bChapter /bb98 /b

bAria /bset down her fork and looked at them. “Johnny Dconner didn’t sign 117”

The Stars Group had already signed it, but Hayes Group hadn’L

Victor and Treston were momentarily speechless.

Trenton’s expression shifted, showing a hint of respect. “You’re the Stars Group’srgest shareholder. If you represent us, Hayes Group will see bour /bsincerity

“Didn’t we agree to keep my identity a secret?” Aria frowned. “Did you offend Mr. Kramer?”

Their faces stiffened. ‘How does she know about that? Victor and Trenton wondered.

Seeing their reactions, Aria quickly pieced it together. bHayes /bGroup’s interest in the partnership with the Stars Group likely had everything to do with her.

Vanessa mmed her fork onto the table, her stunning face now frosty with disdain. She didn’t bother hiding the mockery in her eyes. “Aria’s just a shareholder who invests money. You don’t even have the guts to acknowledge her status, so whye to her about a partnership? Get out. Stop interrupting our meal.”

Victor’s face darkened instantly. “Miss, we’re discussing business with a shareholder. This has nothing bto /bdo with you!”

Aria tapped the table lightly, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. “Gentlemen, please show some respect to my friend. If you want me to discuss the deal, fine–have Johnny Oconnore to me himself. You two don’t get to order me around.”

Her tone was low, but the strength and dominance in it left no room for argument

Trenton’s heart sank. He quickly nudged Victor and said, “Apologies, Ms. Saxon. We were too hasty and overstepped.”

bAria /bwas thergest shareholder in the Stars Group, holding more power than both of thembined. But because bof /bbher /byoung age, they instinctively treated bher /bas a junior, their wordsced bwith /bsubtle condescension.

Aria didn’t care bwhat /bothers thought of her bas /blong as the money kept flowing. But disrespecting her friends? That bwas /ba line no one could cross.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Victor turned to Vanessa and apologized. “I’m sorry,

Aria chimed in, “Herst name is bWard/b.”

A flicker of frustration crossed his face, but he reluctantly bowed. “My apologies, Ms. Ward. I spoke without thinkingb./bb” /b

Vanessa waved it off casually. “That’s enough.”

Aria’s expression remained cold. bSensing /bthat continuing the conversation would only bmake /bthings worse, Trenton quickly said, “Ms. Saxonb, /bsorry to have disturbed you.

He pulled Victor along as they left.

“Does she think she’s all that just because she threw in a ton of money?” Victor grumbled as they stepped outside.

Trenton shot him a re. “We brought this on ourselves by denying her status. Now look where we are. If we can’t secure this deal, decades of bhard /bwork will go up in smoke! The priority now is getting Aria Saxon to agree to negotiate.”

Victor sneered, his tone dripping with disdain’t have no idea bwhat /bshe was picked for. Everyone says those rumors about her scammning her way into marriage are false, but I bet they’re true. How else could someone her agee up with that kind of money? If it’s not her looks or her body, then what?”

“Enough. Let’s go,” Trenton said curtly, cutting him boff/b.

Anthoinear pulled bout /bof the parking space at Havoron Restaurant, another vehicle smoothly slid into the spo

The door bof /bboth cars opened at the same time, and two groups of people Mepped out.

Hannah and Liam got bout /bof one car, while Kim and his secretary got out of the other.

Hannah raised her eyebrows and spoke in a bright, cheerful tone. “Kim, Navoron Restaurant has some new dishes on the menu. We book suite Golden Premier Suite. Dinner’s on me tonight”

bLiam/b, who had just walked closer, overheard her and yfully tapped her nose. “With me here, why would you need to treat anyone?”

“I got Kim to sign the contract with the excuse that he had to repay me. I feel bad about it, so this time, I insist on paying Hannah replied with a determined smile

Kim, his expression bas /bcold as ever, let his lips curl into a faintly cold smile. “The Cole Group is still under the Shaw Group’s consideration.”

Hannah gave a sheepish smile. “Let’s not talk about that now.

Let’s bhead /binside first.”

have a reservation?” ollie. Do you bha /bThe waitress who had earlier received Aria now approached them with a professional smile. “Wee. /li/ol

“Yes,” Hannah replied politely, her demeanor carrying ba /bsubtle air of superiority. “bI’ve /bbooked the Golden Premier Suite.”

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