These smallpanies were all side investments The Williams Group picked up while expanding its business. The Williams Group had been reaping the rewards of venture capital for years, casting a wide and investing here and there. Sure, a few of those investments had paid off, butpared to the returns Nora once achieved, they were hardly worth mentioning.


    Nora had spoiled everyone''s expectations. Now, even a return multiplied several dozen times was considered child''s y in their eyes. If apany failed to show promise within the set time frame, no one could be bothered to manage it further. Everyone''s energy was limited-who had the time to waste on a hopeless project?


    These were all seasoned business veterans; it took only a nce for them to see that Aurora''s assessment was spot-on.


    Someone praised her, "No wonder she''s Skyler''s daughter. She''s inherited his business acumen-right to the heart of the matter, pinpointing the problem immediately."


    "Exactly. Her analysis and presentation are wless."


    "When I was her age, I remember getting chewed out by my manager for botching a proposal. She''s miles ahead."


    "Skyler, your daughter''s every bit as outstanding as your three sons-maybe even more so. I''m starting to get jealous. All your children are exceptional."


    The room filled with praise for Aurora, everyone chiming in.


    Aurora herself didn''t look even the least bit smug. Amid thepliments, she maintained a poised, gracious smile, earning her even more admiration.


    But among the senior partners loyal to Nora, a trace of concern flickered in their eyes as they watched the scene. Aurora''s proposal was nearly wless; even if they wanted to find fault, there was nothing to criticize. They weren''t about to stoop to nitpicking for the sake of it.


    With Aurora''s brilliant performance setting the standard, Ste-who''d never set foot in the business world-seemed destined to be crushed.


    Skyler looked every bit the proud father as his daughter was showered with praise. "You''re all too kind," he said modestly.


    As the chatter died down, Skyler turned to Ste. "Star, it''s your turn." Ste nodded and cast her proposal onto the conference room screen. But unlike the lively atmosphere before, an odd hush fell over the room.<fn53c4> Official source is FιndＮovel</fn53c4>


    It was Israel who broke the silence, unable to hold back, his expression dark. "Ste, you did this on purpose, didn''t you? You deliberately picked the exact samepany as Aurora!"


    A thought seemed to ur to him, and he pointed at Ste usingly. "Did you sneak up to our roomst night and eavesdrop on our conversation?"


    Ste only smiled, unfazed. “If I remember correctly, the hallway is under constant surveince. If you want, you can check the footage and see whether I was lurking outside your door."  s


    Israel opened his mouth to retort, but Jonathan cut him off coldly. "Enough. Let Star present her proposal."


    There were about thirtypanies to choose from this time, with only five or six offering any real potential. It was only natural that sometimes they''d pick the same


    one.


    Israel fell silent, though his re stayed icy as he looked at Ste.


    Ste ignored him and began her presentation. She had plenty of experience performing in Competitions, even in a room full of high-powered executives, she didn''t show the slightest sign of nerves.  s


    Her proposal was simpler than Aurora''s, but it was immediately clear to everyone that it was even more impressive. Compared to Stes Aurora''s n suddenly seemed a bit too


    conventionalcking the spark and ingenuity Ste''s had.


    belongs to s


    The way the others looked at Ste shifted, their expressions growing more intrigued.


    Someone murmured, "Wasn''t it said that Ste grew up outside of all this, studying the arts? She never even had an elite education..."