Chapter 38 If she failed, she’d be out
Over the next week, Mason didn’t visit the hospital or contact Leila. In contrast, Daniel came to the hospital every day.
Leila thought he was just being kind-hearted, and over time, they started to get along pretty well.
That evening, when Daniel left, Leila personally accompanied him downstairs to thank him for his help over the past week.
“Let me treat you to a meal sometime.”
Daniel didn’t dare to refuse but also didn’t dare to accept outright. He responded vaguely, “I’ve taken a week off, but when I go back, I’ll probably have a mountain of work waiting for me.”
Leila understood, “Okay, we’ll see then.”
After seeing Daniel off, Leila took the elevator back upstairs.
When she walked to the door of the ward she suddenly thought of something and took out her mobile phone to send a message to Daniel: [Mr Daniel, I just forgot to ask you. What kind of food do you like?
‘Daniel’: [????]
Leila: [When I get back to Neo City, I can make it for you and bring it to the office.]
At that moment, Daniel was on his way back to the hotel, unaware that danger was slowly closing in. Just as he stepped out of the car, his phone buzzed.
Mason: [Leila asked what dishes you like. She’ll make it for you and bring it to the office when she returns to Neo City.]
Daniel was scared and dialed Mason’s number directly.
“Boss, please let me explain.”
Mason chuckled coldly, “Go ahead, let me know your excuses.”
Daniel hurriedly continued, “Boss, I swear I have absolutely no inappropriate thoughts about Miss Patel.”
“Is that all?”
“Boss, Miss Patel is a good woman.”
Mason’s voice turned icy, “And then?”
“Boss, Miss Patel has a good relationship with Samuel. I believe that interfering in someone else’s relationship is morally wrong.”
Mason chuckled in disbelief, “Well, well. Daniel, you’ve only been there for a short week, while you’re getting bolder.”
Hanging up the call, Mason impatiently tugged at his tie and tossed his phone onto the coffee table.
After a moment, he leaned down to pick up the phone and replied to Leila’s message: [Thanks, but don’t bother.]
Leila: [I just want to thank you for all your help this week.]
Mason: [I heard from Mr. Ramirez that a kidney donor has been found. Aren’t you going to thank him?]
Leila: [I do want to thank him. I’m prepared to work hard to repay Mr. Ramirez.]
Seeing Leila’s message, Mason got anger. Her way of thanking Daniel was by cooking for him, and her way of thanking Mason was by working hard?
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Leila sent another message: [No rush, take your time to think about it. Thank you again for all your help this week.]
Mason’s slender fingers typed out a response on the screen, but then he deleted it all and replied with just one word: “Hmm.”
After finishing the text exchange with ‘Daniel’, Leila returned to the hospital room to chat with Mrs. Patel. Mrs. Patel gently stroked her hair and smiled, “Don’t worry, dear. I’ll listen to the doctor and cooperate with the treatment.”
“Mom, you’re my entire emotional support. You have to be well.” Leila nestled against Mrs. Patel’s lap and muttered.
After this experience, Mrs. Patel had also come to realize many things. She couldn’t stubbornly love Leila in the way she thought was best. “Hmm, I will.”
The next day, Leila went to Neo City early in the morning. She first went to Nova Group for handover and then reported to work at The Ramirez Group. Perhaps due to Mason’s prior notice, everything went smoothly and efficiently.
Once all the formalities were done, Leila was escorted to the project department by someone from HR. Her position remained the same, still the project manager.
As soon as Leila entered the office, she received an internal call from Mason.
“Leila, come to my office.”
“Sure, Mr. Ramirez.”
She took the elevator straight to the top floor, and as soon as she stepped out, she saw Daniel leading a group of executives, all with troubled expressions, standing in the hallway.
Passing by Daniel, she heard him mutter softly, “The old Mr. Ramirez is in there, be careful.”
The old Mr. Ramirez? Mason’s grandfather? Leila hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Daniel.
Seeing her confusion, Daniel lowered his voice to explain, “Mr. Ramirez’s grandfather.”
Leila asked, “Is he waiting for me?”
With so many people around, Daniel couldn’t speak directly. Instead, he blinked at her a few times urgently.
Leila understood and realized that this wasn’t the place for conversation. She nodded subtly and raised her hand to knock on the door.
After hearing a ‘come in’ from inside, she pushed the door open and entered.
Mason’s office was decorated mainly in shades of brown, not overly dull but not lively either. “Mr. Ramirez.”
Mason, sitting in his chair, looked slightly solemn. “Have you heard of the Premier Construction project?”
“Yes, I have.”
“What are your thoughts on this project?”
Leila calmly replied, “The investor behind Premier Construction is a foreign company. They initially intended to develop the project into a water park. However, after completing the foundation, they found it unsuitable and decided to turn it into an amusement park instead. But halfway through construction, the permits were not approved, and the project ended up being a mess with no way to wrap it up.”
Mason asked, “Do you think this project is worth investing in?”
Leila pondered for about ten seconds before responding, “It depends.”
Mason remained expressionless, tilting his chin slightly to indicate that she should continue.
“If it’s for equity investment, it’s completely unnecessary. There are too many decision-makers involved, and the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, leading to endless troubles. However, if it’s for acquiring the project at a price lower than 35% of the market value, it might be worth considering.”
Leila locked eyes with Mason across the desk, providing a well-reasoned analysis of the situation.
Mason listened to her analysis while lazily tapping his slender fingers on the armrest of his chair. “Do you think Premier Construction would be willing to transfer the project at a price lower than 35% of the market value?”
Leila spoke honestly, “It’s unlikely.”
Mason inquired further, “Is there a way?”
Leila considered for a moment before responding, “There’s a 40% chance.”
“Only 40% chance?”
Leila remained composed, “I don’t want to overpromise.”
As a newcomer, if she were to boast about being able to handle this project and it ended in failure, her future at The Ramirez Group would be difficult.
Mason stared at her for a while, then shifted his gaze to the old Mr. Ramirez sitting on the sofa. “Grandfather.”
Since entering the office, Leila had noticed the elderly man sitting on the sofa. He held a cane with an eagle carved on the armrest.
Leila didn’t intend to scrutinize the old Mr. Ramirez, but his gaze fell squarely on her, scrutinizing her.
After a while, the old Mr. Ramirez said something unrelated to the Premier Construction project, “He went to Yort City last week because of you?”
Leila knew what he was asking and replied frankly, “Yes, at that time, I was still at Nova Group. There was an issue with a project Mr. Ramirez was collaborating on, and he asked me to revise the proposal.”
“Just because of the project?”
“Yes.”
The old Mr. Ramirez sneered as he leaned on his cane and turned to Mason. “Since you think she’s capable, let her handle this project. If she succeeds, she stays at The Ramirez Group. If not…”
Leila wasn’t foolish; she could tell he meant if she failed, she’d be out.
Mason tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair. “If she succeeds, is staying at The Ramirez Group the only reward?”