This was exactly what Liz had hoped for. When she saw the smug smile on Alice’s face earlier—so sure of herself, as if the world was already beneath her feet—Liz knew she couldn’t let it slide. Alice kept harping on about how young and talented she was, unting it like a badge of superiority.


    But Liz wanted her to see the truth.


    She wanted Alice to realize that the true champion was just as gifted—if not more. Andarta Aria’s age? That was merely spection spun by the public. But when it came out of Alice’s mouth, it sounded so certain, so condescending—like a weapon used to put others down.


    And Liz couldn’t stand that.Not when Alice was using it at <strong>Hera’s</strong> expense.


    Because Liz had been hurriedly escorted out, her father couldn’t reach her in time. And since she had suddenly vanished from the venue, all attention shifted to him. Everyone at the event turned their eyes on him, bombarding him with questions. But the truth was—he knew nothing, so he had nothing to say.


    Unfortunately, to the others, his silence came off as him being deliberately tight-lipped.


    So instead of backing off, they changed tactics. People began offering bribes, proposing coborations, and even calling their assistants to start drafting contracts on the spot—desperate totch onto Liz’s family business. In their eyes, this was a golden opportunity to connect not just with Andarta Aria, but also with Larry Wickman.


    To them, it was a win-win situation.


    In the end, Liz’s family business only grew stronger—thriving like never before. It was as if a golden pie had fallen straight from the sky, and all her father had to do was open his arms to catch it. But instead of just catching it, heid out an entire nket, ready to gather even more blessings being thrown his way.


    Even though he didn’t fully understand what was happening, one nce at Larry was enough to give him a glimpse of a dazzling future. Surrounded by eager coborators, he couldn’t stop smiling—his grin stretching from ear to ear. Worries about quarterly sales? Gone. Long forgotten.


    Right then and there, several people scheduled meetings to discuss partnerships, demands, and future ventures. And her father? He barely had to lift a finger—just nod, share his avability, and leave the rest to his poor assistant, who was furiously scribbling notes, juggling names, times, and proposals.


    Though the assistant’s hand felt like it might fall off at any second, he too was smiling. More deals meant more bonuses, and he was already daydreaming about what he’d spend them on. Tired? Absolutely. But happy? Even more so.


    After Liz, Larry, Athena, and Zen left the venue, Larry took the lead and brought them to the prestigious Golden Dragon Pavilion for lunch.


    Larry drove Liz, while Zen, beaming like a child, handled the wheel for Athena, who had borrowed the car from Hera. Zen’s excitement was palpable, and even when they arrived at their destination, he couldn’t bear to part with the steering wheel. His joy was infectious, as though the simple pleasure of driving had be an adventure in itself.


    Once known as an impossible ce to book—where getting a reservation felt like winning the lottery—Athena was starting to feel like it was no longer a pipe dream. Being here now felt almost... normal.


    For Liz, it was her first time setting foot in the luxurious restaurant, but not for Zen. He shared Athena’s thoughts—because ever since he started spending time with Hera, dining at high-end ces like this had be surprisingly frequent. Even his grandfather, a man of considerable influence, could only manage the asional visit due to the steep prices and impossibly tight booking schedule.


    But now? With Larry Wickman casually leading the way, it felt like the doors to the elite world had quietly opened for them all, and at the end of the day, it was also still because of Hera.


    "You’re all wee to order anything you like," Larry said with a serious tone as he led them to Pavilion #1. "Young Miss Hera has made it clear that her friends are to be treated exceptionally well here."


    The manager, already briefed by Gerald, stood at the entrance, her eyes sharp and attentive, ready to ensure that Larry and Hera’s guests received nothing less than the best service. She greeted them warmly, showing an eagerness to attend to their needs.


    As soon as the four of them sat down, Larry politely excused himself, needing to report back to Hera. He left the remaining three in the capable hands of the manager to handle the ordering. The menus they were handed didn’t include any prices, which helped ease any pressure or hesitation they might’ve felt about what to choose.


    Athena, true to form, simply nced at the food photos, picked out whatever looked the most appetizing, and ced her order without overthinking it. Liz, on the other hand, was a bit more reserved, only choosing two dishes that caught her eye. Zen remained casual and unbothered, ordering his usual favorites without much thought.


    The manager efficiently recorded their selections on a sleek tablet, immediately sending the order to the kitchen and gging it as a priority.


    ___


    Thank you, Angie_Rodriguez_6157, Shell_Rodriguez, Cinparo, and Marlene_Parker, for the Golden Tickets!