?Chapter 497:


    udius was utterly at a loss. In his lifelong reign as the Cooper Group’s golden heir, never had he weathered such a barrage of rejection in a single afternoon!


    And for what? A contract that industry professionals would have crawled through broken ss to secure! Yet here they stood — unmoved, unimpressed, and utterly indifferent to the opportunity he dangled before them.


    Rooted to the spot, udius felt the first genuine flicker of self-doubt creep into his consciousness. What on earth went wrong?


    He nced at Maia, unwilling to give up, but before he could say anything, his gaze drifted desperately toward her. His mind scrambled for another approach, but before he could gather his thoughts, Chris’ voice sliced through the tension.


    “Everyone clearly hasmitments elsewhere. Perhaps we should conclude this meeting.”


    udius’ fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as he shot daggers at Chris with his eyes.


    Chris, unfazed, met udius’ re with a smile that dripped with false helpfulness. “udius, that scowl doesn’t suit you. Remember, there’s still the third-cepetitor waiting in the wings. Why not direct your generous offer her way?”


    A palpable silence descended upon the room.


    udius’ features twisted with barely contained fury.


    Sign Mnie? Impossible!


    If he dared bring Mnie under Ark Technology’s umbre — much less cultivate her talent — Hurst would likely storm his corporate headquarters in a blind rage.


    The mere thought of Hurst’s perpetual scowl andbative personality sent an unpleasant shiver crawling across udius’ scalp. And what of thevish…


    The celebration dinner he’d arranged? With both the champion and runner-up conspicuously absent, the event would be nothing but a hollow charade.


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    Tension crackled through the air on stage like static electricity.


    Maia broke the ufortable silence with a smile that was politeness personified, her voice a study in gracious finality. “Thank you for your kind offer today, Mr. Cooper. If our business here is concluded, Ethan and I must be on our way.”


    With these words, she gently sped Ethan’s hand in hers.


    Ethan cast one final, lingering nce at udius before yielding to his sister’s gentle guidance.


    udius stood frozen in disbelief, his hand rising instinctively to halt their departure. Yet before his gesture could fully form, Maia had already steered Ethan away with purposeful strides, her movements fluid and decisive, betraying not a moment’s hesitation or regret.


    Witnessing their exit, Chris slipped his hands into his pockets with casual indifference and sauntered after them.


    Marisa had settled in, eager to witness the unfolding spectacle, but Maxwell seized her elbow and steered her toward the exit. “Time to make ourselves scarce! If we’ve declined his invitation, lingering here sends mixed signals — he might think you’re reconsidering.”


    Thus, Maxwell and Marisa made their hasty departure as well. udius stood on the empty stage, somewhat lost.


    When in his charmed existence had he ever encountered such aprehensive rejection?


    But… it didn’t matter.


    After all, the sweetest victories were those hard-won against formidable odds. The same principle applied to people.


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