《The Billionaire's Secret》


 chapter 01

    At 7 a.m. sharp, the alarm clock buzzed in a cozy apartment in New York City. Grace Li was curled up under her soft blanket. Hearing the sound, she reached out for her phone on the nightstand, silenced the alarm, and peeked her head out of the covers. Squinting against the morning light, she slowly got out of bed.


    Shuffling to the kitchen in her slippers, she opened the fridge, grabbed an ear of sweet corn, and counted out five frozen vegetable-cheese dumplings. She placed them neatly in the electric steamer, setting the timer for fifteen minutes. Then she turned to make herself a cup of rich, aromatic Americano before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time she returned, the kitchen was filled with the mingling scents of corn, dumplings, and coffee¡ªbreakfast was perfectly timed.


    Grace sat down and took a bite of a dumpling when her phone lit up with an incoming call. The screen showed it was her mom, Huiyun Liang.


    "Grace, you''re not on your way to work yet, are you?" Her mom''s warm voice came through the line.


    "Not yet, Mom. What''s up?" Grace asked after swallowing her food.


    "Your aunt met this young man here in the U.S. He seems like a great catch¡ªgood background, good personality. I thought I''d mention it to you. If you have time, maybe you could meet him," her mom said, her tone light but clearly hopeful.


    Grace frowned slightly. "Mom, I''ve told you before, I''m not interested in blind dates. I already like someone."


    Her mom sighed on the other end. "You keep saying that, but it''s been three years, Grace. Three years, and there''s still no sign of him. Even if he''s busy in another city, if he really cared about you, wouldn''t he have made more of an effort by now? Don''t be so stubborn."


    "Mom, even if he wasn''t in the picture, I''m too busy with work to meet new people," Grace tried to deflect.


    "Grace, I''m saying this for your own good. You''re 29 now, and you''ll be 30 this March. Expanding your social circle isn''t a bad thing. Just think of it as making a new friend," her mom reasoned patiently.


    "Got it, Mom. Let''s talk about it later. I need to finish breakfast and head to work," Grace said, eager to end the conversation.


    "Alright, but think about it, okay? Take care of yourself."


    "I will. Bye, Mom." Grace hung up and set her coffee cup aside, returning to her meal.


    Something crossed her mind. She picked up her phone and scrolled to her last conversation with Daniel Chou. Their last exchange was a week ago, on Wednesday. She had seen a post of his about a business trip to Paris and had sent him a quick message. His reply was polite but brief.


    Over the past three years, their relationship had been stretched thin. She was in New York, and he was constantly traveling across Europe and the U.S. They only managed to meet during the Christmas holidays. The first two years, they saw each other a few times. But last Christmas, his hectic schedule didn''t even leave room for a visit. Their connection, sustained only by sporadic texts, felt increasingly fragile. Yet Grace held on, clinging to a faint hope.


    After finishing her breakfast, Grace applied a light, flawless makeup in front of the mirror, slipped on a sharp blazer and pencil skirt, grabbed her bag, and stepped out into the bustling morning crowd of New York City.


    Her first appointment was with an important limited partner (LP), a morning jog enthusiast who had suggested meeting at a caf¨¦ near Central Park. Grace scheduled the meeting for 8:30 AM. By the time she returned to the office, it was just past 10.


    Grace Li worked at a well-known venture capital firm and had been grinding there for over five years, climbing her way up to the position of Investment Director. Despite the impressive title, in New York''s hyper-competitive financial world, it was just a middle management role. After all, many peers started their careers as Investment Managers right out of school.


    As Grace stepped out of the elevator, the receptionist greeted her with a bright smile.


    "Grace, the candidate you scheduled yesterday is here. He''s in the conference room."


    "Got it, I''ll head over shortly."


    Grace led the firm''s consumer investment division, managing a team of five to six people. Recently, one of her Investment Managers had left due to personal reasons, leaving a gap that needed to be filled ASAP. None of the candidates she''d interviewed over the past few days had met her expectations.


    Today''s candidate, however, had caught her attention while she reviewed r¨¦sum¨¦s last night. A graduate of Oxford''s MBA program with an internship at Goldman Sachs¡ªthis was a golden r¨¦sum¨¦ in the financial world. Grace wasted no time and headed straight to the conference room.


    When she opened the door and laid eyes on the candidate, she froze for a split second. There had been no photo on the r¨¦sum¨¦, and she had assumed that looks might not be this person''s strong suit. But the man standing before her was strikingly handsome, the kind of handsome that made people do a double take.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Dressed in a sharp black suit with a perfectly knotted tie, his fair skin and chiseled features gave off a polished, almost regal vibe. As he stood up, Grace estimated his height to be over 6''1". Confidence radiated from him.


    "Good morning," the man greeted her with a slight smile, his tone warm but composed.


    Grace quickly regained her professional demeanor and returned the smile.


    "You must be Aiden Thompson?"


    "That''s right."


    "Please, have a seat."


    Aiden sat down with an ease that carried a hint of arrogance. Grace had interviewed countless candidates, but few fresh graduates carried themselves with this level of poise.


    "I reviewed your r¨¦sum¨¦ last night. Very impressive," Grace began, flipping through her notes.


    "Thank you," Aiden replied with a calm confidence.


    Grace dove into the standard questions about his internship experience and technical knowledge. Aiden''s answers were concise and sincere, and Grace found herself nodding in approval.


    After about ten minutes, she decided to up the ante.


    "With your credentials, you could easily land a position at one of the top three investment banks in the U.S. Why choose Nova Capital, a mid-sized firm?"


    Aiden didn''t miss a beat. "I''ve been following Nova Capital''s consumer investment projects, and I admire the unique approach you take. It aligns perfectly with my career goals. Plus, I''m drawn to the innovative culture here. I believe it''s a place where I can grow in ways that the big banks might not offer."


    Grace nodded thoughtfully, impressed by his response. She then moved on to logistics.


    "The role involves some grunt work in the beginning. Are you okay with that?"


    "No problem at all."


    "Here''s the deal: the position has a two-month trial period. Once you''re confirmed, you''ll start as an Investment Manager. Trial pay is $18,000 per month, and it goes up to $20,000 upon confirmation. Bonuses are typically three months'' salary, with additional rewards for star projects. Is the compensation acceptable?"


    "Works for me."


    Grace had been concerned that he might find the pay too low, but his straightforward answer put her at ease.


    "If we decide to move forward, when can you start?"


    "Tomorrow."


    The interview wrapped up, and Grace returned to her office. Her assistant, Olivia, came over with a coffee in hand, eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    "Boss, how''d it go with the hot guy you just interviewed? Did he get the job?"


    Grace smirked, knowing Olivia''s tendency to gush over attractive men.


    "You''re really invested in this, huh?"


    Olivia shrugged. "We''ve been drowning in work lately. I didn''t leave the office until 11 PM last night. A new hire would be a lifesaver."


    Grace didn''t tease her further. "He''s in. Let''s see if he actually shows up tomorrow."


    Olivia''s face lit up. "Yes! Finally!"


    Their colleague Ryan overheard and chimed in. "Olivia, you''re so shallow. Just because he''s good-looking?"


    Olivia shot back, "And you don''t stare at every pretty woman who walks by?"


    Ryan feigned innocence. "I''m not that shallow." He turned to Grace for backup.


    "Boss, what''s the deal with this guy? The last few candidates didn''t cut it. What makes this one so special?"


    Grace leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of water. "Oxford MBA, fresh graduate, Goldman Sachs internship."


    Olivia gasped. "Whoa, total rock star!"


    Ryan scoffed. "That r¨¦sum¨¦? Plenty of those on Wall Street."


    Olivia rolled her eyes. "Coming from you, a state school grad?"


    Ryan immediately deflected. "Now you''re just offending the boss!"


    Olivia panicked. "I wasn''t talking about her! Just you, Ryan, and your big mouth."


    Grace, used to their banter, cut in. "Alright, enough. The Pfizer due diligence report needs to be finalized today. Let''s focus."


    The office quickly returned to its usual hum of productivity.


    Grace Li, as usual, arrived at the company parking garage at 8:40 AM, then walked into the elevator to head up. The elevator stopped on the first floor, and people filed in. Grace''s eyes immediately landed on Aiden Thompson.


    When Aiden saw Grace, he flashed his signature smile¡ªa soft, effortless grin that carried just the right amount of warmth, mixed with an undeniable air of confidence. From the first time they met, Grace had wondered if Aiden came from a wealthy background. The way he carried himself, so effortlessly poised, just didn''t seem like something that came from a regular upbringing.


    "Morning," Aiden greeted first, his voice calm and friendly. He nodded politely to the other people in the elevator, offering them a smile that was both professional and welcoming.


    "Morning," Grace replied, offering a smile of her own, her voice natural and easy.


    Aiden stood near the front of the elevator, while Grace was a little farther back. At that moment, two women standing next to Grace couldn''t help but whisper excitedly to each other.


    "Wow, he''s seriously good-looking."


    "I''ve never seen him before. Do you know what company he works for?"


    "I''m not sure, but he definitely has that executive vibe. Could be a big shot."


    "Yeah, he definitely looks like he''s got money."


    Even though the elevator was a little cramped, everyone stayed mostly quiet, except for these two women whose conversation was loud enough to hear. Aiden caught the tail end of it, and with a quick, easy smile, he just nodded at them before turning back to face the doors. He didn''t seem to mind, or even notice the attention, just went on about his day as usual.


    The elevator reached the floor with the offices, and the doors slowly opened. Aiden stepped out first. Grace was about to follow when, to her surprise, the metal charm on the purse of the girl standing next to her caught on Grace''s lace dress. The girl immediately noticed and looked embarrassed, quickly apologizing.


    "Oh, I''m so sorry about that!" the girl said.


    "It''s alright, no big deal," Grace reassured her, gently helping the girl unhook the dress. But in the process, the elevator doors were about to close. Grace instinctively reached for the button to hold them open, but before she could, a long, graceful hand beat her to it and pressed the door open button.


    As the doors reopened, Grace''s eyes met Aiden''s once again. For just a moment, she felt a slight rush of warmth and maybe something else. She quickly shook it off and hurried out of the elevator, her voice a bit flustered as she said, "Thanks."


    Aiden simply nodded, his expression polite and neutral, as if holding the door open was no big deal at all. Grace watched him walk away, feeling a strange flutter in her chest. Shaking it off, she straightened up and made her way to the office.

 Chapter 02

    As Aiden Thompson stepped into the company entrance, he subconsciously glanced at Grace Li''s skirt and noticed a small snag in the fabric. It wasn''t obvious, but upon closer inspection, it was there. He didn''t mention it, though, and instead asked, "Do I need to wait for HR to come back?"


    Grace Li checked her watch. "They''ll probably show up right on time. Let me take you to the office first."


    "Alright," Aiden replied.


    Aiden followed Grace Li into the office. The rectangular room had six workstations, each separated by half-height dividers. At the far end, there was a single wooden desk, twice the size of the others¡ªthat was Grace Li''s spot.


    Grace pointed to an empty desk next to Ryan''s. "This will be your workstation from now on. Take a seat for now, and once HR gets back, you can complete your onboarding."


    "Got it." Aiden nodded and sat down, picking up a folder left behind by the previous occupant to skim through.


    Before long, Olivia walked in with a coffee cup in hand. Her eyes lit up when she saw the new colleague. She set her coffee down and walked over to Aiden.


    "Hey, new guy!" Olivia greeted him with a warm smile, her dimples showing as her eyes crinkled with excitement. "I''m Olivia!"


    "Hi," Aiden replied, his tone calm and measured.


    "What''s your name?" Olivia''s enthusiasm didn''t waver.


    Aiden pulled out his phone, typed his name into the notes app¡ªAiden Thompson¡ªand showed it to her.


    Olivia nodded approvingly. "Nice name. Very classy."


    In contrast to Olivia''s bubbly energy, Aiden remained reserved. Olivia had more to say but, noticing his lack of interest, decided to back off. "We''re on the same team. I''ve been with Nova Capital for two years. If you have any questions, just ask."


    "Thanks," Aiden replied with a slight smile.


    "No problem!" Olivia waved cheerfully and returned to her desk.


    Once Aiden finished the onboarding process, Grace Li gave him a tour of the office, explaining the company''s structure. Nova Capital had four partners. Benjamin Harris held a 60% stake and was the managing partner with the final say on decisions. Of the other three partners, one was a founding partner who mainly provided funding and stayed overseas, while the remaining two oversaw daily operations and sat on the investment committee.


    The company had 40 employees in total. Excluding the administrative, HR, finance, and legal teams, the investment department consisted of 26 people divided into three teams, each led by an investment director. Grace Li was one of them, specializing in consumer sector projects.


    After the tour, Grace handed Aiden a file for a new project¡ªa chain of trendy restaurants in the planning stages. She intended to mentor him personally so he could quickly get up to speed.


    In the afternoon, Grace and Ryan were scheduled to attend a meeting at a client''s office. Grace decided to bring Aiden along to observe. As they walked to the elevator, Ryan, carrying his briefcase, suddenly realized he was a full head shorter than Aiden.


    "Man, Aiden, you''re not two meters tall, are you?" Ryan asked, craning his neck.


    "Six foot two," Aiden replied.


    "Doesn''t seem like it. Are you wearing lifts?" Ryan joked, glancing at Aiden''s shoes.


    "No," Aiden said flatly.


    "Definitely are!" Ryan teased.


    Grace turned back with a smirk. "Ryan, maybe you''re just short."


    "Hey, I''m five foot eight!" Ryan protested.


    Grace pressed the elevator button and shot him a look. "I''m five-seven in heels, and we''re about the same height. You sure about that five-eight?"


    Ryan sheepishly made a zipping motion across his lips. "Alright, alright, let''s change the subject." Grace chuckled softly.


    Aiden glanced at Grace, surprised at how approachable she was despite being a team leader.


    In the elevator, Grace stood near the buttons, while Ryan stood beside Aiden, sneaking another look at his shoes. They were flat-soled leather shoes, no lifts. Ryan noticed their unique, vintage style and asked, "Hey, Aiden, where''d you get those shoes? They''re pretty cool."


    Aiden smiled faintly. "Picked them up at a thrift store. Thought they looked interesting and didn''t cost much."


    Ryan touched the fabric of Aiden''s suit jacket, noting its smooth texture. "This suit thrifted too?"


    "Yeah. I like finding vintage stuff¡ªit''s comfortable and has character," Aiden explained.


    Ryan chuckled. "In this line of work, dressing too quirky might get you some side-eye. Old-school clients like their suits plain and proper."


    Grace cut in. "Ignore him. As long as you look sharp and professional, you''re fine."


    Ryan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But I''m serious¡ªOlivia wore something flashy to a pitch meeting once, and people couldn''t stop staring."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "That''s their problem," Grace said firmly. "Aiden, just wear what feels appropriate. Don''t overthink it."


    "Got it," Aiden said with a small nod.


    When the elevator doors opened, Ryan trailed after Aiden like a sidekick, muttering, "Wait, you went to Oxford for your MBA, right? Why''re you into thrift shopping?"


    Aiden replied, "My family had some money, but now I''m paying off student loans. Oxford MBA tuition isn''t cheap."


    "Ah, makes sense," Ryan said, crafting a mental story about a wealthy heir turned self-made man. "Happens to the best of us. Don''t let it get you down."


    Grace rolled her eyes. "Ryan, you''re terrible at pep talks."


    "What? I''m just being supportive!" Ryan said, clapping Aiden on the shoulder. "Aiden, keep your head up!"


    Aiden glanced at him, unimpressed, and chose not to respond.


    For the meeting, they took Grace''s BMW 3 Series. She unlocked the car with a click of her key fob.


    "I''ll drive," Ryan offered. Grace handed him the keys and got into the backseat, opening her laptop to review some documents.


    Grace glanced at Aiden in the passenger seat. "You have a driver''s license, right?"


    "Yeah."


    "Good. For long trips or client visits, we''ll take turns driving. Makes it less tiring."


    "Sure," Aiden agreed.


    Ryan started the car and, as they pulled out, said, "Aiden, you''re so reserved. You don''t talk much."


    "Am I?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Totally," Ryan said earnestly. "But I get it¡ªstudent loans, stress, it can make anyone a bit moody. But life''s long. You''ve gotta learn to¡ª"


    "Ryan," Grace interrupted, not looking up from her laptop, "shut up and let me work."


    Ryan sighed dramatically. "Why''re you so nice to Aiden but so mean to me?"


    Without missing a beat, Grace replied, "Because you don''t deserve it."


    "Harsh!" Ryan exclaimed, feigning hurt.


    Aiden''s lips twitched in the faintest smile. He hadn''t expected a private equity firm to be this relaxed. His first day had left a good impression¡ªan approachable boss and quirky, well-meaning colleagues. Not a bad start at all.


    Today, Grace Li and her team were scheduled to visit a client who owned a chain of BBQ restaurants. The client''s stores were located in a neighboring city, meaning they had a one-and-a-half-hour drive ahead of them. In the U.S., traveling across cities to discuss business or expand a company''s footprint is pretty common. Many entrepreneurs seek investment from different regions to fuel their growth. By 3 PM, the group finally arrived at their destination and spent the next three hours in a meeting. Afterward, the founder warmly invited them to dine at one of his BBQ joints.


    The restaurant, named "Grill & Glory", had been founded by Jack Bennett three years ago. Jack had successfully expanded to six locations and was now seeking funding to open more. In the U.S. restaurant industry, stories of entrepreneurs starting with small street food stalls, building a reputation, and gradually expanding into multi-location chains are quite common.


    When Grace Li''s group arrived at the BBQ restaurant, a small crowd of customers was already seated on benches outside, waiting for their turn. Jack beamed with pride as he explained, "Our stores are always this busy. During peak hours, it''s pretty normal to have lines. To keep customers happy, we offer perks like waiving seating fees or handing out complimentary appetizers. It helps make the wait less frustrating."


    Grace walked into the restaurant alongside Jack, taking in the bustling atmosphere. Without wasting time, she asked, "With business booming like this, I''d imagine your cash flow must be pretty healthy, right?"


    Jack chuckled. "Honestly? Business is great, but opening a new location is no joke. Costs pile up¡ªequipment, renovations, rent, staff wages¡ªyou name it. That''s why I''m hoping you guys can help us out. With your capital, we can take Grill & Glory to the next level."


    Jack led the group to a private dining room and gestured for Grace to sit. To showcase the restaurant''s signature dishes, he had a server dedicated to grilling at their table. The spread was nothing short of impressive: pork belly, marbled beef, tender brisket, lamb, chicken thighs, wings, scallops, squid, sausages, and an array of vegetables that filled the table.


    Ryan, ever the food enthusiast, couldn''t stop raving as he devoured bite after bite. "Oh man, this is amazing! No wonder your business is killing it."


    Jack laughed heartily. "Appreciate the compliment, Ryan."


    Between mouthfuls, Ryan asked, "What made you want to start a BBQ restaurant in the first place?"


