?Chapter 539:


    As she turned to leave the lounge, something urred to her, and she nced back. “I haven’t caught your name yet.”


    Business was business—and exchanging names was a gesture of good faith.


    “Rutherford Schoenberg,” he replied, still smiling. “Pleasure to meet you, Sylvia.”


    Ste gave a small nod. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Schoenberg. Goodbye.”


    That same afternoon, Ste sealed the deal and signed the contract. Rutherford promised that the equipment would be shipped out that day and should arrive at the institute by the next.


    Back in the office, his assistant looked stunned after hearing what had just happened. “Mr. Schoenberg… you really gave her that equipment?”


    Hadn’t all domestic authorizations already been finalized?


    Rutherford thought of Sylvia’s bright eyes and quietly chuckled. “It’s equipment. It’s meant to be used. She made a bet with me. Whether she wins or loses, I’m not losing anything. It’s rare toe across someone that interesting—it’s worth ying along.”


    The assistant looked like something had just clicked in his mind. “Are you… interested in that woman?”


    Rutherford didn’t deny it. Lately, his family had been hounding him to get married—said he wasn’t getting any younger and should start settling down and taking more control of thepany.


    But the well-breddies they’d introduced him to? All nd and predictable. Sylvia, though, had caught his eye in a way no one else had. For the first time in a long while, someone had actually sparked his interest.


    The next morning, Ste arrived at the institute early and saw a group of people crowding around Nina in the lobby. Nina stood there in a white dress, catching everyone’s attention.


    “Nina, did you really get the equipment?” someone asked in surprise.


    “That’s amazing! You got it in just one day? So fast,” another added.


    Your escape begins with g?lnσν???s?????m


    Just like the day before, Nina answered softly, “The distributor agreed to provide it.”


    The crowd broke into excited cheers. “Nina, you’re awesome!”


    “You always get things done, Nina. Not like certain people around here who act all important just because they’ve got some connections. Honestly, the way they carry themselves is just in annoying.”


    A few othersughed and nodded in agreement.


    Ste ignored the chatter, pulled out her phone, and called Rutherford. They’d exchanged numbers yesterday, but she hadn’t thought she would be using it so soon.


    Rutherford didn’t pick up, but right after the call ended, he texted her. “Sorry, Ms. Gilbert. I’m in a meeting at the moment. Is it something urgent?”


    Ste replied right away, “Mr. Schoenberg, has the equipment you mentioned yesterday been delivered yet?”


    “Yes, I sent someone over with itst night. It should be getting there any moment now.”


    Ste found it strange and asked again, “Only one unit was sent to our institute?”


    Her brows furrowed, clearly puzzled. If Rutherford had arranged the delivery, then who had sent the equipment Nina received? Something didn’t add up.


    .


    .


    .