And just like that, a new problem hit the Aurelion Group''s overseas business.


    That was why Seth had to leave the financial summit in a hurry, flying abroad to handle the crisis.


    The entire burden in the country now rested solely on Bianca''s shoulders.


    She was more anxious than anyone.


    Ever since returning, every single thing she did had been met with one unexpected problem after another.


    The only thing that had gone smoothly was her rtionship with Seth.


    Everything else had been a disaster.


    And now, PerseTech had be herst and only lifeline.


    She had to hold onto it, no matter what.


    The phone rang for a long time. With each passing second, Bianca''s heart grew colder.


    Just as it was about to go to voicemail, Wilbur answered.


    Bianca''s previously dim eyes lit up. "Mr. Wilbur, you finally answered," she said, her words rushing out.


    "Just woke up. What''s up?" Wilbur''s voice waszy, as if he had indeed just woken up.


    "Is it a good time to meet? I''d like to talk about the investment."


    Wilbur paused for a moment. "Alright."


    He then gave Bianca an address.


    It was the hotel where he was staying.


    Bianca''s gaze hardened slightly.


    She went to her closet and pulled out a piece of provocative lingerie from a bottom drawer, something Yvonne had prepared for her earlier.


    It was originally meant for Seth.


    But she had been kidnapped on their engagement day.


    After that... she had intentionally kept her distance from Seth, not entertaining any other thoughts.


    An hourter, Bianca drove to Wilbur''s hotel.


    After a word with the front desk, a staff member immediately escorted her upstairs.


    Inside the presidential suite.


    Wilbur was dressed in a dark, silk


    robe, the belt loosely tied, revealing a glimpse of his well-defined chest. One hand was on his hip, the other held a ss of red wine. His eyes mischievous, a faint smile


    were


    ying on his lips.


    When Bianca entered, Wilbur turned from the floor-to-ceiling window to look at her,


    his voicenguid. "You''re here. Have a seat."


    Wilbur sat down across from Bianca and asked in a gentlemanly tone, "Wine?"


    "Yes, please." Bianca had no intention of leaving tonight.


    Wilbur poured her a ss of red wine.


    As Bianca took it, her eyes fell on the magnolia flowers arranged on the coffee table. "These magnolias are beautiful."


    As she spoke, she casually brushed a hand past the magnolia-shaped earring she was wearing.


    Wilbur took in all her small gestures, his long fingers gently tracing the Mm of his wine ss. The


    his mouth lifted into a sof


    Wi


    Bianca knew she couldn''t rush things, so she made small talk, discussing other topics.


    Only when she felt the time was right did she finally bring up the investment money.


    To her surprise, Wilbur suddenly changed his tune. "We might have to put that on hold for now."


    Bianca''s anxiety red. "Mr. Wilbur, you promised! You said that if I met your conditions, you would invest five times the amount in PerseTech. How can you just put it on hold?"


    "It was just a verbal promise, Miss Lowell. Why take it so seriously?" Wilbur said before taking another leisurely sip of his wine.


    Bianca shot to her feet, her voice trembling with emotion. "A verbal promise?"


    "Surely you know, Miss Lowell, that a man''s verbal promises don''t count for much."


    He paused, then asked with feigned surprise as he watched Bianca''s mortified expression, "Don''t tell me you''ve never been lied to by a man before?"


    His question was like a p in the face. It was only then that Bianca btedly realized she had been yed by Wilbur.