Chapter 9 Tossed It Like Garbage

Two years later, in Neprana, at Grandance Group. "Sorry, Mr. Landon. Our CEO, Mr. Wilson, is meeting a very important guest today. He won't have time for you. Please head back, and we'll contact you when he's available." The overly polite response grated on Benedict's nerves. He looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Didn't I make an appointment? Isn't this a bit unprofessional? A massive company like Grandance Group can't even stick to its schedule?" He had flown halfway across the world for this meeting, a gesture of respect he rarely showed. Yet the so-called CEO didn't even have the decency to meet him. "My apologies, Mr. Landon," the man said with a practiced smile. "Today's guest is someone of extraordinary importance. Mr. Wilson has to personally welcome her. I hope you understand." Benedict's grip on his proposal tightened, his jaw clenching. A couple of years ago, he wouldn't have thought twice about throwing this folder straight into the man's smug face. But things were different now. In the past two years, the Landon family's empire had faced hit after hit. Rivals appeared out of nowhere, dismantling their domestic and international foothold. Profits plummeted, leaving Benedict scrambling for partnerships to pull the family business out of the fire. Grandance Group was one of the few partners he saw as a lifeline. Yet here he was, being brushed aside for some woman. What kind of important guest could she be? Neprana's Empress? For fuck's sake, he thought bitterly. But throwing a tantrum wouldn't help. Left with no choice, Benedict found himself being escorted out of the reception area with more empty smiles and hollow apologies. As he walked toward the elevator, something caught his eye. Down the hall, Mark Wilson, the CEO, was stepping into an elevator with a woman. Benedict slowed his pace. He couldn't see her face, but her silhouette, the way she carried herself—something about her was naggingly familiar. Benedict hurried toward the elevator, calling out, "Hold on!" But the doors were already sliding shut, and whoever was inside clearly had no intention of holding them for him. He stopped short, staring at the closed elevator doors with a mix of frustration and unease. Who was that woman? Why did she seem so familiar? The questions swirled in his mind as he stepped back, running a hand through his hair The ding of another elevator snapped him out of it. He stepped in quickly, hitting the button for the ground floor. The moment the doors opened, he strode toward the entrance. Outside, he was just in time to see Mark standing near a sleek Rolls Royce Phantom, nodding politely as it drove away. "Mr. Landon, you're still here?" Mark turned, looking genuinely surprised to see him. Benedict smirked, his tone sharp. "I've heard a lot about Grandance Group's CEO; an exceptional graduate from Thompson University, known for his professionalism. Funny how that doesn't extend to keeping appointments." Mark chuckled, brushing off the remark like it was a mild inconvenience. "Mr. Landon, you have quite the sense of humor. My team should've informed you, I had an important guest to attend to. I hope you understand." Benedict's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. Not important enough, got it, he thought bitterly. Mark pressed on before he could say anything. "It's getting late. You're here to drop off your proposal, aren't you? Why don't you leave it with me? I'll review it, and we'll arrange a meeting once I've gone through it." His gaze flicked to the proposal Benedict was gripping, a clear signal. The casual dismissal in Mark's tone only made Benedict's anger simmer hotter. Benedict took a deep breath, forcing himself to rein in his frustration, and handed over the proposal. Getting angry now wouldn't fix anything. He had to think of the bigger picture, for the family business, he would bite his tongue and play along. Mark barely glanced at the proposal, flipping through it like it was yesterday's newspaper. "Alright, Mr. Landon. I'll give this a look and get back to you when I can." Benedict forced a tight smile. "I look forward to hearing from you." Without another word, he turned and headed toward his Bentley parked nearby. As the car pulled away from the Grandance Group's headquarters, Benedict's phone buzzed. He answered immediately, his jaw tightening as he listened to his subordinate's agitated voice. "Sir, you're not going to believe this. I just saw our proposal, it's in the trash can in the lobby. That bastard tossed it like garbage!" The words felt like gasoline on a smoldering fire. Benedict slammed his fist against the bulletproof glass of the car door. "Damn it!" he roared, the outburst rattling through the cabin. Daniel, behind the wheel, jumped at the outburst. His hands jerked on the steering wheel, nearly sending the car onto the grassy median.