The air in the conference room turned heavy in an instant.


    Among the bidders at the table, only an old-timer with an overinted sense of self would dare to openly belittle someone like this.


    Some, aware of the Foster family''s wealth, tried to smooth things over.


    "He didn''t choose to be born a bastard, and there''s no need to bring up something beyond his control. We''re all in the same circles, and we see each other all the time."


    "Maybe he couldn''t control how he was born, but mooching off a woman to make it? That was his call." Someone in the corner spoke up, tossing thement into the air.


    Nearby, a portly man chuckled and joined in.


    "Figures the old man had the guts to say it. A bastard living off a woman''s money has no business at this table."


    "Young, good-looking... I guess that''s all it takes tond a rich woman. Hah!"


    As more voices joined in, the mockery snowballed. What began as insults soon became entertainment, a joke for everyone but him.


    Clenching his fists, Zach found himself looking at Serena when he raised his head up.


    She seemedpletely unfazed by the whispers around her, quietly discussing the documents with Natalie. She had always been able to focus on work, no matter the noise around her.


    Zach suddenly recalled the days when he and Serena had built their business side by side.


    Back then, Kendrick''s status had weighed on him, making it impossible to lower his pride.


    However, Serena had always known when to yield, smoothing things over and navigating the powerful circles with ease, securing small projects that kept them afloat.


    Only now did he realize that everything she had done back then hadid the foundation for his sess. Without Serena, he wouldn''t be where he was today.


    Listening to the jeers around him, he found himself unable to say a single word in his own defense.


    At the head of the table, Regina sat beside her uncle, Martin Arnold. He flipped through the bidding documents, barely ncing up as he listened to the chatter around him.


    "Jansen Group and Foster Group-they''re both on a slow decline."


    "A dying empire still dwarfs a thriving startup. They talk big, but when ites to real influence, I doubt any of them outshine the Fosters or Jansens."


    Regina barely reacted. She found their mockery far less amusing than thetest scandals among the city''s elite.


    Martin shot her a brief nce before turning his eyes to Serena, who remained focused on her work.


    Knowing she was Hugh''s wife, he couldn''t help but say, "Earlier, you said you liked Serena''s personality. If that''s the case, why not consider="


    "Uncle Martin, let''s keep business separate. The Larsons have plenty of wives, so sucking up to her won''t get us anywhere. What matters is making money for ourselves," Regina said.


    She was ready to get it over with. She just wanted to seal the deal and get out.


    Martin noted that Regina had no intention of currying favor. ncing at the time, he immediately announced that the bidding was about to begin.


    The process went off without a hitch, as everyone was well-versed in the routine. After several rounds, only the Jansen Group and the Foster Group remained.


    The audience was surprised. While the Jansen Group was expected, with Serena just earning high praise from Regina, who would have guessed that the Foster Group had such clout?


    Serena was familiar with both the Foster and Jansen Groups, so she wasn''t surprised by the oue.


    Natalie looked on, curious. "Do you think we can secure it?"


    Serena''s fingertips lightly tapped on the folder before her.


    "Arnold Group and Foster Group are more alike and more progressive. If nothing unexpected happens..."


    "Congrattions to the Foster Group for securing the project!" Martin dered.


    The audience offered a half-hearted round of apuse. Zach stood up to thank everyone, though his eyes remained fixed on Serena.


    Serena wasn''t bothered by it at all. She had only intended to use this bidding opportunity as a chance to steal a few moments to write a song for Ruth.


    Since Arnold Group had managed the bidding fairly, she had no objections to the result.


    The bidding was finally over.