DETACHED

Chapter 22: The opportunity

The boardroom at Cole Group Headquarters was filled with quiet conversation when Xavier walked in. He took his seat beside Sebastian, placing the folder he had been carrying on the table. Around them sat several senior directors, each waiting for the meeting to begin.

Xavier looked composed in a dark tailored suit, his posture relaxed but attentive. His sharp grey eyes moved across the room, briefly studying each person before settling on the presentation screen. Sebastian tapped his walking stick lightly against the floor.

"Let's begin."

The room fell silent.

A government development proposal appeared on the screen.

"This is a new government-funded development project," Sebastian explained. "The government intends to redevelop a large section of the city, including residential areas, commercial spaces, public facilities, roads, and other essential infrastructure."

Xavier studied the plans carefully.

One of the directors leaned forward.

"How large is the project?"

"Large enough that no single company will be responsible for the entire development," Sebastian replied.

The next slide appeared.

"The government has decided to open different aspects of the project to smaller engineering, architectural, construction, and real-estate firms. They will compete for contracts to design and execute different sections."

Xavier nodded slowly.

"And Cole Group?"

Sebastian looked toward him.

"We've been approached to supervise the overall execution."

A few directors exchanged pleased looks.

Sebastian continued explaining that Cole Group's responsibility would be different from that of the smaller firms. They would coordinate the selected companies, monitor construction, inspect quality, manage major contractors, ensure government specifications were followed, and report directly to the relevant authorities.

Xavier leaned back in his chair.

"So we won't be submitting a design proposal."

"No," Sebastian replied. "Our role will be supervision and project management."

One of the directors smiled.

"Which means we control the larger operation. Xavier looked at him.

"We coordinate it," he corrected. The director immediately straightened.

Xavier returned his attention to the screen.

The project was clearly significant. It wasn't just another government contract. It would involve multiple companies, thousands of workers, large investments, and years of construction.

One mistake could affect the entire development.

"We'll need a strong team overseeing this," Xavier said.

"We already have one," Sebastian replied.

Xavier glanced at him.

"You've already decided?"

"I've decided that you're going to oversee our side of the project."

Several directors looked toward Xavier.

He remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"Fine."

Sebastian smiled faintly.

"I knew you'd say that."

Xavier looked back at the presentation.

"Then I want every shortlisted company properly investigated before we begin working withthem. I don't care how impressive their proposal looks. I want to know whether they can actually deliver."

A few directors nodded.

The meeting continued for another hour as they discussed government requirements, supervision costs, staffing, timelines, and the responsibilities Cole Group would take on.

By the time the meeting ended, Xavier had already begun thinking about the amount of work ahead. He had returned to Germany expecting problems within his father's company. He hadn't expected another major project to land on his desk so quickly.But he wasn't complaining.

For Xavier, work had always been easier than dealing with everything else.

Across the city, the morning at Apex Engineering and Architecture Firm was moving at its usual pace. Daniel was reviewing documents at his desk when an announcement appeared on his computer screen. He almost ignored it. Then the words caught his attention.

Government Development Project – Call for Qualified Engineering and Architectural Firms.

Daniel sat up. He opened the announcement and began reading. The government was inviting qualified firms to submit proposals for different sections of the new development.

Daniel's eyes widened as he scrolled through the requirements.

"This is big," he muttered.

He read the announcement again before immediately turning toward Lila.

"Lila."She looked up from her desk.

"What?" She asked lazily

"Come and see this.". Daniel call her out Lila walked over. Daniel turned the screen toward her. She read through the announcement quietly.

"Is this new? She asked"

"Yes. It was released this morning." Daniel replied. Lila continued reading.

"They're inviting smaller firms to compete for different parts of the project." Lila asked to gain clarity. Daniel nodded.

"And Apex qualifies." Daniel said excitedly Lila looked at him.

"We should tell Amara." Lila said looking at hmm

"That's what I was thinking." He concured

A few minutes later, Lila stood outside Amara's office and knocked.

"Come in." Her voice could be heard form inside

She entered with Daniel behind her. Amara looked up from the architectural drawings spread across her desk.

She was dressed in a simple black blouse and fitted trousers, her long dark hair falling neatly over one shoulder. Her face remained calm, almost expressionless, and her dark eyes moved between the two of them.

"What is it?" She asked with a serious expression Daniel placed the document on her desk.

"There is a new government project." Amara looked down at the document.

She began reading. Neither Daniel nor Lila spoke while she went through the details. The project was completely different from the Riverside Project they were currently working on. Riverside was already part of Apex's workload. This was something new Something much larger. Amara reached the final page and placed the document down.

"How many firms are being invited?" She asked without raising her head from the paper

"They haven't given the final number yet," Daniel replied. "But several firms are expected to compete." Daniel replied Amara nodded.

Lila waited before asking whether they should consider submitting a proposal.Amara looked at her.

"Consider?" Amara finally raised her head Lila smiled slightly.

"I knew you were going to say that."

"We're doing it." Amara announced Daniel grinned.

"I'll start gathering the technical requirements." Daniel said excitedly

"Do that," Amara replied. "And get the engineering department involved."

She picked up the document again.

"We'll need a proposal that is practical, financially sound, and strong enough to compete with firms that have been doing this longer than we have." Lila nodded.

"And Riverside?" Amara's eyes shifted toward her.

"We continue Riverside exactly as planned." She placed the government document beside the existing Riverside files.

"One project doesn't stop because another opportunity appears." Amara said going back to her work

Daniel nodded.

"We'll manage both." Amara. nodded

"Good." She looked at the government proposal again. The opportunity was too important to ignore.

Apex had already proven itself through Riverside. Now they had a chance to prove that they could compete for something much bigger.

"We're going after it," Amara said calmly.

There was no excitement in her voice..No hesitation either..Just certainty.

Daniel and Lila exchanged a quick look before leaving the office.

Amara remained behind, staring at the document.

She didn't know that Cole Group had already been selected to supervise the project..She didn't know that Xavier Cole would eventually be responsible for dealing with the companies competing for the work. And Xavier had no idea that one of those companies would be Apex Engineering and Architecture Firm. For now, they were working toward the same project from opposite sides.

Neither of them knew how closely their paths were about to cross.