    "Well," Jack began, "I used to run a food stand at a night market. Business was fantastic, and I built up a loyal customer base. After saving enough money, I figured it was time to open an actual restaurant¡ªno more worrying about bad weather. The first Grill & Glory location wasn''t anything fancy, just a small 1,000-square-foot space. But we made it work."


    As Ryan kept wolfing down food and peppering Jack with questions, Aiden sat quietly, eating in a composed and elegant manner. His demeanor reminded Grace of someone dining at a high-end steakhouse rather than a lively BBQ joint. She thought back to a conversation from earlier in the day between Ryan and Aiden. Aiden had grown up in privilege, and although his family''s fortune had diminished, the polished manners he''d acquired during his upbringing still shone through.


    After chatting for a while, Grace asked, "What''s the average check per customer?"


    Jack thought for a moment. "Around $70 to $80 per person. We also offer a two-person combo for $158, which is a great deal."


    "Can I see a menu?" Grace asked.


    "Of course!" Jack nodded to a server, who quickly brought over a menu. Grace skimmed through it, noting that the pricing was indeed reasonable, with well-thought-out combo options.


    "How much profit do you make on one of those combos?" she asked.


    Jack hesitated briefly, running numbers in his head. "After factoring in all costs, we''re looking at around a 20-30% margin."


    Grace nodded, clearly impressed.


    By the time dinner wrapped up, it was 8:30 PM. Ryan was stuffed and had also indulged in a few too many drinks, leaving the driving duties to Aiden. As soon as they got in the car, Ryan slumped in the backseat and fell asleep almost instantly.


    Aiden handled the car like a pro, his driving smooth and relaxed. With his seat pushed all the way back, his long legs bent slightly as his deft hands gripped the steering wheel. The car, while a mid-tier luxury brand, seemed to transform into a top-tier ride under his control. Grace couldn''t help but admire how effortlessly composed he looked behind the wheel.


    Breaking the silence, Grace asked, "So, what did you think of the BBQ?"


    "It was pretty good," Aiden replied simply.


    "First day on the job. How''re you feeling so far?"


    "It''s been fine," he said with a faint smile.


    "Half of this job is being out in the field, just like today."


    "I like it," he replied, his lips curving slightly upward again.


    Grace chuckled. "If you get tired, let me take over."


    "One hundred kilometers? That''s nothing," Aiden said with an easy tone, clearly unbothered.


    Grace glanced back at Ryan, still fast asleep, and punched an address into the GPS. "He lives in Green Garden. Let''s drop him off first."


    "Got it."


    After dropping Ryan off at his apartment complex, Grace turned to Aiden. "Now put your address into the GPS, and I''ll take you home."


    "No need," Aiden replied. "I live pretty far out."


    "Where?"


    "Brook Village."


    Grace raised her eyebrows, surprised. "Brook Village, huh? I used to live there after graduation. It''s a good spot for someone starting out. Rent''s affordable, which is exactly what I needed back then. I paid $600 a month for a tiny room and stayed there for two years."


    She knew Aiden had grown up wealthy and was likely used to far more luxurious accommodations. Moving to a modest neighborhood like Brook Village must have been a significant adjustment. Still, in America, it''s not unusual for young professionals to scale back and adapt to their financial reality. Grace glanced at Aiden as he drove on, his profile calm and composed, as though nothing could faze him.

 Chapter 03

    "Why don''t I drop you off first? It''s pretty much on the way," Grace Li suggested.


    Aiden Thompson glanced over and asked, "Where do you live?"


    "Greenview Apartments."


    Aiden punched the address into the car''s navigation system, then said, "You go ahead and crash for the night. I''ll just grab an Uber."


    Grace thought it over and nodded. "Alright, that works. Make sure to expense the ride later¡ªdon''t let Ryan give you a hard time about it."


    The car rolled back onto the main road, merging into the evening traffic. After a moment of silence, Aiden unexpectedly spoke up. "You said earlier you used to live in Brook Village."


    "Yeah," Grace said, leaning back into her seat. "When I first graduated, I was flat broke¡ªlike, living paycheck to paycheck kind of broke. I only had about a grand to my name during my first month, and my internship check didn''t come in until the end of it. Every penny I spent felt like a big deal. I rented the cheapest spot I could find, packed my own lunches every day, and even superglued my shoes when they fell apart. It wasn''t glamorous, but I got through it. Once I started earning more, I upgraded to a nicer place."


    Aiden glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You''re pretty open about your past."


    Grace tilted her head, intrigued. "What makes you say that?"


    "Just a vibe I get," Aiden said with a shrug, keeping his eyes on the road.


    Grace laughed softly. "That''s funny. I''ve always thought I was pretty guarded."


    Aiden nodded slightly. "You are¡ªwhen it comes to work."


    Her curiosity piqued, Grace asked, "How so?"


    He took a second before answering. "Take today, for example. The way you grilled Jack during the meeting? You weren''t pulling any punches."


    Grace chuckled. "Fair point. In this line of work, you can''t afford to take things at face value. Every dollar we invest is a risk. If it doesn''t pan out, we''re the ones left holding the bag. That''s why I ask the tough questions. It''s not about being rude; it''s about getting to the bottom of things."


    She shifted the conversation. "Speaking of work, I''ll need you to put together a report on today''s meeting by tomorrow morning. Just the key takeaways¡ªnothing fancy."


    "Got it," Aiden replied simply.


    His short, to-the-point responses added to his reputation for being "chill but distant." Ryan always joked that Aiden had the whole "cool guy" vibe down to a science. But when Aiden smiled, even just a little, it had this effortless charm that made him seem approachable in a way that caught people off guard.


    When they arrived at the gate of Grace''s apartment complex, Aiden parked the car and ordered a rideshare to get home.


    Contrary to Grace''s assumptions, Aiden did live in Brook Village, but not in one of the crammed, older townhouses in the middle of the neighborhood. Instead, he stayed in a furnished long-term rental on the outskirts, near the subway station. The building was sleek and modern, with decent amenities, and the rent was about $1,800 a month¡ªaffordable by New York standards for someone playing it smart with their finances.


    His choice was practical. Apartments closer to the central business district (CBD) typically ran over $4,000 a month for something comparable, and Aiden wasn''t about to shell out that kind of cash. From Brook Village, driving to work took around 40 minutes. If he felt like saving gas, he could walk to the subway station and take two trains, which added up to just under an hour¡ªa totally reasonable commute by NYC standards.


    At the entrance of his apartment building, Aiden had just stepped out of the Uber when a voice called out behind him.


    "Master Aiden."


    He turned to see Tom, the family''s long-time butler, standing by the door of a black Bentley. Next to him was the family chauffeur. The car door opened, and a woman stepped out¡ªelegant and poised, dressed in a perfectly tailored Chanel suit. She looked to be in her early fifties, with every detail of her appearance, from her jewelry to her heels, exuding understated wealth.


    "Mom," Aiden said, walking over. "What are you doing here?"


    "I''ve been worried about you, so I came to check in," she said, her eyes scanning him with maternal concern. "Is this where you''re staying?"


    "Yeah."


    She sighed, her voice softening. "Why are you doing this, Aiden? What''s the point of fighting with your father? He''s been cooling off these past few days. Just go back and apologize¡ªit''ll make things easier for everyone."


    Hands in his pockets, Aiden shook his head firmly. "That''s not happening."


    "Aiden," her voice wavered as she looked at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I''m worried about you. I just want to make sure you''re okay."


    "I''m fine, Mom. I''m living on my own, and I''m managing. You don''t have to worry about me. It''s late¡ªwhy don''t you head home?"


    Tom chimed in gently, "Master Aiden, please listen to your mother. She only wants what''s best for you."


    Aiden glanced at the older man but stayed resolute. "I''m not upset with Dad. I just want to see what I can do on my own, without him backing me."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    His mother pulled a sleek black card from her handbag and extended it to him. "If you''re not ready to come back, at least take this."


    "I don''t need it," Aiden said, taking a step back.


    "You gave all your cards back to your father," she pressed. "How do you even have money?"


    "Don''t worry, Mom. I''m not starving." He sighed, glancing at the time. "It''s late. Please, just go home. I''ll be fine."


    After watching the car pull away, Aiden turned and headed upstairs to his apartment.


    The place was modest but comfortable¡ªa 600-square-foot loft with high ceilings, a small kitchen, and a bright living space. It wasn''t anything fancy, but for $1,800 a month, it was a great deal for New York City, even on the outskirts of Manhattan. The building was near the subway, which made commuting to work manageable.


    Before leaving home, Aiden had returned all the credit cards and bank accounts tied to his father''s wealth. But his internship at Goldman Sachs had allowed him to save a decent chunk of money. He had about $15,000 stashed away in a personal account, untouched by his family.


    After paying the security deposit, first and last month''s rent, and furnishing the apartment with basic essentials, he was left with about $9,000. At his current rate of spending¡ªaround $2,000 a month, including rent, groceries, and other expenses¡ªhe calculated he could make it comfortably until his first paycheck arrived next month.


    Grace Li was more than impressed with Aiden Thompson''s work. Whether it was industry research reports or financial analysis, he delivered exceptional results every time. Some of his unique perspectives even earned Grace''s silent admiration.


    On top of that, Aiden''s good looks had earned him quite the fan club among the female employees in the company. Early in the morning, a woman from a neighboring team was already waiting by the hallway with two cups of coffee. When she spotted Aiden walking by, she immediately approached him.


    "Aiden! Good morning!" she greeted with a bright smile.


    "Morning," Aiden replied lazily, his tone casual.


    "I accidentally bought an extra coffee. This one''s for you," she said, handing him a cup.


    "Thanks, but I''ve already had my coffee," Aiden declined politely.


    "Oh, come on, one more cup won''t hurt!" She practically shoved the coffee into his hands. "Here, take it." Then she quickly pulled out her phone. "By the way, let''s exchange numbers! I know we''re on different teams, but it''d be great to connect for work, you know?"


    "Bad timing," Aiden said calmly. "I forgot my phone today."


    Her smile froze for a second. "Uh¡­ alright, maybe next time then."


    Olivia, who had been watching from nearby, stomped into the break room, fuming. Coincidentally, Grace Li was there too. Olivia marched up to her, huffing, "Boss, that Amy from the other team is way out of line! She''s trying to steal one of our own!"


    Grace had seen the whole thing too and laughed, trying to calm her down. "She''s just being friendly."


    "No way," Olivia puffed up her cheeks. She''d never liked Amy. "Aiden is one of us! She doesn''t get to make a move on him."


    Grace just smiled and headed back to her office with her coffee. Aiden was already at his desk, and that cup of coffee Amy had forced on him? He''d placed it on Ryan''s desk.


    Ryan''s eyes lit up as he pretended to look touched. "Aiden, how did you know I was just craving coffee? Man, I knew sticking up for you these days would pay off!"


    Aiden pulled out his chair and sat down, his tone flat. "She shoved it at me. Didn''t feel like throwing it in the trash, so enjoy."


    Ryan''s expression immediately changed. "I knew it! You''re not that nice!"


    "If you don''t want it, toss it," Aiden said, opening his laptop.


    Ryan quickly opened the lid and chugged a big gulp. "Waste not, want not!"


    Sitting next to Ryan, Mike chimed in with a grin, "Hey, Aiden, next time someone shoves free coffee at you, think of me, alright?"


    Olivia wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Seriously, do you guys have no dignity? It''s just a cup of coffee¡ªwhat, like three bucks? You can''t buy your own?"


    Mike leaned back in his chair, smirking at Olivia from across the desk. "Relax, Olivia. It''s just a joke. Why so serious?"


    Olivia crossed her arms. "I just didn''t think you guys could stoop this low. Disappointing, really."


    Just then, Grace received a call on the office line. Hanging up, she called out to the room, "Thanksgiving gifts from the company are here! They''re in admin. Ryan, Mike, go grab them." She''d planned it this way since George and Peter had already told her last week they''d need to leave early to catch flights home for Thanksgiving.


    Ryan, still sipping his coffee, got up with Mike to head to admin.


    This year''s Thanksgiving gift was a neatly wrapped rectangular box. Inside was an assortment of fruit, a pumpkin pie, and a $50 gift card.


    The gifts sparked a lively buzz in the office as everyone started chatting.


    "Time really flies," Olivia said with a sigh. "It feels like we just got last year''s Thanksgiving gifts yesterday."


    "Hey, Grace," George said, "I''ve got a flight at 5:30 today. I''ll need to leave by 4. That okay?"


    Grace shot him a look. "Do you really need to announce it so loud?"


    "I''ll just say I''m going out for project research," George replied with a grin.


    "Same here," Peter added, raising his hand. "My flight''s at 6:30, so I need to head out by 5 at the latest."


    Grace waved them off. "I didn''t hear anything. You guys figure it out."


    Earlier, Grace had invested in a custom chocolate company, and today they were hosting a Thanksgiving event. Since most of the team was leaving early, and Olivia''s family lived locally, Grace told her, "Olivia, I''m heading to the ¡®Sweet Moments'' Thanksgiving event this afternoon. Come with me¡ªit''s part event, part check-in on the investment."


    "Sure thing, boss!" Olivia agreed enthusiastically.


    "Sweet Moments" was a company Grace had invested in two years ago, founded by two young women who specialized in creative chocolates. They designed chocolates for weddings, holidays, and romantic occasions, and their unique designs had caught Grace''s attention. She''d invested in the idea, and the business had grown steadily ever since.


    By the time Grace finished her day, it was 7 p.m. The founders had offered to treat her to dinner, but their shop was too busy that night, so Grace declined and headed back to the office. Olivia had gone straight home.


    Grace expected the office to be empty¡ªit was Thanksgiving evening, after all. But to her surprise, the lights were still on, and there was Aiden, sitting at his desk, working away.


    "Aiden, you''re not going home for Thanksgiving?" she asked, startled.


    Aiden turned at the sound of her voice. "Nope."


    Grace walked over to his desk and set down a gift bag. "Where''s home?" she asked.


    "Boston."


    "That''s not far¡ªjust a few hours'' drive. Why aren''t you heading back?" Grace asked, her curiosity growing.


    Aiden looked at her and asked, "Do you want the truth?"


    Grace suddenly felt like she might be prying too much. She quickly backtracked. "If you don''t want to say, it''s fine."


    But Aiden answered anyway. "Haven''t achieved much yet. Not ready to face them."


    Grace instantly understood. She thought of what she knew about his background¡ªhow his family had fallen on hard times. He was probably under a lot of pressure to succeed before going home. No wonder he always carried that faint air of melancholy.


    She didn''t press further. Instead, she picked up the gift bag and pulled out a small transparent box. "Here, this is for you," she said with a smile, placing it on his desk. "Happy Thanksgiving."


    Aiden glanced at her, then at the box. Inside was a beautifully crafted chocolate Thanksgiving scene: a dark chocolate turkey at the center, surrounded by little chocolate vegetables¡ªcarrots, broccoli, corn, and pumpkins. A star-shaped milk chocolate card sat beside the turkey, with the words "Thankful for you¡ªlife feels warmer with you in it" written in white chocolate.


    "Thanks," Aiden said softly.


    "No big deal," Grace said, grinning. "One of the clients gave it to me today. I''m just re-gifting it to you."


    "Re-gifting?" Aiden repeated the word, a faint smile forming. He found the phrase oddly amusing and chuckled.

 Chapter 04

    Grace Li returned to her desk, opened her laptop, and started organizing the materials she''d collected from the "Sweet Moments" event earlier that day. She figured if she didn''t sort it out now during the holiday, she''d probably forget half of it after the three-day break. The office fell silent for a moment.


    Aiden''s desk was just about six feet from Grace''s, and he could easily spot her. He turned his head slightly and casually asked, "Not heading home?"


    "Traffic''s probably terrible today. I figured I''d leave first thing in the morning instead," Grace replied. She had planned to order takeout after returning to the office, but chatting with Aiden had made her forget. Her stomach growled¡ªthose chocolates earlier weren''t enough. "Did you have dinner yet?"


    "Not yet."


    "I''m about to order takeout. Wanna join me?"


    "Sure," Aiden replied.


    Grace pulled out her phone and scrolled through the delivery app. After a while, she walked over to Aiden''s desk with her phone in hand. "Hey, Aiden, how about sushi? This place has great reviews, and it''s still open!"


    Aiden didn''t even glance at the menu and said, "Works for me."


    Grace liked to keep things casual with her team, but she wondered if Aiden agreed so quickly because she was his boss and he didn''t want to say no. Testing the waters, she added, "We can order something else if you''d rather."


    "Sushi''s good. I like eel and sashimi," Aiden replied with clear preferences.


    Relieved, Grace started adding items to the cart. "Alright, one eel California roll, a sashimi platter, and a sushi combo. We should get some mains too¡ªramen or fried rice? What''s your pick?"


    "Ramen."


    Grace handed him her phone. "Here, pick one¡ªspicy ramen, tonkotsu ramen, or seafood ramen?"


    Aiden selected the tonkotsu ramen without much thought. Grace showed him the order summary after placing it. "Take a look¡ªthis enough for you?"


    "Yeah, looks good."


    Grace finished the payment, and Aiden immediately pulled up her contact to transfer his share. Grace noticed and quickly stopped him. "No need, my treat."


    Aiden looked at her, a faint smile on his face. "You this generous with all your team members?"


    Grace laughed. "Only occasionally. Can''t afford to do this all the time!"


    "Thanks, then," Aiden said, not pressing further.


    "No big deal," Grace replied. Then, teasingly, she added, "You know, Ryan and the others are always trying to get me to treat them. Stick around long enough, and you''ll see."


    Half an hour later, the sushi arrived. Since the company''s dining area was closed for the holiday, Grace cleared half her desk, and the two of them started eating.


    As they ate, Grace said, "Let me tell you something. In this industry, as long as you stick with it and put in the effort, making money isn''t that hard."


    "How so?" Aiden asked.


    Grace picked up a piece of tuna sashimi, dipped it in soy sauce, and popped it into her mouth. The wasabi hit her hard, and she almost teared up. "Hang on¡ªtoo much wasabi!"


    Aiden couldn''t help but laugh at her reaction.


    Once Grace recovered, she continued, "Here''s an example. I graduated from Arizona State University. Solid school, but not exactly a top name in investment banking or venture capital. My first job was as a teller at a bank. I only lasted six months because I hated it¡ªjust no passion for it. Then I joined a private company''s marketing department and got burned bad."


    "How bad?" Aiden asked, intrigued.


    "No health insurance, and the boss just kept making empty promises. I left pretty quickly," Grace said with a wry smile. "Back then, I was completely lost. Now, looking back, I realize how na?ve I was. With barely any experience, finding a decent job was tough. But then I joined a financial advisory firm, and that''s where I found my passion¡ªinvesting. Researching startups, analyzing industries, putting money into promising companies, and watching them grow¡ªit was so exciting. I met Benjamin, our boss, during that time. Nova Capital was just a small team back then. He thought I''d be a good fit and invited me to join. I started as an investment assistant and worked my way up. A year later, I became a senior investment manager, and two years after that, investment director."Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Pretty impressive," Aiden said simply.


