Chapter 248

Rosalind froze in shock, her fingers tightening around the leather portfolio. The sight of Evelyn Carter in the Sterling Enterprises restroom sent chills down her spine. "Evelyn! What a...surprise. Are you attending the bid too?"

Evelyn's laughter tinkled like broken glass as she reapplied her signature crimson lipstick. "For our new Arctic Drilling initiative. Care to see the specs?" The mirror reflected her icy smirk. "By the way, Rosalind darling, when did Montgomery Properties acquire you?"

Rosalind's breath hitched. How did Evelyn know about her defection? Had the data breach been discovered?

She forced a laugh, adjusting her blazer collar. "Months ago, actually. You've been...distracted."

Evelyn's manicured nail tapped the marble counter. "The Arctic project's profit margins could sustain Sterling for a decade." She turned abruptly, perfume swirling. "Funny thing - our geologists miscalculated the shale density. Nearly cost us billions."

The air conditioning hummed too loudly.

"Miscalculations?" Rosalind's throat constricted.

"Corrected yesterday." Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Imagine bidding with flawed data. Catastrophic, no?"

Rosalind's foundation couldn't hide her pallor. She bolted past the stalls, stilettos slipping on polished tiles.

Lionel Montgomery was reviewing contracts when Rosalind clawed at his arm. "We need to withdraw! The core samples—"

"Speak clearly." Lionel's cufflinks gleamed under fluorescent lights.

"That scheming witch altered the geological reports! Our bid's based on falsified—"

Lionel's chair screeched across the floor. He sprinted toward Submission Hall, narrowly avoiding collision with Evelyn's entourage.

The electronic clock above the bid desk flashed 11:01 AM.

"Too late, Mr. Montgomery." The clerk's apologetic smile made Lionel's temples throb. "Bids are sealed."

Rosalind's whisper was venomous. "That bitch set us up—"

Lionel backhanded her against a potted fern. "You assured me those numbers were pristine." His Rolex glinted as he straightened his tie. "Pray we lose, Rosalind. Or you'll wish we had."

Evelyn watched from the mezzanine, sipping champagne. The bubbles tasted like victory.