Chapter 12: Attention

Returning to her office, Oh Ji-Soo settled on her seat.

Taking 20 minutes off the allocated time, she went through the bidding proposal for final checks and confirming that she was good to go, she picked up her handbag and left 'Dream Axis' for J Group in a taxi.

Arriving in front of the tall skyscraper with the popular nameplate on it. Oh Ji-Soo lifted her eyes to let her gaze take in the height.

Letting out a deep sigh, she proceeded to walk into the building. Going over to the reception area, she registered her name and the company she was representing.

"Director Oh, please come with me." A female usher arranged by the J Group said respectfully while gesturing for her to follow behind her.

Oh Ji-Soo's gaze swiftly swept past the ID card hanging on her neck before returning to her face. Without another word, she went with her.

While passing through the long corridors, Oh Ji-Soo couldn't stop herself from looking around her surrounding from her peripheral view.

She was that cautious as if she was afraid she would miss any detail that could lead her out here in case she was taken to an unknown place.

Soon, they arrived in front of a huge double door that was left open to welcome her guests in.

"Director Oh, I will show you to your seat." The usher said with a smile as she continued leading her into the room filled with people.

There were a good number of men and women dressed in a suit, already sitting ahead while behind the seats for the different Architectural company representatives, were the press.

Apparently, J Group had invited the media to turn the bid for their latest project into a big deal.

They wanted the publicity to further boost their company's image and attract as many big investors as possible.

They were literally aiming for the rainbow in the sky.

As soon as Oh Ji-Soo walked into the room, most of the attention turned to her as different media outlets present in the room turned their cameras to her and started to snap away.

"Director Oh is here!" Someone from the press announced as his gaze followed Oh Ji-Soo.

"This means Dream Axis is competing for this project." Another confirmed.

Oh Ji-Soo was not a new face.

To the press and everyone interested in the Architectural sector, she was like the brand ambassador for Dream Axis.

Seeing her at events like this, was like meeting the entire Dream Axis team and their founder.

She was that popular in the eyes of businessmen and the press. She commanded a certain level of respect not only because of her position in that huge company but how many deals she had closed.

She was that remarkable to not be forgotten so easily.

Even after she had passed them, their cameras that turned to follow her kept flashing lights at her back-view until she took her seat.

On the other hand, Oh Ji-Soo didn't care about the attention given to her by the press and other competitors.

She was here on an important mission and that was to take J Group's latest project home with her.

Exchanging a few pleasantries with the people sitting next to her, she turned off her phone and focused her attention on the stage waiting for the event to start.

Given that she had come a bit late, it didn't take up to 3 minutes before the Vice-President of J Group came to give the opening speech.

As soon as he was announced, he took the stage as the people sitting in the audience stood to applaud him.

But immediately he took the stand, the applauses died down as they all sat back down on their red padded seats.

Looking into the audience, the short man in his late fifties with framed-rimmed glasses to support his poor sight gave a subtle smile.

"Hello, friends! Welcome to J Group's hotel and resort bidding. We are glad to have each and everyone one of you showing interest in this particular project.

As you may have heard, this project is very important to us as it is the first time we are venturing into this sector."

Starting his speech as softly as he could, the Vice-President of J Group went on to talk about their vision for their new project and the reason they had chosen to enter that market.

As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed his head slightly which earned applause for everyone in the room apart from a few of the press that was busy snapping away and of course Oh Ji-Soo who didn't have a smile on her face.

Sitting laidback with her arms crossed in front of her chest, she watched the man on the stage left as another man who was a bit younger in age, came up to continue with the event.

'You only talked about your vision for this project, what about your vision for this attention you are seeking?'

Oh Ji-Soo seemed to find the situation ridiculous, but knowing where she was, she did her best to not snort so loudly.

It was because of this big deal J Group was turning this project into that made her company's President and other Architectural company owners make a mountain out of a molehill.

How did they all fail to see the little scheme behind the scenes?

Some minutes after one of the directors of J Group mounted the stage, all the company representatives were asked to submit their proposal as there would be the first round of elimination.

Hearing the announcement, Ji-Soo was calm as she was quite confident with her project.

Sitting quietly on her seat, she watched as the judges already sitting at the right-hand side of the stage with a long desk in front of them, started to take each project proposal one after the other to review them.

Oh Ji-Soo was the last to submit as she didn't want to get to the level of rushing over to submit her company's proposal like other newbies.

She had long past that level and for a company like 'Dream Axis' that already had a solid background and foothold in the industry, there was no need to make a fuss.

While the judges were going on with their work, refreshments were served to everyone and by the time they were all done eating, the results were ready to be read out.