    "You''ve got way more potential than I did," Grace said. "You''re sharp, hardworking, and your reports? Flawless. I''m sure you''ll go even further."


    "Are you trying to motivate me?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Grace tilted her head and grinned. "Maybe, or maybe I''m just humblebragging. Who knows?"


    Aiden chuckled softly and went back to his sushi.


    Grace Li had booked her flight in advance and took an early morning flight back home the next day. With the waiting time and the commute to and from the airport, the trip went pretty smoothly. Her home was located on the border between Los Angeles and San Diego, under the jurisdiction of San Diego. Compared to the bustling city life of Los Angeles, San Diego had a more laid-back, peaceful vibe, and her house was even further out in a small rural town near the outskirts of San Diego.


    Her mom ran a small grocery store in town, and her dad worked at a local factory¡ªjust a regular, down-to-earth family. She had a younger brother who had just graduated and was interning in San Francisco.


    It was rare for the whole family to be together, so on Thanksgiving, after finishing dinner, Grace Li decided to hang out with her parents and watch a family drama together in the living room.


    Her mom, Huiyun Liang, saw an opportunity and asked, "Hey, did you hear that Emily had her second baby a few days ago?" Emily was Grace Li''s cousin, and they often kept in touch on social media. Grace Li knew about it, so she responded, "Yeah, I heard. She''s just one year younger than me, and now she has two kids. Meanwhile, I''m not even married yet."


    Her mom had been bringing up her marriage for a while now. Now that they were face to face, she wasn''t letting go of this "teaching moment" and changed her approach: "You see how everyone around us gets married and supports each other. Their lives are stable. I''m worried that when you get older, no one will be there to take care of you." Grace Li had already prepared herself for this. "Mom, her having a second kid is her choice, not my problem," she replied.


    "You just don''t get it, do you? You''re still single, and you''re the only one in the family like that. You need to talk to that guy you mentioned before and get some clarity. If he''s serious about you, he needs to show it. If you just wait around like this, you''re basically the only one in the relationship," her mom continued, pressing the issue.


    This had been a big source of stress for Grace Li. She and Daniel Chou were college classmates, and she had secretly liked him back then. But with so many girls chasing him, Grace Li never had the courage to confess. Afterward, Daniel went to Europe as an exchange student. After finishing his studies, he joined a well-known investment firm in Europe, and their paths diverged.


    They reconnected four years ago when Daniel was sent to the U.S. office of the same company for an important project. Grace Li, now working as an investment manager at Nova Capital, was involved in the same project, and they started working closely together again. After the project was completed, Grace Li took the plunge and confessed to him on social media. That night, Daniel showed up at her doorstep.


    Daniel said, "Grace Li, I need to tell you something." Grace Li still remembered that moment clearly, her heart racing like crazy.


    He continued, "Our headquarters is planning to transfer me back to Europe to handle a more crucial part of the business. It''s a huge opportunity, and if I agree to be with you now, it wouldn''t be fair to you. I don''t want to hold you back. How about this¡ªif you still feel the same in three years, we can be together."


    At that time, Grace Li was 26 and filled with romantic notions. Without hesitation, she agreed. During the early days of his move back to Europe, Daniel would frequently message her, sharing pictures of fun and interesting things. Grace Li was swept up in the sweetness of it all.


    But over time, their communication began to fade. What started as daily chats turned into messages three times a week, then once a week, and lately, she hadn''t heard from him in weeks. Grace Li could clearly feel the distance growing between them. She often thought about just cutting him off, but she could never bring herself to do it. Daniel Chou had been her crush since college, and finding someone who matched her in so many ways was hard. Waiting for three years didn''t seem impossible. Her emotions kept her torn between giving up and holding on.


    After talking to her mom, Grace Li lay in bed, staring at Daniel''s profile picture on social media. The last time they had chatted was three weeks ago. She wondered if she should wish him a happy Thanksgiving, since it was the holiday there too.


    Never mind, he hasn''t reached out, so why should I make the first move? Grace Li put her phone down, turned off the light, and pulled the blanket over herself, ready to sleep. But after a few minutes of silence, she reached out from under the covers, grabbed her phone from the bedside table, opened the chat window, and hesitated for a while. Finally, she sent the message.


    Grace Li: Happy Thanksgiving.


    Daniel Chou: Happy Thanksgiving! Have you had turkey yet?


    Grace Li: Yeah, I did.


    Daniel Chou: [photo] I had some too.


    He sent a picture of a turkey.


    Grace Li: Did you buy it at the supermarket?


    Daniel Chou: A colleague gave it to me.


    Grace Li: Oh, nice.


    After a few brief exchanges, the conversation came to a halt. But those few words gave Grace Li a warm feeling. She waited for another ten minutes, but when Daniel didn''t reply, she placed her phone back on the bedside table and finally drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 05

    The next morning, Grace Li slept in a bit. After having breakfast, her aunt, Meilian Li, arrived, carrying a bag of organic vegetables she had carefully grown herself. These kinds of veggies were pretty pricey at the supermarket in the U.S., and it was a real treat to get them for free.


    Meilian Li and Grace''s mom, Huiyun Liang, were chatting away in the living room. When Grace Li greeted them, her aunt immediately called her over. Grace Li, always respectful of her elders, had a feeling her aunt wasn''t about to bring up anything pleasant, but still sat down obediently.


    As expected, Meilian Li got straight to the point. "Grace Li, our community often has charity events, networking mixers, and social gatherings. A lot of good, successful single men go to these events. You should join in whenever you can, meet more people, and broaden your horizons. Tell me, what kind of guy are you looking for? I know a lot of people around here, I''ll keep an eye out for someone suitable."


    Grace Li, feeling a bit helpless, sighed and replied, "Aunt, I already like someone, please don''t worry about me."


    "I heard from your mom that the guy you like is still in Europe," Meilian Li said, patting her arm. "It''s been over three years. In relationships, if you drag it out too long, things change. Being long-distance, you can''t solve the real problems together. Over time, the feelings might fade, and you''ll end up with nothing. Trust me, meeting more good, reliable people is never a bad idea."


    Grace Li quickly responded, "But I can''t just marry anyone."


    "Oh, I''m not saying you should marry anyone just like that," Meilian Li quickly corrected. "I know a great guy who''s perfect for you. He''s just two years older than you, a doctor at the hospital nearby, and graduated from a top American university. He bought a house in a nice area here. His parents are well-educated and really good people. And once you have kids, they can help out, making life a lot easier."


    Grace Li immediately felt uncomfortable and said, "Aunt, really, no need."


    "You haven''t even met him yet, how can you say no?" Meilian Li insisted. "How are you ever going to get married if you just say no all the time?"


    At this point, Huiyun Liang, Grace''s mom, joined in. "Big sister, why don''t you just show Grace the guy''s picture? Let''s see if she likes him."


    "I have a picture right here," Meilian Li said, pulling out her phone and showing her a photo. "This is him, wearing his doctor''s coat. Doesn''t he look great?"


    The photo was a little blurry, taken from the hospital''s website.


    Grace Li glanced at it. The guy had a buzz cut, and though his facial features weren''t very clear, he seemed a little chubby and not very tall. From the look of him, she could tell right away that he wasn''t her type.


    Meilian Li kept pushing, "He''s a doctor, and doctors have great benefits here in the U.S. With a salary of over six figures, he has great health insurance, social security, and a good retirement plan. You two would be so well-matched!"


    When Grace Li heard the word "matched," she felt a sharp discomfort. She was a senior executive at a well-known company in the U.S., with an annual income close to a million dollars¡ªseveral times higher than the doctor''s. She had also just bought a house in New York last year. Over the years, she had received attention from men with better qualifications than this guy, so she couldn''t understand why her aunt kept talking about "compatibility."


    But since Meilian Li was her elder, Grace Li patiently said, "Aunt, it really isn''t a good fit."


    Meilian Li, a little frustrated, said, "You can''t judge if someone is a good match just from pictures or assumptions. You need to meet in person to see if it works."


    Grace Li tried to explain, "The guy you''re talking about works at the hospital here, but I work in New York. It''s just too far apart."


    "You can''t be too picky, Grace," Meilian Li insisted. "Sometimes ¡®good enough'' is good enough. As for the location, if you two really like each other, he could transfer to New York, or you could come back here. You''re a young woman¡ªdon''t keep running all over the place. It''s not like you''re stuck in New York forever, right?" Meilian Li turned to Huiyun Liang and said, "Sis, don''t you agree? Grace has so many good qualities, but if she keeps hesitating like this, she might miss out on good opportunities¡­"


    Grace Li felt like she couldn''t change her aunt''s mind, so she decided to find a way out. She quickly texted her friend Isabella Hsueh: Call me ASAP, it''s urgent.


    Not long after, Grace Li''s phone rang. She picked it up immediately, "Hello?"


    Isabella Hsueh, playing along, said, "Grace Li, where are you? I''ve been waiting for you for ages! Hurry up and come!"


    "Okay, I''ll be there soon. Just wait a little longer," Grace Li replied.


    She turned on her acting skills and quickly hung up the phone. Then she said to her aunt, "Aunt, I have something urgent to take care of. I need to step out for a bit."


    Meilian Li, reluctantly, said, "Alright, go ahead."


    Grace Li quickly escaped. As soon as she stepped outside, she felt a wave of relief. She drove straight to Isabella Hsueh''s place, eager to get away from the awkward situation.


    Isabella Hsueh lived just a few blocks away from Grace Li''s place. They''d known each other since elementary school, going all the way through high school together. Their bond was so close, it felt more like sisters than friends.


    Knowing Grace Li was coming over, Isabella picked up two Starbucks coffees on her way out. They sat on the bench downstairs from her apartment building, sipping their drinks.


    After Grace Li vented about everything that happened with her aunt, Isabella immediately fired back, "What''s your aunt doing? That guy''s got nothing on you, he''s not even in your league. You need to put your foot down next time, just call her out on it."


    Grace Li gave a half-laugh. "I wish I had half your backbone."


    "I wasn''t always like this," Isabella shrugged, "but after working as a divorce lawyer, dealing with people fighting over everything, I''ve kind of lost all hope when it comes to marriage."


    Isabella was pretty well-known in the U.S. as a divorce lawyer. She saw all sorts of messed-up marriages on the daily, and honestly, it had turned her off from the whole idea. A couple of years ago, she''d straight up declared she was done with the whole "get married and settle down" thing.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Her family had been on her case for years, too. But when they kept pushing her to get married, she finally snapped and put a stop to it¡ªno one dared bring it up again.


    Grace Li asked, "Do you ever feel lonely?"


    Isabella took a sip of her coffee, looking at her thoughtfully. "Nah, I''m good. I''ve got my own thing going¡ªbusy with work, making money¡ªno time to feel lonely."


    Grace Li sighed. "Honestly, I don''t need marriage either. I see so many unhappy marriages around me, and I''m perfectly fine on my own. But sometimes, on weekends when I''m home alone, it just feels so quiet. I get in my head, and my mood just drops. There are nights when I can''t sleep, and it feels so empty. I just wish I had someone to talk to."


    Isabella pulled her in for a side hug, saying, "If you''re feeling lonely, just come hang with me, silly."


    "You know I always do," Grace Li smiled. "We always go out for food or shopping when I''m down."


    "Exactly! Anytime I''m free, you''re more than welcome to come over or crash at my place if you need to."


    Grace Li smiled, feeling a bit lighter.


    Isabella suddenly raised an eyebrow. "So, what''s the deal with Daniel Chou? Still the same?"


    When Grace Li heard his name, she paused for a moment before answering. "Yeah, pretty much. We talk sometimes."


    "Didn''t you guys agree on three years? It''s been over three years now."


    "Last time we talked, he said he''d be back by the end of this year."


    "Well, that''s almost here." Isabella set her empty cup aside. "But seriously... after all this time, do you think he''s still¡­?"


    Grace Li hesitated. "I don''t know. Maybe not."


    "Have you asked him?"


    Grace Li gave a little laugh. "Not directly. I just get the sense that he''s still a good guy. If he had someone else, he''d probably tell me."


    Isabella scoffed. "Girl, don''t be so trusting. Over in Europe, it''s a whole different world. Who knows what he''s up to?"


    It had been a while since they''d last talked, but Grace Li had tried to hint around, asking Daniel Chou if he had a girlfriend. Instead of asking straight out, she''d asked if there were a lot of beautiful women in the European finance world. Daniel had replied, saying he was bad with faces and still preferred Chinese girls. But to ask him directly if he had a girlfriend? That felt too awkward. Their relationship was a bit of a gray area¡ªfriends, but not quite lovers. She didn''t feel like it was her place to ask.


    "Honestly, I''m not holding out much hope for him. But I haven''t met anyone who''s made me feel that way yet. If we end up together, I''ll go for it. But if he doesn''t come back, or he''s seeing someone else, I won''t lose sleep over it."


    Isabella nodded, understanding. "At least you''re looking at it the right way."


    At Nova Capital''s investment committee meeting, Grace Li, the Investment Director, stood at the front, presenting a project she had been following closely for two months. Wearing a light beige professional suit with her hair neatly tied in a low ponytail, she confidently held the remote and began speaking:


    "With the U.S. consumer market heating up, new trends are emerging one after another, and especially among younger generations, consumer preferences are becoming more diverse and selective. Nowadays, every industry needs to keep up with these changes. Take baked goods, for example. Today''s youth aren''t just concerned about taste¡ªthey care a lot about appearance too. Products need to look as good as they taste, and they need to meet the demand for Instagram-worthy photos. The project I''m introducing today¡ª¡®N Perspective Bakery''¡ªis a bakery that precisely caters to these preferences. Its founder is a young man with a background in the arts. He''s passionate about both art and baking, and his cakes are truly works of art. Let me show you some of their creations. The bakery has been open for less than a year, but currently, orders must be booked at least two weeks in advance¡­"


    After 30 minutes of presenting, Grace Li wrapped up and waited for questions from the committee members.


    Benjamin Harris, the Managing Partner of Nova Capital, asked first: "Grace, there are a ton of viral spots popping up everywhere, but only a few manage to stay popular long-term. How long do you think the hype around this project will last?"


    Grace Li responded, "You''re absolutely right. Most viral businesses are short-lived. I''ve done extensive research and found that many of these places fail to maintain their reputation when their popularity peaks. They rely on traffic, but when that dies down, so does the business. I''ve spoken to the owner of this bakery, and we both agree that the key to sustaining long-term success is continuous innovation and maintaining a strong reputation. So, as part of their expansion plan, they''re increasing investment in research and development, improving training for their bakers, and have introduced an innovation incentive program for designers to ensure quality and customer satisfaction."


    Other committee members followed up with their questions, and Grace Li answered each one with ease.


    Today''s meeting was unusually smooth. In the past, when there were significant disagreements, heated debates would erupt. But this time, five out of the six members voted in favor, meaning the ¡®N Perspective Bakery'' project could move forward without any major roadblocks.


    After the meeting, Benjamin called Grace into his office. "Grace, about the project you just presented¡ªcontact Evelyn from Vanguard Capital and see if she''s interested in getting involved."


    Grace Li knew Evelyn Garcia from Vanguard Capital. They had worked together a few times, but the last collaboration had ended on a sour note. Early last year, a project in the neighboring team had asked for her help, but things went south quickly, resulting in an awkward fallout. Evelyn had been extremely upset, and after that, the two companies had kept their distance.


    Grace Li hesitated. "Evelyn hasn''t exactly been happy with us in the past. I''m not sure how to approach her."


    "Give it a shot," Benjamin said, taking a sip from his coffee. "Vanguard Capital is an important partner, and there will be plenty of future opportunities to collaborate. We can''t just ignore them. There are a lot of projects waiting for funding, and we can''t shoulder all the risks ourselves. I think this project fits her investment style, so try your best to persuade her."


    Grace Li understood the stakes. Without new investment, the ¡®N Perspective Bakery'' project might get delayed. "Okay, I sent Evelyn an email the other day, outlining the project details. I was thinking of inviting her for dinner this week to talk more. I''ll call her later to confirm the time."


    Evelyn Garcia was one of the few female leaders in New York''s venture capital scene. After working at PwC and going through a divorce that left her with a substantial settlement, she went on to found her own firm. Over the years, she had made a name for herself with impressive investments, particularly in the consumer sector. Her recent success, ¡®Cloud Top Coffee,'' had made her a key player in viral projects, and she was highly likely to be interested in ¡®N Perspective Bakery.''


    Reluctantly, Grace Li dialed Evelyn''s number. After taking a deep breath and a sip of water, she put on her best smile as the call connected. "Hey Evelyn! How are you? I sent you an email the other day about this amazing viral bakery project we''re working on. Did you get a chance to look at it? I''d love to grab dinner and go over it in more detail. Are you free in the next few days?"


    Evelyn''s voice was sharp: "Last time, your team was a mess. I''ve got some serious reservations about your company now."


    Grace Li quickly responded, "I totally understand. Last time, we made some mistakes, and we''ve learned from them. I can assure you that won''t happen again¡­"


    While Grace Li was on the phone, her colleagues were watching her from the office, exchanging knowing glances. George sent a message in the group chat.


    George: "No way, is that Evelyn Garcia?" Olivia: "Looks like it." Ryan: "Seriously, even if we messed up, why is the boss the one apologizing?" Mike: "She''s a tough cookie. Can''t figure out why Grace would want to go back to her." Olivia: "Probably because of that bakery project. Evelyn loves viral businesses." Aiden Thompson: "What''s her deal?" Olivia: "You''re new, so let me fill you in. Evelyn''s the boss at Vanguard Capital. We''ve worked with her before, but the last time, a project went sideways, and she lost her temper. She actually came to the office, and Benjamin had to hold a meeting to calm her down. After that, she said she wouldn''t work with us anymore."


    After finishing the call, Grace Li looked at the group chat and feigned annoyance: "You guys think I''m invisible, huh?"


    Ryan grinned: "Boss, you''re really going to ask her to invest?"


    Grace Li shrugged: "Benjamin''s orders."


    Mike grumbled: "That woman''s a tough nut to crack."


    Grace Li firmly responded: "I get it. But we did mess up last time, and by now, you should all know how meticulous projects are. If we do things right, Evelyn won''t be able to nitpick. I''m meeting her for dinner tomorrow, and Mike, you''re coming with me."


    Mike paled: "I''ve got a post-investment meeting with George at Shenghong tomorrow."


    Ryan quickly jumped in: "I''m heading to ¡®Grill & Glory'' for some field research tomorrow¡ªno time to join you guys." He pointed at Aiden Thompson. "Take Aiden with you."


    Grace Li turned to Aiden Thompson: "Are you up for it?"


    Aiden nodded: "Sure."


    The rest of the group let out a sigh of relief.

