Chapter: 57

It was Maddie.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Bethany never slacked off when it came to work.

After bidding her mother goodbye, she quickly hailed a taxi to Bates Group's head office.

She had only been there a few times, mostly for the annual meetings.

The place was nothing short of magnificent. The crystal chandelier alone was worth millions, and the surroundings felt like a museum with its antiques and paintings.

Following Maddie's instructions, Bethany took an elevator straight to the ninth floor.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Maddie's office. The sign on the door read "Chief Lawyer" in bold, dignified lettering, a testament to Maddie's significance within Bates Group.

"Well, you got here quickly," Maddie said in greeting. She was wearing a Chanel dress, and her light makeup accentuated her elegance.

"Has the contract with Zucron Company been drafted already?" Bethany asked, wanting to keep the conversation strictly professional. Her position was delicate, and she preferred to get straight to the point.

“Yes, Carson was very anxious to get the ball rolling, so the legal department drafted it as quickly as possible."

Maddie stood up from her chair and poured Bethany a glass of water.

"I usually don't handle small projects like this, but Jonathan asked me to help you, so I reviewed this contract personally."

Every time Maddie mentioned Jonathan's name, her tone carried an effortless intimacy, as if their bond was unbreakable.

Seeing Bethany's silence, Maddie smiled warmly. "Sit down! There are some details in the contract that require your input, so we'll be here a while."

Bethany pulled out a chair and sat down, offering a polite smile.

“Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me; all Bates Group projects are connected to Jonathan, and the reason why I came back is to help him."

Maddie's gaze softened once again as she spoke of Jonathan.

Retrieving the Zucron Company contract, she placed it on the table and continued, “Let's get down to business. I think there's a significant loophole in your proposal. I understand you're new to the industry and not yet an expert, but you need to know that breaches of contracts have legally supported compensation limits. If you exceed these limits, the court won't approve it, and the other company will be free from liability."

Nodding, Bethany took out a pen and started making notes on the contract.

“I know you want to intimidate them, but you need to remember your place. It's not good to cross boundaries."

Though Maddie spoke casually, Bethany sensed an underlying message.

“I'm not crossing any boundaries," she cut in firmly. "I represent Bates Group, and I'm simply fulfilling my responsibilities to the best of my abilities."