I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

The real competition officially began.

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Rhea leaned in and whispered a few things to Louie. The latter nodded, looking like he would follow her lead.

From his seat in the back left, Carter caught the exchange, and it irritated him.

This pre–bid conference wasn’t meant to announce the successful bidder on the spot. It was more of a formality. What really mattered was each company’s actual capabilities, which would be carefully evaluated afterward.

Over an hour passed before the conference finally wrapped and companies submitted their bidding proposals.

As Carter walked out with the crowd, his eyes kept scanning for Rhea.

In the distance, Rhea was engaged in a deep conversation with the project owner, Jaden Dillon. The two were smiling.

Carter felt an unexpected rush of anxiety because Louie was standing nearby, too. However, he didn’t dwell on it. After all, Scott Group wasn’t in the same league as Jamison Group.

It wouldn’t be long before the successful bidder would be announced.

Carter felt certain of victory because he had noticed that Snider Group hadn’t submitted a bidding proposal.

With Snider Group out of the picture, only Jamison Group had the strongest supply capability.

Outside the venue, Rhea shook hands with Jaden. Her demeanor was calm and measured, neither too close nor too distant. She spoke with clarity and poise. Nothing about her suggested that she was an inexperienced worker.

Upon seeing that, Carter, who was waiting for her in his car, couldn’t help but frown. He wondered how Rhea knew so many professional terms. Had she been working with Louie behind him and picked up all this knowledge?

“Rhea.” Just as she was about to get into Louie’s car, Carter’s voice rang out. She paused, then turned to look at him.

“Get in,” he said, like it was an order.

It was as if she had to get in the car the moment he said so obediently.

And why should she do that?

“I still have work to do.” Rhea didn’t even want to exchange pleasantries.

Carter shot back, “Are you too busy to care about the kids now?”

That one line landed like a punch to her chest

Louie smiled and said, “Go ahead, Ms. Ravelle. We’ll talk later.”

“I’m sorry.”

With that, Louie entered his car and left.

Rhea walked toward Carter’s car. “What’s wrong with the kids?”

“Get in.” Carter’s stubborn pride wouldn’t let him accept anything less than compliance from her.

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Chapter 37

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But Rhea stood her ground. “Just say what you need to say.”

Lauren, who was also in the car, spoke up. “Rhea, don’t do this. We’re in public. Whatever it is, can’t you two talk in private? Let’s not make a scene. Come on. Just get in the car.”

Rhea kept her eyes on Carter. “So? Do you actually have something to say?”

He didn’t like her constant defiance these days. Looking tired, he muttered, “Why can’t you be more like Lauren? Why can’t you just talk to people without making everything a fight?”

Rhea let out a cold laugh. “If you stopped me just to waste my time, then let’s save this conversation for when we’re back in Colburn.”

Once they were back in Colburn, she was going to file for divorce.

Carter frowned. Suddenly, he got out of the car and grabbed her wrist.

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