 Chapter 06

    Grace Li had been working in venture capital for five and a half years. During that time, she had dealt with all sorts of people, yet her personality remained straightforward and a bit too direct for the industry''s usual smooth-talking, diplomatic norm. Deep down, she preferred interacting with laid-back and kind people¡ªthose who didn''t speak in riddles or play mind games.


    This time, however, she had no choice but to meet with Evelyn Garcia of Vanguard Capital. The meeting was at the behest of Benjamin Harris, the managing partner. Benjamin wanted her to smooth things over between Nova Capital and Vanguard Capital. There was no way Grace could refuse such a directive.


    On the drive to the restaurant, Grace gave her colleague, Aiden Thompson, a heads-up. "Aiden, you''ve probably heard Ryan and the others mention it¡ªEvelyn isn''t the easiest person to deal with. She''s had a bit of a falling-out with our firm before. If she wants to vent tonight, we just let her. No need to push back."


    Aiden frowned. "If she''s that difficult, why bother with her?"


    "This project fits squarely within her area of expertise, and there''s a good chance she''ll be interested. Plus," Grace sighed, "there are some internal dynamics at play in our company that I won''t bore you with right now. Bottom line: our team finally got a project approved by the investment committee, and I have high hopes for it. If we can get Evelyn onboard, it''ll be smooth sailing from here."


    Grace didn''t spell it out, but Aiden had a good idea of what was going on. Benjamin was using Grace to mend fences between the two firms while also solving the funding issue¡ªeffectively offloading all the pressure onto her.


    Grace picked a high-end steakhouse for the meeting, scheduling it for 7:30 p.m. She and Aiden arrived ten minutes early. By 7:30, there was still no sign of Evelyn Garcia. Growing restless, Grace checked her phone and found a message from Evelyn''s assistant: Evelyn was stuck on an important call and would be 15 minutes late.


    Fifteen minutes came and went, but Evelyn was still nowhere to be seen. Grace, glancing at the restaurant entrance for the umpteenth time, turned to Aiden. "Are you hungry? Should we order some bread to tide us over?"


    "I''m fine, not hungry yet," Aiden replied.


    At that moment, Grace''s stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble. Her cheeks flushed pink. She''d barely touched her lunch earlier, as the takeout had been unappetizing, and now she was starving. Aiden, clearly having heard, suggested, "Why not go ahead and order something small?"


    Grace shook her head, still embarrassed. "No need. If you''re not hungry, we''ll wait a bit longer."


    Finally, ten minutes later, Evelyn Garcia arrived. She walked in wearing a fitted burgundy dress that hugged her figure, her shoulder-length chestnut waves styled in loose curls, and bold red lipstick that turned heads.


    Grace quickly stood to greet her. "Evelyn, good evening."


    "You must be Grace Li," Evelyn said, extending her hand.


    "Yes, that''s me."


    As the two women shook hands, Aiden rose from his seat and politely pulled out Evelyn''s chair. "Evelyn, please have a seat," he said, his demeanor effortlessly gentlemanly.


    Evelyn immediately noticed the strikingly handsome young man. Over her years in the financial world, she''d met plenty of good-looking men, even movie-star types, but Aiden stood out. His masculinity had no trace of pretense, and his natural charm exuded a quiet confidence.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    While looking at Aiden, Evelyn asked Grace, "And who is this?"


    Grace introduced him. "This is Aiden Thompson, a new investment manager on our team."


    Evelyn''s smile widened. "Aiden, you''re quite the standout."


    Aiden replied modestly, "You''re too kind, Evelyn."


    Evelyn''s curiosity was piqued. "You look young¡ªwhat are you, 25?"


    "Spot on. Just turned 25," Aiden said with a polite smile.


    Evelyn remained all smiles, completely opposite from the hostility Grace had braced herself for. She had come prepared to take criticism, even harsh words, without complaint. Yet Aiden''s presence had transformed Evelyn''s attitude into something surprisingly warm. Grace, a seasoned professional, couldn''t miss the subtle interest Evelyn was showing in him.


    After the small talk, Grace flagged down the waiter to order. Evelyn casually picked a sirloin steak, a salad, and a glass of white wine. Once the orders were in, Grace took the opportunity to steer the conversation to business. "Evelyn, what do you think of our ¡®N-Perspective Baking'' project?"


    "I''ve reviewed the materials you sent," Evelyn said. "It''s a solid concept so far."


    Grace took that as a good sign and pressed on. "Would you consider investing in it?"


    Evelyn leaned back slightly, regaining her composed air. "Investment decisions aren''t made lightly. I wouldn''t commit based on just a few documents."


    "Of course, I understand. If you''d like additional data or an on-site visit, let me know, and I''ll make all the arrangements," Grace said quickly.


    Evelyn shifted her focus back to Aiden. "Thompson, right?"


    "Aiden''s fine," he said with an easy smile.


    "So, are you involved in this baking project?" Evelyn asked.


    "I''ve only been with the company a short time," Aiden said modestly. "I''m mostly assisting Grace. She''s the one taking the lead on this project."


    "No worries. I just wanted to hear a fresh perspective," Evelyn said before turning back to Grace. "Miss Li, the baking market is quite competitive. How long do you think the differentiation of ¡®N-Perspective'' can last? And what''s the market share of its competitors?"


    Grace responded with detailed data and analysis. Evelyn occasionally redirected questions to Aiden, asking for his thoughts on consumer behavior in their target demographic. His responses were clear, concise, and insightful, impressing Evelyn more with each passing moment.


    As dinner progressed, Evelyn looked thoroughly pleased. Toward the end of the meal, she swirled the last sip of wine in her glass and chuckled. "Well, now I''ve gone and forgotten I drove myself here. Can''t exactly drive after drinking, can I?"


    Grace immediately offered, "Evelyn, I can drive you home to make sure you get there safely."


    Evelyn waved her off, her gaze landing on Aiden. "Aiden, you drive, right? Could you do me a favor and take my car? I''ll even pay you for your time¡ªand consider it a personal favor to me."


    Aiden hesitated, but before he could answer, Grace interjected with a smile. "Evelyn, we could arrange for a professional driver. That way, you and Aiden won''t have to go out of your way."


    Evelyn smiled lightly. "Grace, you''re so thoughtful. But tonight''s been delightful, and I''d like to chat with Aiden a bit more."


    Sensing Evelyn wouldn''t budge, Grace remained composed. "How about this¡ªAiden drives you, and I''ll follow in my car. That way, if you need anything, I''ll be close by."


    Evelyn considered the suggestion and finally nodded with a smile. "That works."


    Evelyn''s car, a $2-million Maserati, smoothly pulled out of the restaurant parking lot, with Grace following closely behind. As she trailed them, Grace couldn''t help but regret bringing Aiden along. She could''ve handled the meeting on her own. Now, if Evelyn crossed any lines with Aiden, Grace knew she''d feel responsible.


    At a red light, Grace''s car came to a stop behind Evelyn''s. She craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse through the heavily tinted windows of the Maserati, but they revealed nothing. When the light turned green, she quickly refocused and followed.


    Her thoughts raced. What if Evelyn invited Aiden into her apartment? How would she handle that? Evelyn''s luxury building came into view, and Grace watched the Maserati disappear into the underground garage.


    Distracted, Grace accidentally blocked the entrance to the garage until the honking from cars behind her snapped her back to reality. She drove off and parked nearby, finding a spot with a good view of the building''s main entrance.


    With the engine idling, she kept glancing at the entrance, waiting for Aiden to reappear. Minutes dragged by. Ten minutes. Then fifteen. Anxiety gnawed at her. What if Evelyn really had invited Aiden upstairs? Grace tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, her mind spinning as she watched and waited.

 Chapter 07

    Grace Li decided it was the perfect moment to call Aiden Thompson. If Evelyn Garcia was still trying to keep him tied up, this call could also give him a convenient excuse to make his exit. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. The phone barely rang before Aiden picked up.


    Trying to sound casual, Grace said, "Hey, Aiden, you better hurry back. My parking spot is on a time limit, and I can''t stay here forever."


    Aiden''s reply was quick and unexpected: "Look to your left."


    Startled, Grace turned her head and saw Aiden standing right outside the driver''s side window. She instinctively hit the button to roll down the window, giving him a quick once-over before asking, "You okay?"


    He raised an eyebrow, his tone light. "Why wouldn''t I be?"


    Feeling a bit awkward, Grace scratched her nose. "Just making sure."


    Aiden tilted his head slightly. "Want me to drive?"


    Grace shook her head quickly. "I''ve got it. Get in."


    Aiden walked around to the front of the car and slid into the passenger seat. Grace pulled out of the parking spot, but curiosity was gnawing at her. Why had it taken him so long to come back? She decided to ask, keeping her tone neutral. "So, what took you so long?"


    "Evelyn wasn''t feeling well all of a sudden," Aiden explained. "I took her upstairs to make sure she was okay."


    Took her upstairs? Grace couldn''t help but think that Aiden must have understood Evelyn''s intentions. He wasn''t naive¡ªfar from it. Surely, he could''ve found a polite way to excuse himself. After all, Evelyn Garcia was a businesswoman. If Aiden made it clear he wasn''t interested, she likely wouldn''t push further.


    Aiden added, "She''s really interested in the ¡®N Perspective'' project. She''s planning to visit the site next Tuesday to meet with the team."


    Grace immediately understood. Evelyn''s unusually friendly attitude today had little to do with her and everything to do with Aiden. She wasn''t thrilled about it but responded with a simple, "Got it." Deep down, she knew Evelyn would likely leverage this as an opportunity to get closer to Aiden under the guise of collaboration.


    While some leaders might turn a blind eye to this kind of dynamic, Grace found it distasteful. She felt the need to make her stance clear to Aiden, especially since he was new to the team. "Aiden," she began, "I want to be upfront about something. I''m not a fan of maintaining business relationships by crossing professional boundaries. I don''t think anyone should feel like they have to compromise themselves to keep a partnership."


    Aiden let out a soft laugh, clearly amused. "Crossing boundaries? You mean me?"


    Not wanting to bruise his ego, Grace clarified, "I''m not pointing fingers at you specifically. It''s just my general approach. Like Ryan, for example. He''s not exactly conventionally attractive, but even he had a female client cross the line. I told him the same thing: don''t ever feel pressured to put up with it."


    Aiden''s smile widened, and he leaned back against the car window, his posture relaxed. "You really are an impressive leader, Grace. Not everyone in your position would bother to say that."


    The compliment made Grace a little self-conscious, but she appreciated it. After a brief pause, she said, "It''s not far to Brook Village from here. I''ll drop you off on my way."


    "Thanks," Aiden replied simply.


    Just then, Grace''s phone rang, its Bluetooth connection announcing the caller''s name: Daniel Chou. Her heart skipped a beat. It had been a long time since they''d last spoken. Why was he calling now? Taking a deep breath, she tapped her earpiece to answer.


    Daniel''s familiar voice came through the speakers. "Grace, hope I''m not catching you at a bad time. I just wrapped up some work this afternoon."


    In Europe, it was late afternoon¡ªfour or five o''clock, given the time difference. "What''s up?" she asked.


    "I heard Ming Crown is going public. Is it true?" he asked. "Ming Crown" was a project they''d worked on together three years ago. After Daniel had been reassigned to Europe to focus on that market, they''d only occasionally touched base about it. For venture capitalists like him, an IPO meant a significant payday.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Grace confirmed, "Yeah, that''s the plan."


    "Congratulations," Daniel said sincerely.


    As she navigated the road ahead, Grace asked, "When are you coming back to the States?"


    "Soon¡ªprobably late December."


    "Let me know your schedule. I''ll pick you up from the airport," Grace offered.


    "We''ll see. I''ve got a few loose ends to tie up here first. See you when I''m back."


    "Okay. Talk then." Grace ended the call just as the car slowed to a stop at a red light.


    The thought of seeing Daniel again didn''t exactly fill her with excitement. If anything, it left her feeling uneasy. The silence in the car was palpable. Aiden, having overheard the voice from the call, broke it with a curious question: "Boyfriend?"


    Grace laughed lightly at the assumption. "Not quite."


    "Not quite?" Aiden pressed, clearly intrigued.


    Grace glanced at him and decided to humor his curiosity. "We''re closer than just friends, but not quite at the boyfriend-girlfriend stage."


    Aiden''s smile faltered slightly, though he quickly recovered, his tone light again. "Got it."


    The conversation faded, leaving them in a comfortable, if slightly contemplative, silence as they continued down the road.


    Grace Li was driving toward Brook Village when she spotted something unusual on the George Washington Bridge. A girl in pale yellow loungewear was sitting on the railing, wiping tears from her face.


    "Aiden, look out the window! Is that girl about to jump?" Grace said urgently.


    Aiden Thompson turned to look. Sure enough, there was a girl perched dangerously on the edge. One wrong move, and she''d fall straight into the dark, swirling waters of the Hudson River below.


    Before Aiden could respond, Grace had already pulled into the emergency lane. Aiden started to protest, "Grace, you can''t just park here¡ª" but she was already shutting off the engine and unbuckling her seatbelt.


    "Call 911!" she ordered.


    Aiden grabbed his phone and dialed. When the operator picked up, he kept his voice steady. "This is the George Washington Bridge. There''s a girl sitting on the railing. She looks like she might jump. She''s really upset, and we''re trying to talk to her. Please send someone quickly."


    After hanging up, he got out of the car and followed Grace, who was cautiously approaching the girl. Her steps were slow and deliberate, her expression full of concern.


    "Hey, sweetie, what''s going on?" Grace asked gently.


    The girl glanced at her, tears streaming down her face, but didn''t reply.


    "It''s really dangerous up there," Grace continued. "Why don''t you come down, and we can talk?"


    "Leave me alone!" the girl snapped, her voice cracking. "I don''t want to live anymore."


    "Why not? Maybe if you tell me, I can help," Grace said, keeping her tone soft.


    The girl shook her head. "You can''t help me. No one can."


    A gust of wind swept across the bridge, tossing the girl''s hair around her face. Grace stopped about fifteen feet away, raising her hands to show she meant no harm. "Okay, okay, I won''t come any closer. Let''s just talk, alright?"


    The girl didn''t respond.


    Aiden stepped up beside Grace and whispered, "The cops are on their way. They should be here soon."


    Grace nodded but kept her focus on the girl. "Look, I know things feel hopeless right now, but you''re so young. You''ve got your whole life ahead of you. Think about your family¡ªhow would they feel if something happened to you?"


    "They don''t care!" the girl shouted, her voice rising with anger. "They''d probably be glad I''m gone!"


    "That can''t be true," Grace said softly.


    The girl wiped her face with her sleeve, her voice trembling. "I''ve been busting my ass at work for years, hoping for a promotion. Then I took maternity leave, and when I came back, my boss basically told me I missed my shot. He gave it to someone else and said it''s just ¡®how things work.''"


    She sniffled, her words tumbling out faster now. "And at home? My husband''s glued to his video games. He doesn''t lift a finger to help with the baby or the house. When I bring it up, he yells at me, says I don''t make as much money as he does, so I should just deal with it. I''m exhausted. Nothing I do matters. I can''t keep living like this."


    Grace''s heart ached. "I hear you, I really do. But these problems? They''re not the end of the line. Work stuff can change. Relationships can get better. You just need time and support."


    The girl shook her head violently. "I''ve tried! It doesn''t work. I''m done trying."


    "No, you''re not," Grace said firmly. "You''re just overwhelmed. It''s okay to feel that way. But trust me, this isn''t how your story has to end. You''re in a dark place right now, but things can get better."


    The girl looked down at the river, her voice barely a whisper. "No one cares about me. If I disappear, it won''t matter."


    Her fingers loosened on the railing. "Maybe next time, I''ll have better luck."


    Grace''s breath caught. "Wait! Don''t do it!" she shouted.


    Just then, Aiden stepped forward. His voice was calm, steady. "You really think jumping is the answer?"


    The girl hesitated, glancing at him.


    "You think it''s all over if you jump, but it''s not. Your body''s gonna hit that water hard. If the impact doesn''t kill you, the river will. And after that?" Aiden paused, letting the words sink in. "Your body''s gonna be in that water for days, maybe weeks. You''ll bloat, you''ll rot, fish will start eating you. You ever heard of something called ¡®giant''s view''?"


    The girl blinked, confused. "What?"


    "It''s what happens when bodies decompose in water. If you want, I can show you pictures." He pulled out his phone and started scrolling.


    Grace shot him a look. What the hell are you doing?


    "I''m serious," Aiden said, holding up the phone. "Want me to come closer so you can see?"


    The girl flinched, her voice shaky. "No! I don''t want to see that!"


    "Why not? Afraid of what you''ll look like?" Aiden pressed. "If you''re scared of that, then it means you care. You don''t want this."


    The girl froze, her body trembling.


    "You''re not thinking clearly right now," Aiden said. "But as long as you''re alive, there''s hope. You''ve got options¡ªreal ones. We can help you find them. Lawyers, counselors, whatever you need. You don''t have to face this alone."


    The girl''s eyes darted between Aiden and Grace. Finally, she whispered, "You''d really help me?"


    "Absolutely," Grace said, her voice steady and sincere.

 Chapter 08

    The wailing sound of sirens grew louder as a police car pulled up nearby. Two officers quickly got out and ran toward the scene. The older officer was broad-shouldered, his uniform stretched taut over his muscular frame. His belt was loaded with various equipment, and his polished boots hit the pavement with a steady, authoritative rhythm. His partner, a younger officer, was holding an energy bar in one hand¡ªclearly a rushed snack he''d stuffed into his pocket.


    The older officer spoke in a low voice to his partner, "You handle the crowd. I''ll try to talk to her." The younger officer nodded and turned to the onlookers, asking them to step back and stop filming, emphasizing the importance of protecting the girl''s privacy.


    Keeping a safe distance, the older officer called out in a calm, steady tone, "Ma''am, I know you''re going through a tough time right now, but please believe me¡ªwe can help. Don''t hurt yourself. Let''s talk, okay?"


    The girl stood by the railing, her body trembling slightly. The older officer stayed where he was, his voice warm and reassuring. "I''ve already called for a counselor. They''ll be here soon. Whatever''s happened, there''s a way to work through it. Please, step back from the edge, and we''ll figure it out together."


    Grace Li, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and spoke gently, "I understand how overwhelming things can feel. Everyone faces challenges, but nothing is worth giving up your life for. Please, come down and let us help."


    After several moments of coaxing, the girl finally nodded and slowly stepped away from the railing. The officers moved in carefully, escorting her to a safe spot. She sank to the ground, leaning against the barrier, and broke into sobs. The older officer knelt beside her, patting her shoulder lightly. "It''s okay, sweetheart. Don''t be too hard on yourself. There are free counseling hotlines and professional support groups in the community. We''ll give you their contact info. If you ever feel this way again, don''t hesitate to reach out."


    Grace Li crouched down next to her and added softly, "Life can be tough, but it''s yours to live. If it''s workplace discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission¡ªthey''ll help you. Family pressure? That''s hard, but sometimes, communication helps. If it doesn''t, focus on yourself and your happiness."


