Chapter 5

Richard Lowell's voice carried a false warmth. "You're now a company shareholder. Our interests are aligned, aren't they?"

Sophia Laurent let out a light chuckle. "We'll see."

She ended the call and scrolled through her contacts.

"Chairman Huang, interested in a business discussion?"

"How about some shares in Lowell Entertainment?"

After hanging up, Sophia set her phone down, her gaze icy.

Her delicate features radiated detachment.

The Lowell family no longer deserved her attention.

Since severing ties, she wouldn't let them benefit from her in any way.

Inside the CEO's office at Lowell Entertainment.

"The project proposal for Valdemar Group is with Secretary Laurent."

"Secretary Shaw hit a snag with the Deepwater Plaza negotiations. The investors are pulling out..."

"Only Secretary Laurent has the complete market research data for White Cloud District..."

William Lowell massaged his temples as reports flooded in.

"Retrieve the bidding plan for the Valdemar project from Sophia's computer. We need it tomorrow."

Once hailed as a rising star in business, he now felt overwhelmed for the first time.

"Wasn't the Deepwater Plaza investment a done deal? What went wrong?"

"The White Cloud report must be on my desk by end of day."

The secretaries exchanged uneasy glances.

"Mr. Lowell, the timeline is too tight..."

His cold stare silenced them. "Then work overtime."

They retreated with grim expressions.

Paperwork piled up, making William dizzy.

He suddenly recalled how Sophia used to organize everything—all he had to do was sign.

Another knock interrupted.

"Mr. Lowell, the Valdemar project plan isn't on Secretary Laurent's computer..."

"What?"

William shot to his feet. "The bidding is tomorrow!"

"The project team has a draft, but Secretary Laurent rejected it..."

"Get out." He took a deep breath.

Dialing Sophia's number, he demanded, "Send me the Valdemar bidding plan."

His tone brooked no argument. "Father already told you, right? Be at the office early tomorrow."

Sophia twirled a pen between her fingers, amused. "Mr. Lowell, my resignation letter is in your inbox."

"Have you lost your mind?" William's voice rose. "You got the shares. What more do you want?"

"They were rightfully mine." Her voice could freeze hell.

"Fine, they're yours." Impatience laced his words. "Stop this nonsense."

Sophia gazed out the window, serene. "William, the Lowells and I are done."

The line went dead.

Silence echoed in the office.

William stared, disbelief etching his face.

How dare she?

Without the Lowells, she was nothing.

Wait—who would handle all this work now?

He redialed, only to hear: "The number you have reached is not in service."

His phone slammed against the sofa.

Minutes passed before he snapped back to reality, forehead damp with sweat.

Tomorrow's bid determined Lowell Entertainment's future. Failure wasn't an option.

Elsewhere, Sophia set her phone aside and addressed the young man across from her. "Proceed."

"But Ms. Laurent, didn't you previously abandon the Valdemar project?"

Her lips curved slightly. "That was before."

Back when she'd still harbored hope for the Lowells.

"The timeline's impossible, and the funds—"

"Funding isn't an issue." Her tone remained unruffled.

Luxury cars crowded the Valdemar resort project bidding venue.

William had barely entered when greetings came.

"Mr. Lowell, good morning!"

"Mr. Yang."

The man glanced behind William. "No Secretary Laurent for such an important event?"

William's expression darkened.

"She's just a secretary."

Forced pleasantries continued until movement at the entrance caught his eye.

His pupils contracted.

A slender figure strode in.

Black attire, crimson lips, cascading ink-dark hair.

Sophia Laurent.

William first brightened, then sneered.

Playing hard to get?

She came crawling back after all.

Relief flooded him, though disdain painted his face.