LOGINChristopher hadn't just avoided the trap. He had actually earned FutureDrive even more respect from the government officials and industry leaders in the room.Watching it happen, Samantha grew increasingly frustrated.She didn't expect Christopher to shut Lincoln down so easily. Instead of hurting him, they gave him another chance to make FutureDrive look good.Her fingers tightened around the flash drive in her hand. She couldn't wait much longer. If she didn't act soon, she might lose her chance.She quietly pulled out her phone and sent Lincoln a message.[We can't wait any longer. We make our move during the next segment.]Lincoln read it, his expression turning cold.Once the company representatives finished speaking, the meeting would move into open discussion. That was when Samantha planned to present the fabricated evidence and go after Amelia and Christopher publicly.Amelia caught the brief exchange between them and knew something was coming.She discreetly pulled a
With every eye in the room on him, Christopher slowly stood."Regarding Langford's investment program, I sent my executive assistant, Nigel, there a few days ago to conduct an on-site assessment."The murmurs in the room died instantly. For a moment, no one said anything.Nigel was FutureDrive's chief operating officer, one of Christopher's most trusted executives, and known for being sharp and highly capable.If Christopher had sent him there personally, then FutureDrive clearly hadn't been caught off guard. If anything, Christopher was already several steps ahead.Walter's smile stiffened. He obviously hadn't expected that answer, and whatever follow-up he had prepared suddenly had nowhere to go.He opened his mouth, but Christopher continued before he could speak."Langford may still be developing, but its location gives it certain advantages. It's close to the border and has access to significant rare-earth resources, which could become important to several of our future res
The official finished his speech to a round of solemn applause. The tension in the room eased a little, but the weight of his words still hung over everyone.Next, representatives from the various companies took turns speaking.Each executive voiced support for the government's technology initiatives and promised to cooperate fully with Project 07. Every speech was careful, respectful, and almost overly eager to please.Amelia sat below the stage, lightly tapping her fingers against the table as she looked around the room.Most of these companies had business ties with FutureDrive in one way or another. Their speeches sounded sincere, but Amelia knew every one of them had their own interests to protect.Her gaze shifted to Lincoln and Samantha, who sat a short distance away.Every so often, they leaned toward each other and spoke quietly, their expressions giving nothing away. They were definitely up to something.Sure enough, after several more company representatives finished
The meeting was less about the project itself and more about making sure everyone understood how urgent the situation was and what was expected of them.Amelia suddenly remembered something Christopher had once said."Technology matters, but the people behind it matter even more. Talent is everything."He was right. No matter how promising a project was or how advanced the technology became, people were still the ones who had to make it happen.A country's strength depended on generation after generation of researchers pushing forward.Amelia turned to Christopher. He sat quietly beside her, listening intently, calm and steady as always. His eyes stayed on the podium, focused and unwavering. No matter what happened around him, he always seemed completely composed.Amelia felt herself relax. With someone like him beside her, she felt ready for whatever came next.Across the hall, Samantha had been watching Christopher the entire time. Her red dress stood out against the sea of
"I just can't stand watching them act like that."Samantha lowered her voice. "They're divorced, but they're still acting all lovey-dovey. It's ridiculous."Lincoln said nothing. His gaze rested on Amelia, a complicated look passing through his eyes.He had never understood why Amelia would walk away from someone like Christopher. What confused him even more was how the two of them could still be this close after the divorce.Tania stood nearby with a folder in her arms and noticed it too. Her gaze shifted between Amelia and Christopher, and a knowing smile touched her lips.The mood in the room slowly grew tense.All kinds of people had gathered in one place. Some were allies, some were competitors, and more than a few had history with each other.What looked like a routine project meeting was clearly going to be anything but peaceful.Amelia took a slow breath and braced herself. She knew the next few hours wouldn't be easy. And whatever happened, she and Christopher would
Christopher smiled."True. Kids have a lot on their plate, too." He opened the car door for her. "Come on. We should get going."Amelia nodded and slid into the passenger seat.The car pulled away from the neighborhood.Christopher stayed focused on the road, quiet and composed as always, but Amelia could feel that something between them had started to change.There used to be an invisible distance between them. Even when they were together, things never felt this natural.Now, something as simple as a morning greeting and breakfast made her feel strangely at ease.-Before long, they arrived at the conference center in the city's tech park. Even from a distance, the building looked sleek and imposing. Luxury cars already lined the entrance.Most of the people coming and going wore business attire and carried themselves with quiet authority. It was obvious that plenty of influential people were attending.Christopher parked, and the two of them got out together.As soon as t
Jasper smiled helplessly as he reminded Winona, "Alright now, don't give her any more pressure."He then turned to look tenderly at Amelia, "Just do your best. Winning the competition is just icing on the cake. Even if we lose, we wouldn't lose anything."All the more Amelia had to relax before th
Dorothy carried Evelyn all the way into Whitmore Manor.The servants were shaping the dough and preparing the toppings. Most of the work had been done yesterday.It was still early, just past nine in the morning."Evelyn, you want to try shaping the pastries too, right?"Evelyn nodded and immedi
"Was that Nicole?" Jasper guessed from the look on Amelia's face."Yeah," Amelia answered him as she kept her phone away. She explained sardonically, "She called to gloat about her two new partners and asked us to join their celebration dinner tonight.""Hah…" Jasper chuckled. "She might be capabl
Amelia really didn't want to go back to that house."What are you talking about? You're Mrs. Zephyr. Nothing can be too troublesome when your health is on the line. That'll save you a trip to the hospital when you're already working so hard. That settles it, you hear me?" Dorothy said sternly.She