    The girl lifted her tear-streaked face and murmured, "Thank you."


    Grace smiled gently. "You''re welcome. The world''s changing, and so are we. Take charge of your life. Don''t let outside voices drown out your own."


    The girl nodded, her breathing evening out as her emotions settled. The older officer turned to his partner and said, "Get in touch with her family. Let them know they need to ease up on her. If necessary, we can help arrange more counseling."


    With the situation under control, Grace Li and Aiden Thompson prepared to leave. Aiden gestured toward their car and asked the officer, "Hey, we parked in the emergency lane earlier. Any chance we won''t get a ticket?"


    The officer chuckled. "Don''t worry about it. We''ve got it noted¡ªno ticket this time."


    Grace glanced at Aiden, appreciating how smoothly he''d handled everything. Once they were back in the car, Aiden started the engine and casually asked, "How about a coffee before calling it a night?"


    Grace smiled. "Thanks, but I think I''ll head home early tonight."


    Aiden nodded, and the car pulled away, leaving behind a street slowly returning to its usual calm.


    Aiden Thompson parked his car in the underground garage of Grace Li''s apartment complex.He took the elevator up to the lobby. As soon as he stepped out, Aiden pulled out his phone and opened the Slack work group. A flood of unread messages popped up like popcorn.


    Under Olivia''s hiking proposal, replies were pouring in. Some colleagues spammed the chat with enthusiastic emojis¡ªrows of hiking boots and mountain caps filled the screen. Others shared breathtaking photos from past trips to the Rockies, showcasing snow-capped peaks glowing under the sun. The photos quickly racked up likes and comments, with people clamoring to know the exact locations. The vibe was easygoing and full of camaraderie.


    Grace Li, now lounging on her living room couch, scrolled through the messages. A few unread finance magazines lay scattered at her feet, their covers featuring Wall Street big shots. Above her, a framed photo from a company outing hung on the wall, showing the team in matching baseball jerseys, laughing and swinging bats at a local field¡ªa snapshot of the energy and unity that defined their group.


    Thanksgiving had just passed, and the relaxed holiday mood lingered. Olivia had proposed a weekend hike in the Rockies and reminded everyone in the #team-fun Slack channel:


    "Hey folks, don''t forget to grab the weekend outdoor pass! It covers light rail, buses, and even some discounts at the park. Way better than buying separate tickets!"


    Responses rolled in fast. Grace quickly typed, "Count me in!"


    Olivia replied, "@Aiden Thompson, you in?"  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Aiden''s reply was short and to the point: "I''m in."


    "Great!" Olivia typed back. "Let''s meet at the light rail station near Brook Village at 9:30 a.m. sharp on Saturday. Don''t be late!" She thoughtfully attached the station location and a screenshot of the bus schedule.


    Later that night, Aiden stepped out of the shower, glancing at the clock. It was already 11:30 p.m. His phone lit up with a private message from Grace on Slack.


    Grace Li: "I just Googled ¡®Giant''s Causeway.'' [Goodbye emoji]"


    Grace Li: "Now I can''t unsee those images. If I have nightmares or can''t sleep tonight, you''re 100% to blame."


    Aiden chuckled, shaking his head as he typed back:


    Aiden Thompson: "You actually looked it up? Brave move."


    Grace Li: "I don''t like having blind spots. But now I think a little ignorance might''ve been bliss. I know way too much now. [Smile emoji]"


    Aiden laughed again, picturing her usual composed demeanor cracking just enough to let this playful side show. He replied:


    Aiden Thompson: "So, you''re kind of a scaredy-cat, huh?"


    Grace Li: "Yeah, I don''t do horror movies, zombie flicks, or anything remotely scary. Not my vibe."


    Aiden Thompson: "Definitely a scaredy-cat."


    Grace Li: "[Exhausted but still smiling.jpg]"


    Aiden smiled at the message, her humor catching him off guard as always. His mind wandered back to earlier that day, to the words Grace had spoken to the girl at the railing. Her advice wasn''t just for the girl¡ªit was a reminder for everyone.


    "You''ve got to live for yourself," she had said. "Take responsibility for your choices."


    Aiden agreed wholeheartedly. Life wasn''t perfect, but it was worth owning.


    As he set his phone down and climbed into bed, he found himself looking forward to Saturday''s hike.


    On Saturday, Aiden Thompson arrived at the light rail station on time. From a distance, he spotted Grace Li and Ryan standing outside the caf¨¦ by the station, each holding a paper cup of coffee, warming their hands while chatting and laughing. Grace was dressed in a light hiking outfit, and Ryan wore a pair of cool sunglasses.


    "Hey, good morning!" Aiden waved.


    After meeting up, the three of them boarded the light rail to the Rockies. The car smelled strongly of coffee, with almost everyone holding a Starbucks cup. Some passengers were reading the New York Times, while others were listening to the latest hip-hop hits, swaying to the beat. A few stops later, a couple of street musicians boarded, guitars in hand, and played some upbeat folk tunes, earning applause from the crowd.


    When they arrived at the shuttle bus station, Aiden frowned. "This line gets super crowded on the weekends. Not sure we''ll get a seat." Sure enough, when they got on the bus, there were only a few empty spots left, and the aisles were crowded with people carrying hiking packs.


    When they reached the base of the mountain, the rest of their colleagues had arrived, and a group of seven set off on their hike. The scenery along the way was stunning¡ªwildflowers in every color imaginable, blooming across the hills like a Van Gogh painting. They passed families on the trail, kids carrying mini backpacks, walking their dogs¡ªsome even in custom outdoor vests¡ªwhile the families laughed and stopped to pour ice-cold lemonade from thermoses to stay refreshed, enjoying the perfect outdoor vibe.


    Once they reached the summit, the view was breathtaking. The distant mountains stretched out as far as the eye could see, and a few white clouds drifted lazily across the bright blue sky. On the open area at the top, several groups were taking turns snapping photos. They joined in, taking some group pictures before preparing to head back down.


    On the way down, they passed a small church with a charming little garden beside it. In one corner of the garden was a "Wish Wall," set up by the community to encourage people to express hope and support for others. Olivia excitedly called them over. "This spot is all about writing down your wishes or blessings. The church volunteers have cards and markers, and you can write whatever you want. The donations go to help support the community''s food programs for those in need or for church repairs."


    Olivia ran to grab some cards and handed them out. "You can write anything¡ªwhether it''s a wish for your own future or a blessing for someone else."


    The group gathered around a table outside and started writing. Grace Li took out a pen from her bag but realized it wasn''t working. Luckily, the volunteers provided colorful markers that wrote smoothly. Aiden wasn''t too interested in the activity, so he casually handed his card to Ryan. Ryan eagerly wrote down his wish, and Aiden glanced over, teasing, "That''s quite the bold wish."


    Ryan grinned. "You don''t get it, man. If it works out, life would be way easier."


    He looked over at the metal flower rack where people were hanging their cards. The lower levels were filled, but there was still room up top. He cleared his throat, laughing, and said, "Hey, little Aiden, help me out. Put it up high!"


    Aiden took the card and nodded. "Alright." Just then, Ryan''s phone rang. It was a call from a relative, talking about Thanksgiving plans and family updates. Ryan walked off a little ways to take the call.


    Aiden walked over to the flower rack with Ryan''s card in hand. After waiting for a few people to move, he stepped up and placed the card at the top. Grace Li, having just finished writing her card, happened to be standing right behind him. She glanced over instinctively, but couldn''t quite make out what was written on it.


    "Need help putting yours up?" Aiden asked.


    Grace snapped out of it and hesitated for a second before replying, "No, it''s fine." She tried to stand on tiptoe, but her fingers barely reached the second-to-last row.


    Aiden reached out his hand with a smile. "Let me do it."


    Grace hesitated for a moment but finally handed him her card. Aiden took it and smoothly tied it to the top row of the rack. It was then that Grace noticed Ryan''s wish: "I hope to meet a partner who can help me achieve my dreams."


    The words caught her off guard, and a complicated mix of emotions bubbled up inside her. She knew Aiden Thompson''s family had fallen on hard times¡ªhe spent Thanksgiving alone, living out in the less desirable part of town in Brooklyn, struggling a bit financially. She had always thought he had the brains and the skills to pull himself up by his bootstraps and rebuild his family''s business, but it seemed like maybe he had other plans.


    Her mind wandered back to the dinner with Evelyn Garcia a few days ago. Aiden had been such a gentleman, pulling out Evelyn''s chair for her, and when she asked him to drive her home, Aiden had agreed without hesitation, even staying a lot longer than expected. Grace now found herself questioning whether she had misunderstood him all this time. Maybe he wasn''t as innocent as she thought. She had originally just wanted to help him, but now she wondered if she had been blind to something else, something she hadn''t seen before. Maybe she had no business meddling in his life or making assumptions about his choices. The more she thought about it, the more complicated things seemed, and the more conflicted she felt.

 Chapter 09

    After finishing the hike, everyone was starving and started discussing where to grab lunch. Olivia suggested a trendy restaurant nearby, and someone immediately pulled out their phone to check it out. They started reading aloud, "This place has decent reviews on Yelp¡ª3.8 stars. A lot of people rave about their signature burgers, but a few say the service is kinda slow. What do you all think?"


    Another person chimed in, "I''ve heard it''s super vegan-friendly too¡ªplant-based burgers and dairy-free shakes. You know, plant-based diets are all the rage right now. Sounds like we can get the most ¡®on-trend'' experience there."


    The group kept discussing, debating which option was the best. Olivia added, "I just checked, though. This place is packed on weekends, so it''s probably a good idea to make a reservation, or we might be waiting forever. Anyone want to give them a call and see if we can get a spot?"


    Someone quickly dialed the restaurant, and after a bit of back-and-forth, they finalized the plans and agreed on the restaurant.


    By the time they finished lunch, it was only 2 PM, and Olivia was still feeling energetic. "Hey, how about we check out the escape room nearby?" she suggested. "Escape rooms have gotten super popular in the U.S. lately, it''ll be fun!"


    Grace Li had never tried one before, but her curiosity was piqued. They entered the escape room lobby, and the walls were lined with posters from classic horror movies, from Saw to The Conjuring series. The dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the posters, adding to the spooky vibe. In the corner, an old-fashioned popcorn machine was popping away, filling the air with a sweet, buttery scent. A few early birds were hanging out, playing Uno and chatting while they waited.


    Grace Li stared at the posters, feeling a chill run down her spine. "Uh, you guys go ahead. I think I''ll just wait out here," she said, her voice betraying a hint of unease.


    Ryan urged her, "Come on, don''t chicken out, Grace. We''ll all be in it together, it''ll be fun!"


    The others agreed, encouraging her with a chorus of, "Yeah, Grace, you should join us!"


    Grace hesitated. "I don''t know... I''m kinda scared of these things. I don''t want to slow everyone down."


    Olivia reassured her, "No worries, Grace! It''s all about having fun together. You won''t be alone, we''ve got your back!"


    After a few more moments of hesitation, Grace finally agreed to join them. She wasn''t sure what to expect, but seeing her friends so excited made her feel a bit more confident.


    The escape room had a strict rule: no more than four people per group. With seven players, they split into two teams to tackle different themes. Olivia and Ryan, both escape room veterans, naturally became the team leaders. Before entering, the players handed over their phones and electronics, receiving flashlights and walkie-talkies instead. The flashlights had just enough battery for an hour, so they''d need to conserve power carefully. Most escape room veterans knew the average game took an hour to an hour and a half.


    Stepping into the first cramped space, barely 10 square feet, Grace Li gripped her flashlight tightly. Ryan found a task card on the wall and read aloud:


    "Dear players, this abandoned manor once belonged to a mining tycoon during the Wild West era. It was tied to the Gold Rush and violent gang disputes, rumored to hide a mysterious treasure. Over time, the family fell into ruin, and strange legends emerged: phantom gunshots at night, ghostly carriages. Your role as detectives is to uncover the truth behind the family''s dark secrets and help the current owner, ¡®Jack,'' identify the murderer hidden within the family''s vendetta. The locked door before you requires a six-digit code to access the crime scene. Hint: The code is related to the owner. Note: You have three attempts. If you fail, you''ll need to wait 30 minutes to try again. If you don''t solve it within 90 minutes, the game ends."


    Grace Li shined her flashlight around the small room. "The clue must be here," she said.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Ryan started feeling along the walls. "Grace, point the light over here. I''ll check for hidden mechanisms."


    Grace directed her flashlight toward him.


    "Ryan, let me see the card," Aiden Thompson said, holding out his hand. After taking the card, he studied it intently. Meanwhile, Ryan tapped and pressed on the walls with practiced ease.


    Grace had a thought. "The numbers on commonly used locks usually wear down more than the others."


    Ryan snapped his fingers. "Good thinking!" He inspected the lock closely. "Looks like 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 0 are the most worn."


    Aiden shook his head. "That might not mean much. Previous players could''ve guessed wrong a lot. Even with six numbers, the combinations are endless."


    Grace felt a bit embarrassed, realizing she''d overlooked the game''s design.


    Aiden gave her an encouraging smile. "Still, it''s a sharp observation."


    Ryan sighed. "There''s nothing else here. Maybe the default code is 000000? Let me try." He entered the numbers, and the lock beeped in error. "How about 888888?"


    Grace grabbed his arm. "Don''t waste the tries! We only get three chances."


    Aiden spoke up. "Try 522579."


    Both Grace and Ryan turned to him. "Why?"


    Aiden explained, "The task card says the code is related to the owner. Earlier, I noticed Jack''s birthday on the document: May 22. That''s 522. Also, in the bottom corner of the paper, there''s a faint imprint of 579¡ªprobably left by previous players as a subtle hint. Combining the two gives us 522579."


    Ryan muttered, "That''s a stretch."


    "It''s better than random guesses," Grace said. "Go ahead, Ryan."


    Ryan entered the numbers. The lock beeped and clicked open.


    "Damn, Aiden, you''re a genius," Ryan said.


    Grace shone her flashlight into the next room, revealing a simulated living room. On the coffee table sat a box. Ryan opened it, pulling out a document detailing Jack''s life: he was 38, embroiled in a bitter divorce with his wife over their assets, and had a lover¡ªa barmaid whose brother owned the bar. Jack also had a business partner he''d lost a fortune with.


    Ryan analyzed the situation. "The killer''s probably one of these people. We need more clues to figure out their motives and connections."


    The group searched the room for 20 minutes and found the following clues:


    Jack''s divorce was stuck in a stalemate over finances.


    Both his wife and lover knew the manor''s lock code and could enter freely.


    Last weekend, Jack and his wife''s new boyfriend got into a bar fight.


    Jack''s lover''s brother disapproved of their relationship and had threatened Jack.


    Jack owed his business partner a large sum from a failed investment.


    Grace remarked, "Jack seems to have beef with everyone except his lover."


    Ryan nodded. "We need to check other rooms for more evidence."


    He opened another door leading out of the living room. Grace followed, her flashlight illuminating the way. On the floor lay a lifelike corpse with black liquid dripping from its mouth.


    "Holy crap!" Ryan shouted, jumping back.


    Grace screamed, dropping her flashlight in panic. She spun around and collided with Aiden''s chest, burying her face in his shirt. The impact made Aiden step back slightly, but he instinctively held her steady.


    "It''s fake," Aiden said softly, waiting for her breathing to slow.


    Grace''s heart was still racing, but she managed to calm down. In the darkness, the closeness felt awkwardly intimate. She quickly stepped back. "Sorry."


    Aiden picked up the flashlight and led them back to the living room, ensuring Ryan wasn''t left behind.


    "That dummy looked way too real," Ryan muttered, clutching his chest.


    "You okay?" Aiden asked Grace.


    She nodded, glancing at his wrinkled shirt. "Yeah, thanks."


    Aiden suggested they stick together, given the single flashlight. They re-entered the room cautiously. Grace kept her eyes closed, holding onto Aiden''s shirt for guidance.


    Near the body, Aiden noted the signs of poisoning: blackened lips and a spilled bottle of pills on the bedside table. The group also found a locked box requiring a code and a brainteaser puzzle to open it.


    Grace stepped forward. "I''ve solved puzzles like this before. Let me try."


    Aiden moved aside, standing protectively behind her. She quickly solved the puzzle, unlocking the box to reveal a recording device. Pressing play, they heard a man''s voice:


    "Jack, if it weren''t for you, my parents would still be alive. My sister doesn''t know you''re our family''s enemy, but if you go near her again, I''ll tell her everything¡ªand you''ll regret it."


    "That''s the lover''s brother," Grace said.


    "Looks like there''s bad blood between their families," Ryan added.


    Aiden found a second box with a historical question: "In what year did the American Civil War begin?"


    Ryan groaned. "Who remembers that?"


    "1861," Grace said confidently.


    Ryan entered the code, and the box opened. "Nice one, Grace. You''re like a walking encyclopedia."


    Inside was Jack''s schedule on the day of his death, outlining his interactions with his wife, her boyfriend, his lover, her brother, and his business partner.


    Grace pieced it together. "The lover had access to his medicine and could easily poison him."


    Ryan grinned. "Let''s lock in our answer."


    They returned to the panel in the living room, selecting the lover as the culprit.


    "Congratulations, players! You''ve solved the mystery!" the announcement declared.

 Chapter 10

    The door to the escape room creaked open, and the lights suddenly flicked on, the warm yellow glow quickly dissolving the last remnants of the eerie atmosphere. The host walked in with a huge smile, clearly impressed. "Wow, you guys were amazing! You''re the fastest players I''ve ever seen get through this room. Most people get stuck at the crime scene part and can''t get past it!" he said, handing out small, yet thoughtful commemorative gifts to everyone.


    Grace Li''s eyes automatically drifted to Aiden Thompson''s white sneakers, where she noticed a footprint¡ªa clear mark from where she had stepped on him earlier in her panic. Ryan rushed to the bathroom, while Grace Li and Aiden Thompson sat down in the lounge area. The host thoughtfully brought them hot drinks.


    Grace Li felt guilty and spoke softly, "Aiden, I''m really sorry. I probably caused you a lot of trouble today."


    Aiden Thompson took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "No trouble at all. That game was super fun."


    Grace Li grumbled, "Yeah, it was fun, except for that fake body that popped up out of nowhere."


    Aiden chuckled. "You''re such a scaredy-cat."


    Grace Li shot back, "Ryan screamed louder than I did!"


    Aiden grinned. "Yeah, that guy''s got no nerves at all."


    Grace Li rubbed her temples, looking distressed. "Great, now I''m probably not gonna sleep tonight after that."


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. "So, the anatomy video you watched last time kept you up all night too?"


    Grace Li nodded. "I didn''t fall asleep until 3 a.m." She paused, then looked at Aiden Thompson, remembering how calm he had been during the game. "Are you, like, really into horror movies?"


    Aiden shrugged. "I watch them occasionally, but I''m not obsessed with them."


    Grace Li smiled. "Well, you''re tough. Nothing seems to freak you out."


