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Chapter 130
Chapter 130
“Ms. Turner, Mr. Snider is here. He’s waiting for you in the small conference room, Pippa, Funtime Games’s executive assistant, reported.
“Did he make an appointment?” Ash asked.
Pippa shook her head. “We didn’t receive any appointment request from him. So… Do you want to meet him?”
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Ash twirled her pen, glanced at her watch, and replied, “No appointment? Then he’ll have to wait. Probably for about half an hour.
“Alright.” Pippa braced herself to relay the message to Calvert, who was already waiting.
Calvert didn’t say much in response, but Shane’s brows knitted together as he spoke, “Mr. Snider is here to discuss the project. No one informed us that we needed an appointment.”
“Sorry, this might’ve been my oversight, Pippa said apologetically, looking troubled. “But we do require appointments, even though we’re partners. Ms. Turner is currently in a virtual meeting. As soon as it’s over, she’ll be right with you. Please wait a moment.” The lie slipped out smoothly.
Pippa had no idea what kind of grudge existed between Ash and Calvert. There was clearly nothing on Ash’s schedule, but she knew better than to question her boss’s motives. Her job was simply to follow orders.
Shane seemed displeased and wanted to say more, but Calvert shot him a cold glance, instantly silencing him.
“Alright, I understand.” Calvert’s presence was chilling, his lips parting slightly, while his deep–set eyes hid unreadable emotions.
Pippa exhaled in relief at the answer and left the room without lingering for even a second.
“Mr. Snider, we’re the main party for this project. No matter how you look at it, I don’t think their attitude is appropriate,” Shane said, feeling baffled.
“So?” Calvert responded curtly as he tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
It was obvious that Calvert was in a foul mood, so Shane dared not say more. Shaking his head, he added, “It’s nothing. I spoke out of turn. Should we get Mr. Meyers to join us?”
“Since when did you start managing his affairs?” Calvert’s voice, though calm, was sharp and biting. Though he appeared indifferent, every word he spoke had an edge to it.
Shane could only swallow his grievances. “Sorry, I overstepped,” he said. After that, Shane remained silent, sitting quietly at the side.
After about twenty minutes, Ash finally appeared. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Snider. Something came up at the last minute,‘ she said flatly. Her apology was flippant and extremely insincere.
Calvert watched as she sat down across from him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized her. “It’s all good, Ms. Turner. I can imagine you’re busy with everything going on at Funtime Games.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Snider. Our operations here are a bit chaotic. I should learn from you on how to manage a company more efficiently,” Ash said dryly. “Our time is precious, so may I ask what brings you here? I don’t think we had a meeting scheduled for today.”
The underlying message was clear: she wanted him to cut to the chase and get lost. The tension between them was palpable, and seeing Calvert only agitated her. She couldn’t quite pinpoint the source of her irritation, but something about him deeply unsettled her.
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Chapter 130
He lowered his gaze, his chiseled features set in a calm yet icy expression. “It seems my visit has caused you some inconvenience and wasted your time.”
“I didn’t mean that,” Ash said tersely. “What exactly did you come here for?” She didn’t want to waste another moment talking in circles.
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Calvert shot a glance at Shane, who immediately caught on and left the small conference room, pulling Pippa out with him.
Once they were alone, Ash relaxed, leaning back in her chair. “So, what’s the matter? Why didn’t you just call?”
“Finn will be the head of Triple–A Game and he’ll be working with you directly. He works for the Snider Group, but he will be based at Funtime Games,” Calvert said.
Ash was a little dumbfounded. “You came all the way here just to tell me that? Where’s Finn? Why didn’t he come? And did he even agree to this arrangement?”
“This project is a collaboration between our companies. Does it matter where he officially belongs? Do you think I’d mistreat him?” Ash questioned sharply. She couldn’t quite grasp what Calvert’s intention was.
Calvert raised an eyebrow. “Fine. If that’s how you see it, his employment will be under your company, and you’ll pay his salary.
Ash immediately caught on to his game. “Forget it. Let him stay with you. Since you’re willing to cover the labor costs, I’m more than happy to accept the deal.” It would be foolish for Ash to pass up this opportunity.
Afraid that he might change his mind, Ash quickly added, “That’s settled, then. Anything else? When can he start? The team’s pretty much assembled.”
There’s one condition.” Calvert’s cold expression softened slightly at her eagerness. “You seem anxious. Are you worried that I’ll go back on my word?”
She had to admit his perception was frighteningly sharp. He often knew exactly what she was thinking without her saying a word.
Ash let out a grunt, unwilling to concede. “I just have other matters to attend to. I trust you, Mr. Snider. You’re a man of your word.”
“Is that so? It seems I’m still a man of principle in your eyes,” Calvert quipped.
‘Insufferable man,‘ Ash thought. “What’s the condition? If it’s unreasonable, I won’t agree,” she said, crossing her arms.
“Vanessa has to fully support Finn,” Calvert said, fulfilling Finn’s request.
Ash frowned as if she had heard something shocking. “Vanessa? Why? She’s got plenty on her plate already,” she said brusquely. “What’s Finn up to?” She felt that there was some big scheme hidden in this arrangement. “If you don’t give me a good reason, I won’t agree.”
“Oh? If I don’t give you a reason, will you remove Finn from this project?” Calvert asked coolly.
Ash’s expression turned serious. “No. But he won’t be working from our office. After all, this project belongs to the Snider Group. We’re merely collaborators; we don’t get to choose the lead.”
“Right.” Calvert’s response was as cold as ever. “You don’t have to make the decision for others. Talk to her, then get back to
me
With that, Calvert rose, ready to leave.
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