Chapter 2

With no influence in Crimson Ridge, he found every step challenging, leaving him no choice but to tread cautiously. He had been in the company for over a month and had yet to meet Carnelian Kyle, the CEO, who was supposedly his fiancée.

"Director Miller runs to you for help instead of bringing me along. It seems like you're his Bodhisattva, his savior, ha ha ha!" Daisy laughed, covering her mouth.

Jonathan grunted in response, then glared at Gregory, sniping back: "I don't know how someone managed to become the sales director without solving any problems!"

The audacity of his remark was due to knowing Gregory's forgiving nature.

"Ah, weren't the old heroes mediocre, yet they still achieved greatness? It all depends on good comrades and advisors! Daisy is a comrade who can fight alongside me, and Jonathan, you're my strategist!" Gregory, far from being offended, responded with an air of satisfaction.

"You're comparing yourself to heroes? Boss, I didn't know you had such ambition!" Daisy teased.

"It's just a comparison, nothing more!"

The trio bantered and laughed as they walked, and before they knew it, the A6 had pulled up in front of the hotel.

After getting out of the car, Gregory turned to Jonathan, clasped his hands together, and said: "Today's success is thanks to you!"

The three entered a room where the agency owner had already arrived.

The owner of this agency was a beautiful woman in her early thirties who exuded an aristocratic air. Anyone who could thrive in Crimson Ridge must have some background. Otherwise, they would, at most, be high-paying wage earners.

The beautiful Alyssa Steven was no exception; it was hard to believe she didn't have connections in this land.

This was why Gregory was worried that he might have offended some influential figure.

"Ms. Steven, you're early!" Gregory was the first to speak, his tone filled with respect and courtesy.

Alyssa Steven barely glanced at him before coldly replying: "I never make it a habit to be late."

Simultaneously, Jonathan and Daisy exchanged looks. This was it; they had run into a tough nut to crack.

Gregory, however, wasn't deterred. He kept smiling, picked up the menu, and offered it to Alyssa, saying: "Would you like to order first, Ms. Steven?"

After all, Gregory was the Sales Director of the Orchid branch. Why should he kowtow to Alyssa, the owner of an agency in Fairies?

The circumstances at hand were somewhat different. Gregory had broken the rules by signing a supply contract with the Summon store, and at present, Alyssa held the reins. It would undoubtedly spell trouble for Gregory if she were displeased, so he had no choice but to capitulate.

Alyssa casually tossed the menu aside, showing no interest, and responded: "Director Miller, I'm not here to eat, and neither are you. We should get straight to the point and discuss supplying the Summon store. How do you intend to handle this?"

Blunt!

This issue...

Gregory was thoroughly flustered. He had anticipated Alyssa being a tough cookie to crack, but he hadn't expected her to be this difficult. She didn't even allow him a chance to negotiate.

Gregory was forced to look towards Jonathan with a pleading gaze. If he knew how to handle this, he wouldn't have sought Jonathan's help in the first place.

Upon seeing this, Alyssa took interest and sized up Jonathan before asking: "Who might this be?"

"This is my new assistant, Jonathan. He has not yet had the opportunity to meet Miss Steven." Gregory exclaimed, inventing a new identity for Jonathan on the spot.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Steven."

"Ah, he's quite young. Seems very capable."

Alyssa nodded slightly. For someone his age to hold the position of assistant director was genuinely remarkable. Moreover, Orchid was an internationally renowned company. Even the part of an assistant director took a lot of work to come by.

"So, Miss Steven, how would you like this situation resolved?"

It was at this point that Jonathan spoke up.

"Cancel the contract with the Summon store and apologize to me. If you can do that, I won't pursue this matter further, nor will I report it to Orchid's headquarters." Alyssa responded instantly without hesitation. She had given this matter much thought.

"Miss Steven's request is indeed very reasonable." Jonathan nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Gregory shot Jonathan a displeased look. He had brought Jonathan to help resolve the situation, not to make matters worse.

If it were possible to cancel the contract so quickly, would he have fretted over it so much?

Gregory desperately signaled Jonathan with his eyes, indicating that he should disagree so readily. If he agreed to something that couldn't be done and then had to backtrack, it would only exacerbate the situation.

"If you agree with my request, then Director Miller should quickly address it. As long as you can do it, I won't press charges."

Alyssa was somewhat surprised that Gregory's assistant was siding with her. The young man may need clarification and know whose side he should be on.

Jonathan smirked slightly before continuing: "Miss Steven, you misunderstood me. My personal opinion is that your request is not at all excessive. However, we simply cannot comply!"

Gregory heaved a sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared that Jonathan would agree to her demand. And then what? Could he cancel the contract?

While signing, it had been easy. Canceling it was anything but.

"Impossible?" Alyssa laughed, mocking: "Your company appointed me as the agent for the Fairies region, which means I'm responsible for all Orchid's products distributed here! Director Miller, you decided to sign a supply contract with the Summon store, but when I asked you to correct your mistake, you said it was impossible. Where do your intentions lie? Where is Orchid's credibility?"

Gregory was cornered, his argument utterly ungrounded, his violation of the rules making the situation even more problematic.

Again, he looked to Jonathan pleadingly as if only he could rescue him now.