<b>Chapter </b><b>368 </b>
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Aubree brought up the second round of investment. “When Ist met with Mr. Marchuk, I had already decided to partner with Poison.”
Dmytro asked, “Poison? They’re an emerce tform that started around the same time as you. Can they even invest in you?”
“That’s why it’s a partnership,” Aubree exined.
She mentioned this to Dmytro deliberately, with a little scheme of her own.
Poison specialized in trendy streetwear, targeting mostly the younger demographic. Though the “low–price tag seems directed at middle–aged and lower–ie groups, it appealed to young people too. For example, college students.
Aubree had done market research on college students. Compared to expensive<b>, </b>shy products, most college students prefer something cost–effective and budget–friendly.
Partnering with Poison would beplementary for both sides.
Hearing that it <b>was </b>a partnership, Dmytro’s interest <b>was </b>piqued. Judging from the current data of GrabCheap, the business was profitable, and not just by a little.
He asked, “You guys<b>… </b>still need more investment?”
Aubree replied, “<b>Yes</b><b>. </b>We estimate that we’ll need billions of dors, maybe <b>even </b>over tens of billions of dors in further investment.” That amount wasn’t small, even for a giant like Manchotech Group.
Dmytro hesitated slightly. “We want to continue investing, but that’s not <b>a </b>small number<b>. </b>I’ll need to discuss with Mr. Marchuk. I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow at the <btest</b>.”
Although he said that, Dmytro <b>was </b>confident. With the current data from GrabCheap, talking to Tryfon would just be <i>a </i>formality. He’d definitely approve it.
“Okay,” Aubree agreed readily.
After hanging up, Aubree calcted silently and smiled. The GrabCheap project had more or less matured. Everything she’d prepared beforehand was leading up to this moment.
She had indeed sunk and lost quite a bit of money along the way, but that <b>was </b>all part of the <b>process</b>.
Once the partnership was confirmed and Manchotech’s moneynded, it would mark yet another leap for Bree Technology.
Time flew by, and soon it was the day Trevor <b>received </b>his award. He had be the youngest <b>Best </b>Actor. The Golden Flower Award was a prestigious domestic film award, and winning it positioned him to pursue international opportunities.
The awards ceremony was <b>star</b>–studded. Everyone on the <b>red </b>carpet looked polished and morous.
Trevor walked the red carpet alongside a <b>well</b><b>–</b><b>established </b><b>veteran </b>actor. Though not <b>as </b>popr as Trevor, the senior’s credentials were undisputed.
Soon, it was time for Trevor to take the <b>stage</b>,
After the host announced his name, the program followed <b>its </b><b>process </b>by showing a highlight reel of his award–winning performance.
The screen cked out momentarily, with the lighting dimming to match. Then, <b>the </b>unexpected happened. When the lights came back on, everyone saw that someone had suddenly appeared in the center <b>of </b>the stage.
Some recognized her, others were stunned. All eyes turned to Trevor.
When Trevor recognized the person who had appeared on stage, his expression instantly darkened.
“Look at her belly!” someone gasped. Trevor, sitting close by, heard it and nced over. His face went from stormy to pale.
Even though the woman on stage was wearing loose clothes, her baby bump was obvious. She was clearly over four months along.
11/3
The reporters and <b>the </b>live <b>broadcast </b><b>team </b>didn’t care who might be embarrassed by this. They only knew this was big <b>news</b>. With the event being broadcast live, the audience at home <b>saw </b>everything clearly too.
<b>“</b>Isn’t that Sophia Hunt? She’s pregnant?<b>” </b>someone blurted out.
Trevor clenched his <b>jaw</b><b>, </b>quickly calcting the odds that the baby could be his. The math wasn’t in his favor. The likelihood was very high.
The only other slim chance <b>was </b>that after they broke up, Sophia had hooked up with some other guy, gotten herself pregnant, and <b>was </b>now trying to set him up.
Trevor hoped it was the <btter</b><b>, </b>even if it meant he’d been cheated on.
On stage, Sophia <b>rested </b>her hand on her belly, her <b>face </b>lightly made–up with just a hint <b>of </b>vulnerability. “I’m pregnant,” she
said.
There <b>was </b>a microphone on <b>stage</b>. The organizers knew this was a breaking <b>news </b>moment and intentionally didn’t cut her mic<b>. </b>
Her simple sentence dropped like a bomb<b>, </b>sending shockwaves through the venue.
The crowd began murmuring. Some of Trevor’s <b>closer </b>acquaintances leaned in, whispering, <b>“</b>Could it be yours<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Trevor’s face was grim, his expression unreadable. “We broke up a while ago.” He <b>was </b>denying it.
But what he said didn’t matter. What Sophia would <b>say </b>next did. “Trevor, are you really going to abandon your child?”
The entire awards hall erupted.
It was a live broadcast. Not only <b>was </b>the audience at the venue stunned, but onlinement sections were in uproar.
[What’s going on? Sophia and <b>Trevor</b>?]
[There were rumors about them before, but didn’t his studio deny it?]
[Sophia hasn’t shown up in a while, it was because she <b>was </b>pregnant!]
[Wait, how did she get in here?<b>] </b>
Trevor’s face darkened further. The camera cut to him, so he forced himself to adjust his expression. “Sophia, maybe there’s some misunderstanding? Come down first. Let’s <b>talk </b>after the ceremony, alright?”
Sophia looked at him directly. “The baby <b>is </b>yours. I didn’t want to bother you. I was ready to leave the industry and raise the child on my own. But why did you treat me like this<b>?</b><b>” </b>
She continued, “I <b>saw </b><b>what’s </b>going on between you and Milena online. <b>Based </b>on the timeline, you got with her right after we broke up, didn’t you? Did you ever love me?”
As if on cue, the screen that had been showing highlights from Trevor’s award–winning performance suddenly switched to a medical report. It clearly stated that Trevor <b>was </b>the biological father of Sophia’s baby.
Sophia said, “I had it tested. If I <b>wasn’t </b>sure <b>it </b><b>was </b>yours, I wouldn’t have shown up like this<b>.” </b>
[Damn! Sophia is savage!]
[Could she be telling the truth? This <b>is </b>wild.]
[Wasn’t Milena that obsessive fan who stalked Trevor?]
[Judging by Trevor’s face, there’s definitely more to the story.]
Trevor was panicking inside. But no matter how flustered he <b>was</b><b>, </b>he didn’t show it. He had to manage the situation.
“Sophia, we broke up on good terms. I had no idea you were pregnant, and I’m not sure what you want bying here now. But no matter what, the baby is innocent. Why don’t you step off the stage for now? Let’s talk after the ceremony, alright?” he said, keeping his voice as gentle as possible.
But Sophia’s sudden appearance raised eyebrows. Trevor’s admission that they had been in a rtionship only added to the
buzz. Given his high–profile status, it made people question her intentions.
Seeing the security guards moving in, Sophia knew not to push her luck. “Alright, we’ll talk after this,” she said.
The host breathed a sigh of <b>relief </b>and quickly had <b>staff </b>escort her off the <b>stage</b>.
But no matter what, Sophia had already achieved her <b>goal</b>. Wh