    Aiden smiled faintly. "I''m not immune to fear. I just don''t show it." He thought back to the moment when Grace Li had suddenly collided with him; his heart had jumped, but he''d quickly realized it was part of the game, which calmed him down. Grace Li had been so sharp solving the puzzle, yet when she was scared, she seemed almost completely out of her element¡ªlike a completely different person from the confident, professional woman she was at work.


    On Monday morning, the sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting shadows on the office floor. Grace Li had just wrapped up a heated meeting when her phone buzzed. It was an incoming call from Evelyn Garcia. She quickly dropped her documents on her desk before answering, "Hey Evelyn, good morning."


    "Grace, I''ve been diving into that N-Vision project you mentioned, and I''m really interested. I''m planning to visit the project site tomorrow for a closer look," Evelyn''s voice was full of excitement.


    "Got it, Evelyn. I''ll make the arrangements. I''ve updated the project''s latest details and task list on Asana¡ªeveryone should log in and check it out. If you have any questions, just drop a comment on there," Grace responded quickly.


    Evelyn added, "By the way, your guy Aiden¡ªhe''s impressive. If I decide to invest in this project, I''d want him involved in the core team. I trust him."


    Grace Li immediately understood the implication but pretended not to, responding diplomatically, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, I''ll pass that along to him."


    "Great, send me the project''s location details. I''ll meet them there tomorrow."


    "Sure, I''ll send it over later," Grace said before hanging up. She glanced over at Aiden Thompson. The N-Vision project had mostly been handled by Mike and Ryan until now, but with Evelyn Garcia''s recent praise of Aiden, it was clear she had a plan. Grace had wanted to protect her team, but seeing Aiden''s occasional hints of ambition made her hesitate. She quickly called a brief meeting with the team to update them on the project status, reassigned tasks, and made sure everything was on track.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Then, she walked over to Aiden''s desk. "Aiden, Evelyn just called. She''s really interested in the N-Vision project. She''s impressed by your skills, so we''re going to have you take a lead role in the next steps, working closely with Mike and the rest of the team," Grace said.


    Aiden nodded. "I''m good with that."


    Grace could tell that Aiden understood exactly what was going on. His quick acceptance told her he was ready for more responsibility. She moved over to Mike''s desk. "Mike, Evelyn''s seriously interested in the project. She''s going to meet with Aiden tomorrow to go over everything, so you two will head to the site together."


    Mike groaned. "Grace, you know I don''t vibe with her."


    "I''ve got things to handle tomorrow, and you''re the one who knows the project best. No backing out," Grace said firmly.


    "Fine, fine," Mike grumbled, rolling his chair over to Aiden. "Hey, Aiden, looks like you''re up. Good luck with Evelyn tomorrow."


    "What''s up with that?" Aiden raised an eyebrow.


    "You know, I heard Evelyn''s into young, good-looking guys. You''ve got that covered. Let''s make a bet¡ªten bucks says you charm her into backing the project. If you win, the money''s yours. If you lose, I''ll buy you coffee next week," Mike teased.


    Aiden pushed his chair back. "Cut it out."


    Ryan chimed in, "Hey Aiden, this is your chance. You get in good with her, and you''re set for life. Designer clothes, fancy dinners, the works."


    Olivia shot Ryan a disapproving look. "Ryan, if that''s your idea of advice, maybe you should take it yourself."


    Ryan laughed. "Who knows, Aiden might be into it."


    Olivia glanced over at Aiden, who was quietly flipping through some documents. He didn''t respond.


    The office atmosphere was lively, with colleagues chatting about everything from office gossip to global affairs. Aiden would occasionally chime in, but for the most part, he kept to himself.


    The next day, Mike rushed into the office, shouting, "We did it! Evelyn''s in for the N-Vision project. She''s putting together the investment proposal!"


    Ryan jumped up. "Mike, how''d you pull that off?"


    Mike chugged down some water. "All thanks to Aiden! Whatever he said, Evelyn was all in. She believes him completely. It''s crazy."


    Ryan raised an eyebrow. "No way! Did Evelyn have a thing for Aiden?"


    "Pretty much! I''ve never seen a guy win over someone like that," Mike said, grinning.


    Olivia looked around. "Where''s Aiden?"


    "Evelyn''s assistant''s glasses broke, and she couldn''t drive in her heels, so Aiden''s taking them back to the office," Mike explained.


    Olivia frowned. "That sounds sketchy."


    Ryan waved her off. "Olivia, don''t overthink it. Aiden didn''t seem to mind."


    Olivia muttered, "I just don''t want you guys messing with him."


    Mike shrugged. "Trust me, Aiden''s the one calling the shots here."


    Grace Li overheard and felt a little uneasy. It seemed like Aiden knew exactly what Evelyn wanted, and he was going along with it. Evelyn Garcia was in her forties, divorced, and had a reputation for being in the spotlight with younger men. Sure, she had money, but Aiden Thompson seemed too good for someone like her. He had so much potential, and Grace couldn''t help but feel sorry for him if he got caught up in that. Still, she decided not to interfere.


    Aiden Thompson was driving Evelyn Garcia''s Maserati, first dropping off her assistant, then heading to her place. As he adjusted the seat and mirrors before pulling out, he made sure everything was in order. U.S. road rules were strict about visibility while driving, and Aiden knew the drill. Once he was satisfied, he started the car.


    Evelyn leaned back in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on him. "Aiden, I really admire you. You''ve got a great future ahead of you in finance."


    "Thanks, Evelyn, but I''m just doing my job," Aiden replied politely.


    The car cruised along, and Evelyn suddenly asked, "Did you catch the latest season of Game of Thrones? The plot twists were insane! What did you think?"


    Aiden chuckled. "I''ve seen a few episodes. It''s definitely intense. I''m actually looking forward to the game next week. I''m hoping the Yankees can pull off a win."


    Evelyn smiled. "You''re so well-spoken and knowledgeable. I trust you''ll do a great job with this project."


    Aiden kept his eyes on the road, replying calmly, "It''s an honor to have your trust, Evelyn."


    She casually tossed out, "If you ever want to make a move, my company is always looking for talent. The pay is way better than what you''re getting now. Plus, I could hook you up with a VIP spot at next month''s Wall Street finance summit. You know how rare those invites are."


    Aiden remained unfazed. "I appreciate the offer, but I''m happy with where I am. I want to prove myself with my team before jumping to something else."


    Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Well, how about double the salary?"


    "Honestly, it''s not just about the money for me," Aiden said.


    "Oh? What''s it about then?" Evelyn asked, intrigued.


    Aiden smiled. "Growing up, my family was well-off, so money never motivated me that much."


    Evelyn''s eyes widened as she understood. "Ah, I see. So, you come from money. That changes things."


    Aiden simply nodded. "For now, that''s all I''m sharing."


    Evelyn smiled, now friendlier. "I''m curious¡ªwhy are you so invested in this project? You''re even driving us around."


    Aiden thought for a moment, then said, "My dad always wanted me to make a name for myself. I want to prove I can do it on my own."


    Evelyn nodded, clearly impressed. "You''re doing great already. I''m sure your dad''s proud."


    "Thanks, Evelyn," Aiden said.

 Chapter 11

    In the highly competitive world of American finance, long hours are the norm. The leaders of the neighboring investment teams are still at their desks, working hard, with their staff following suit. Grace Li''s team is a bit different, though¡ªher team members tend to leave earlier than her, and more often than not, Grace is the last one still in the office.


    At that moment, Grace sat back lazily in her office chair, holding her phone in her right hand while her left hand loosely gripped a pen, tapping it gently on the desk. At a family gathering earlier, everyone had been sharing the latest happenings in their lives. When her cousin was chatting with her, she excitedly mentioned a recent date, then casually asked, "Grace, have you met any interesting guys lately?" Grace was caught off guard by the question and could only offer a vague response.


    After the gathering, her mother, Huiyun Liang, called, picking up where her cousin left off, "Sweetie, I was listening to your cousin talk about her date, and it made me think¡ªif you''ve met someone interesting, it''d be nice to add a little excitement to your life. You should go out and meet people."


    Grace smiled, a little helplessly. "Mom, you know how busy I am with work. When would I even have time to date?"


    Huiyun Liang chuckled lightly. "Alright, alright, just saying. You take your time and figure it out."


    After hanging up, Grace let out a sigh of relief and slouched further into her chair. Every time a conversation like that came up, she felt drained. Just as she was zoning out, she caught some movement in her peripheral vision and turned her head to find Aiden Thompson back at the office. She quickly straightened up and asked, "Aiden, what are you doing back here?"


    Aiden, sitting at his desk and tapping away at the keyboard, answered casually, "Had some loose ends to wrap up, so I came back to finish up."


    Grace''s heart skipped a beat, wondering if he had overheard her conversation. Fortunately, she hadn''t said anything too personal. She was a bit surprised to see Aiden back so soon, especially after dropping off Evelyn Garcia. She had assumed he would stick around and spend more time with her. But maybe Aiden was just doing things on his own schedule¡ªthey had only just started working together, after all.


    Grace asked offhandedly, "So, Aiden, I heard you and Evelyn had a good conversation today?"


    "It went well. She decided to invest in the project," Aiden replied flatly.


    Grace felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, the project was moving forward with funding, which was a good thing. On the other hand, the thought of Aiden getting closer to Evelyn left her with a sense of regret.


    Meanwhile, a big piece of news was spreading like wildfire through Nova Capital¡ªthe SunRay project was about to go public on NASDAQ. The entire office buzzed with excitement. Early that morning, some colleagues were eagerly chatting, others hugging in celebration. For an investment firm, helping a company go public was a huge honor.


    Once the senior meeting wrapped up, Grace Li had just stepped into her office when Olivia sent a message in the work group: "Hey everyone, the SunRay project is a huge success! Let''s celebrate with a team dinner. If anyone has a restaurant in mind, feel free to suggest."


    Grace quickly replied, "I''ll handle the arrangements. I''ll find a good spot, budget under $3,000. Let''s have a good time and chat." Her colleagues responded in kind: "Thanks, boss!"


    Sitting back at her desk, Grace couldn''t hide her excitement. This was the first project in her career that she had been fully involved in from start to finish, all the way to its IPO. It was a huge milestone. Four years ago, she had been just an investment manager, with Benjamin Harris as her boss. Back then, Nova Capital was a smaller firm, with only a handful of employees. The hierarchy wasn''t as complex as it was now, and the three partners personally led each project. On paper, Benjamin Harris was the lead on the SunRay project, but he was so busy that he couldn''t manage everything, so Grace took the reins from project initiation through to the detailed investigations. Later, as the company expanded, Grace was promoted to investment director, taking on more responsibility and overseeing the post-investment management of the SunRay project. Now that SunRay was going public, she was set to earn a significant profit from the deal.


    Olivia picked the restaurant for the team dinner¡ªa popular music bar in Brooklyn, New York, known for its great vibe among the local young crowd. The place was always packed, especially on weekends, and the energy was high.


    Inside, the place was filled with lively young people. In the center of the room was a small stage where a young male singer, guitar in hand, was belting out top Billboard hits. The dynamic beats and the singer''s powerful voice created a lively atmosphere that filled the entire restaurant.


    Olivia had booked a long table for eight through OpenTable, so as soon as they sat down, everyone whipped out their phones to scan the QR code menu, immediately jumping into a lively debate over what to order.


    The restaurant was buzzing with chatter, and Grace Li watched her team, all heatedly discussing their choices. She couldn''t help but smile at the chaos unfolding before her.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Ryan, clearly excited, shouted, "Hey, guys, how about we get some Buffalo Wings? They''re the signature dish here¡ªtotally awesome!" He showed the group a picture of the wings on his phone.


    "Yeah, and let''s throw in some Nachos too, with all the sauces. Perfect starter," Mike chimed in.


    Ryan then handed his phone to Grace Li, his eyes wide with excitement. "Boss, this lobster pasta looks amazing¡ªlet''s order it!" Grace Li glanced at the price¡ª$88 per dish¡ªand waved her hand dismissively, "Go ahead, order whatever you want. Don''t ask me."


    Ryan quickly turned to Olivia, shouting, "Olivia! Get it in the order!"


    Mike wasn''t about to be left out, offering, "How about some dry-aged steak? Heard it''s amazing here!" Olivia, sensing Grace Li''s impending bill shock, intervened, "Whoa, whoa, let''s not go too crazy. We can''t let this dinner go over $1,000!"


    Grace Li chuckled and waved her off, "It''s fine, let them order. We''ll make it work."


    Ryan jumped in, backing Grace Li, "Yeah, come on, the boss said it''s fine, and that''s nothing for her!"


    Grace Li corrected him, "No, no, money matters to everyone. But today, let''s try to keep it under $3,000, alright?"


    "Got it, got it!" the group chimed in, before diving back into the menu discussion. Grace Li''s attention wandered briefly, and she noticed Aiden Thompson sitting at the far end of the table. He was quiet, not participating in the enthusiastic debate like everyone else. Even when they chatted about movies or sports at the office, Aiden didn''t say much¡ªit seemed like he wasn''t interested in the usual small talk.


    At least he got along fine with the team, though¡ªhe wasn''t excluded, just more reserved.


    Grace Li leaned slightly forward and gently tapped on the table in front of Aiden. He looked up from his phone, meeting her gaze.


    Grace Li smiled and said, "Aiden, feel free to tell Olivia what you want to order. Don''t be shy."


    Aiden, putting his phone down, politely replied, "I''m good with whatever everyone else is getting."


    "Okay," Grace Li nodded, content with his response.


    Soon enough, everyone had made their choices, and they began chatting about everything under the sun. Grace Li checked the time¡ªit was 7:30 PM¡ªand opened up a chat with Daniel Chou. She quickly typed: "We''ve just announced the IPO successfully today."


    After sending the message, Grace Li aimlessly scrolled through Instagram, waiting for his reply. Two minutes passed with no response. She set the phone down and turned her attention to the singer on stage.


    Gradually, the food started arriving at the table. As expected, the team didn''t skimp on anything¡ªeverything on the menu''s signature list was ordered, including a $38 organic salad.


    The group dug in enthusiastically, and Ryan, between bites, called out, "Boss, you''ve got to try this steak¡ªit''s absolutely amazing!"


    Grace Li took a bite of the perfectly cooked steak, savoring the tender meat and rich sauce. She smiled, "This is really good."


    Glancing over at Aiden Thompson, she noticed he was quietly eating, picking from the two plates closest to him. She gestured toward the shared steak platter and said, "Aiden, you should try this. It''s really good."


    Aiden glanced at the plate and softly said, "Thanks."


    Just then, Grace Li''s phone lit up. She picked it up and unlocked it to find a message from Daniel Chou.


    Daniel Chou: "Congrats."


    Just two words, no extra pleasantries or emotions.


    Grace Li stared at the screen, unsure of how to reply. She backed out of the chat, then saw a notification that Daniel Chou had updated his Instagram. Curious, she clicked on it.


    Daniel rarely posted, so what was it this time? She felt a pang of interest.


    The post was a picture of two wedding rings and a marriage certificate, shining with a joyful glow. The second photo showed Daniel Chou, dressed in a sharp suit, lovingly holding a woman in a white mermaid wedding dress. They were both smiling blissfully.


    It didn''t take long for Grace Li to confirm that this was Daniel''s official account and that the man in the photo was undeniably him.


    In that instant, it felt like a thunderbolt struck her mind. Her body went numb, and her face drained of color. Her heart started pounding uncontrollably, as if it might shatter her chest. The shock was too sudden for her to process.


    She never imagined that the Daniel Chou she''d been waiting for¡ªwho she thought was still in Europe¡ªhad already returned and gotten married. The news hit her out of nowhere.


    Despite the lack of communication between them in the past year, she never expected to find out in this way. She had assumed if Daniel had found someone new, he would have been upfront with her. But instead, he had kept everything hidden from her, knowing she still held on to hope. Now, he was sharing this news publicly on social media, a message that cut through her like a sharp blade.


    "Boss, are you okay? You don''t look too good," Ryan''s voice broke through her clouded thoughts, pulling her back to the present.


    She looked around¡ªeverything was the same. Her colleagues were still enjoying their meal, laughing and chatting, and the singer on stage was still pouring his heart into his song. But for Grace Li, it felt like her world had collapsed.


    The voices around her faded into a distant hum. What had once been a joyful occasion had, in a split second, turned into a nightmare.


    "It''s nothing," Grace Li forced a smile, trying to hide the tears threatening to spill. Her eyes were already slightly red, and her hands trembled. She had been so warm just moments ago, but now a chill had crept into her soul.


    Olivia, noticing her discomfort, kindly offered, "Boss, try one of these wings¡ªthey''re really good."


    Grace Li shook her head, unable to find the appetite. "You guys eat. I''m not hungry right now."


    Olivia wasn''t ready to give up. "How about some fries? They''re easy to eat."


    "Yeah, okay," Grace Li replied faintly.


    The energy around the table remained high, the laughter and conversation never stopping. But across from her, Aiden Thompson seemed to sense something was wrong.


    Grace Li mechanically ate a few fries but couldn''t taste them. The bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that Mike had ordered was halfway empty.


    She rarely drank at dinners because she had to drive, and work-related events didn''t involve much drinking either. But tonight, all she wanted was to drown her sorrow in alcohol.


    She drained her soda, then poured herself a large glass of red wine. Then, as though suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Hey, can someone drive my car back for me later?"


    Ryan and a few others exchanged glances. "Boss, you should''ve said something earlier. We all drank, so none of us can drive."


    Mike drove himself, so he couldn''t offer to take her home.


    Just then, Aiden, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I can do it. I haven''t had anything to drink."


    Grace Li turned to him, managing a faint smile. "Well, I guess I won''t argue with that."


    "Don''t worry. I''ve got it," Aiden Thompson said quietly.

 Chapter 12

    Grace Li picked up the glass of red wine and took a huge gulp, almost like she was drinking water. Without hesitation, she downed another big sip, finishing most of the glass in just two swigs.


    Olivia, sitting next to her, immediately noticed something was off. She asked with concern, "Grace, you don''t usually drink this much at dinners. What''s going on tonight?"


    Grace Li''s tolerance was decent, and after two glasses, she was feeling a little better. She forced a smile and replied, "Oh, it''s nothing. Just feeling really happy tonight, thought I''d have a drink."


    Mike quickly chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, it''s rare for us to be this happy. We should totally get another bottle, right Grace?"


    Grace Li wanted to drown her sorrows in alcohol, but she had her limits. She wasn''t the type to get completely wasted. After all, that''s just not how adults handle things.


    "Enough," she said firmly.


    Ryan poured the rest of the wine into Grace Li''s glass. "There''s still some left, Grace. You might as well finish it."


    She drank most of the remaining wine, nibbled on some food, and pretended everything was fine, continuing to chat with the group.


    After the dinner, Aiden Thompson walked Grace Li to the parking lot. He casually slipped one hand into his pocket, the other holding his suit jacket, walking a little behind her, keeping an eye on her every move.


