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Novel Catalog
Chapter_36
A Change in Representative
Tanum Corporation was undoubtedly the smallest of the six companies shortlisted, and it quickly became apparent that we were also the least competitive.
To be honest, I hadn’t come here expecting success. My real goal was to divert Matthew’s attention, and that was all.
The meeting was held in a large conference room, where companies that wanted to bid on the project had gathered. Everyone was waiting for the project lead from ATL Empire to arrive.
Minutes passed, and the anticipation in the room grew. Whispers of impatience began to ripple through the air.
Just then, the door opened, and all eyes turned toward it.
A young man entered, dressed in a crisp white shirt, black pants, and a black tie. He exuded an effortless sense of elegance and authority. Tall and poised, it was hard to tell his exact age—his maturity and calm demeanor belied his youthful appearance.
Behind him, a secretary and several project staff followed. The room’s attention was fixed on him as he confidently made his way to the head of the table and took his seat. He scanned the room with an unwavering gaze.
“I’m sorry for the wait,” he began. “Mr. Wright had some urgent matters to attend to, so he asked me to chair this meeting. I’m Atlas Pierce, and it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” His voice was clear and authoritative, though his tone remained cool and businesslike.
He wasted no time, setting the tone for the meeting with his directness. His gaze swept over the representatives, taking note of each one as he continued, “Let’s begin.”
Some of the more experienced representatives exchanged uncomfortable glances. Why had Mr. Wright sent someone so young in his place? There was a murmuring of dissatisfaction, especially from those representing the more esteemed companies. It was unusual to have a substitute, and his youth only seemed to fuel their skepticism.
But Atlas didn’t waste any time addressing the concerns of the room. Without pausing, he called out the first company to present.
As he made his way through the list of companies, I watched closely. When he reached Tanum Corporation, his eyes finally met mine. I wasn’t surprised. It was clear he knew I would be the final speaker, and that gave me a small sense of relief.
This was a manageable challenge. I had always been known for my eloquence back in college, and though years of seclusion had kept me away from the public eye, I knew I still had it. After all, I was the one who founded Tanum Corporation, and I had a stake in this.
The other companies had all presented their teams and best new products, but I knew I couldn’t compete in that regard. Instead, I chose a different approach. Being the last to speak allowed me to add value to what the others had already said, setting the tone for the closing.
As Atlas’s gaze remained fixed on me, I stood up and began my presentation, outlining Tanum Corporation’s strengths in a unique way. My words were clear and direct, each one chosen carefully to leave an impression.
Once I concluded, I gave him a polite nod. Only then did he break his gaze, quickly summarizing the key points before gathering the materials for further review. Without lingering, Atlas adjourned the meeting, offering everyone a slight nod before exiting the conference room.
The other representatives seemed puzzled. The room buzzed with confusion and dissatisfaction.
One of the more seasoned representatives spoke up, clearly irritated. “Isn’t he being too hasty? Who is this young man, and what exactly is his role? It seems like they found a last-minute substitute. With his age, he’s probably just a manager. I don’t like how ATL Empire handled something this important.”
The older representative left the room with an air of confidence, and the others followed suit, each wearing a murky expression. It was clear they were displeased with the meeting’s structure and how things were handled. But I didn’t share their frustration.
My assistant and I calmly left the building and made our way back to the company.
As far as I was concerned, I hadn’t left the meeting empty-handed. The key takeaway for me wasn’t just the presentation itself—it was the insight I gained into our competitors. These meetings were the perfect opportunity to study the other companies, and now I had valuable information to work with.
After all, Tanum Corporation had made it to the top six construction companies in Foswood, and that alone was a step forward. I was confident that more opportunities would come, and with them, more chances for Tanum to rise even higher.
With newfound optimism, I returned to my office and began compiling everything I had learned about ATL Empire’s project.
Just as I was getting into the details, my phone rang. It was a call from home.
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Chlo, your father had a stroke,” my mother’s voice came through, frantic and shaking. “We need you to come home.”
quickly.