He paced back and forth in a panic, wringing his hands. At last, an idea struck him. He turned to Evangeline and ordered, “Go find a lawyer. We need to prepare a lawsuit against Fawkes Enterprises.”
“It’s pointless,” Evangeline replied calmly. “If Fawkes Enterprises actually dared to pull something like this, they’ve already covered all their bases. Filing a lawsuit now won’t get us anywhere.”
She continued, “Everyone in Serenity City knows how much power Fawkes Enterprises holds. If we push back, they could easily turn things around on us–and UME could end up worse off than before.”
Theo’s anxiety had clouded his judgment, but hearing Evangeline’s reasoning brought him back to his senses. He didn’t know much about Fawkes Enterprises firsthand, but even during his years abroad, he’d heard stories about their ruthless tactics. As far as he knew, Fawkes Enterprises had never lost to anyone.
But he never expected them to stoop so low, resorting to underhanded tricks like this.
Evangeline spoke up again. “The hardware for the Al robot is already finished. If we revise the algorithms and technical framework, we might be able to pull it off in seven days.”
“Seven days?” Theo let out a mirthless laugh. “Evangeline, do you have
any idea what overhauling the algorithms and technical systems would actually mean?” He thought she was being hopelessly naïve.
He and Glenn had previously spent two sleepless weeks just trying to rework one algorithm they barely understood. Now she was making promises like this?
It seemed Glenn’s help had made her believe anything was possible.
Theo snorted. “Go home. I’m going to let the PR department know we’re postponing the launch event.”
At this point, it seemed like the only reasonable option.
Evangeline saw the distrust in his eyes. As Theo headed for the door, she quickly stepped in front of him. “No–UME just returned to the country. This is our first launch event since then. If we delay for no reason, we’ll lose the public’s trust.”
“And if something goes wrong at the event, we’ll lose all the credibility we’ve built up
1/2
Chapter 155
overseas,” Theo shot back coldly.
Evangeline clenched her jaw. “I promise I’ll have everything ready in seven days, and there won’t be any problems. If there are
I’ll take full responsibility for the losses.”
Theo scoffed. “You? Take responsibility? And how exactly would you do that, Evangeline? I don’t have time for these childish games.”
He i
ignored her and reached for the door, but before he could step out, it swung open from the other side.
Glenn entered, his calm, steady gaze finding Evangeline. “I think it’s worth a shot,” he said, his voice sure and unwavering.
Theo felt his blood pressure spike. It was one thing for Evangeline to make reckless promises, but Glenn too? Did he think UME was some kind of playground? Glenn shot Evangeline a reassuring look. “Go get ready.”
With Glenn’s support, Evangeline said nothing more and left the room.
Once she was gone, Theo, frustrated and helpless, turned to Glenn. “Glenn, I know you care about her, but do you realize how much of yourself you’ve poured into UME? You’re just going to let her treat this like a joke?”
“She’s not being reckless. You’re just biased,” Glenn replied.
Theo pointed at himself, incredulous. “I’m biased?”
Glenn.nodded. “Why else do you assume she can’t finish in seven days? Just because you couldn’t do it, you think a woman has even less of a chance.”
Theo bristled. “It’s a matter of experience. And experience tells me I’m right.”
Glenn’s tone was unhurried. “You also said she’d never manage to develop the new product in a month last time, didn’t you? But she did it. Still think your judgment is infallible?”
Theo was left momentarily speechless.
After two seconds of tense silence, he let out a cold huff. “Let’s just hope she doesn’t let you down this time.”
Chapter 156
Chapter 156
