“It was his company’s bid, not his personal pursuit, which I find odd. But possibly, the art trade operates differently here.”
Having eased some of his own suspicions, Jalen suggested, “When my exhibit comes to life, you should fly over if you’ve got the time.”
Their conversation drifted to everyday trivialities. Hannah promised with a warm smile.
“I wouldn’t miss your first international exhibit.”
As Jalen repeatedly pinched his nose, a sign of his fatigue, Hannah recommended, “Jalen, you should rest. We’ll catch up another day.”
With a click, the laptop shut down, but Hannah lay restless, mulling over Jalen’s words about Bryson’s atypical company behavior.
Her artworks had fetched exorbitant prices, yet she had been out of the scene for a while, unfamiliar with current art market trends.
It could be, as Jalen mentioned, that conducting art business abroad differed from local practices.
Amid these swirling thoughts, Hannah eventually succumbed to sleep.
Come morning, Lydia headed to the company.
She approached the team leader.
“Gather your members. We’re meeting in the conference room.”
The team leader, Jorge Potter, finished organizing the papers and beckoned his colleagues to join him in the conference room.
As they made their way, the team members grumbled among themselves.
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“We’ve been turned down before. Why must we draft another business proposal?”
“I overheard Miss Phillips vowing to the boss that she’d secure this deal, hence the project’s revival.”
“Such a hassle! The higher-ups’ squabbles always trickle down to us, piling on unpaid overtime.”
“The project’s back on, and our team leader seems hands-tied. We just follow orders.”
One particularly irate team member quipped bitterly, “Is she even fit to lead? She’s more concerned with climbing the corporate ladder at Phillips Group than leading us.”
“I’m with you on that,” another chimed in.
“Mr. Henry Phillips may be inept, but he’s still the general manager!”
A cautious voice cut in, “Lower your voices. Such talk could land you in trouble if overheard.”
They continued their muted debate until reaching the meeting room.
Once inside, they quieted down, settling into their seats and sneakily checking their phones.