Chapter 6

The Singapore International Business Summit arrived sooner than Mia had expected.

In the week leading up to the event, Scott Financial Group had been unusually busy. Meetings ran longer, reports piled higher on conference tables and every department seemed to be preparing for something significant. It was the biggest international business event of the year, attended only by people whose decisions shaped industries and influenced economies.

For Mia, it would be her first official appearance as part of Scott Financial Group.

She was there to learn.

The evening before their departure, Mason had stopped by her office with a neatly arranged folder.

“You’ll mostly observe,” he had said as he handed it over.

Mia accepted it without interrupting.

“Listen more than you speak. Build relationships carefully. You’ll meet people who have spent decades in this industry. Try to understand how they think.”

She nodded.

“I understand.”

“Do not try to prove yourself to them”

She smiled faintly.

“I wasn’t planning to.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Mason’s lips before disappearing almost as quickly as it came.

“Good.”

Singapore welcomed them with clear skies and a skyline dominated by glass towers that reflected the morning sun.

The summit occupied one of the country’s largest convention centres.

Luxury vehicles lined the entrance.

Television crews stood behind barricades interviewing arriving executives. Security personnel guided guests through multiple checkpoints while photographers captured every notable arrival.

Scott Financial Group wasn’t the largest name represented that morning, but it certainly wasn’t one to overlook.

Mia followed Mason through the entrance, taking in everything around her.

The enormous lobby buzzed with quiet confidence rather than noise. 

Names she had only ever encountered in textbooks and financial journals suddenly stood a few metres away discussing acquisitions, investments and market trends as casually as ordinary people discussed the weather.

She recognised chief executives from multinational corporations.

Central bank governors.

Investment bankers.

Technology innovators.

International fund managers.

Even several cabinet ministers were present.

It was almost surreal.

“This is where reputations are built,” Mason said quietly as they walked toward the conference hall. “Watch carefully.”

Inside, the main auditorium was already filling.

Each company had reserved seating.

Mia settled into her chair while Mason exchanged greetings with executives seated nearby.

She unfolded the event programme.

The schedule was packed.

It was exactly the sort of event she had hoped to attend one day.

She found herself smiling.

Perhaps she had chosen the right path after all.

The opening speaker wasted little time.

For the next two hours, some of the brightest minds in global finance shared projections, strategies and market insights.

Mia listened intently.

Whenever a point stood out, she wrote it down.

By the end of the second session, several pages of her notebook were filled with observations.

The award presentations followed after lunch.

One award after another was announced amid polite applause.

Then the presenter paused.

“Our next recognition is reserved for an organisation whose commitment to innovation, global expansion and financial excellence continues to set the standard for the industry.”

The giant screens illuminated behind the stage.

Nominees appeared one after another.

Then the winner.

“Financial Enterprise of the Year…”

A dramatic pause lingered across the auditorium.

“…Brooks Financial Holdings.”

The applause was immediate.

Some even rose to their feet.

Mia instinctively looked toward the front tables.

A tall figure rose.

Ethan Brooks.

Until that moment, she hadn’t realised he had been seated only a few rows ahead.

He crossed the stage with an effortless confidence that came from years of carrying responsibility rather than seeking attention.

His brown suit was immaculate.

His expression remained calm.

The award was placed in his hand.

He accepted it with a firm handshake before stepping before the microphone.

“I accept this award on behalf of every employee, every executive and every member of our board,” he said.

His voice was steady.

“This achievement belongs to the people who continue choosing excellence every single day.”

Nothing more.

No dramatic speech.

No attempt to command applause.

He simply thanked the organisers before leaving the stage.

The confidence to say so little somehow left the strongest impression.

As he returned to his seat, his eyes briefly met Mia’s.

Barely a second.

Neither smiled.

Neither acknowledged the moment.

He continued walking as though nothing had happened.

Mia lowered her gaze to the programme resting on her lap.

She wasn’t sure why she had expected anything different.

The afternoon networking session transformed the atmosphere entirely.

Small circles of executives formed throughout the grand hall.

Coffee stations became meeting points.

Business cards exchanged hands.

Future partnerships were discussed over quiet conversations.

Within minutes Mason had been swept into discussions with several investors, leaving Mia free to explore at her own pace.

She wandered toward one of the tall windows overlooking the city skyline and picked up a cup of coffee from a nearby attendant.

The afternoon agenda remained open in her hands.

She had barely finished reading the next session’s title when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Mia?”

She turned.

Recognition came instantly.

Cara.

Her former university coursemate.

Cara looked every bit the wealthy socialite she clearly wanted the world to see.

Her designer gown fitted perfectly. Diamonds rested elegantly around her neck while an expensive handbag hung effortlessly from her arm.

Even the confidence in her smile seemed carefully rehearsed.

“Mia,” Cara repeated, approaching with surprising enthusiasm. “Well… this is unexpected.”

“It has been a while.”

“It certainly has.”

Cara’s eyes travelled slowly over Mia’s outfit before settling back on her face.

“I almost didn’t recognise you.”

The smile remained on her lips.

Her eyes, however, held something entirely different.

Something Mia remembered all too well from their university days.

Jealousy.

Disguised remarkably well.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Cara said lightly.

“So am I.”

Cara laughed.

“I suppose miracles do happen.”

Mia regarded her quietly.

She knew this conversation was going to be a waste of her time.