She Stole More Than a Bid

The date circled in red on the calendar drew closer — the day Jenifer Shaw and I had agreed to register our marriage. A few days ago, she was leaning on my chest, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Hunter, once I get my hands on the bid for the East City plot, we can use it as our wedding gift. Then you can secure the project, and our future will be assured." I stroked her hair, smiling, feeling I'm the luckiest man in the world — with a wonderful fiancée about to marry and a project that could elevate the company. My phone suddenly vibrated; it was an unfamiliar number. When I answered, a strange woman's voice came through: "Mr. Truman, this is Lily, assistant to Ms. Sydney James. Ms. James would like to meet with you regarding Miss Jenifer Shaw and the bid for the East City plot." My heart sank sharply, yet I forced myself to stay calm: "Where shall we meet?" "Three o'clock this afternoon, Private Room No. 3 at Hush Grove Café in the west of the city." Lily's voice was completely flat. After hanging up, I stared at the proposal on the computer screen but couldn't focus on a single word. Right at three, I pushed open the door to the café's private room. Sydney wasn't there; only Lily sat on the sofa with a tablet in front of her. "Mr. Truman, please have a seat." She gestured toward the sofa opposite, her tone still even. After I sat down, she immediately picked up the tablet and handed it to me. "Take a look at this first," she said. The moment the screen lit up, my blood nearly froze. The scene in the video showed the rival general manager's lounge for the East City plot, where Jenifer, dressed in a revealing camisole dress, was snuggling in a man's arms. I recognized that man; he was Leo Foster, the general manager of the rival company. The sound in the video was very clear; Jenifer's laughter carried a coquettish tone I had never heard before: "Leo, don't worry. I'll keep Hunter firmly in check. Once I get the bid, I'll give it to you." Leo ran his hand through her hair and smiled, "You're still so understanding. Hunter really believes he can win with sincerity alone." I clenched the edge of the tablet with my fingers, a buzzing ringing in my ears. Lily put the tablet away, her tone flat and expressionless: "Ms. James said that as long as you agree to withdraw from this bid, this video and any subsequent video will not be leaked." "Subsequent video?" My voice was hoarse as I looked up at her. "Miss Shaw's 'collaboration' with Mr. Foster was not a one-time thing." Lily took out a USB flash drive and placed it on the table. "There's a more complete record inside. As long as you withdraw from the bid, this flash drive is yours to decide how to handle." I stared at the black USB flash drive as if it were a red-hot iron. Jenifer's smiling face flashed repeatedly in my mind; the "wedding gift" she mentioned was, in fact, a way of making a fool out of me. "How much time do I have to decide?" I took a deep breath, striving to keep my voice steady. "Before the end of the day." Lily stood up. "Ms. James said you are smart and know how to make the right choice." After she left, I remained alone in the private room until the café closed. The streetlights outside the window turned on, casting a blur of soft light. I picked up the USB flash drive from the table and slipped it into the inner pocket of my suit. Taking out my phone, I sent a message to the company's project manager: "We are withdrawing from the bid for the East City plot." The moment I pressed send, I knew I was giving up not just the bid, but also Jenifer.