Johnny''s gaze was cold as he eyed Mandy, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Everypany thates to bid has already put in the legwork. If Gilbert Corporation really fits the bill, you wouldn''t need to hunt me down-we''de to you."


    He paused, checked his watch with a hint of impatience, and added, "Sorry, but I''m in a rush."


    With that, Johnny turned and reached for the passenger side door handle.


    Mandy, sensing his impatience, knew she couldn''t let this chance slip by. She stepped forward, blocking the car door. "Johnny, please, just a moment."


    Johnny''s hand froze, his brows furrowing in irritation.


    Mandy, who usually mingled with the social elite, rarely dealt with officials. Facing Johnny, she felt a tremor of intimidation, struggling to keep herposure.


    "I just want to understand," Mandy began, her voice tinged with desperation. "You seemed quite interested in Gilbert Corporation before. What''s changed? If it was my... misstep that offended you, I apologize right now."


    Johnny found her words somewhat amusing. "When did I ever give Gilbert Corporation the impression that I was interested?"


    Mandy was taken aback, recalling something her husband had mentioned. "Didn''t you say Gilbert Corporation warranted a closer look?"


    To her, a closer look meant potential opportunities.


    Johnny finally understood the confusion and smirked. "Maybe you misunderstood what ''closer look'' means, Mrs. Gilbert."


    After a brief pause, Johnny decided to be frank. "It could have been an


    opportunity for Gilbert Corporation, but unfortunately..."


    He chuckled and shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished.


    Mandy''s breath caught. "...Because I handed you my card?"


    Johnny''s gaze was clear and deliberate as he adjusted his cuffs, offering no


    answer.


    Feeling the weight of the moment, Mandy pressed on. "Then why was Gilbert Corporation singled out for a closer look?"


    Thinking of his earlier interaction with Mirabe, Johnny replied casually, "Oh, that might have been a misunderstanding."


    "A misunderstanding? What do you mean?" Mandy was desperate for answers.


    Johnny chuckled lightly and shook his head, choosing not to drag Mirabe into it. Since the confusion involved only him and Owen, there was no need to cause Mirabe unnecessary trouble.


    Without further exnation, Johnny opened the car door, slid into the seat, and signaled the driver to go.


    As the car drove away, Mandy stood there, unable to ask more. She remained in ce long after the car had vanished. It wasn''t until the Gilbert family chauffeur arrived and opened the door for her that she snapped back to reality. The deferential way he waited for her to get in sparked a chilling thought in Mandy''s mind.


    The way Johnny had treated her just now... it was eerily simr to how her own driver was behaving...


    That''s all for today, see you tomorrow! Stay tuned for a burst of updates on the 29th as this writer works diligently back at the keyboard-