Chapter_248
Tyler watched the game unfold, his movements steady and deliberate as he swung his golf club. The sun was high, casting a perfect glow on the field, but his mind was elsewhere, as Miles continued to press him for information.
“Mr. Tyler, do you have any suppliers you’re interested in?” Miles asked, a casual tone masking his growing curiosity.
Tyler paused, looking out over the green expanse. “Didn’t you mention Averie is good?”
Miles’ eyes lit up, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. “Yeah, they’re connected to the Harris family.”
Tyler’s gaze lingered on the horizon. “We’re close indeed. They’re my grandma’s maternal family after all.”
Miles nodded, now confident that he was in the right direction. As Tyler continued walking, Miles stuck close, feeling the weight of the conversation. He didn’t want to mess this up—everything seemed to be falling into place. But Tyler, ever the composed figure, didn’t seem bothered by Miles’ presence. Tyler turned his attention to the group again, and Miles seized the opportunity to step aside and make a quick call.
Tyler, engaged in light conversation with the others, didn’t notice Miles’s sudden absence. But once Miles was out of earshot, Tyler’s attention turned back to his game, a hint of satisfaction crossing his features.
Meanwhile, Miles had dialed Michael’s number, eager to ensure everything was on track.
“Everything will go smoothly, Mr. Michael. Winning the bid should be a breeze,” Miles said with assurance. “I just didn’t expect Tyler to come for an inspection.”
Michael’s voice crackled through the line, a grin evident in his words. “Thank you, Mr. Miles.”
The call ended shortly, and Miles returned to the group, feeling a sense of triumph. He believed they had the bid locked in.
The next day, however, Michael’s optimism quickly crumbled. He poured over the bidding results, his eyes scanning the document repeatedly, disbelief settling in. “What’s this?” he muttered under his breath, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing.
His secretary, Lilian, entered the room as he was re-reading the document. “What’s wrong, Mr. Michael?” she asked, concern in her voice.
Michael looked up, his face pale. “Averie Co. didn’t win. Check this again.”
Lilian took the document, her eyes widening as she processed the news. “I’ll check with Miles,” she said quickly, retreating to make the call.
Michael’s mind raced. How could this have happened? He had been so sure, especially considering the connections between their families. The Harrises should have been on their side.
Meanwhile, Miles was equally stunned when he saw the results. He was pacing nervously in his office when Linda’s call came through. But Michael, still seething, snatched the phone from Linda before she could speak.
“What the hell, Miles?! Did you mess with me?” Michael’s voice was sharp with fury.
Miles rushed to explain, his voice tight with stress. “You’re connected to the Harrises, Mr. Michael. Why would I do that? Mr. Tyler said he liked Averie Co. yesterday.”
“Did Ridgewood Co. bribe you?” Michael spat, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Miles froze. “Why would you think that? You’re family to the Harrises.”
Tyler, ever the tactician, had been listening to the entire conversation. The higher-ups often had their phones monitored for exactly this type of situation, which is how Tyler knew what was happening in real time. His face remained unreadable, but Linda’s nerves were evident as she stood beside him, watching his reaction.
On the other end of the line, Michael’s panic only deepened. “What happened then? I’ve been working on the Harris accounts with you. Are you siding with Ridgewood against me?”
Miles tried to calm him down, his voice steady but shaken. “Mr. Michael, why would I do that? Even if we hadn’t worked on those accounts, I wouldn’t betray you. As I’ve said, you’re family to the Harrises.”
Tyler’s lips curved into a slight, enigmatic smile as he absorbed the situation. Linda remained tense, aware that things were about to get far more complicated.