Grace was already up by 5:00 am the following day. She sat down and quickly


    sorted through every strength and weakness Lambert Group had,piling over


    80 pages of a detailed report.


    The deeper she dug, the more natural it all felt like some muscle memory she


    hadn''t even realized she had.


    She thought briefly about the professional certificates she had found tucked away


    in her files. Some of them were among the hardest credentials to earn in the


    global finance world. What had she been doing before she lost her memory?


    The thought flickered through her mind, but she shoved it aside, focusing back on


    the report. At the rate things were going, thepany might survive another two


    years, max. In that time, she would have to catch the next big wave,nd the right


    projects, and push thepany to new heights.


    Otherwise, even a miracle wouldn''t be enough to save it.


    She had barely arrived at the office when her phone buzzed. It was Selene


    calling.


    "Damien is giving a talk at Druville College soon," Selene said. "The next five


    years are all about Al. There''s a geniusing out of Druville College''s Al


    program, and every majorpany is trying to recruit him. Are you thinking about


    making a move?"


    It lined up perfectly with Lambert Group''s business. They made consumer


    electronics, but sales had been steadily falling. Thepany just couldn''t keep up


    with the times.


    Most of the executives were out-of-touch relics, and all the current product lines-


    TVs, air conditioners, you name it were outdated models. The only people still


    buying them were from the older generation.


    Smart homes, Al-driven devices, and home robots were the future. Landing an Al


    prodigy could change everything.


    Selene''s voice came again over the line. "Didn''t Liam study this stuff?"


    At the mention of Liam, Grace''s heart dimmed.


    Selene immediately realized she had said the wrong thing. Everyone in their circle


    knew the Lambert family was struggling. Grace''s name was too well-known in the


    industry. Most people were just waiting for her to fall t on her face.


    "Grace-" Selene was about to say somethingforting when Grace cut her off.


    "I''ll check out Druville College."


    Hearing that spark of determination, Selene finally rxed.


    It was still early, so after hanging up, Grace got in her car and headed toward


    Druville College. But as luck would have it, just as she was approaching Druville


    College, Ethan''s car crashed into hers.


    She was already annoyed and ready to step out and confront the driver until she


    saw the familiar license te. For a second, it was like her whole body locked up,


    and her nerves grew tense.


    Hadn''t she promised Ethan she''d treat him to dinner once thend deal was


    settled?


    But then Jodie got involved and stirred up all kinds of trouble. Her frustration with


    him made her forget that promisepletely.


    Technically, the car behind was at fault, but she had no intention of arguing. She


    turned to head back into her car when the rear window slowly rolled down.


    At that point, pretending not to see him wasn''t an option anymore. She braced


    herself and walked over.


    "Mr. Henderson, what a coincidence. You''re headed to Druville College too?"


    She was a graduate of Druville College herself, though after the memory loss, she


    couldn''t even recall what she had majored in.


    Ethan''s gazended on her face. She


    couldn''t tell if it was just her


    imagination, but every time their


    eyes met, it felt like he was holding


    something back it seemed to


    simmer just beneath the surface.


    "Yeah."


    That was all he said at first. Then, he added, "How much should I pay you?"


    He was asking about the damage carpensation.


    Grace thought about the five million dors he had given her before. Then, she


    thought about the beating she received from Jodie.


    Her lips curled into a smile that wasn''t quite genuine as she said, "Five million


    dors."


    She was obviously joking.


    She didn''t expect him to pull out his


    checkbook without missing a beat,


    scribble down a number, and hand


    the check over like it was nothing. It


    all happened so fast that she almost


    didn''t react in time.


    He lifted his gaze, his voice as cool as ever as he asked, "Is that not enough?"


    There was no way someone like Ethan didn''t know what her car was worth. Was


    he just... ying dumb by letting himself be overcharged?


    Grace wasn''t one to act coy. If he wanted to be a generous sucker, she wasn''t


    going to argue. She took the check without hesitation. "That''s enough."


    She was t-out broke. So, the moment she had that check in hand, her attitude


    switched instantly.


    "Mr. Henderson, you''re headed to Druville College too? Once things wrap up, do


    you want to grab a bite?


    Jenson Group had long been a


    sponsor of Druville College, and so


    had Henderson Group. With Damien


    giving a talk, it wasn''t surprising for


    Ethan to show up as well. Still, for


    someone like him to actually leave


    the house was rare.


    The media had been trying to get a word out of him for years with no luck.


    "Alright." It was a single-word response again. Then, the window rolled up-slow


    and deliberate.


    Grace stood outside for a moment, stunned. She had stepped out of the car,


    made a few casual remarks, and walked away five million richer?


    Getting money from Ethan was almost too easy.