THE PROTECTOR
Chap 9's

That night, Zoey could barely sleep.

"Don't think about it too much and go to sleep" Levi comforted.  "Harry will come to you personally and ask you back to support this business."

Zoey glared at him.  “You think Grandpa will come to me personally?  I'd thank heaven if Dad and I could get our jobs back. ”

"Don't worry.  I know what I'm saying.  Harry will ask you to come back!" Levi turned around, went to the balcony, and called.  “Azure Dragon, bet Nielsen..”.

...

The next morning, Harry awoke to a phone call from the Ministry of Construction, inviting Lopez's family to attend the ecological park development project tender. It was a pleasant surprise, as Harry did not expect to have the opportunity to take part in this offer, given their qualifications.

Harry quickly gathered the Lopez family in the living room.  “Before I heard that someone had prepared it to take part in the offer.  Who's that?”

"Dad, it's Zoey!"  Henry answered immediately.  “He has drafted the proposal with details.  But how can he take part in the offer with his family ability?”

Harry stroked his chin.  "So you're saying Zoey has a detailed proposal, and we can take part in the offer with that proposal?"

"Yes!  Zoey is still competent!”

“Mana Shaun?  Hurry up to Aaron's place and get that proposal!  Who would have thought this pile of trash was still useful!”

 …

Meanwhile, Levi, Zoey, and her parents were having breakfast in silence when there was a knock on the door. To their surprise, it was Shaun.

Shaun assessed the house with a glance.  “You guys stay in this dumpster?  Even this is only about one hundred and fifty square meters?”

"What are you doing here?"  Aaron asked, obviously not happy for him interrupting their peaceful morning.

“I'm here to get ecological park development project proposal.  The Ministry of Construction has informed us that we will take part in the offer,” Shaun said.

"Can't!"  Zoey flatly refused.  “I myself drafted this proposal.  Do it yourself if you're going to bid for this project.  This has nothing to do with me.  Besides, I've been fired.”

Shaun.  "good.  I'll let Grandpa talk to you!"

At that time, he handed his phone to Zoey. “What's wrong with you, Zoey?  Aren't you going to submit a proposal?  Don't you recognize me as your Grandfather anymore?” Harry's angry voice echoed as Zoey answered the phone.

Zoey shed tears.  “You fired me, Grandpa.  What do you need my proposal for?  I'm not giving up!"

“Hmph, what do you mean?  If you don't submit that proposal, the Lopez family will cut all ties with you today!"

Zoey cried after hearing that.

Levi's up.  He searches around for a proposal and hands it to Shaun before consoling Zoey. “Now, better like this.”

Shaun looked at this family with ridicule written all over his face.

Meanwhile, Zoey and her parents seem disappointed when they see Levi hand over the proposal.

‘Isn't that a cowardly act?’

‘What's the point of having a husband like that?’

"Why did you give him that proposal?"  ask Zoey.

"Listen to me.  Harry will definitely ask you to come back" said Levi.  "We have to go somewhere today."

"How could I believe such a thing?"  Zoey raised her voice.

"You'll get divorced if you don't!"  Aaron added in annoyance.

"Buck!"  Levi agreed.

On the other hand, after securing the proposal, Samuel and Melanie are entrusted with the important task of taking over Zoey's company, Imperial Meadows Limited.

After waiting an hour, it was finally Samuel's turn. Samuel was just about to introduce himself curiously as he entered the office with Melanie when the person sitting opposite him said, "Lopez's family?"

"Yes that's right!"  Samuel answered quickly in confusion.

Melanie immediately handed him a stack of papers.  “This is our project proposal!  Please see!"

The North Hampton Ministry of Construction is responsible for the approval and decision of the project. The person in charge at the venue was Orlando Jennings, the management leader of the Ministry of Construction.

"Why didn't Mrs Zoey or Mr Aaron come?"  Orlando asked straightforwardly, putting the Lopez family proposal under his hands.

"meaning?" The question surprised both Samuel and Melanie.

“Let me introduce myself, Mr. Jennings.  My name is Samuel, Samuel Robertson.  I am the person in charge of this Lopez Group project.  As for Zoey and Aaron, they have been sacked from the Lopez Group.  May I know why you asked her, Mr Jennings?”  samuel asked curiously.

Hearing that, Orlando nodded in relief.  "Oh, so?  Its alright.  You can go now.  The Lopez family is hereby disqualified from participating in the bidding for this development project.” With that, Orlando pushed the proposal forward, leaving Samuel and Melanie agape.

“Tu-Master.  Jennings, what do you mean?”  Samuel wavering.

"Are you saying that this has something to do with Zoey, Mr Jennings?"  ask Melani.

 "Yes that's right.  Upon inspection by the leaders, they found that the Lopez Group was a very suitable candidate for the project, especially Mrs Zoey's Imperial Meadows Limited.  Therefore, it was decided in the interim to have Lopez Group's Imperial Meadows Limited take up the project.  But since Mrs Zoey has been sacked, Lopez's family has had no business in this.  We'll just pick another one" Orlando explained patiently.

Although it is said to be a temporary preliminary decision, the final decision has been made, and everyone knows what it means.

"Mr Jennings, Zoey may have been fired, but we took over Imperial Meadows Limited.  You have the right to choose us.  Here are some documents related to the takeover,” Samuel said while handing over a stack of documents with passion.  "Imperial Meadows is our responsibility, Mr. Jennings!"

Unexpectedly, Orlando slapped his hand, flying the document everywhere.

“That's it!  Do you not understand a word that comes out of my mouth?  I want Mrs Zoey to present her proposal to me.  No one else from the Lopez family could replace him!  We want to authorize this project only for Mrs Zoey and Mr Aaron!  Do you understand?"  said Orlando, pointing at Samuel's nose.

"Why should Zoey, Mr Jennings?"  Melanie asked timidly.  “I'm Melanie Lopez, Zoey's sister.  I have studied abroad, and I am much more capable than Zoey in many aspects.  I can handle this project well, Mr Jennings!”

Samuel nodded.  “Yes, Melanie is capable!  Much more capable than Zoey!”

"Go now!"  Orlando threw the proposal on the table to the ground.  "I tell you, unless Mrs Zoey comes alone tomorrow at exactly eight, the Lopez family won't have the qualifications to compete in this project, and I'll cross Lopez's surname off the list!"

"Get out now before I call security!". Secretary Orlando pushed them out.

It was only then that they realized the reason the project was aimed at the Lopez family was not because of the power of the Lopez family but because of Zoey.

"What did the******small* do, Zoey until she was given such a big project?"  Melani surprised.

“No wonder the Ministry of Construction called and invited the Lopez family to take part in the offer!  It's because of Zoey, ” said an already angry Samuel.

.....

As soon as they returned to Lopez's residence, Harry asked, “Samuel, how?  Did we pass the initial selection?”

Samuel put on a grim expression.  "Melanie, tell Grandpa!"

Melanie told the facts exactly as it happened.

"What's?  Is it because of Zoey?”  Harry nodded.

“Yes, Mr. Jennings has stated that the project will be assigned to Imperial Meadows Limited, but it must be Zoey who handles this deal!  We almost offended them,” Samuel said.

Afterwards, Harry sent Henry and Fabian to negotiate, but both were also expelled.

After thinking about it, Harry finally said, “Then, find Zoey now!  Restore its position and secure this project first!”

"Please hurry, Grandpa," urged Samuel.  "If they don't see Zoey at eight tomorrow, they'll give this project to someone else."