbled, tightening his grip on the glass.
As Catherine stared at the faces of all the chairmen, gazing at her, she felt her breathing becoming
light, but she pulled herself together and kept a smile on her face.
“Miss Catherine's ideas are pretty fascinating,” Bill said with a smile.
“Seriously?” Elon said, feeling a bit doubtful.
Nodding slightly, Bill gazed at Catherine and said, “Do you have a pitch for Roadland INC?”
For a moment, Catherine glanced at Charles' angry eyes. Then she took a deep breath and said, “Yes.”
“Well, enlighten me, Miss Catherine,” Elon said, still feeling a bit skeptical.
However, after spending a few minutes listening to her proposal, he had a chance of heart and a
renewed mind.
“Wow, you weren't kidding. She knows her stuff.” Elon said, smiling at Bill as he nodded happily.
“I must say, she reminds me of the young Mr. Barlow, full of energy and fantastic ideas!” Francis said
with admiration.
“I don't object to that,” Benjamin said, raising his glass to his lip.
Everything felt like a dream to Catherine, hearing such words about herself, and with excitement Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
glowing in her expression, she gazed at Rome and beamed at him.
“Miss Catherine, if it's not too much to ask, ‘will you be willing to handle all four accounts?” Elon said,
and Catherine's face went blank.