Aurora had thought she might see her mother here, but to her surprise, it wasn''t her mother who came. Instead, it was someone named Mio Walsh, who was likely a rtive.


    But if he was a rtive, why had he looked at her with such an expression? Aurora''s sharp instincts told her that his gaze was far from friendly.


    "What are you looking at?" Asher noticed Aurora was zoning out, her face cold and distant. His voice broke her thoughts.


    "Nothing." Aurora had already heard bits and pieces about the R family from Denis. There was a good chance this Mio Walsh was one of the people opposing her mother.


    "Little Bunny, I''m sorry. The car broke down on the way and dyed me. I made you wait." Julian rushed over, his tone apologetic.


    "It''s fine." Aurora smiled softly and took Julian''s arm. "Let''s go in."


    "Alright."


    Asher and Gore followed them into the hotel.


    "Julian, don''t you have any interest in this project?" Aurora asked.


    "If it were before, I might have. But I''m swamped right now. The projects I''m handling are already overwhelming, and I don''t have the bandwidth to consider anything new.


    If the projects I''m working on seed, the investment required is enormous. Almost all my liquid funds will be tied up. This Nordic project is also a major investment, so I can''t take it on right now."


    Smaller projects weren''t an issue, but the key was that both of Julian''s current projects were massive investments. He still had many ongoing projects in Clothville that required capital.


    To fund his current projects, Julian even had to take out loans. If he were to add another major project, even if he secured it, he wouldn''t be able to manage it.


    Besides, thepetition for this project was intense. Julian didn''t want to expend time and effort fighting for something he wasn''t likely to get.


    Honestly, if Aurora hadn''t been here today, Julian wouldn''t have bothered toe at all.


    "It seems like this project is pretty attractive. Even people like Nick and Kyle are here," Aurora remarked.


    "Clothville''s market has stabilized over the years. For us, there''s not much room for growth there, so it''s natural to want to expand into international markets. It''s no surprise they came here. This project is indeed a good one."


    "That''s true. Personally, I hope Ashy can win it. But seeing the people here today, it''s clear theirpanies have far more experience and history than ours."


    Aurora shook her head. Looking at the crowd, she could tell this project was going to be tough. Among the attendees were numerous well-establishedpanies with deep roots and vast resources.


    "When ites to experience, it''s not always the deciding factor. Sometimes, it''s about the opinions of the coborators. You need to believe in yourself and trust Asher," Julian reassured her.


    Aurora nodded. Before, she hadn''t paid much attention to this project. But after learning that Asher was here, she began to feel apetitive streak emerge.


    If they could secure this project, it would bring in money much faster than starting a cosmetics business from scratch. It would also bring her closer to her ultimate goal. Aurora pulled out her phone and carefully read Michael Bardem''s profile. Know your enemy, and you''ll win every battle.


    "What, are you nning to get involved?" Julian asked, noticing Michael Bardem''s name on her phone screen.


    "Well, I''m already here, so why not give it a shot?"


    "Fair enough." Julian never doubted her decisions.


    The group entered the grand hall. Tonight''s banquet was as morous as an international awards ceremony. The room was filled with upper-ss elites, each as dazzling as a movie star, representing a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.


    Aurora had attended simr events in New York before, so she wasn''t unfamiliar with the atmosphere. Julian, noticing her hunger, guided her to the dessert section.


    "Grab something to eat. You must be hungry," he said.


    "I am, a little." Aurora hadn''t eaten dinner earlier when she came over with Gore.


    "Have something to tide you over. I''ll treat you to a proper mealter tonight," Julian said, handing her a slice of tiramisu, her favorite.


    "Alright." Aurora took a tray and began nibbling on her dessert.


    Meanwhile, the host of the evening was surrounded by a crowd of notable figures. The


    truly smart attendees knew this wasn''t the time to approach him.


    First, it was hard to make an impression in a crowd. Second, trying to engage in conversation amid so many others would only end up being superficial. After a long exchange of pleasantries, the host might not even remember your name.


    Aurora wasn''t in a hurry. Neither was Asher, who silently observed the people around him.


    Nick, with Irene by his side, didn''t seem particrly interested in the project. He was more focused on keeping Irene entertained, clearly using this trip abroad as a chance to create some alone time with her.


    He wasn''t even paying attention to Michael Bardem''s whereabouts or how to approach him.


    Eric, on the other hand, had always been highly ambitious. He had prepared extensively for this project, but tonight, he had an unexpectedpanion-a chatterbox.


    "Eric, is that an international supermodel? Oh my gosh, her legs are unreal!" Emily eximed, pointing in the direction of a tall woman in the crowd.


    Eric nced over. It was indeed a Victoria''s Secret model. Long legs were to be expected, but he''d seen plenty before and didn''t find it remarkable.


    The Langdon family wasn''t particrly prominent in Clothville, especiallypared to families like the Montgomerys or the Simmons. Emily, with her carefree personality, didn''t quite fit in with the more polished socialites.


    While those socialites attended Paris and Mn fashion shows, Emily likely didn''t even know where she''d been at the time. This was her first trip abroad, and she couldn''t help but get excited seeing the morous crowd.


    "Oh."


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience—all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Oh? That''s all you have to say?"


    "What else do you want me to say?" Eric replied, exasperated.


    "Don''t all men love long legs like those? Why are you so calm? You don''t seem like a man at all," Emily said with a pout.


    Eric sighed. Does this woman have no filter? If he actually praised someone else, would she really be happy?


    But Emily, with her straightforward nature, didn''t care about such details. "Wow, is that


    a Hollywood star? What''s her name again?"


    "Sophia," Eric answered.


    "Yes, that''s her! How do you know everyone?"


    "You see them enough, and you remember."


    "Oh, right. Eric, why are you in Rome, anyway? I thought you were here for


    sightseeing?" Emily asked, still clueless about his true intentions.


    Eric was speechless. "Could you ask any more questions?"


    "Sure. Who''s that woman over there? She seems really poprtely. Who''s the man


    she''s with?"


    "Gossip queen," Eric muttered. Despite his annoyance, he indulged her curiosity. Emily


    was like a little bird, constantly chattering and never staying quiet.


    Then, abruptly, she changed the topic. "By the way, do you still like Miss Montgomery?"