Chapter 15: Wanting Her to Beg Jeremy

Eliana returned to her car, still unable to calm her emotions, completely unaware that she had been subtly tricked by Chase. She was only annoyed at herself for exposing her vulnerabilities in front of him. Back at the office, she saw Randall and Camille sitting in the couch, obviously waiting for her. Entering the office, she heard Camille whispering to Randall, "Let's talk later, but don't get angry with the child." Randall snorted, his expression grim. "Eliana, you've only taken over the company for a few days, and there have been one problem after another. The Wilkinson family withdrew three contracts, why didn't you say anything? Are you waiting for the company to collapse before telling me?" Eliana coldly snorted inwardly. The company had long been siphoned off by Camille, and the only difference now was that it still had an empty shell. "Those three contracts were voluntarily given by Jeremy to the Griffith family. Now he's unwilling to give them, and there's nothing I can do," Eliana replied. Camille chimed in, "Your relationship with Jeremy isn't ordinary. If you talk to him properly, there's definitely a chance." "You've been together for so many years. Even if you can't be husband and wife, you're still friends. Can't you swallow your pride and talk to him?" Randall said with some frustration. His implication was clear: they wanted Eliana to beg Jeremy, by any means necessary. "Isn't Vanessa Jeremy's fiancée now? Haven't you asked her to speak up? Or is it that even his fiancée can't persuade him?" Eliana's words dripped with sarcasm. Camille's expression faltered slightly. "She's been busy preparing for the wedding. Jeremy asked her not to worry too much." Eliana chuckled. "Camille, you're really putting me in a tough spot here. If Vanessa, the fiancée, isn't speaking up, how would it look if her own sister got involved?" Regardless, she had no intention of pleading with Jeremy as they hoped. Randall and Camille's expressions immediately darkened. However, losing the company's three major contracts would undoubtedly have severe repercussions. For Camille, this presented an opportunity. If Eliana failed to steer the company properly, it could be her chance to seize power! She smiled and reassured Randall, "Let's not stress too much and give the young ones more chances. Maybe Lena will even negotiate an even higher deal for you." After years of working alongside Randall, often helping him set up schemes, Camille knew how too manipulate Randall well. Randall grunted, not saying anything, but his expression betrayed his lack of trust. "I'll give you a week. If you can't handle it, I'll bring Camille back to help you." Since the company had been handed over to Eliana, Camille had used the excuse that she would hinder the younger generation's work due to their differing approaches, and had returned to Randall's side, ostensibly to take care of him at home. She needed to step down to prove that Eliana was incapable of managing the company, which had nothing to do with her. In that way, Randall would trust her even more. Eliana sighed inwardly. She didn't want to, but if she didn't prove herself, she wouldn't gain Randall's approval. At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Colin pushed it open, his eyes filled with excitement. "Lena, Ms. Hardy is here to see you." Margaret strolled in, dressed to impress, her confidence shining through like a proud peacock. Spotting Eliana, she beamed. "I've gone over your contract and I'm ready to team up with you. I'm here to seal the deal on our five-year partnership." Both Randall and Camille were stunned. Did they read it correctly? Ms. Hardy, the heiress of the Hardy family and the newly appointed CEO of a top 100 national company, had personally come to collaborate with the Griffith family! Camille found it unbelievable. "This is the Griffith Enterprise Ms. Hardy, are you sure you haven't come to the wrong place?" Margaret entered confidently, stating, "No doubt about it. I really admire the way the president of the Griffith family manages things and I trust her character. I'm very sure about our partnership." Seeing Margaret's arrival, Eliana's apprehension eased. She immediately had Colin prepare the contract and personally welcomed this important client inside. Randall, seeing the situation, took Camille out, not wanting to disturb Eliana's negotiation. "Lena, why didn't you mention the appointment with Ms. Hardy? We were wrong to doubt you this morning. Well, let's go back first. Take your time." To him, as long as the company thrived, he valued his daughter, even if she wasn't his favorite. If she could bring in profits for the company, he was willing to overlook her mistakes. After Margaret sat down, she spoke frankly, "I should have come to see you yesterday, but I took a day off after returning, so I came today." "Whenever you can come is the greatest affirmation to me," Eliana smiled, confident in her judgment of people. Chase looked down on her that day, but she would use this contract to wipe the smugness off his face when she returned home tonight. Wait, why did she care so much about Chase's opinion of her? It didn't matter at all! After chatting for a bit and making sure everything was cool, Margaret quickly signed the contract. As she was about to leave, Eliana stopped her. "Hey, Ms. Hardy, I gotta tell ya something. Since we're tight, I don't wanna keep no secrets. That horse thing? It wasn't just random. Someone must've set it off, making it flip out like that." Margaret's face kinda tensed up. She only spilled the beans when she made sure no one else was around. "Actually, I've been looking into it. I've got a bunch of brothers back home, and they ain't too keen on seeing a woman like me calling the shots. They're always scheming against me." Eliana could relate. Family ain't always sunshine and rainbows, especially when they're more cutthroat than your average foe. They found solace in each other's struggles. "You got any leads yet?" Eliana inquired. Margaret's gaze got a bit darker. "Yeah, they covered their tracks real well. Can't trace a thing. They pinned it all on some stablehand. Ain't dumb enough to do it themselves. Gotta keep our eyes peeled from now on." Eliana nodded. "You know you can count on me if you need anything." "Same goes for you." After Margaret split, Eliana went over the files. Still had to hustle up another deal to make up for those three contracts Jeremy pulled out of. The first couple deals went down smooth, so Eliana still had faith in her game. Colin checked out the signed contract and gave his niece some props. "Lena, you got skills. Knew these bumps in the road wouldn't take you down." Eliana let out a sigh. "Maybe it's just luck. Gotta class reunion tonight, so I won't be around for dinner," she informed him. "You bringing Chase?" Colin asked. "Why would I?" Eliana shot back, remembering the spat from this morning and feeling ticked off. Colin didn't catch her vibe and agreed, "Yeah, someone who throws fists ain't on the same level as Jeremy, the big shot CEO. Bringing him along would just be asking for trouble." Hearing the snobby remarks, Eliana felt a wave of unfairness wash over her. "Uncle Colin, how could you think like that? A person ain't defined by their title. So what if Jeremy's a CEO? His character's trash. Bringing him along would be humiliating!"