The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 18

What was marrying an ugly man compared to the alternative? What was a little offense to her eyes compared to the sweet, sweet revenge she would exact on the Sullivans and Rebecca? If she couldn’t get her vengeance, she would die of humiliation.

“Uh, I was just joking, Mr. Johnson. Please don’t take me seriously,” she said with a strained laugh.

Mr. Johnson chuckled. “I wasn’t taking it seriously. I thought it was a pretty good joke, myself.”

He explained that his incredibly important son had to leave before she arrived due to his demanding schedule. “Don’t worry, you’ll meet again soon. Don’t be too disappointed.”

“I’m not disappointed,” Penelope muttered.

“Now that you’re officially with KINY Group, I want you to take charge of the mall project.”

At the mention of work, Penelope’s demeanor became serious. “I know this project inside and out. But as the contractor, there were things I couldn’t say before. Now, I need to be frank with you. This project has some serious flaws, and I am not optimistic about its success.”

KINY Group had acquired a failing mall with plans to renovate and revitalize it. Their confidence stemmed from its proximity to Zenith Group’s popular commercial street. They believed they could ride on Zenith’s coattails.

Penelope disagreed.

“First, Zenith’s commercial street already has its own massive, successful mall. We designed that mall, and while it’s a general-purpose shopping center, it has unique features that will make it very difficult for you to compete. Second, and more importantly, your mall isn’t actually on the commercial street. And with their new development plans, a proposed office building will completely block you from view. If customers can’t even see you, how will you attract them?”

She stated her case and waited for his response. She wasn’t arrogant enough to believe she was the only one who saw these problems. The man across from her had built a multi-billion-dollar empire from nothing. He couldn’t have missed this.

Mr. Johnson nodded, looking impressed. “You’re absolutely right.”

“So what’s your strategy?”

“What if their office building wasn’t built there? What if it was moved a few hundred meters to the side?”

“That’s impossible.” Zenith Group would never alter their plans for a competitor. All the permits would have been approved by now. Changing the location would mean starting the bureaucratic process all over again. Why would they go through that trouble? Furthermore, Zenith would want to monopolize the customer traffic. They’d have to be insane to help KINY.

“Which is why I need you to negotiate with them,” Mr. Johnson said seriously.

Penelope laughed. “Me?”

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