Meanwhile at the Yannick branch office, not long after Leigh left the office for the meeting. Sentia sat behind the desk in her room. In front of her sat Vhaken with his usual cheerful expression.
"Actually, I have confidence in Leigh's abilities, but the surprising thing is that Farley was able to entrust such a big project to her just like that. Has he lost his mind?" he asked Sentia with an unconvinced expression.
"You know, sometimes we don't know what's in the mind of a heart of steel like Farley. But I believe in his judgement he took," said Sentia, confirming Farley's attitude.
As she talked to him, she watched Vhaken's every movement. She didn't feel any strangeness at all, not a bit of the black mist she saw last night clinging to his body. Everything looks normal. So, there was nothing she could do for now.
Good thing, he came into her room, of his own accord. Because how intrigue him toward farley decision. At least she didn't have to find another reason to ask him to come into her room to check on him last night.
***
Back in the Leigh Project meeting room
Leigh rose from her seat, striding forward. She briefly glanced around at the other participants. And she cursed herself for doing that, because now her body was shaking. The look they gave was a look of disdain, contempt for her incompetence, perhaps they were betting that she would fail, which in the end would have a smile of victory etched on their faces.
She tried to brace herself, took a deep breath and in a calm voice she began to present the concept she had developed in no time. She explained in detail every part of the concept, even more in detail than other participants if the tender client wanted to appeal.
Not only were the tender client impressed by her skill in explaining, but the other participants from disdainful faces also turned to admiring her. Until she finished explaining, there were other participants whose mouths were wide open for her charming demeanour.
"You're very good Miss Leigh" the client tender complimented Leigh, when she had finished her presentation. "And I like your design concept, especially the skateboard play part. In the last design concept Farley does not exist that consept. Why did you add that concept?" asked the Tender client, very interested in the concept presented by her.
"That's because, that area has a lot of street skateboarders. They are very proficient with the existing terrain, from sidewalk steps, stairs, to the surrounding garden. They play with enthusiasm from all ages. So why don't we provide a suitable place for them to explore skateboarding play ground," Leigh replied with reasons that matched the facts that occurred on the streets around the project area that will be built and developed.
She wanted to add that another thing was that the Client himself liked skateboarding, but she discouraged it, as it would appear later that she was deliberately seeking attention from the client. She got this idea from the Client's data itself which she was read from the data provided by Sentia.
And it turned out that her efforts paid off. Her heart was happy to receive the compliment.
"Hmm, intrigue thing, I'm glad you came here" once again he praised her expertise "well, I am looking forward to work with you for the implementation of your design concept" The client indirectly concluded that the company he chose won the tenders.
Leigh could not immediately grasp the meaning of the client's words. On the other hand, the other participants were flabbergasted by the words of the tender Client, they couldn't believe their own ears. They thought maybe, they had heard wrong.
"What do you mean, Mr. Zorion, don't say that you have chosen Yannick Corporation as the winner of this tender?" the man who was harshly criticizing Leigh asked in a slightly raised voice. On his face it can be seen that he does not accept the decision that has been taken by the tender client.
"Yes, that's correct, Mr Deacon. I choose Yannick Corporation" answered Zorion curtly, glaring at Deacon, as he was challenged by his decision, he made from the way he expressed his distaste for the decision he made.
"This is ridiculous!" he remarked while rolling his eyes, annoyed.
"Mr Zorion, you can't do this to us. We are all from reputable companies. And all those present here are people who are already at a professional level. Unlike her, still at the apprenticeship level" Thomson snapped at the word 'apprentice'. He couldn't believe it, he lost to his former employee he fired. He did everything he could to win this project. In the end must be defeated by the Apprentice. He was scornful from the inside, glaring contemptuously at Leigh.
"Watch your mouth Mr Thomson! I know very well the case between you and Leigh. And how do you spread the bad news to every company that wants to recruit Miss Leigh. Now, it is evident that your judgment was a fatal error. Miss Leigh proves that she is capable of what she does. And don't deny it. You all have seen for yourself how skilful she was during the presentation. And I can see that all of you are amazed by it" said Zorion whose patience was starting to be lost by Thomson's words. He looks irritated. His face darkened as he said that he knew the case between the two of them.
"And don't forget, I know too. You got rid of Leigh in such a silly way only to include your niece, as her replacement. So that you can work with her to manipulate every project you work on. And you think I can entrust this project to you?" Zorion scornfully glared at Thomson and left no room for rebuttal.
Leigh saw all the happenings, she was shocked by what happened. and she looked in disbelief at her senior's steady treatment. If indeed he fired her just to replace her with his niece. Then why did he have to act further by spreading word of her inability to work to other companies, making her almost despair, if not for Yannick Corporation, maybe she is still jobless right now.
On the other hand, Thomson's face immediately turned pale, he didn't expect his secret to be out. And he was humiliated in front of prominent people. He clasped his hands tightly in his lap. Holding on to shame. He didn't know if he regretted having expressed his displeasure at Zorion decision, which ended in him being humiliated. He could clearly see on the faces of all the other participants that they looked down on him even with disdain look now. His pride fell into a deep and dark abyss. When he returned to the office later, it was clear that he would suffer the consequences of being fired, even his niece did not escape the same fate. Because what Zorion just said was heard by the others. And the others must have immediately spread the news among architectural firms. By the end his management will heard about the news as well.
His reverie was interrupted by Zorion's words again "Now since the meeting have been finished. I believe this meeting can be dismissed" after saying that he stood up from his seat. Walked towards Leigh, raised his hand for a handshake "It's been nice to work with you, I hope we can discuss about this project furthermore with Farley. See you in the next discussion" a big smile appeared on Zorion's face. From the start he could tell that Leigh was someone he could rely on. From his assessment it is correct. He walked out of the meeting room smiling and saying goodbye to the other participants, apart from Deacon and Thomson. He passed them as he walked towards the meeting room door.