Chapter 2

The presentation had just ended.

Mr. Stevenson, the partner’s representative, looked at the slightly green Michael on stage, a slight frown on his face.

“Ms. Charlotte, Mr. Richard has been our primary contact for the past two weeks. Why has the lead for this proposal changed to… this gentleman today?”

Charlotte didn’t bat an eye, explaining with a polite smile:

“Michael certainly did create this proposal. He’s just graduated, but he’s full of fresh ideas.”

“Of course, Richard supervised the entire process, ensuring everything was perfect, which is why he was your initial contact.”

“As long as you’re satisfied with the proposal, who gets the credit shouldn’t really affect our deep partnership.”

Mr. Stevenson listened, his confusion only partially resolved, but he nodded approvingly:

“I see. Young talent indeed has potential. The proposal is very solid; we are extremely satisfied.”

The contract was signed smoothly.

People in the conference room gradually dispersed, leaving only Charlotte and me.

I stopped what I was doing, asking in a calm voice, “Why didn’t you discuss any of that with me beforehand?”

For this three-hundred-million-dollar deal, I’d slept only three hours a night for fifteen consecutive days. Those model codes, I refined them countless times to ensure there were no errors.

Now, all that credit went to a newbie who hadn't done a single thing.

Charlotte rubbed her temples, seemingly annoyed by my questioning.

“Richard, Michael just graduated. He needs a high-profile start to build his network and get a foothold in the industry.”

“In that situation, we couldn’t exactly correct him in front of everyone and make the partner suspicious, could we? We had no choice but to play along.”

It was the same old excuse. I looked at her matter-of-fact expression and didn’t argue further.

I had only wanted to see her attitude, and now I knew.

Seeing my silence, Charlotte noticed my uncharacteristic quietness. She softened her voice:

“Alright, don’t be mad. Once this commission comes through, I’ll buy you that race car you’ve been talking about for ages.”

“Consider it compensation, okay?”

I glanced at her, silently gathered my files, and turned back to my desk.

She watched my retreating back, seemingly convinced that the race car had successfully appeased me.

Soon after I sat down, Michael approached my desk with a cup of coffee.

He put on an innocent, wronged expression, “Richard, I’m so sorry… I honestly didn’t know admin would mess up the name.”

“I was so nervous earlier. Should I go explain everything to Mr. Stevenson? I can’t take your credit…”

I stared at my computer screen, not sparing him a single glance.

Seeing me ignore him, Michael bit his lip, his voice suddenly a little louder, tinged with a sniffle:

“Richard, are you mad at me…?”

The commotion was perfectly audible to Charlotte, who had just walked out of her office.

She strode over quickly, her brows furrowed as she looked at me.

“Richard, Michael has apologized to you. Why are you still scowling?”

“As a senior, it’s only right for you to pave the way for a junior. Don’t be so petty. Anyway, I’ll give you the full commission from this deal.”

Watching her defend another man so fiercely, I found it laughable.

For the past seven years, no matter how difficult the opponent, she had always stood by me.

We were partners, fully invested, with everything to gain or lose together, and a loving married couple.

But now, for Michael, she judged me as “petty” and “narrow-minded.”

Since she had said so, there was no need for me to argue anymore.