?Chapter 81:


    Facing a banquet hall full of unfamiliar faces, Ste stood poised and unflinching. Her gaze swept across the crowd at an even pace, her lips curved in a polite smile as she nodded to those who met her eyes.


    Every inch of her radiated quiet confidence.


    She stood tall and unhurried, allowing others to take her in.


    For years, she’d yed the part of Marc Walsh’s wife—a life of dinner parties and social niceties reced with domestic routines. She’d wondered if those years had dulled her ability to navigate a room like this.


    But the moment she walked in, she realized she hadn’t lost her touch. There was no anxiety, no hesitation. Just a calm, grounded certainty that she belonged. That she would shine.


    Beforeing, she had done her homework on the SummitRise Group and the man at the center of it all—Steven Harrison.


    Young, aplished, and rarely seen on home soil after years abroad. It didn’t take long to spot him. Even in this sea of designer suits and polite ambition, he stood out.


    ss of champagne in hand, Ste made her way to him, heels clicking softly across the marble.


    “Mr. Harrison,” she greeted with a soft but steady voice. “I’m Ste, representing Neb.”


    Steven had already noticed her when she entered, but now that she introduced herself, his brow arched. “‘Neb’? And which Neb would that be?”


    Thepany was new—still carving out its ce—so the question didn’t surprise her.


    Without missing a beat, she offered him aposed smile and calmly pitched thepany. “Neb is a promising youngpany, Mr. Harrison. And if you give us a chance to coborate, I’m confident we’ll exceed your expectations.”


    He swirled the wine in his ss, amused. “Everyone here represents apany. What makes you think you’ll do better than the rest?”


    “I understand thepetition,” Ste said calmly. “But I’ve studied your project specs, yourpany’s vision, and your needs for this particr coboration. They align…”


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    “Seamlessly with what we offer. If you give us the chance, I’m confident our first proposal will meet your expectations.”


    Steven gave her a slow, intrigued look. “That’s quite a im.”


    Meeting his expectations with the first proposal wasn’t going to be easy. She gave a small smile. “I have great confidence in ourpany’s professional capabilities.”


    Still, Steven felt the need to ground her. “You’re young, Ms. Russell. It’s good to be bold. But overconfidence tends to lead to a harder fall.”


    Ste didn’t flinch. “Confidence backed by ability isn’t arrogance. Let me put it this way: if our proposal doesn’t pass, Neb willpensate SummitRise financially. No strings, no second chances. And we’ll also provide global-grade technical support.”


    The air between them shifted. Steven’s ss stopped mid-swish. He stared at her for a moment, surprised. No one in the room had made that kind of offer—especially not from a startup.


    The financialpensation would be huge, and she was offering it if the proposal failed, without even needing a second chance.


    He met her gaze again, this time more seriously.


    She wasn’t bluffing. Her eyes held no trace of doubt. Just rity. After a long pause, Steven nodded. “Since you’re that confident, I’ll give you the opportunity, Ms. Russell.”


    Ste’s smile deepened. “Thank you. I promise—you won’t be disappointed.”


    Steven studied her quietly for a moment longer, a spark of genuine admiration in his eyes.


    No wonder William had sent her. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was sharp, articte, and bold.


    Her negotiation style was nothing short of elegant.


    She was… interesting.


    He could see why she had William’s attention.


    As they continued talking, a voice interrupted them from the side.


    “Mr. Harrison.”


    Ste’s eyes flickered. She turned her head slowly, unsurprised.


    Marc and Haley. She knew this moment woulde eventually.


    Now that she was back, crossing paths with Marc was inevitable. But seeing him now… it felt distant. Hollow. They were nothing more than strangers.


    Marc and Haley stood together in matching attire—Haley clinging to Marc’s arm like a prized essory.


    “Mr. Harrison, long time no see,” she said sweetly.


    Marc offered a practiced smile.


    Six months ago, Haley had used her connections in Achury to help bail out the Walsh Group.


    Now, with SummitRiseunching a new energy project, Walsh Group was eager to get a foot in the door. Haley’s familiarity with Steven had been their entry point—and she was making full use of it.


    Steven gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Ms. Smith. And this is…”


    Haley smiled. “This is Marc Walsh, CEO of Walsh Group in Choria. He heard about your bid and came to take a look.”


    Marc was just about to introduce himselfy out his pitch—when his eyes fell on the woman beside Steven.


    A silver gown. Slender frame. That face.


    Marc froze.


    His heart clenched.


    It was her.


    In that moment, Marc’s mind short-circuited—business, Haley, everything just disappeared. He rushed forward, grabbing Ste’s hand like a drowning man clinging to driftwood.


    “Stel… it’s really you.” His voice cracked with disbelief. “I knew it. I knew you weren’t dead. You’ve forgiven me, right? That’s why you’re here… right?”


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