"I… I need more time…" Carol said, balling her fists. There was little she could do at this point. What difference would her efforts make if the Triumvirate of Springfield didn't want the Blackwells in the ambitious Rapids Project?
Alexander Blackwell had made an unrealistic demand in the first place, and Carol was an idiot to accept the challenge. Was his ultimate wish to eradicate the Atelier family? Was she a mere source of entertainment for them?
If Alexander wanted, he could make them disappear with a snap of his fingers. Nobody would come to her defense.
Tears welled up in Carol's eyes, but she fought them back. She didn't want to give Dorothy the satisfaction of having broken her.
"So… Do you finally admit you are worthless?" Dorothy posed with a sneer. "Did you really think you could waltz into the Blackwell family with a pretty face, and we would hand out freebies? Pedestrians like you make me sick!"
The old woman turned to her husband. "Alex, she has confessed her failure. You know what to do now."
Before Alexander could respond, Carol's phone pinged an alert. On instinct, she looked at the screen only to find a new email. The beauty was about to switch off her phone when the email's subject caught her attention. The message was pretty self-explanatory.
[Re: Invitation to join Springfield Rapids Project International]
Carol's eyes widened, and her heart did a double take. She immediately opened the email's contents. It was from the Project Director of the Springfield Rapids Project. The message was an official invitation from the Triumvirate to join them in the venture. Gregory Ribald, Clive Baron, Edward Shannon, Dale Johnson, Claire Holt, and Rose Atelier were CC'd in the email. It was a miracle!
Before Carol could process the turn of events, a message from an unknown number arrived.
[Hope you liked my second gift… Don't let the brutes bring you down…]
The beauty covered her mouth in surprise. Was the message from the mysterious man in the carnival mask? Did he have enough power to arm-twist the Triumvirate of Springfield?
"You cheeky bitch!" Dorothy hollered at Carol. "First, you fail horribly at your job! Now you insult us by texting on your phone while we speak to you?! Who do you think you are, girl? Who are you even talking to? The lovers who pay for your services?"
Carol gritted her teeth and looked up defiantly. "Actually, I was just reading an email from the Triumvirate of Springfield. My efforts have borne fruit, and I have secured the Rapids Project deal!"
Alexander Blackwell jumped to his feet in a jolt. "What did you say?"
The elite gathering was also flabbergasted. "I said… we are in, sir!" Carol told the old man. "They have accepted my proposal and sent me a confirmation email!"
The news hit Dorothy like a ton of bricks. Shaken by the young woman's proclamation, she took a moment to recover and then fired back. "As if I am going to believe your crap! Any college graduate can generate a fake email! You're lying to escape your punishment!"
Just then, a portly man emerged from the crowd. He was Barney, the Chief Financial Officer of Blackwell Industries. A look of bliss was plastered across his face.
"Sir!" he exclaimed. "Sorry for interrupting your diamond jubilee celebrations… But I have great news! We've been officially invited to join the Springfield Rapids project!"
"What are you talking about?" Alexander asked incredulously. "Where did you get this news?"
"It's updated on their official website, and we also received a formal email!"
All eyes turned to Carol. Did the innocent beauty make such a massive event happen? But how?
The beauty took in the satisfaction gracefully. "I hope you are pleased with my services," she told Dorothy with a hint of sarcasm.
Alexander was speechless for a few seconds. However, he rose from his seat and waved away the guards. Then he walked up to Carol and put a congratulatory hand on her shoulder.
"I was wrong about you, little girl. Actually, you are a grown woman, capable of greatness. You are indeed a gem. The Blackwell Conglomerate is grateful for your hard work and dedication. I personally regret whatever behavior you had to tolerate up till now. But no more."
Carol bowed slightly and returned a warm smile.
"This… this can't be happening…" Dorothy stammered, taking a few steps back. The astounding turn of events had shattered her ego and worldview. How could a girl of common birth achieve such success?
Alexander tried to pacify his wife. "My dear… It's okay now. Carol has proved herself as a capable businesswoman."
"No!" Dorothy spat, trembling with anger. "She is a worthless commoner!" Her husband tried to mollify her, but she stormed out of the room in a huff, grumbling and muttering to herself.
Everyone else began congratulating Carol. "What a majestic achievement, gurl!"
"This will get you into the inner circle of the Blackwells!"
"What a talented young woman!"
Ronald, Josh, and Martha joined the crowd, taking in the compliments.
"Our daughter is the best!" Ronald said with pride.
"We never doubted her," Martha added.
Josh began introducing himself to the pretty girls, using Carol's name as a reference.
Carol was smiling ear to ear, enjoying a resounding success for the first time in her life. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the man in the carnival mask in the crowd. But the vision disappeared as fast as it had manifested. She prayed to God that one day she'd get the chance to thank him personally. And if he was interested in her… She was willing to date him.
Carol almost felt guilty betraying Victor in her thoughts. The man who called himself Caesar was as kind as Victor but exponentially more powerful.
After a few minutes of enthusiastic discussions, the guests were redirected to the recreation hall to drink, play poker, and pool.
Alexander approached Carol and led her away by the arm. "Let's talk privately," he said, walking into his solar. "There's something important we must discuss."