<b>Chapter </b><b>486 </b>
<b>Carmen </b>clenched her fists <b>tightly </b>and thought, Damn it. Does Aubree really have to go out of her <b>way </b>to mess with me?
What project doesn’t have risks? Is <b>she </b>really <b>so </b>scared I’ll get the funding that she has to blow BeeShare’s ws way out of proportion?
At an event like this, Aubree, the young entrepreneur who <b>always </b>seemed to seed at whatever she did, had real influence. In the investment world at the moment, even if Bowen showed up, his words might not carry as much weight as hers.
Aubree wasn’t just making baseless ims. She had hard data and solid analysis to back her up. Every question she threw out was a real issue that BeeShare was struggling with, and Garmen couldn’t answer a single one.
Carmen’s heart raced with panic. The slow <b>user </b>growth of BeeShare <b>was </b>the <b>biggest </b>problem right now.
She’d tried <b>every </b>marketing channel she could think of, but no matter how good her pitch <b>was</b>, it couldn’tpete with real discounts. In the end, her only option was to seek funding and use the money to solve current issues.
She’d deliberately kept these <b>ws </b>under wraps during her presentation, just to make the project look more appealing to investors.
But now, Aubree had cruelly dragged all those rotten <b>ws </b>out into the sunlight, letting their stench fill the <b>air </b>and making everyone <b>want </b>to stay far
away.
Aubree watched her with a faint, leisurely smile, her gaze a clear provocation. Carmen’s mind went nk as anger surged straight to her head. She snatched up the microphone, ready to fire back.
“Carmen!” Just <b>as </b>she was about <b>to </b>speak, Bryan’s <b>low</b>,manding voice cut through the <b>air </b>from the audience.
Carmen snapped back to her <b>senses</b>.
Bryan locked eyes with Aubree. “Ms. Miller, the issues you’ve raised are exactly what our project team is working hard to address.
“No sess happens overnight, and every investmentes with its risks<b>. </b>You’ve pointed out all the downsides, so why not look at the potential if this project seeds<b>? </b>
“It’s undeniable that when the discounts are the same, most people tend to choose electric bikes. In this market, electric bikes have <b>a </b><b>real </bpetitive advantage.
“To be upfront, in response to the price–cutting tactics from bike–sharingpanies, Wilson Group already has some preliminary solutions.
“If any investors want to take a deeper look at our project, feel free to talk to us after the event. For now, let’s give the <b>stage </b>back to the other young dreamers<b>.” </b>
Bryan really was experienced in the business world. He knew exactly what to say to turn the tide, helping those who’d been shaken by Aubree’s words regain their confidence.
Still, most people sided with Aubree. BeeShare looked like it was hanging by <i>a </i>thread.
Carmen stepped down from the stage, her expression uneasy.
“Bryan, I…” she started.
“Keep your cool,” Bryan cut her off, not interested in hearing any exnations. He shot her a warning nce<b>. </b>
Carmen bit her lip. She’d almost lost control and started arguing with Aubree. If Bryan hadn’t cut her off, she would have yed right into Aubree’s hands and ended up looking like <b>a </b>scammer just making excuses.
‘She’s totallying after me, Carmen thought.
Carmen’s eyes <b>grew </b>heavy. She wondered if Aubree was scared of her potential.
“Oliver, what are you staring at?” Elizabeth gave Oliver a puzzled look.
Only then did Oliver finally drag his eyes away from Aubree. In a ce like this, she was so radiant it was almost blinding, like she could outshine everyone in the room.
She was so calm and collected, looking like she had the whole game in her hands. It was enough to make Carmen lose her cool and even forced Bryan to step in just to keep things from spiraling out of control.
Oliver thought, <b>‘</b>Aubree, huh?
‘Rithol City really is more interesting than I expected:
“<b>It’s </b>nothing,” he said indifferently<b>, </b>casting a brief nce at Elizabeth.
2:35 PM
“Carmen’s having trouble securing investment right now. That must be affecting your ns, right?” Oliver asked.
Elizabeth let out a helpless sigh. “Of course.
I’ve decided to invest in Carmen’s project under the Lawson Group’s name. That should help bring in some other investors as well”
Oliver nodded.
After the dinner ended. Vincent had to leave suddenly for an emergency. Aubree told her driver to take him, so she stayed behind to wait for a bit.
She’d nned to just grab a <b>taxi </b>home, but totally overlooked the fact that everyone at this event had their own car. No <b>taxis </b>would evere out this <b>way </b>
It was alreadyte, and it would take a while for her driver to circle back and pick her up.
She lowered her head and sent a message to Bowen.
She sent an emoji of a pitiful kitten.
Bowen: [Where’d this scruffy little kittene from?<b>] </b>
Aubree: [Looks like I’m about to be a stray cat.]
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