Haynes smiled faintly. "Of course. We''re all on the same team, aren''t we? It doesn''t really matter who takes the lead on this project."


    "Who knows," he added, "with these cutting-edge techpanies on board, the Pearce Group might just shoot up into the ranks of the most renowned firms."


    Ste''s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.


    She''d always thought Haynes was the quiet, reserved type. Clearly, she''d underestimated his ability to spin a vision.


    Haynes''s words had a calming effect-Shawn''s father''s anger seemed to melt away, reced by a rare smile in Ste''s direction.


    "Ms. Cameron, I''ll have my assistant start drafting the stock transfer agreement. Meanwhile, you''ll want to get your funds ready. Three days from now, we sign."


    Ste nodded with a smile. "It''s a deal."


    Shawn''s father didn''t linger, soon taking his leave.


    The techpanies under Ste''s control had enough influence to sway the globalndscape. Building a connection with someone like her could only bring benefits—never drawbacks. Besides, Ste was buying in at market price. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn''t a loss.


    After he left, Ste frowned slightly.


    The Pearce Group wasn''t on the same level as the Williams Group, but backed by the Solmaris government, acquiring a 20% stake was no small feat. Ste had plenty of resources at her disposal, but her cash flow was limited.


    Selling off any of her original shares was out of the question.


    After thinking it through, Ste decided to reach out to Lauretta and Antoney Watson for help.


    Lauretta, though she''d studied fine arts, had also made a name for herself in trading and investment. As the heiress of the Chapman family, she had both the means and thework to make things happen. By now, she was something of a young tycoon in her own right.


    Lauretta didn''t hesitate for a second after hearing Ste''s request.


    She did a quick mental tally of her liquid assets. Most of her money was tied up in investments and couldn''t be cashed out quickly.


    Her voice was gentle over the


    phone. “Sorry, Star. Personally, I can pull together about fifty million, but if


    I borrow from my parents and


    I probably get another


    brother, ca


    fifty so a hundred million inst


    total.


    that enough? If you need more, let


    me know and I''ll find a way."


    belongs to s


    Ste replied, "That should be plenty. I''ll ask my mentor for a bit more if I need it,


    but this should cover most of it."


    A hundred million was no small sum,


    butpared to what was needed for a stake in the Pearce Group, it


    still felt short. Still, Ste knew this was the most Lauretta conte


    possibly offer right now.


    belongs to s


    Lauretta, unaware that Ste was aiming for the Pearce Group, assumed it was


    just a smallpany Ste wanted to acquire.


    "All right. And if you need anything else, call me anytime."


    After hanging up, Ste dialed Antoney.


    She and Antoney had grown up together-there was nothing to hide between them.


    As soon as he heard her request, Antoney said, "I''ll speak to my father and see how much liquid capital the Watson family can make avable right now."


    Ste said "Don''t push yourself, and don''t put Mr. Watson on the spots! can always ask Mr Burton and Neville Connolly for help if Ie up short."  s<fnca74> Chapters first released on FindN()vel</fnca74>


    "I know," Antoney replied.


    When the call ended, Ste noticed Haynes watching her in silence.


    His gaze was deep and steady, like a moonlitke at midnight, tinged with the


    faintest ripple of tenderness.


    He rarely looked at her so intently.


    Ste''s eyes flickered, and she instinctively turned away.


    "Thank you for what you did earlier," she said quietly.


    Haynes''s voice was calm and clear. "There''s no need to thank me. It''s what I


    should do. It''s the least I owe you."