    Grace Li was still trying to keep her composure, but tonight was definitely different. She was struggling to stay calm, but inside, everything felt like it was falling apart.


    She suddenly turned around, and Aiden Thompson quickly looked away.


    "Thanks for today. It really helped, Aiden," Grace Li said.


    "Anytime," he replied.


    She handed him the car keys and climbed into the passenger seat.


    The car was silent. Grace Li sat in the passenger seat, her head tilted, staring out the window. Her thoughts drifted back to the past three years, remembering all the things she''d done for Daniel Chou.


    She had fantasized countless times about their perfect ending, even imagining their life together in the future. But after everything that happened today, those dreams were shattered. It was all just a fantasy, a dream she''d built up in her head.


    She was just a joke.


    With that thought, Grace Li couldn''t help but laugh bitterly, a laugh full of self-mockery.


    The laugh was soft, but in the quiet car, it was especially clear. Aiden Thompson heard it clearly.


    "Something bothering you?" Aiden Thompson asked softly.


    Grace Li snapped out of it, forced a smile, and asked, "Why do you ask?"


    After Grace Li checked her phone during dinner, Aiden Thompson had noticed she was acting strange, her face pale and her eyes slightly red.


    While everyone else was enjoying the dinner, he had quietly observed her change.


    He casually said, "I rarely see you drink."


    Grace Li explained, "Just in a good mood tonight. Aiden, you know, SunRay is the first IPO project I''ve been involved in. The sense of achievement really makes me happy, so I had a few drinks."


    "Got it."


    "Aha, that''s it."


    Aiden Thompson could tell she didn''t want to talk about it further, so he didn''t press. He wasn''t the type to pry into someone''s personal business, especially if they didn''t want to open up.


    The car fell silent again.


    Suddenly, Grace Li asked, "Aiden, can I ask you something? I want you to analyze it from a guy''s perspective, okay?"


    "Sure, go ahead."


    Grace Li leaned back in her seat, pretending to relax as she stared ahead. Slowly, she said, "I have a friend. Three years ago, she confessed her feelings to a guy. The guy said he was going abroad and couldn''t give her an answer right away. He told her that if she still liked him after three years, they''d be together. What do you think? Was he gently rejecting her, or did he really mean that if she still liked him after three years, they''d be together?"


    Aiden Thompson replied, "You want the truth?"


    "Yeah."


    Aiden Thompson said firmly, "The guy was keeping her as a backup option."


    So, in the eyes of guys, this was just a way of keeping a backup. Grace Li had never thought of it that way. After all, Daniel Chou was an outstanding student in college, admired by many girls, always the center of attention.


    In Grace Li''s mind, given Daniel Chou''s character, she never believed he could do something like that.


    For all these years, she had been convinced of his sincerity.


    Grace Li let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Is that girl stupid or something?"


    "Nah, she''s just too kind."


    "Kindness is just another word for stupidity, isn''t it?"


    "Kindness is exactly what it means."


    At this moment, Grace Li only felt stupid. Even if Daniel Chou had fallen in love with someone else, she might not have been as heartbroken. But the thought that Daniel Chou was already with someone else, while she was still texting him, hoping for a reply, made her feel a deep sense of resentment.


    She almost became the other woman.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Leaning against the car window, the aftereffects of the alcohol started to kick in. Grace Li felt a little tipsy, but still conscious. "Aiden, do guys usually not like to post about having a girlfriend on social media?"


    Aiden Thompson turned the wheel with one hand. "It depends. If a guy who usually posts on social media never mentions his girlfriend, it might mean he''s not that into her or he''s looking for someone better. But if a guy doesn''t post much in general, then he just doesn''t."


    Grace Li was trying to figure out which category Daniel Chou fit into. He wasn''t a frequent poster on Instagram, but he''d post a few times a month, sometimes pictures of scenery, sometimes sharing financial articles.


    It seemed he didn''t fit either of the categories Aiden Thompson mentioned.


    But honestly, it didn''t matter anymore. Daniel Chou was married, and she had just been fooling herself.


    Suddenly, Grace Li asked, "Aiden, if you had a girlfriend, would you post about her on Instagram?"


    After all, she had never seen him post anything like that.


    Aiden Thompson didn''t expect Grace Li to ask him this. "Maybe, maybe not."


    It was like he wasn''t answering at all.


    The car pulled into the underground parking lot of the apartment building where Grace Li lived. Aiden Thompson had driven her home before, so he knew her parking spot well.


    After parking, he got out and walked to the passenger side. Just as Grace Li opened the door and stepped out, she stumbled. Aiden Thompson instinctively reached out to steady her.


    Grace Li''s head bumped into Aiden Thompson''s shoulder. The faint scent of his cologne filled the air. Maybe it was the alcohol, but for a moment, she had the urge to hold onto him tightly. But reason kicked in, and she quickly regained her balance. "Sorry."


    "Let me walk you up," Aiden Thompson offered.


    "No, it''s okay. You should head home. Thanks again for today."


    But Aiden Thompson was still worried. "You''ve been drinking. I should at least make sure you get to your door."


    Grace Li tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don''t worry. I can handle my alcohol."


    "Come on, might as well see it through."


    Hearing this, Grace Li couldn''t help but smile sincerely. "Okay, let''s go."


    Aiden Thompson accompanied Grace Li into the elevator. She lived on the ninth floor. The apartment she was renting was close to the city center, and the house she had just bought in the suburbs was closing next month.


    When they got off the elevator, out of courtesy, Grace Li asked, "Would you like to come in for a drink?"


    "Sure, I''m actually a bit thirsty."


    Grace Li was surprised he agreed, as she had only asked out of politeness.


    She unlocked the door and led him inside.


    Aiden Thompson glanced around her apartment. It had a bohemian style¡ªsimple yet full of charm. It was clear she loved life.


    Grace Li grabbed a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge. "Sparkling water okay, Aiden?"


    "Sure, anything''s fine."


    Grace Li handed him the bottle of sparkling water and took a cold mineral water for herself.


    Aiden Thompson took the sparkling water and said, "Thanks." Seeing that Grace Li was still sober, he decided it was time to leave. "Well, I should be going then."


    "Alright, drive safe."


    Aiden Thompson turned to leave, and Grace Li saw him to the door. As she closed the door, the apartment suddenly felt eerily quiet.


    She sat on the couch and took a sip of the mineral water. The cold liquid slid down her throat, easing some of her restlessness.


    Grace Li glanced at her phone. Ever since she saw Daniel Chou''s Instagram post, her phone had become something she didn''t want to touch, as if touching it would reopen the wound.


    She sat for a while, then went to take a shower.


    The warm water cascaded down from the shower head. Grace Li closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the water hit her face. It wasn''t the end of the world. She had mentally prepared for this. She hadn''t really lost anything by waiting for Daniel Chou for three years. If anything, it was just a loss of emotions.


    Let it go, quietly.


    After getting out of the shower, Grace Li sat in front of the vanity mirror. Her eyes fell on the phone on the dressing table. She hadn''t touched it for over two hours. There might be some important messages.


    She picked up the phone and unlocked the screen. Daniel Chou''s "congratulations" message had been pushed down by several group chat messages. That was good. Out of sight, out of mind.


    Grace Li checked the group chat messages. When she exited, she noticed a notification that Aiden Thompson had updated his Instagram.


    He posted on Instagram? Could it be another announcement? Surely not about being with Evelyn Garcia?


    With a strange feeling, Grace Li clicked on Instagram and saw the latest post. It was a photo of the moon, a cold white glow in the inky sky, with a simple caption: "Goodnight."


    Grace Li looked at the post, and the corners of her lips curved up slightly.


    "Figures, nine out of ten men are trash. Grace Li, I told you before, you can''t trust men." Isabella Hsueh said angrily when she heard Grace Li talking about Daniel Chou getting married.


    Isabella Hsueh had always told her that she''d seen all kinds of men. Some were sweet before marriage, but turned abusive after; others cheated, faked marriages, or played both sides. In most divorce cases she''d seen, the problem was always with the guy.


    Every time Grace Li brought up these topics, she''d always say there are still good men out there, like Daniel Chou.


    But now, looking back, it was just so ironic.


    In the apartment, Grace Li and Isabella Hsueh were lounging on the couch, each holding a beer and munching on some fried food they''d picked up from a nearby Chinese restaurant.


    Grace Li said, "We weren''t even officially dating. He has the right to like someone else and marry them. But he knew I liked him and didn''t even give me a hint."


    Isabella Hsueh rolled her eyes, "He just wanted to keep you as a backup. Now he''s married, which means he picked someone else, so he''s finally making it public."


    Grace Li gave a bitter smile. "It''s just like Aiden Thompson said."


    Isabella Hsueh immediately zeroed in on the name, "Who''s Aiden Thompson?"


    "A colleague of mine."


    "A guy?"


    "Yeah, a hot young guy, super handsome."


    Isabella Hsueh raised an eyebrow and sized her up, "Whoa, wait a minute. You actually told him about Daniel Chou?"


    "No, I just wanted to hear his take on it from a guy''s perspective. He thinks I''ve been kept as a backup too."


    Isabella Hsueh threw the bamboo skewer onto the coffee table and said loudly, "So, what are you gonna do about it? He''s messed with you for three years, wasted your time, and you''re just gonna let it slide?"


    Grace Li felt conflicted inside, but she never thought about confronting Daniel Chou. "I can''t just go up to him and make a scene, right? It''s pointless now that he''s married. And three years ago, he didn''t ask me to wait for him or promise that we''d be together when he came back. It was all just me getting my hopes up."


    Isabella Hsueh sighed, "Man, that guy Chou really knows how to play the game."


    "Well, whatever. I didn''t really lose anything. If I''d met the right person in those three years, maybe I wouldn''t have waited for him. In the last year, we hardly talked, and I was kinda prepared for this. I''m just upset that he got married without me knowing. If I''d known earlier that he had someone else, I wouldn''t have been sending him random messages trying to start a conversation."


    Isabella Hsueh patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don''t waste your time on that guy, Grace Li. You''re amazing, you deserve better."


    "Yeah, I deserve better." Grace Li clinked her beer can with Isabella Hsueh''s and took a big gulp.


    "By the way, you mentioned that young guy. What does he look like?"


    Grace Li turned her head and teased, "What, you interested?"


    "Just curious."


    Grace Li pulled out her phone and scrolled through photos from their company outing. She found a group photo with Aiden and showed it to Isabella Hsueh. Isabella Hsueh immediately pointed at the photo and asked, "Is that the guy in the black shirt?"


    "Yeah, that''s him."


    "Wow, he''s so handsome!"


    "Definitely. I was blown away when I first saw him."


    Isabella Hsueh said excitedly, "He''s a hundred times better than Daniel Chou. Grace Li, go for him!"


    Grace Li smiled, "But the kid''s got some strange ideas."


    Isabella Hsueh''s first reaction was, "He''s a bad guy?"


    "No, not really." Grace Li explained, "He''s a decent guy, but his family used to be wealthy and fell on hard times. Now he''s all about finding a rich woman to take care of him."


    "Figures, those pretty boy types usually want to take shortcuts." Isabella Hsueh sized Grace Li up again, "But hey, if he''s looking for a rich woman, you''re basically a perfect match."


    Grace Li almost spit out her beer, "Are you kidding me?"


    "I''m serious." Isabella Hsueh said with a straight face, "Look at you. You make twice as much as me and you even bought a house in New York. If I were a guy, I''d be after you."


    "I can''t afford to support anyone."


    "Don''t be modest. You totally could."


    For some reason, both of them couldn''t help but laugh.

 Chapter 13

    Grace Li''s first real encounter with Daniel Chou was at the thank-you party for SunRay''s IPO. That''s when Grace found out that Daniel had become a partner at BM Capital in the U.S.


    It was impressive how quickly he had risen to become a partner at a European venture capital firm. Most people in the finance world couldn''t even dream of doing that in such a short time.


    Daniel Chou didn''t seem to realize he was being a jerk¡ªor maybe he was just pretending to be clueless. When he saw Grace, he greeted her with a smile, "Grace Li, long time no see."


    Grace had expected to run into him at the event, but she hadn''t planned on catching up with him. When he approached, she didn''t freeze him out, though. She wasn''t about to let Daniel know she had spent days feeling miserable after hearing about his wedding.


    She forced a smile, trying to play it cool, "It''s been a while¡ªover a year."


    "You come by yourself?"


    Grace replied, "I''m with Mr. Harris. He''s catching up with some old friends, I''m just here to look around."


    Daniel Chou''s tone was as friendly as if they were old pals, "I''ll be staying in the U.S. for work. If you come across any good projects, let me know, we can invest together."


    Grace shrugged it off, "I''m mostly dealing with smaller projects these days. I doubt you''d be interested."


    Daniel chuckled, still sounding like his old self, "How could I not be? SunRay was a small company back then, and look¡ªjust three and a half years later, it went public."


    Grace forced a smile and replied, "True, hope I can work on a project like SunRay in the future."


    "I''ll be watching," Daniel said, taking a sip of his drink before asking, "By the way, Grace, are you married?"


    Seriously?


    Grace''s thoughts shot out a curse. Daniel Chou knew very well she had spent the last three years waiting for him, and he still asked her that? There had to be a limit to how clueless he could pretend to be.


    But she didn''t show it. Instead, she said, "Not yet."


    He smiled, "Not yet, huh? That means it''s coming soon."


    "Maybe."


    Then Daniel went on, "Next month, I''m hosting a thank-you dinner in New York. I hope you can make it."


    Grace could barely hold her smile together. "I''ll see. If I''m free, I''ll definitely come."


    She didn''t want to keep pretending to be nice. Grace quickly made an excuse and walked off to another part of the event.


    SunRay''s IPO attracted plenty of business people, which was a great opportunity for her to expand her network.


    "Grace, long time no see."


    She turned at the sound of the voice and saw a man in a gray suit, with slicked-back hair, walking toward her.


    She smiled, "Henry."


    The man was Henry Taylor, a fellow alum who was two years ahead of her. Back in their freshman year, Henry had been a teaching assistant, and Grace, as class president, had gotten to know him pretty well.


    Henry Taylor also worked at BM Capital, so he and Daniel Chou were colleagues.


    Henry asked, "Did you see Daniel?"


    "Yeah, just talked to him."


    Henry laughed a little, "Honestly, I''m kind of shocked by how much he''s changed since coming back to the U.S."


    Grace raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"


    "He''s got a stronger presence now, more capable. He''s really grown into his role." Henry gave a small grin, "He''s my boss now."


    There was a hint of something unspoken in Henry''s words. He was the Vice President at BM Capital, which was similar in title to an investment director, but Daniel was already a partner.


    Henry continued, "I always thought you and him made a great pair. I could tell he had feelings for you too."


    If Henry had said this a couple of weeks ago, Grace might''ve blushed, but now, it just felt awkward. "Henry, don''t say stuff like that. He''s married now."


    "I know," Henry said, then added, "But Grace, do you have any hard feelings about it?"


    When SunRay was being developed, it was a joint project between two companies, and Henry had been involved. He knew all about Grace and Daniel''s past.


    But Grace was smart enough to know Henry wasn''t someone she could confide in.


    "Why would I? Daniel and I have always been friends."


    Henry gave her a knowing look, clearly not buying it, "Do you know who his wife is?"


    "No, never met her."


    "She''s the daughter of the executive director of GrowThrive Fund. And GrowThrive is BM''s biggest LP in the U.S. Thanks to GrowThrive''s involvement, BM''s fund size in the U.S. went from $3.3 billion to $4 billion almost overnight."


    No wonder Daniel was able to become a partner at BM Capital so quickly.


    Just then, Grace''s phone rang. She gave Henry a polite nod, "I need to take this call."


    Henry nodded, "I''m going to go catch up with some old friends. See you later."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Grace stepped outside into the garden before answering the phone. It was Aiden Thompson.


    The noise inside the banquet hall was loud, so Grace stepped out for some peace and quiet.


    "Aiden, what''s up?" she said, pressing the call button.


    Aiden''s calm voice came through, "Did you round off the equity percentage in the N Perspective subscription agreement?"


    "No, we usually use the exact numbers. What''s going on?"


    "There''s one place that needs to be corrected."


    Grace frowned, "Where?"


    "Vanguard Capital invested $5 million, which should give them a 6.4701% stake. But in the agreement, it says 6.47%."


    Grace''s heart skipped a beat. Though it was a tiny difference, in the finance world, that small decimal point could be a huge mistake.


    She had already prepared these documents today, planning to send them to her superior tomorrow for review and then pass them on to Evelyn Garcia. If everything checked out, they''d sign the deal with the project party.


    If Evelyn noticed the error, she''d probably chew Grace out big time.


    Grace''s mind was racing. She had no time to stay at the party anymore. She quickly got in her car and rushed back to the office to fix the issue.


    "Aiden Thompson, I heard footsteps and looked up, and a few seconds later, Grace Li appeared at the door, out of breath."


    She rushed to Aiden''s seat, still catching her breath. "Let me see the file."


    Aiden handed her the agreement, and Grace Li returned to her seat, pressing a few keys on her computer. Sure enough, she had overlooked a decimal point. It was a small mistake¡ªsome companies might round it to two decimal places, but to be more precise and protect the investors'' interests, it should be carried out more accurately. If there''s an endless decimal, it should be rounded to six places.


    But this one was a clean four-decimal figure, so it should''ve been fully retained.


    Grace Li put her hands on her head, feeling deep regret. "Oh my God, how could I mess up the data like this?"


    This was absolutely unacceptable.


    Aiden Thompson said, "You don''t need to beat yourself up. Nobody''s perfect."


    Grace Li couldn''t forgive herself. "No, Aiden, in our line of work, accuracy is everything. This was a huge mistake, and it''s such a rookie mistake."


    Aiden Thompson could feel her guilt. She had always been meticulous, always finding mistakes in her subordinates'' work and patiently teaching them how to correct them, but she almost never allowed herself to make mistakes.


    Leaning back in his chair with his long legs casually spread out, Aiden looked at Grace Li. "I think you might have a bit of a perfectionist streak."


    Grace Li opened her computer. "You know, if Evelyn Garcia sees this file, she''s gonna chew me out for sure."


    Aiden Thompson chuckled. "But didn''t you give it to me for the final proofread? If I didn''t catch the mistake, the blame should be on me."


    "I''m not about shifting the blame. I messed up. It''s my fault."


    No wonder her team trusted and supported her so much. She never blamed others for her mistakes.


    Grace Li carefully reviewed the agreement for tomorrow once again. "Aiden, did you find any other mistakes?"


    "No, everything else looks perfect."


    "I''ll go over it again. Evelyn Garcia is terrifying. If I make a mistake, she''ll really tear me apart."


    Grace Li was starting to feel anxious about it.


    Aiden Thompson said, "If she''s nitpicking, just blame me."


    "Why?"


    "I just don''t think she''ll yell at me."


    Grace Li gave him a strange look, thinking, "Is he showing off his special relationship with Evelyn Garcia?"


