"Quickly, Sophia! Kelly Kingston only gave us ten minutes. Amelia grabbed Sophia''s hand and hurried her toward the hall.


    Earlier, Amelia had persuaded one of the board executives to dy Kelly''s departure, convincing her to wait just a few more minutes.


    Now, as they entered the hall, Kelly was already preparing to leave.


    "Miss Kingston!" Sophia called out urgently.


    "My grandmother wanted me to inform you that I''ve been appointed CEO of Lancaster Group. I''ll be handling the partnership with Kingston Group directly. We hope you''ll consider giving us another chance."


    Kelly turned, "Wel, if you''re personally managing Lancaster Group as CEO, then there''s no issue. But let me be clear-if anyone else steps in, the deal is off."


    "This partnership isn''t a game where you can ce just anyone in charge withoutpetence." Her gaze shifted sharply toward Amelia and the Lancaster team, a clear warning evident.


    "Thank you so much, Miss Kingston," Sophia said sincerely.


    It almost felt as though Kingston Group was more supportive of her than her own family.


    Kelly smiled softly. "This was actually Mr. Alfred Kingston''s idea. We''ll fully support you as long as you remain at the helm of Lancaster Group. And if you ever decide to leave, we''d be more than happy to have you as a CEO at one of ourpanies. Think it over."


    Sophia''s heart raced with a mix of bewilderment and gratitude. "Thank you for your kindness. I''ll do my utmost to ensure our partnership is a sess."


    Amelia, visibly relieved, quickly added, "I apologize for any earlier misunderstandings. Would it be possible to make a partnership announcement on stage? We''d like everyone in Vancouver to see that our alliance is stronger than ever."


    "Not a problem," Kelly replied with a nod. "Please, go ahead."


    The master of ceremonies took the cue, promptly announcing that the main event would proceed.


    Sophia took a deep breath, steadying herself as the crowd buzzed and the bright lights illuminated the stage.


    The atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted instantly. Guests exchanged impressed nces.


    Securing a partnership with Kingston was no small feat, and everyone recognized the significance.


    As the guests settled back into their seats, Amelia took the stage, holding Sophia''s hand firmly.


    "I sincerely apologize for any earlier confusion. That was my oversight. Sophia here is the most outstanding member of our Lancaster Group. Thanks to her dedication and hard work, we''ve secured this wonderful partnership with Kingston. She''s truly aplished something remarkable."


    At the back of the hall, Alex observed the scene, watching the polite exchange and shared vision between the twopanies.


    Lyra approached him, a ss of wine in hand. "Here, have your drink," she said softly.


    "Thanks," Alex replied, taking the ss as Lyra stood beside him.


    After a moment of silence, she couldn''t resist asking, "Aren''t you curious about the progress of your investment?"


    4


    "Has it been a month already?" Alex raised an eyebrow, ncing at her.


    "Not yet, just a few weeks."


    "Then I''m not asking," he said, his gaze returning to the stage.


    Lyra studied him intently, feeling a slight flutter of nerves,


    This man had entrusted her with $35 million to invest-yet he didn''t seem the least


    bit interested in checking on


    1. it.


    "Do you trust me that much?" she asked quietly."


    "Trust?" Alex chuckled lightly. "We haven''t reached that point-not even close."


    "Then why don''t you seem to care about the money?"


    Alex looked at her, a hint of impatience in his eyes. "It''s only $35 million. Why


    should I worry about small change like that?"


    Lyra felt a mix of astonishment and skepticism.


    "What if I lose this $35 million investment?" she pressed carefully.


    Then it would reflect on your capabilities," he replied calmly.


    His response took her aback-Alex genuinely didn''t seem concerned about the money.


    She took a deep breath, biting her lip before asking, "How much money would it take to get your attention?"


    "Billions, perhaps," Alex shrugged, his gaze drifting back to the front, seemingly unfazed.


    Lyra stared at him, resisting the urge to call him out for boasting. But his expression was serious, making her wonder if he truly meant it.


    ''Could he be for real?''


    Suddenly, she gripped his arm, her breaths fast and shallow


    Alex nced at her, puzzled. "Is everything alright?"


    "I''m... having an orgasm," Lyra breathed, biting her lip.


    Alex''s eyes


    went wide. This woman clearly had a screw loose.


    After a deep, trembling breath, she spoke again. "Have you heard of chrometophilia?"


    Alex knew exactly what she meant.


    Chrometophilia an intense attraction to wealth, even to the point of arousal at the


    thought of it.


    For some, financial security could be a powerful fantasy, a real source of pleasure.


    Lyra''s gaze was unfocused, her breathing still heavy. "Alex, when you said ''billions''... it was really, really sexy."


    Alex rolled his eyes. This woman was something else.


    "Alex, would you ever give me a billion?" she asked, her voice dropping to a breathless whisper.


    "Depends."


    "Depends on what?" Lyra asked eagerly,


    Alex thought for a moment. He had everything he needed except reliable talent.


    "Depends on how good you are at handling money," he said finally.


    Lyra''s grip on his arm tightened. "Your $35 million? I''ve already turned it into $45 million in less than a month. What do you think?"


    "Not bad," Alex shrugged.


    "So... would you give me a billion?" Lyra pressed, her eyes gleaming with hope.


    "No," Alex replied with a faint smirk.


    "But I might increase my investment to see just how good you really are with money."


    To Lyra, his words were pure ecstasy. Her heart raced, breaths shallow.


    She felt herself growing aroused again, keenly aware of her own attraction to


    wealth.


    She couldn''t deny it-she had a serious case of chrometophilia.


    Raised by a bribery-reliant, politically powerful father and a controlling, investment-savvy mother, she lost everything when her father''s alliances failed, leaving her with an intense attraction to wealth as a symbol of power, security, and lost stability.


    "Alex," Lyra purred, her voice a soft whisper, "they say money isn''t the most important thing-love is. Lucky for me, I''m hopelessly in love with money. Trust me; yours is in good hands."


    Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer. "I''ll do anything to make you happy. Just give me amand... and let your money lead the way."