LOGINCeleste shook her head with a smile. "I doubt there's any bad blood between us. He probably just has no intention of getting to know us beyond a business relationship."Conrad had been perfectly pleasant throughout their business discussions.He seemed like someone who knew exactly how to maintain the right boundaries. Yet, when working with others, he had deliberately maintained just enough distance to make his lack of interest in developing a closer relationship clear.After all, there had been no previous dealings between them. Matthias couldn't be bothered to dwell on why Conrad didn't want to get any closer.He just shrugged. "Whatever. As long as it doesn't affect our collaboration, that's all that matters."Celeste felt the same way.After a long day, Matthias stretched his body. Once they were in the lift, he seemed to remember something and leaned closer to Celeste. "The court has already ruled on the case between the Locket family and Velotra. Has Trevor still not retur
Wynn had no idea whether Trevor had already heard about the court's verdict against her family's company. Holding her phone, she stared at Trevor's number for a moment before finally making the call. As expected, there was still no answer.When the Lockets and Shaws saw Wynn calling Trevor, they fell silent, watching her with hopeful expressions.But when Trevor still didn't pick up, Linda's eyes reddened even further. "He's still not answering. What exactly is he trying to say?"The others were thinking more or less the same thing. However, this was hardly the time to start blaming anyone.Lilian's expression remained calm. "Linda, don't disturb your cousin."Linda wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry, Aunt Lizzy. I... I'm just scared."If Trevor really decided to abandon them, both families would lose everything. She had grown up accustomed to a life of luxury. The thought that her family might go bankrupt and be left drowning in debt was simply too much for her to accept.If Li
Even if Kieran hadn't said anything, Narcissa wouldn't have interfered in other people's affairs again. After what had happened before, she had learned her lesson. From now on, she would stay out of other people's business.Having received her assurance, Kieran said nothing more and turned to leave.Narcissa watched him go, her gaze eventually settling on Celeste, who was standing a short distance away.When Celeste finally stepped away from the crowd, Narcissa approached her. "Ms. Rodriguez."Celeste stopped when she saw her, but her expression remained unchanged. "Is there something you need, Ms. Lackspur?"Narcissa lowered her head and spoke politely. "I was wrong about the kind of person I thought she was. I caused you a lot of trouble, and that was my fault. I'm sorry."Celeste looked at her and replied coldly, "Is that so?"She said nothing more and simply turned to leave.Watching her walk away, Narcissa said again, "I'm sorry."Celeste didn't stop or look back.Matthi
After saying that, the host of the banquet turned to Conrad and introduced them. "Mr. Mercer, these two are Mr. Yoder and Ms. Rodriguez of YodaVision."Conrad nodded and shook hands with Matthias and Celeste. "Mr. Yoder, Ms. Rodriguez. I've heard a great deal about you both.""You're too kind, Mr. Mercer."After exchanging pleasantries, Conrad got straight to the point. "My company does have a project we'd like to collaborate with you on. I was hoping to speak with you both privately for a few minutes. Would that be convenient?""Of course," Matthias replied.Seeing that they had business to discuss, the host excused himself.Conrad had brought along one of his company's scientists. After the introductions, Celeste and Matthias began discussing the project with him.Conrad apparently had no background in AI. He listened while they discussed the details, occasionally interjecting when they touched on key points. From the looks of it, he didn't have a particularly deep understandi
Recalling the indifferent expression on Conrad's face earlier, Wynn shook her head before answering Lilian, "We've only met once. I wouldn't say we know each other."It had been more than half a month since their last encounter. So, Wynn assumed that Conrad had already left Baumond, never expecting to run into him again here at the restaurant.…That evening, after work, Celeste and Matthias attended a dinner hosted by one of their business partners.Once they were in the car, Celeste rubbed her temples.She had spent most of the past two weeks working on the development of a new project and had barely been in touch with Jordyn. So, she called her daughter after thinking of this.Jordyn hadn't contacted her much either over the past two weeks, but when Celeste called, she answered almost immediately."Mom."Celeste smiled. "Mm. Have you had dinner?"Jordyn asked, "Yes. Are you off work, Mom?""I am, but I still have a few things to take care of."Celeste then paused for a mo
Celeste nodded. "I'll be leaving now. Remember to let Jordyn know when she wakes up."Trevor looked at her. "Okay. Aren't you going to have breakfast before you leave?""No."Trevor didn't insist. He got up and said, "I'll see you out.""There's no need to trouble yourself."Trevor said nothing, but followed her anyway, personally seeing her to the door. It was only after her car had completely left the driveway that he turned around and headed back inside.A little over ten minutes later, Jordyn woke up too. When she went downstairs, she looked around for Celeste."Your mom had something to take care of, so she left first," Trevor told her."Oh, okay..."The moment Jordyn had woken up and found Celeste no longer beside her, she had already guessed that this might happen. She just pursed her little lips and went to the dining room without saying another word.Trevor sat down beside her and felt her forehead."Your fever's completely gone. Is anything else bothering you? If y







