Chapter 70 Attend The Bidding Event


    The next morning, Corrine left the Ford Mansion and headed straight to the bidding event for thend in the southern district of the city.


    On the way, Natasha briefed her on the itinerary, her voice steady and professional, when a sudden ring interrupted from the phone in her pocket.


    Natasha nced at the screen, noting the unfamiliar number. Her brows. drew together slightly as she answered, speaking in a polite but detached. tone. "Hello, this is Natasha."


    "Good morning, Miss Dixon." Bruce''s voice filtered through, smooth and confident. "This is Bruce Ashton from Ashton Group. I''d like to arrange a personal meeting with Miss Hond. Is there a time that works for her?"


    Natasha didn''t pause before responding, her tone calm yet firm, "I''m sorry, Mr. Ashton, but Miss Hond is currently unavable and will remain so


    indefinitely."


    Her words carried an unmistakable finality.


    Any astute listener would understand the underlying message-Ford Group''s new CEO had no intention of granting him an audience.


    On the other end, Bruce''s features tightened. His previouslyposed demeanor shifted, irritation ring at Natasha''s unyielding response.


    Knowing his opponent was necessary for him to defeat them. It was a rule Bruce lived by. For days, he had been quietly digging into the identity of Ford Group''s newly appointed CEO.


    Ford


    And yet, all his efforts had yielded nothing but a single, frustrating detail


    the CEO was a woman with the surname Hond.


    Even the exorbitant amount he spent obtaining a photo of her had been wasted. Hisputer Inexplicably crashed with a virus before he could open the file.


    Now, with no other options, he had decided on a direct approach.


    He intended to meet her, to gauge her confidence in acquiring thend, and


    perhaps even discuss a coboration if his own bid fell through.


    But Natasha''s curt dismissal derailed his n. Still, Bruce''s tone remained measured, though his grip on the phone tightened. "Miss Nizon, I genuinely hope


    to meet with Miss Hond, Surely, you can help facilitate thin?


    "Apologies, but I cannot assist you," Natasha cut in, her voice resolute.


    She ended the call without giving him another moment to speak.


    The abrupt disconnection left Bruce staring at the phone in disbelief, his jaw tightening. A cold shadow crossed his expression, and the air in the car seemed to drop several degrees.


    His assistant, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally gathered the courage to speak, his voice timid. "Mr. Ashton, we''ve arrived."


    Bruce lifted his gaze, his dark eyes narrowing into sharp, cutting slits as they locked on his assistant, who fidgeted nervously in the front seat. "Did we manage


    to uncover anything worthwhile about Ford Group?" His tone was t, devoid of warmth, yet it carried a weight that demanded an


    answer.


    Bruce had noted that the only real threat in this bidding war was Ford Group.


    In status, in capital, Ashton Group could not match their power.


    But thisnd was non-negotiable.


    The assistant, wilting under Bruce''s cold stare, swallowed audibly and stammered, "A-All I know is that Miss Hond, the mysterious CEO of Ford Group, is attending in person.....”


    “Hah!” Bruce''sugh was low and humorless, his lips curving into a smirk that didn''t reach his eyes. He raised his chin slightly, fingers moving with a practiced ease as he buttoned his tailored jacket. "Mysterious or not, we''ll see what kind of person she really is soon enough."


    Without waiting for a response, he swung the car door open and stepped out with an air of unshakable confidence.


    The minutes ticked by, and Corrine arrived at the venue just in time, slipping in a mere five minutes before the bidding was set tomence.


    By then, most of the attendees had already taken their seats, the room abuzz with murmured conversations and curious nces aimed at Ford Group''s section. Preferring to avoid the spotlight, Corrine chose a seat in a shadowed, unassuming corner, her movements graceful but deliberate.


    Today, every gaze seemed to linger on Ford Group''s reserved seating. All eyes were drawn to the possibility of glimpsing the elusive Miss Hond, the figure who had stirred so much intrigue.