Taking almost three hours, the presentations gradually came to an end, and it was Kimberly’s turn to shine. From his seat, Nichs didn’t blink an eye. His gaze was fixed on Kimberly, who presented herpany’s material with great confidence.


    Listening from start to finish, Nichs finally drew a conclusion. Kimberly was quite skilled and had a strongmand of the material she presented. She demonstrated her ability by answering all of Capital’s questions effectively and thoughtfully.


    “It turns out Kimberly is quite outstanding, Nick,” Edward quipped between presentations.


    Nichs turned to him, furrowing his brow in confusion. “Outstanding in what way, Ed?”


    Edward chuckled softly, leaned closer, and whispered, “She’s beautiful, the granddaughter of a conglomerate, and intelligent to boot. I’m sure many are vying to be her partner. I’m also very certain that when Kimberly falls for you, she’ll be in a moment of weakness.”


    “Weakness, how?” Nichs asked.


    Edward whispered again, “Because, my friend, normal women wouldn’t want to be with a man as hopeless as you.” Edward took the opportunity to tease Nichs.


    Nichs sighed in frustration. “Don’t tempt me to beat you up, Ed!”


    Edwardughed and rolled his eyes, returning his attention to the final presenter.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    “Thank you to all participants for your participation. We from Capital have discussed among ourselves. Therefore, we would like to announce whichpanies will move on to the next selection stage. After careful consideration, we have chosen twopanies to proceed to the next stage: Alpha Beta and Rayder Group. The final decision will be announced via email in the next two days. Thank you for your participation and cooperation.”


    All participants stood up and began to leave the room. Upon hearing the name Alpha Beta, once they were outside the room, Edward couldn’t stop smiling at Nichs. He even hugged his friend.


    “I can’t wait for the next two days. I’m sure ourpany will be chosen,” Edward eximed.


    Nichs nodded silently but didn’t reply. They were almost victorious, but why did he have a bad feeling? He couldn’t help but think of Kimberly. Herpany, which she led, had also made it to the next selection stage. That meant they would bepeting against each other.


    Realizing his friend’s silence, Edward drew a conclusion and spoke.


    “Don’t tell me you’re going to let Kimberly win, Nick,” Edward said. “Don’t be crazy!” he added.


    Instead of responding to Edward’s usation, Nichs made his way towards Kimberly, who had just left the room with Mario. Without hesitation, Nichs approached the woman.


    “Kimmy, can we talk for a moment?” There was a pleading tone in his words.


    Kimberly offered a faint smile, then shook her head gently. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we need to discuss. I’ve told you to forget about me.”


    After saying that, Kimberly immediately pulled Mario’s hand, urging them to leave. She left Nichs standing there without a nce. However, before they reached the car, Kimberly asked Mario for permission to go to the restroom.


    “I need to freshen up a bit.”


    Mario nodded. “Sure, I’ll head to the car first. You can join me once you’re done.”


    They parted ways, and Kimberly continued towards the restroom. She fixed her hair and makeup and, feeling satisfied, decided to leave. But just as she was about to pass through the door, someone forcibly pulled Kimberly towards the emergency exit staircase. She tried to release their grip, but Kimberly was overpowered.


    “What do you want by bringing me here, Nick?” Kimberly asked, looking visibly annoyed.


    Nichs let out a frustrated sigh. “In what other way should I meet you and talk to you?”


    “There’s nothing else we need to discuss, Nick. We’re done. Oh, I’m sorry; we didn’t even have a rtionship,” Kimberly corrected herself, letting out a bitterugh.


    “Kimberly, please, just give me a chance, even if it’s just one. Don’t you miss me?” Nichs pleaded.


    Kimberly gritted her teeth.


    “Why should I miss someone who has repeatedly hurt me? What’s the point of missing someone who doesn’t trust me at all? It’s like a waste of my time,” Kimberly said angrily.


    Kimberly didn’t expect it, but Nichs suddenly pulled her close and pushed her against the wall. Without warning, he pressed his lips onto hers, kissing her passionately. He tasted the strawberry vor on her lips.


    As time passed, Nichs’s kiss grew deeper, filled with passion and dominance. It seemed as if this kiss was an outlet for the longing he had been suppressing.


