Chapter 504 Make Her Change the Plan

• “What the hell are you babbling about!” Lin’s father snapped. Rage burned through him. He already guessed she’d overheard his talk with Lin Qiuwen just now. But years under the old man’s iron fist had taught him nothing about respecting his kid. Before she could even push back, he quickly shouted for the attendants and had them twist her arms and shove her into the car. “Let me go!” Lin Nuannuan fought hard, panic flaring. She knew exactly what going back meant. Right now, only one person could save her— “Aunt! Auntie! Help me!” This was her last lifeline. As expected, Lin Qiuwen stepped out like she’d timed it to the second, bodyguards in tow. She barked, loud and sharp: “Hands off!” That one shout actually rattled the two burly men yanking at Lin Nuannuan. Their grip loosened for a beat. Lin Nuannuan seized it and sprang off the back seat. “Grab her!” Lin’s father scrambled after her, flustered. But this was Lin Qiuwen’s turf. He barely made it a few steps before someone blocked him. He could only watch, helpless, as the daughter he’d just gotten back slipped out of sight again. “Lin Qiuwen! You won’t be happy till you watch us tear each other apart and never speak again, will you?!” He turned, out of options, and dumped all his fury on the one who started it. “Damn right. As long as I’m around, don’t even dream of having it easy.” Lin Qiuwen’s face twisted as she shot back. Once, her luck had been trash and she’d trusted the wrong man. Now her husband was a well-known overseas tycoon. On top of that, thanks to Lin Nuannuan’s sacrifice, she’d snagged a red-hot project. The Lin family? Small fry, not worth a thought. And the man in front of her was Lin Siqi, the one with the least say at home. A total wimp. Lin Nuannuan, though… The grit and resilience she’d shown surprised her. Looked like this girl was worth digging into—a durable pawn in the making. A new plan took shape in Lin Qiuwen’s mind, and the smugness on her face grew even bolder. Knowing he couldn’t match her, Lin’s father could only call his attendants and leave, seething. After leaving Jiangsheng Dinghu, Lin Nuannuan had nowhere to crash. To keep her cornered, her father had already frozen her cards. For now, she was truly in a bind. “Ding, ding-dong.” Just as she was scanning for somewhere that might take her in, a phone ringtone cut through her thoughts. She turned toward the sound—and blinked in surprise. Jovienne was standing with two young women, one ahead, one behind. The three of them were pointing at blueprints, clearly working. And that ringtone was coming from them. Lin Nuannuan quickly ducked behind a nearby spot and watched the trio from a short distance, keeping still. “Citrus, it’s Mr. Zhou,” said Shen Qian, the taller one, handing the phone to Jovienne. They were on this business trip to help lock down the design plan for the branch’s new project. Time was tight. They had to land a result today. That’s why they were out on the busiest street with the drawings, doing comparisons and checking references on the spot. But after circling all morning, they still had nothing. The three were about ready to give up. And right then, the branch head, Zhou Wenhua, kept calling, pushing suggestion after suggestion. After a while, even Jovienne—whose professional standards were sky-high—was finding it hard to take. “So you’re saying we should add an infrared sensor system to the sign display zone along the entire commercial street?” She listened to Zhou Wenhua’s pitch, then looked at the blueprints, doubt creeping in. “These are just regular storefronts facing the street. What’s the point of adding infrared sensors?” “Don’t worry about that. I’ve already reported it to Hendrik on that side. It’s useful.” Zhou Wenhua answered like it was no big deal. “Then I’m not changing it. Unless you give me a solid, reasonable explanation, this design stays as is.” Jovienne shut it down, firm and clear. That add-on would burn manpower, materials, and time. No need to do it. Besides, as a top architectural designer who’s led teams dozens of times, she wasn’t about to change a plan just because someone said “I reported it.” Not happening. And that stung Zhou Wenhua’s pride. He’d heard of Mrs. Xenakis, but they hadn’t worked together. This time he wanted to use the project as a pretext to test her chops. Hence the morning of waffling and throwing out one plan after another.