Vince''s gaze drifted away, finally settling on Timothy. "Here, take it," he said, handing over the envelope. "Consider it a token of thanks for your help-nothing more."


    Two years ago, when Timothy refused to partner up, Vince simply built the station but never connected the battery packs. He''d always known that if he used batteries from the Zimmerman Group, it would be the same as burning the bridge with Timothy for good-something he had no intention of doing.


    In the years since, Timothy kept his distance, which gave Vince valuable breathing room.


    Business was a fickle game. Over those two years, Vince threw himself into refining the car''s design, perfecting the interiors, and shaping the brand''s image. Even if the battery market slipped beyond his reach, he''d made sure thepany could still stand its ground.


    His mother''s final days had left him increasingly nostalgic for his sister. She''d vanished years ago, and after two decades, tracking her down seemed almost impossible.


    Timothy, on the other hand, had TS Cloud-a top-tier international database, originally developed formercial use. But with its powerful capabilities, it could be leveraged in countless fields. When it came to tracking missing persons, it was second to none.


    Timothy had spent the past two years linking TS Cloud to various government systems, making life easier for everyone.


    Now, Timothy''s cool,posed eyes flicked toward Jessica, lingering for a moment. "Since you''re here," he said, "why don''t you answer for me should we take on this project or not?"


    Even Vince, who''d seen his share of high-stakes meetings, was taken aback. Why would Timothy let aplete stranger answer such a question for him?


    As for Kane and Yates...


    They weren''t surprised in the least. They''d already heard beforeing in: the woman in the room was Timothy''s wife.


    And she was stunning.


    Long, straight ck hair fell to her waist. There was a gentle grace about her, something that reminded them of She.


    It all made sense now.


    But there was no denying it-this woman was even more beautiful.


    She sat quietly, hands folded in herp, herrge, luminous eyes glistening with a soft innocence. Long, curlingshes framed her gaze, clear and lively, so pure it tugged at the heart.


    Her eyes tilted up just slightly at the corners, adding a hint of understated allure.


    Timothy was not the type to marry just any woman.


    She pressed her lips together, hard.


    Back in the lounge, she''d made a point of saying Timothy hadn''t introduced Jessica to everyone.


    She''d said her piece, but now it seemed Timothy was intent on making Jessica''s identity public.


    A nagging sense of resentment began to gnaw at her.


    Jessica shot Timothy a cool, indifferent look. There was no way she was going to answer for him.


    He might seem gentle and refined, but every word, every gesture was calcted -to push her into a corner, to make sure she couldn''t get the money, and eventually force her back to the Gilded Whisper Estates.


    Vince, oblivious to the true nature of Jessica''s rtionship with Timothy, couldn''t read Timothy''s intentions. He piped up, "Timothy, Ms. Greene isn''t much of a


    talker. She can''t really answer for you-don''t put her on the spot."


    Kane''s eyes went wide. He jumped to his feet in shock. "Wait-she... she''s mute?!"


    He couldn''t believe it-Timothy, marrying a mute woman?


    Yates looked equally stunned.


    Vince shot Kane an irritated re. "What''s with all the shouting? Watch your mouth Ms. Greene is my guest!"


    Timothy''s eyes darkened further, a dangerous chill settling over his expression.


    Kane ignored Vince, ring at Timothy in outrage. "Seriously, Timothy? You wouldn''t marry She back then, but you''ll marry a mute woman? Couldn''t you at least find someone normal? You''d rather bring a mute home and make She lose to her? Really?"