Just as she was at her wits'' end, she received a call from Henry Brooke.
A flicker of hope ignited within Bianca, and she answered eagerly.
"Are you free? Let''s meet," Henry said over the phone.
Normally, Bianca would have made him wait, a tactic she often used to keep men on their toes. Especially men like Henry, who loved her but couldn''t have her the more she ignored him, the more obsessed he became.
But this time, she agreed immediately. She was truly running out of options.
Bianca deliberately chose a restaurant with live music and arranged with the manager for a guitarist to perform at her table. She even specified the song: "Endless Love."
It was the same song Henry had yed for her when he confessed his feelings years ago.
Henry arrived right on time.
Bianca was just about tounch into a wave of nostalgia, setting the perfect mood. Her n was to ask him for the loan at the peak of his emotional vulnerability. It was a strategy that usually worked.
But this time, just as she called out his name, Henry spoke first. "I''m here to talk about pulling my investment."
The smile on Bianca''s face froze instantly.
"Of course, this is just a verbal notification for now. Mywyer will contact you tomorrow. Everything will be handled ording to the contract."
In just a few short sentences, Henry made his purpose clear. He then stood up. "Goodbye."
"Henry." Bianca shot to her feet, calling after him. "Can I at least ask why?"
He had adored her, worshipped her... How could he change so suddenly?
"I paid a visit to WT Business School a few days ago and learned a few things," Henry said, his back still to her. His voice was colder than she had ever heard it.
Bianca''s expression faltered.
"Your so-called sponsorship back then... it was all just to build a charitable persona for yourself, wasn''t it?"
Bianca''s face went rigid, her carefully constructed world copsing in that single moment. "No, that''s not it, let me exin..."
But he wasn''t giving her another chance.
This time, he left without even saying goodbye.
Just as Henry walked out, the guitarist arrived and began to y the song she had requested.
"Endless Love."
The gentle melody felt like a series of sharp ps across her face.
Bianca''s expression twisted in rage. "Stop ying! Stop it!"
Her hysterical screams drew the attention of the other diners.
Her face flushed with humiliation, Bianca grabbed her bag and fled the scene.
"Maybe... you should ask Seth," Lillian suggested hesitantly.
They had considered every possible solution, but every path seemed to be blocked.
Bianca''s head throbbed. "Take me to Aurelion Group."
She arrived at Aurelion Group and went straight to Seth''s office, walking in without knocking, just as she always had.
There were people inside, all of them wearing grim expressions.
"Sorry, I didn''t know you had a meeting," Bianca apologized quickly.
Seth waved a hand, indicating it was fine, and motioned for the others to continue their report.
"The current funds in Aurelion
Group''s ounts are barely enough
to cover thepensation payments for Ascendancy Group This means we''ll probably have to dy the shareholder dividends for the next quarter.
"I''ll speak with the shareholders. Transfer the funds first. We can''t det the situation escte and affect PerseTech''s IPO Seth dered decisively.
The CFO nodded. "Understood."
"You can all go now," Seth said, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
Once they were alone, he turned to Bianca. "What brings you here today?"
Bianca hadn''t expected to walk into a situation like this. Aurelion Group was out of cash!
That shouldn''t be possible.
"Seth, how did Aurelion Group suddenly run out of money?" she couldn''t help but
ask.
Thepensation for Ascendancy
Group was over ten billion, but that
amour shouldnt have been enough, to drain Aurelion Group''s entire reserves.