Chapter 57: No Need for
Discussion
The lively street was busy, and there was only one main road that led to Gary’s studio, which meant I couldn’t avoid Fletcher and
Davina.
I wasn’t far from them, but since Fletcher was listening patiently to Davina, neither of them noticed my presence.
It was then that I realized what Davina minded: besides my being an unnecessary third wheel, she was bothered by comparisons at work.
I had no intention of eavesdropping, so I turned to leave, but the next moment, Fletcher’s deep voice reached my ears.
1/12
“Who was it that came to my office looking all pitiful last night, and who was it that skipped the morning meeting to be with you today?”
In an instant, my feet felt heavy, as if lead had been poured into them.
So, Fletcher had canceled the meeting to
come over.
Then, I heard Davina’s voice, filled with self–reproach. “I know this goes against your principles, but you see, Charlene and Kaitlyn are both in a real mess over this, and I just couldn’t stand by. Besides, it was my suggestion to change the character’s image. I wanted to help share the burden. I’m so sorry for causing you any trouble.”
“It’s fine, Fletcher replied casually. “It’s no trouble at all.”
2/12
At his words, the tension in Davina’s face eased slightly. She happily looped her arm through Fletcher’s, flashing a smile. “I just wanted to show everyone that I could contribute. I shouldn’t have been so envious of Charlene.”
Hearing my name, I raised my gaze slightly, and my eyes inevitably fell on Fletcher’s face.
His lips curled up, and with a gentle tone, he said, “No need to rush. Take your time. There’s plenty of it.”
It was then that I realized Fletcher had such a patient side to him.
The man who thought tending to a bougainvillea was a waste of time could, on certain days, set aside his heavy workload to
3/12
patiently nurture his sweetheart as she grew.
In the end, I realized I didn’t have that kind of fortune.
But, from another perspective, I should be happy. After all, once Fletcher set his mind to something, it was bound to succeed.
I thought to myself that soon enough, we’d meet Free Spirit.
After returning to the office, I briefed Kaitlyn on the developments. She listened, her face falling with disappointment. “There’s nothing to be happy about. If Davina gets the upper hand on this, the work ahead is only going to get more difficult, maybe even slip beyond our control.”
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
4/12
“Think about it. Free Spirit is in charge of the art side of our game. If Davina uses her connections to bring him on board, they’ll have their own faction, and we’ll be battling with them every day. Is that what you want?”
Kaitlyn’s few words suddenly made me realize the gravity of the situation. It seemed that, in this meeting with Free Spirit, I had to do whatever it took to earn his approval.
We waited for two full days, but there was still no word from Gary.
Logically, with Fletcher’s backing, Gary had no reason to delay or stonewall us.
I felt a vague unease in my chest. After much consideration, I decided to call Gary.
“Free Spirit watched the short video, and he does find your project very interesting.
5/12
However, unfortunately, he’s been busy with another project lately, so he has to decline the collaboration.”
Declined.
How could I not have heard anything about such a major decision?
“But luckily, Mr. Lynton is quite astute. He insisted that I arrange a meeting between him and Free Spirit,” Gary’s tone shifted. “There’s a private art exhibition in the East District tomorrow afternoon, and Free Spirit will be attending. Did Mr. Lynton not mention it to you?”
A private art exhibition, a meeting arranged.
I hadn’t expected Fletcher to have already taken care of everything.
6/12
But here I was, one of the parties involved, left in the dark.
I quickly covered, “Yes, he did. Mr. Lynton only mentioned it in passing, and I didn’t give it much thought.”
I offered myself a plausible excuse.
After hanging up, I glanced at my trembling hands, a heavy weight in my chest, as though I’d just been kicked by a lead weight.
From Gary’s words, Fletcher must have arranged everything well in advance.
And knowing Fletcher as I did, when he planned something, it was always meticulous–things were done ahead of time, never delayed.
Perhaps, a day earlier, he had already set
7/12
everything in motion.
But Fletcher hadn’t said a word, and Davina hadn’t mentioned anything either.
So, there was only one possibility–they never intended for me to be involved.
As this realization settled in, a hollow feeling spread through my chest. But, considering the future of the project, I forced myself to stay focused and drove toward Lynton Group.
I thought to myself that I wouldn’t let my rights slip away so easily.
When Fletcher learned that I had come to see him, he didn’t seem particularly surprised. Over the phone, his tone was as calm as ever as he asked, “Is there something important that require you to
8/12
come all the way here, Ms. Grande?”
“Let’s talk in person,” I could hear the hint of evasion in Fletcher’s voice, but I patiently replied, “I’m already downstairs at Lynton Group.”
Ten minutes later, the receptionist led me to the CEO’s office.
When I opened the door, Fletcher was seated at his desk, reviewing documents. He wore a pair of silver–rimmed glasses, looking both serious and focused.
Without looking up, he spoke, “The board meeting is postponed until next Monday. I have other plans tomorrow.”
I froze for a moment, feeling as if a lump of glue had lodged itself in my throat. The words I had planned to say suddenly got
9/12
stuck.
Tomorrow’s plans–if I wasn’t mistaken- meant that Fletcher intended to accompany Davina to meet Free Spirit. He had even rescheduled the board meeting for it.
That was a board meeting–a significant matter, and he had rearranged it just like that.
It was clear that once in charge, one’s position and influence were worlds apart.
Noticing that I had remained silent, Fletcher finally seemed to sense something was off. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and glanced up at me, his gaze slightly irritated. “You’re so quick.”
I curled my fingers into a fist and got straight to the point. “Do you have a moment, Mr.
10/12
Lynton? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
While still flipping through the papers, Fletcher responded, “What’s the matter?”
“I heard from Mr. Wood that you’ve already arranged the meeting with Free Spirit,” I said, my voice surprisingly light, “but I haven’t heard a word about it on my end.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Fletcher stopped what he was doing. He lifted his gaze slightly, then paused for a few seconds before replying, “Since everything is already arranged, there’s no need to trouble you, Ms. Grande.”
“No need to trouble me?” I repeated his words, my voice trembling. “So, Mr. Lynton, from your perspective, this meeting will be just you and Davina?”
11/12
left no room for doubt.
It confirmed my suspicions.
I stared at him, unwilling to let it go. “Why? I’m the project lead. There’s no reason for you to exclude me from this meeting.”
Fletcher furrowed his brows, pausing for two or three seconds before speaking. “The opportunity was secured by Lynton Group. If I want to offer it to someone, do you really think I need to consult you on that?”
12/12