Because I knew it would annoy her to come up with a solution to a problem she couldn’t seem to solve, but I didn’t say that.
“Because I know the marketing team is understaffed and under pressure to come up with a new marketing idea quickly.Since I like shopping in the downtown area and can see the appeal for something similar, I thought I’d help by throwing more creativity into a limited pool.”
“You’re hoping to what?Stand out?Gain more attention for yourself?”
Konni softly growled, and I quickly stood to distract her from it with a smile.
“No need for more attention.I already have enough of it.I simply wanted to help Steele Corp like Steele Corp has helped me.And since I didn’t write the proposal on company time, I wasn’t wasting resources.Help.Plain and simple.”
“Then why not give it to me?”
“That’s easy.Because you don’t like me, Lianna, and I wanted my idea to have a fair chance.”
Konni covered his mouth with his hand behind her back.
“I’ll leave it to you two to discuss,” I said politely.“Thank you for your time, Mr.Steele.”
“Of course, Ms.Elmantas,” he said, tucking away his amusement that I’d called her out.
I left the office and closed the door, not wanting to hear whatever else she had to say.
Edi, Bomir, and Marius all stood and started clapping.
“Well done,” Edi said, beaming.
“We’ve been waiting so long for someone to stand up to her,” Bomir added.
“Why didn’t any of you?”I asked.
Bomir shook his head.“We don’t have the same clout you do.”
“Clout?”I dismissively waved a hand at that idea.
They continued to grin as we all sat.
“I read the proposal, by the way,” Edi said.“It was really good.I don’t think the marketing department will come up with anything better before the end of the week.”
“She’s going to hate that,” Bomir added over his monitor.
I smirked as I opened the department inbox, glad I’d shown it to Konni first.It would drive Lianna crazy knowing that the person she’d refused to give a chance produced something better than her team.
It didn’t take long for Konni’s door to open and for Lianna to leave without a backward glance.Konni strolled out behind her, his hands in his dress pants pockets, looking the picture of a relaxed man.
“Edi, can you reach out to the lead for the Riverfront project and schedule a meeting at Nexus tonight at six?And book my room at Seventeen Twenty-One for five.”He finally glanced at me.“I’d like to discuss your plan in more depth.”
When he indicated his office, I narrowed my gaze at him.
“Door stays open, or I’m not going in.”
Either Bomir or Marius gave a soft, choked laugh.
“Of course,” Konni said, unbothered by it.
I didn’t trust his easy agreement until I was sitting in the chair across from his desk with the door wide open.
Instead of sitting behind the desk, he leaned against the front of it, his crossed ankles close to my feet.
“Are you comfortable going to Nexus in what you’re wearing, or should we stop for something else first?”