    Kimberly could pretend that she didn’t miss him, but her body’s response contradicted her earlier words. She seemed to enjoy it and eventually responded in kind.


    They remained lost in their intimate kiss for quite a while. When Kimberly’s breath becamebored, Nichs reluctantly pulled away.


    Nichs rested his forehead against Kimberly’s. “I’ve missed you, Kimberly Alistair. Missed you terribly,” he said, still catching his breath.


    Kimberly took several deep breaths. She chose to savor their intimacy rather than respond to Nichs’s words.


    “Say something to me, Kimberly! Tell me you miss me. Tell me you love me,” Nichs urged when he didn’t hear a word from the woman in front of him.


    Kimberly took another deep breath.


    “Yes, I miss you. My feelings for you haven’t changed one bit. I’m still the same, still in love with you.”


    Hearing that, a smile appeared on Nichs’s lips. He immediately pulled Kimberly close again and hugged her.


    “I love you too, Kimberly. I love you deeply,” Nichs kept repeating the words.


    “But we can’t be together, Nick,” Kimberly replied.


    Nichs released his embrace and created some distance to look into Kimberly’s eyes. He even held her chin to make sure their gazes met.


    “What do you mean by that?” he asked, confused.


    Kimberly closed her eyes briefly, trying to gather the courage to reveal the fact that Nichs needed to hear. She prepared herself for the worst, fearing that he would leave her after hearing what she had to say.


    “Kimberly, answer my question,” Nichs pressed.


    “You know that I just had surgery because of the cancer I had a while ago,” Kimberly said.


    Nichs nodded. “Yes, I know about that. So, what’s the problem?”


    Once again, Kimberly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.


    “One of my ovaries was removed by the medical team. That means I’ll have difficulty having children or, worst-case scenario, I won’t be able to have children in the future.”


    Nichs was quite surprised by the revtion Kimberly made. He knew she had cancer, and the doctors she saw earlier had exined that it could be treated. However, he had no idea that Kimberly was diagnosed with infertility. Now, he was left wondering what he should do.


    “Do you want to be with a woman who can’t have children? Just tell me if you ept me as I am, but will your wealthy family ept me? Are they willing to marry their only son to a woman who can’t give them grandchildren?”


    Bombarded with so many questions, Nichs could only remain silent, lost in his own thoughts.


    Please, reassure me, Nick.


    Answer if you’re willing to ept me as I am.


    “It seems like I can guess your answer,” Kimberly said bitterly.


    “Kimberly, listen to me-”


    “Enough, Nick! I don’t think we need to have any further contact,” Kimberly said angrily.


    “Kimberly Rayder, please listen to me,” Nichs begged. He tried to reach for Kimberly’s wrist, but she quickly pulled it away.


    “Never see me again!” With a grimace, Kimberly left Nichs behind.


    As Nichs attempted to chase after her, Kimberly’s steps couldn’t be caught up to. She had already entered her car. In his position, all Nichs could do was mutter to himself.


    You should have given me a chance to talk, Kimmy.


    Back at her home, Kimberly chose to go straight to her room, ignoring Arthur, who had been waiting for her in the living room.


    Seeing Arthur’s bewilderment over his granddaughter’s behavior, Mario, who had juste in, immediately approached Arthur.


    “Why, Kimberly? Did you not seed in securing the tender today? Is that why she seems upset now?” Mario took a seat first and then shook his head towards Arthur.


    “It’s not because of the tender. Kimberly might just be tired. If you want to know, Rayder Corp made it to the final selection. The final announcement is the day after tomorrow. And more importantly, Rayder Corp will bepeting fiercely with Alpha Beta Corporation.”


    Arthur was taken aback by Mario’s exnation. On one hand, he felt happy because Kimberly’s first presentation had yielded remarkable results. But on the other hand, he started to think that Kimberly might look sad and upset because she had encountered Nichs there.


    “Grandpa, I’m proud of you. It’s not wrong for Kimberly to deepen her business knowledge with you,” Arthur praised.


    “All of this is because of Kimberly’s exceptional abilities, Grandpa. I just guided her to make sure she doesn’t make any wrong moves,” Mario agreed.


    Arthur nodded in approval. “Well then, do your best. Make sure ourpany wins this big tender.”


    Mario nodded in agreement with Arthur’smand.