Violet cast a cool nce at McNeil and noticed he was still sitting motionless, showing no sign of wanting to speak with Stein.


    In the audience, McNeil was quietly sizing up Stein as well.


    There was something oddly familiar about the man''s face.


    But Stein was from Evermore City, and McNeil had only dealt with a handful of people from there-most of them in their fifties, none as young as this major general.


    He was certain he''d never met Stein before.


    Violet gently nudged his arm.


    "McNeil."


    Yulia, sitting beside them, was getting impatient too. The endless stream of questions from the audience had been going on for half an hour, with no sign of letting up as more hands shot up.


    Atst, the moderator had to step in.


    "That''s all for today. If you have further questions, please submit them in writing to the organizers, and we''ll make sure they reach Mr. Campbell."


    With the organizers and his own security detail shielding him, Stein prepared to leave.


    McNeil stood up and strode straight toward him.


    Violet hurried to catch up.


    "Mr. Campbell-"


    McNeil called out, and Stein''s bodyguards immediately moved to block his approach.


    "Let him through," Stein said, his voice low andmanding.


    Violet wanted to follow McNeil, but was firmly held back by security.


    Frustrated, she could only wait anxiously on the sidelines.


    The event coordinator, unwilling to offend McNeil, rushed over to introduce him.


    "Mr. Campbell, this is Mr. Langford from The Langford Group the one we mentioned earlier."


    Stein looked at McNeil, his gaze cold and impassive.


    McNeil extended his hand. "Mr. Campbell."


    Stein stared right at him, didn''t move, and made no gesture to shake hands.


    "Is there something you need, Mr. Langford?"


    Seeing Stein wasn''t interested in a handshake, McNeil calmly lowered his hand.


    "I hoped to discuss some business matters, and perhaps get your view on a few things."


    Stein studied him for a moment, then asked ndly, "Are you married, Mr. Langford?"


    He fixed McNeil with a piercing stare.


    McNeil recognized the question. It was the same one he''d heard the day he rescued Victoria-the same man Victoria was living with.


    Well, what a coincidence.


    "Does my marital status have anything to do with our business cooperation?" McNeil replied, a hint of irony in his tone.


    Stein''s eyes grew even colder.


    "I''m a soldier, Mr. Langford. I value family above all. A man who''s responsible at home can be trusted to serve his country. If you can''t meet that standard, there''s nothing for us to discuss."


    With that, Stein turned and walked off, giving McNeil no further opportunity.


    Once the crowd had swept Stein out of the hall, Violet was finally able to approach McNeil.


    "What did Mr. Campbell say to you? Is he willing to meet with us?"


    McNeil watched Stein''s retreating figure, the trace of a smile ying at his lips.


    "No."


    Violet felt numb. She''d asked Simms to develop a drone project to track F1 drivers''p times, hoping that, with McNeil''s help, they could secure a military contract. The profits for Golden Era Enterprises would be enormous.


    Simms had agreed right away, and Violet was confident-she never expected that even McNeil''s influence wouldn''t sway Stein.


    She could hardly believe it. "Why? Doesn''t The Langford Group-or Golden Era Enterprises-measure up in his eyes?"


    She''d just asked the organizers about the supposed V&S Group; it was a no- namepany, barely two weeks old, clearly just here to fill a seat.


    In Starfall City, if Stein didn''t pick one of the three leadingpanies, there really weren''t any other contenders.


    McNeil gave a faint, almost amused smile.


    "Mr. Campbell... just doesn''t think I''m good enough."