Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 218

Gwyneth’s sudden arrival threw his entire plan into chaos.

He knew Gwyneth well—she was far from the decorative “trophy” she appeared to be. He’d experienced her grit and competence firsthand; she was a relentless opponent, not to be underestimated.

With her in the game, Fletcher Group’s bid and proposal today would be formidable.

He needed a backup plan—fast.

His gaze drifted back to Serena.

This woman… she might just be the key.

Serena showing up on Gwyneth’s team couldn’t possibly mean genuine loyalty. She had to have her own agenda.

It was time to test the waters.

He immediately lowered his head and, in a voice just loud enough for Queenie to hear, murmured, “Find a chance to talk to her.”

The “her” was obvious—he meant Serena.

Queenie didn’t look thrilled, but she knew better than to protest. She nodded curtly.

Almost at that moment, Serena’s phone buzzed quietly inside her purse.

Seizing a moment when no one was watching, she slipped it out for a quick glance. A text from an unknown number flashed on the screen:

“Can we talk, Ms. Fletcher? —Julian”

Serena’s lips curled in a silent, sardonic smile. Already losing your nerve, Julian? Just because Gwyneth showed up, you’re scrambling to find me?

She looked up, and her eyes found Julian with practiced precision.

He was already watching her. When he saw her glance his way, he gave her the faintest nod and flicked his gaze toward the doors, then stood up, leaving the meeting room for the lounge with an air of casual indifference.

Serena’s pulse quickened.

Julian, reaching out to her again? His motives were never simple. Was he trying to dig for details about Gwyneth’s proposal, or hoping to glean some last-minute advantage?

She shot a quick glance at Gwyneth, seated at the head of the table, deep in discussion with her chief technology officer—completely absorbed, as if oblivious to the subtle currents swirling nearby.

Serena made her decision. She leaned toward her colleague and whispered, “I need the restroom,” then grabbed her phone and slipped out, cool and composed.

One after the other, she and Julian left the room in the critical minutes before the bidding officially began. Their exit went largely unnoticed; most eyes remained locked on the magnetic new CEO of the Fletcher Group.

Then, the event coordinator walked up to the podium, tapped the microphone, and announced the official start of the bidding session.

The room silenced instantly, tension thick in the air.

One by one, company representatives took the stage to pitch their proposals.

The first few teams were well-prepared, but their presentations lacked spark—too conservative, over budget, or missing the heart of what the retirement home project truly needed.

The panel of judges sat impassively, jotting down notes out of obligation, expressions betraying little more than disappointment.

Julian’s confidence grew with each unimpressive pitch.

It seemed, once again, he only had one real opponent.

But even then, he never saw Gwyneth as a true threat.

Across the room, Queenie had stopped paying attention to the competition entirely. All she could focus on was her simmering jealousy toward Gwyneth—especially as she noticed Julian’s lingering gaze on her rival.

Queenie’s face twisted with spite as she picked up her phone, her fingers flying across the screen.

The message she sent was short and cold: “The plan is a go.”