Supreme Mars novel Chapter 11

The venue had already been set up, even though the bidding had yet to commence. A podium and a huge screen sat in the center with rows of seats arranged in front of them. The seats were grouped and labelled according to the attendees on behalf of their respective companies.

While most of the participants had already arrived and were making final preparations, a crowd had gathered around Caroline and Rebecca.

A harsh noise instantly drew the attention of many attendees. A clamor of chatter and whispers washed over the venue a moment later.

"Hey, look at them. Aren't they representing the company owned by the Fords? What on earth are they coming here for?"

"The main focus of the bidding will be the contract of the latest product line from Atlas Beauty, and Atlas has absolute domination of the event. It's extremely difficult to stand out and win. I even heard that some top advertising agencies couldn't manage to secure it."

"Well, I guess they are to be the Fords' ceremonial cannon fodder..."

"Isn't that Martin Bailey, the general manager of Vesper Corporation?"

That last comment brought everyone's attention to the man in question, leaving him somewhat startled.

"Mrs. Ford and Caroline, I don't mean to offend you both, but if you were the Ford family of the past, you might have had a chance today. But now, you don't even have a professional team, let alone a company with any asset's worth tens of millions of dollars. And for crying out loud, you've even got the guts to compete against me!""

Rebecca's face turned livid.

"Shut up, you traitor!" Caroline glared at him. "You're just the Lawson family's lapdog, nothing more!"

Martin's eyes clouded with anger for a fleeting moment. He soon adopted an unnerving grin, "Yes, I betrayed you, but so what? A fine fowl would only perch on a fine tree. Your family has almost been completely swallowed up by the Lawsons, and yet you still expected me to stay loyal?" he scoffed arrogantly.

"It's only a matter of time before your family is totally screwed. Why don't we give you a quick death?" Martin continued in a domineering manner.

His words reminded many of the local business owners in attendance that the Vesper Corporation was once owned by the Fords before Kate Lawson's hostile takeover. Some wondered, "It looks like Martin did something behind the scenes to aid her in that endeavor."

"So, you just contacted the Lawson family on the sly and leaked Vesper Corporation's business secrets and financial data?" Rebecca questioned him angrily. She was the one who promoted Martin, so his betrayal stung her the most. Even though it had occurred a long time ago, she still had difficulty accepting it.

"Mrs. Ford, you can't make accusations like such without solid evidence first." Martin glanced at Caroline and Rebecca and grinned, his eyes alight with wicked thoughts. "You see, I can easily sue you for defamation!" "How dare you...." Caroline was about to refute him, but Rebecca stopped her. "Calm down. We're here to bid, not to argue with him."

When Martin saw his former boss swallow her anger, he felt indescribably happy. He continued with a smile, "With all due respect, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell. Vesper Corporation will win the bid!" Martin was full of confidence.

He added, "As for the two of you, get ready to end up on the street!"

Rebecca's face was aflame with fury and soon she turned pale and drawn, her eyes filled with frustration.

Martin's words were harsh but they were also cold, hard facts.

She thought, "We need to win this bid to gain some ground, but that's easier said than done. In terms of team expertise, our company is nowhere near Vesper Corporation's level. What's even more infuriating is that Vesper was my company! It's humiliating to be mocked by the very people who used to work for me."

"They will not end up stone broke today," Someone abruptly spoke up in this calm yet stern voice. "Neither will the rest of the Fords. I don't see their family ever falling apart. You, however, might want to make each day count, because there won't be too many left for you."

Immediately after that, a man strode over to Caroline.

"Leo!" Caroline gasped. She was stunned, her eyes wide open.

"I thought the guards kicked you out," Rebecca said in a tone of disbelief.

The last scene they recalled was Leo being driven away by Phillip, the head of security.