Chapter 184: Victory Against All Odds

“Is this your company or mine? Do I have to manage it for you, too? If all my subordinates were as stupid as you, they wouldn’t need to work anymore.” Fraser added.

James felt as if his neck was hanging in midair, cold sweat forming as a chill ran through him. He quickly bowed. “Yes, yes! Mr. Graham is right. Fair competition has always been our principle in selecting a design firm. I will have each project director’s scores displayed immediately.”

Mason’s pupils contracted at those words. One of the project managers, Luke, visibly paled. Instinctively, he glanced toward Mason. Their gazes locked. Mason’s sharp eyes flickered as he subtly shook his head. That look clearly said, “If you dare to confess now, I’ll kill you myself.”

Soon, the conference room’s projector displayed the scores from each project director. For Summer’s design, almost every director had given a score above 95, except for Luke, who had given a shocking 30, dragging the average down. The discrepancy was too extreme. A murmur of disbelief spread through the room.

Suppressing his fear, Luke stood up and forced himself to defend his score. “Mr. James, scoring is subjective. I simply didn’t like Aspira Design Institute’s proposal!”

Summer studied Luke’s face carefully. She confirmed that she did not know him. She had no idea why he was deliberately targeting their firm. Calmly, she asked, “Mr. Luke, given that the two firms’ designs share a similar style, what specifically made you dislike ours?”

Her words sent a wave of realization through the crowd. Indeed, the two firms’ designs had been similar. That was why they had held a second round for the representatives to present their design concepts. Now, Luke’s argument was completely invalid.

James’s face turned entirely black with rage. He glared at Luke. “Luke, think carefully before you speak!”

A cold chuckle sounded from the main seat again, leisurely yet laced with danger. “This is your style of management, James?” Fraser’s voice dropped to a chilling level. His naturally authoritative tone, high above the rest, carried a bullet-like force that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

James’s heart, which had already gone cold, leaped to his throat. He knew something fishy was going on with Luke. But admitting it now would be like shooting himself in the foot. Some might see it as just Luke’s individual fraud, but some may even suspect that Fletcher Construction Group was in it too. He could not afford to admit anything.

With his blood running cold, James stammered, “It’s… a matter of personal… preference…”

Fraser’s eyes darkened, the shadow in his gaze growing deeper. His previously lazy demeanor instantly sharpened into something cold and domineering. “Then why don’t we evaluate whether you, as the general manager, are even qualified for your position?”

The room erupted in gasps. Many secretly broke into cold sweats.

The heir of the Graham family. Of course, he had heard of him. The man who got whatever he wanted, unpredictable and domineering, notorious for his arrogance and overbearing nature. Yet no one dared to offend him.

Mason’s face darkened as he turned to his assistant. “Why the hell is Fraser speaking up for Aspira Design Institute?” His assistant had question marks all over his face.

“You don’t know! How would I know! If I knew, I wouldn’t still be stuck as your assistant.”

Mason snapped, “Idiot!” It was unclear if he was cursing his assistant or himself.

James’s heart pounded in his chest. He had no choice but to announce, “Since Luke’s evaluation was excessively biased, his score will be removed. We will recalculate the final scores.”

The revised scores appeared on the screen: Aspira Design Institute, 97 points; Eureka Design Studio, 85 points.

Merry clenched her fists, finally able to release the frustration she had bottled up earlier. Her instincts had been right all along. If the last time Fraser had helped her and Summer avoid drinking had been a mere coincidence, then this time, it was blatant. Merry’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Summer, full of admiration and envy. “I want a prince like that to protect me too…”

“Summer Sienna! We won the bid!” Merry shouted. “I told you there was foul play, and no one believed me. Look at the results! Aspira Design Institute is the best!”