    But no matter what, it was Aiden Thompson who had pointed out the mistake, so she should thank him. "Aiden, seriously, thank you."


    Aiden Thompson crossed his legs, resting his elbows on the armrests of his chair, chin propped up. "So, how do you want to thank me?"


    Grace Li glanced at him and felt like he looked like a CEO straight out of a novel.


    She thought for a moment. "How about a late-night snack? My treat."


    "Sounds good."


    Grace Li took Aiden Thompson to a dessert shop near Columbia University. The shop had a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with warm yellow lighting creating a comfortable vibe. The wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and there were artistic dessert paintings on the walls. The shop was filled with young college students, some chatting quietly, others focused on their books, radiating youthful energy.


    "The desserts and snacks here are amazing. I used to come here all the time," Grace Li said enthusiastically, pointing to the QR code on the table. "You can scan this to check out the menu and see what you want."


    Aiden didn''t scan the code but smiled and said, "Since you''re so familiar with this place, you pick what you think is good. I trust your taste."


    "Alright, I''ll order." Grace Li agreed easily, took out her phone, and scanned the QR code. Considering Aiden''s taste, she thought Americans generally liked sweet food, so she ordered a classic American caramel pudding for him, a chocolate truffle cake for herself, and some signature cheesy fries, along with mini burgers that were popular at campus parties.


    While waiting for the food, Grace Li couldn''t stop thinking about the file and pulled it out again to check it thoroughly, not missing any potential mistakes.


    Aiden, sitting across from her, quietly observed her and couldn''t help but say, "You''re looking a bit anxious. Are you okay?"


    Grace Li looked up, surprised. "Is it that obvious? Can you tell?"


    "Yeah, but in our line of work, it''s not a bad thing. Perfectionists tend to be like this," Aiden replied seriously.


    Grace Li smiled lightly, thinking, "It''s kind of funny hearing this from someone five years younger than me, but it actually makes sense." "What about you? Have you ever felt this way?"


    "I haven''t," Aiden shook his head.


    "Do you think I''m overreacting?"


    "Maybe a little, but it''s not too serious."


    Grace Li raised an eyebrow, curious. "Did you study psychology or something?"


    "No, I just read a few books and picked up a little here and there," Aiden explained modestly.


    Perhaps the topic sparked Grace Li''s interest, so she closed the file and decided to chat with Aiden. "You know why I''m so anxious?"


    Aiden, following her lead, asked with concern, "Why?"


    "It goes back to a lesson I learned in school. I used to be really careless, and I''d lose points on exams just because of small mistakes. I always felt confident, but when the test papers came back, the results were disappointing. A lot of the mistakes weren''t because I didn''t know the answers, but because I missed the small details. The worst time was during the SATs, when I made a mistake filling out the answer sheet. I missed a few answers, and even though I knew the material, it affected my score. My original goal was Stanford, but I ended up at Arizona State University. That hit me hard," Grace Li recalled, then continued, "After that, I developed the habit of double-checking everything. Once I started working, I couldn''t afford to make mistakes, so I''m super cautious, and I double-check everything before submitting it."


    Aiden comforted her, "Looking at it from another angle, it''s not all bad."


    "Yeah, I get it," Grace Li nodded.


    Their food arrived, and Grace Li excitedly recommended, "Try these cheesy fries with the special cheese sauce. They''re amazing. And these mini burgers are one of the house specialties."


    "Sounds good." Aiden smiled, picking up a cheesy fry, dipping it in the sauce, and enjoying the taste.


    "By the way, did you go to high school in the U.S.?"


    "Yeah."


    "You must''ve been a straight-A student, right?"


    "Not really," Aiden answered humbly.


    "But you must''ve done well. After all, getting into Oxford isn''t easy," Grace Li said, looking at Aiden across the table. In the soft lighting, his features stood out even more. She noticed that since they''d entered the shop, several girls had glanced at him from time to time. Aiden was exceptional in looks, education, height, and aura, like someone the universe had really favored.


    But such an outstanding person... why would he choose to get close to Evelyn Garcia? Grace Li couldn''t help but feel a little regretful.


    "Aiden, you''re really impressive," Grace Li said sincerely.


    This sudden compliment caught Aiden off guard. He blinked, then smiled charmingly, asking, "And what about it?"


    Grace Li said seriously, "I believe you''ll achieve financial freedom through your own efforts soon."


    Aiden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How do you think I''ll do that?"


    Grace Li hadn''t expected him to ask that, but after a moment of thought, she answered, "By working hard, of course."


    "If you''re only relying on hard work, achieving financial freedom might take a while," Aiden said thoughtfully.


    Grace Li sighed inwardly. She realized that Aiden thought relying solely on hard work would take too long, which is why he chose to take shortcuts through his relationship with Evelyn Garcia. Young people today are really talented, but they''re so impatient.


    But everyone has their own choices. Grace Li felt that she''d said what she needed to say, and that was enough.

 Chapter 14

    It was already past 11 PM after Grace Li had finished her late-night snack. She originally wanted to give Aiden Thompson a ride, but it was too late, and she still had work tomorrow, so Aiden insisted she didn''t need to.


    At this hour, hailing a cab in New York was practically a mission impossible. Aiden stood by the curb, staring at his phone, but no one was accepting his ride request. People rushed by on the street, and the neon signs in the distance flickered nonstop. Taxis sped past one after another, all with passengers inside.


    Just then, a sleek G-Wagon pulled up next to him, the window rolled down slowly, and the driver''s face lit up with surprise. "Yo, Aiden! You gotta be kidding me, is that really you?" he shouted excitedly.


    It was Anthony Miller, Aiden''s high school buddy.


    Aiden smiled slightly, his lips curling up. "Long time no see, bro. Didn''t expect to run into you here."


    "What are you doing out here at this hour?"


    "Just finished a late-night snack and was trying to grab a ride, but no luck."


    Anthony immediately waved for him to hop in. "Come on, don''t wait around. Get in, we''ll catch up on the way."


    Aiden opened the passenger door and got in. Anthony was practically bouncing in his seat. "Man, you''ve been in New York for two months, and you didn''t hit me up? You''re killing me, dude!"


    Aiden shrugged, his tone casual. "Been busy looking for a job, getting settled in. Haven''t had time."


    "Wait, didn''t your family open a branch here in New York?"


    Aiden leaned back in the seat, one hand resting on the window, his eyelids half-closed. "Nope, I had a fallout with my dad. Ran off and ended up here."


    "You''re kidding! What happened?"


    Aiden smirked. "Just some differences in how we see things. Don''t ask for the details. Anyway, I''m just a regular finance guy now. If I don''t work hard today, I''ll be sleeping on the streets tomorrow."


    "Damn, that''s rough. So, where are you staying?"


    "Got a small apartment in Brooklyn, nothing special."


    "Wait, what? You''re okay with that? Brooklyn''s got some sketchy neighborhoods."


    Aiden chuckled. "What can I do? Just got here, tight on cash. Had to settle for something. Been living there for two months, got used to it."


    "Man, you''re tough. I gotta give you props."


    Aiden glanced at the time. "Alright, enough about me. Find a good spot to drop me off, and you can head home too."


    "What are you talking about? With our history, I''m definitely taking you home. You''ve been out of the country for so long, we finally run into each other, we gotta catch up!"


    Anthony drove Aiden back to his apartment. As they walked in, Anthony looked around. The building looked pretty average from the outside, but the duplex inside was decent.


    He couldn''t believe Aiden had fallen out with his dad and had been living here for two months. He asked with genuine concern, "So, what''s your plan now?"


    "For now, just gonna focus on work and get settled in," Aiden said, grabbing a can of soda from the fridge and handing it to Anthony. He cracked open a beer for himself.


    Anthony frowned. "Hey, why are you giving me soda? I want a beer too."


    Aiden pointed to the car. "You drove here, man. In New York, drinking and driving''s a big deal. Fines, license suspension, maybe even jail time. I''m not about to get you in trouble."


    Anthony slapped his forehead. "Duh, how could I forget?"


    He took a sip of the soda and then asked, "So, where are you working?"


    "Nova Capital."


    "I know that place. It''s pretty well-known. I was at the SunRay listing event today. I heard Nova Capital and BM co-invested in that project. It''s been huge."


    "Yeah, that project''s been getting a lot of buzz lately."


    "Speaking of which, my dad gave me some money recently to invest. I''m stuck between the secondary market and the primary market. Got any advice?"If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Aiden shook his head. "I''m not one to give investment advice, but since you asked, if it were me, I''d probably look into the projects we''re working on."


    "Really? That''s awesome! I trust you, man. If there''s a good project, you better think of me¡ªI''ll definitely be your LP."


    Aiden smirked, thinking to himself, this guy''s quick to commit. "Sure thing, I''ll keep you in mind if something comes up."


    Anthony was still curious. "So, what''s your role at Nova Capital?"


    "Bottom of the ladder. Mostly organizing documents and running errands."


    Anthony''s eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious? You''re an Oxford MBA, and you''re starting from the bottom?"


    Aiden remained calm. "In New York, there are tons of finance grads from top schools. If you want to climb, you gotta take it step by step."


    Anthony looked around, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "Man, you used to live in a big mansion, and now you''re in this place. That''s gotta be a tough adjustment. You handling it okay?"


    Aiden took a sip of his beer, gazing out the window at the bustling city. "Honestly, it''s not that bad. I''ve learned a lot during this time, experienced a different kind of life. It''s been pretty interesting."


    "You''ve been here two months, and your dad hasn''t reached out to you? Does he want to make up?"


    Aiden snorted. "I''m old enough to walk my own path. Besides, my sister''s still there, and she can help with the company. I don''t think my dad''s missing me much."


    Anthony slapped Aiden on the shoulder. "Hey, no matter what, if you need anything, don''t try to handle it all alone. Hit me up, man. We''re bros."


    Aiden felt a warmth in his chest, raising his beer can to clink it with Anthony''s. "Thanks, bro. That means a lot."


    Anthony took a sip of his soda, eyes lighting up. "By the way, how''s your network here in New York?"


    "Just got here two months ago, haven''t met many people yet."


    "What do you mean, you''ve met me! Next Friday, there''s a high-end cocktail party in Manhattan for the finance industry. Lots of Wall Street big shots will be there. I got the hookup. I''ll bring you along, you''ll meet some people. It''ll be good for your career."


    Aiden thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sounds good, I appreciate it. I''ve been meaning to expand my network."


    The Wall Street cocktail party for financial elites is held four times a year at an upscale, multifunctional private club in Manhattan. The event gathers a mix of financial professionals and individual investors eager to share industry insights and expand their networks in a relaxed yet lively atmosphere.


    Aiden Thompson walks into the club with Anthony Miller. As soon as they step inside, the buzz of the scene hits them. Some people lounge comfortably in booths sipping cocktails while discussing market trends, others are gathered around custom-made game tables, fully focused on a game of Texas Hold''em, and others are at professional pool tables, elegantly showing off their skills. The whole vibe feels like a grand, sophisticated social event.


    Their arrival catches a few eyes. A man in a custom pink Armani suit holding a martini strides up to greet them with a big smile. "Yo, Anthony! Long time no see! It''s been forever, huh?"


    Anthony Miller smiles back. "Eric, good to see you, man. Been so busy lately, I hardly have time to breathe."


    Eric''s gaze shifts to Aiden Thompson, giving him a curious once-over. "Who''s this handsome guy?" he asks with interest.


    Before arriving, Aiden Thompson had specifically asked Anthony not to reveal his identity. So, Anthony simply says, "This is a buddy of mine, Alex."


    Eric grins wider. "Since he''s one of Anthony''s guys, he''s family." He turns to Aiden with a playful grin, "Hey, man, how about a drink? Their Tequila Sunrise here is wicked¡ªwouldn''t want you to miss out."


    Aiden Thompson remains aloof, not enjoying Eric''s scrutiny. "Nah, thanks. I''ve got plans, maybe next time."


    Eric shrugs and teases, "Ooh, this guy''s got that cool vibe." He pats Anthony on the back. "Catch you guys later. Let''s hit up a dive bar sometime."


    After Eric leaves, Anthony Miller turns to Aiden Thompson. "That guy, Eric, he''s an investment partner at KinZ Capital. Seems like he''s pretty interested in you."


    Aiden Thompson doesn''t hide his discomfort. "Not interested in him, that''s for sure."


    Anthony laughs. "Don''t worry, Eric may be... well, let''s say unique, but he''s got his act together." After a pause, he adds, "By the way, I''ve never been quite sure if you''re straight. I mean, you''re handsome, but I never see you hanging out with any girls. Back in high school, the prom queen was into you, and you turned her down. Makes me wonder if you''re just not into girls."


    Aiden Thompson raises an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"


    "Look at you. You''re this good-looking guy, but I''ve never seen you all buddy-buddy with a girl. I know you were at Oxford, but even in high school, you turned down the girl of our school¡ªwhat gives?" Anthony says, analyzing it.


    Aiden Thompson deadpans, "I''m not into guys either."


    Anthony smirks. "Well, maybe you''re just asexual."


    Aiden Thompson doesn''t respond, but when Anthony mentions asexuality, his mind suddenly drifts to a certain person. He quickly dismisses the idea that he might be asexual.


    Anthony Miller leads Aiden to a booth with a great view. He glances at his limited-edition Rolex, frowning. "Man, these guys are lagging. They''re later than me." Even though Anthony isn''t a financial professional, he interacts with people from the industry regularly. Before the event, he made sure to tell a few friends he''d be introducing someone new, but now, it looks like he''s the first one here.


    Just then, a man walks up with a professional smile. "Hey, Anthony, didn''t expect to run into you here. Small world, huh?"


    Anthony Miller stands up and gives him a friendly hug. "Hey, Daniel! Long time no see. How''s everything?"


    "Last time I tried to get you to grab a bite at Strip House, but you were too busy. Let''s do it next week. Their dry-aged steak is banging," Daniel Chou says with a grin.


    "Definitely. I''ve been craving it," Anthony agrees.


    Daniel looks at Aiden Thompson across from him and smiles at Anthony. "I''ve got some friends talking about emerging fintech projects, so I''m gonna go join them. We''ll catch up later."


    "Sounds good," Anthony nods.


    Once Daniel walks off, Anthony turns to Aiden. "That guy? Do you know him?"


    Aiden shakes his head. "Never met him."


    "He''s Daniel Chou, partner at BM Capital. Just got promoted. He''s a big deal. But there''s another detail you might be interested in," Anthony continues.


    "What''s that?" Aiden asks casually.


    "He''s married to Mia Wen. They had a wedding in Hawaii two weeks ago."


    Aiden seems uninterested. "Who''s Mia Wen?"


    "Come on, dude, Mia Wen is the girl who chased you all through high school! She was the prom queen. Back in the day, she was the talk of the school."


    Aiden barely reacts. "Oh. Don''t really remember."


    "Man, you''ve got a terrible memory," Anthony jokes.

 Chapter 15

    Meanwhile, over by the cigar lounge, a group of people sit around a vintage wood table discussing their careers while sipping whiskey and enjoying cigars.


    A woman says, "Daniel, I heard you just became a partner at BM! That''s awesome! Thirty and already a partner at Wall Street? Major props to you."


    Daniel smiles humbly, adjusting his well-groomed hair. "Eh, it''s all luck. Came across some good projects and had an amazing team."


    Henry Taylor, adjusting his glasses, chimes in, "Don''t be modest, Daniel. You brought in GrowThrive as a major LP, and that''s a game-changer. GrowThrive''s huge in private equity. When they get involved, projects just come back to life."


    John Lewis, curious, asks, "Which LP is that?"


    "GrowThrive, based in Europe. They''re involved in everything from tech startups to energy companies. They''ve got their fingers in all kinds of pies," Henry explains.


    "That''s definitely a cash cow," the group agrees.


    Ever since Daniel Chou became a partner, his relationship with Henry Taylor has gotten a little complicated. Daniel knows full well that he used to report to Henry, but now he''s the partner and Henry''s just a VP. Despite that, Daniel doesn''t let it affect their work. "Honestly, I owe so much to Henry. When I first joined BM, I knew nothing. He walked me through my first financial report, my first project. He''s like a mentor to me. Without him, I wouldn''t be here."


    Henry smiles. "Well, now you''ve surpassed me. I''m the old guy getting left behind, but I''m genuinely happy for you."


    Daniel laughs. "Don''t say that, Henry. You''ve been in the game for years¡ªyour experience, connections, I''m still learning from you."


    At that moment, Eleanor Jackson asks, "Daniel, I heard you just got married?"


    Daniel adjusts his glasses, smiling. "Yeah, got married in Hawaii last month. Next month, I''m hosting a thank-you dinner in New York on the 8th. You all should come."


    "Definitely! Can''t miss it," everyone agrees.


    John Lewis, grinning mischievously, asks, "Wait, your wife''s not Grace Li, is she?"


    Daniel Chou hesitates for a second, looking slightly awkward. "No."


    Henry Taylor jumps in to clarify. "John, you''re way behind the times. Daniel''s wife is Mia Wen''s daughter. Her dad, Mr. Wen, is a big player in the industry. GrowThrive wouldn''t be where it is without him."


    John Lewis slaps his mouth. "Oh, my bad. I always thought you and Grace Li were an item. Back in school, you two were inseparable."


    Eleanor Jackson, who knows Grace Li, asks, "Daniel, did you ever date Grace Li?"


    Daniel Chou quickly shakes his head. "No way. We''re just good friends. We worked together on a few projects in college, so we''re close, but nothing more."


    John Lewis laughs. "Come on, you''re telling me there was never anything between you two? I remember at a school party, you two looked like a couple."


    Daniel laughs, shaking his head. "No, we''re just friends, seriously."


    John Lewis presses on. "But I heard Grace Li say her boyfriend was studying in Europe. Is that just a lie?"


    Grace Li, who had no idea they were talking about her, walks over. Eleanor Jackson spots her and waves excitedly. "Grace, over here!"


    Grace didn''t realize they were talking about her. She hadn''t seen Daniel yet. When she heard Eleanor''s call, she quickly walked over. As she approached, she noticed Daniel and the somewhat unwelcome John Lewis.


    Eleanor moved aside to make room. "Grace, sit here."


    Grace, knowing Daniel was there, didn''t want to stay any longer. She quickly made an excuse. "No thanks, I''m meeting a friend. She''s waiting for me in the private wine cellar over there. We''re gonna check out some new Bordeaux wines."


    Just then, John Lewis, with a mischievous smile, said, "Grace, didn''t you say Daniel was your boyfriend?  Well, Daniel''s right here. Where exactly do you think you''re going?"


    Grace Li''s heart skipped a beat. She hadn''t expected John Lewis to bring this up right now. Daniel Chou was already married, and John was clearly trying to embarrass her, making a spectacle out of her. Surrounded by colleagues and friends, she felt like she was being put on public display.


    She forced a smile and explained, "You''ve got it all wrong. I never said Daniel was my boyfriend. We''ve always been good friends. After graduation, we went our separate ways with our careers, and we hardly keep in touch."


    Daniel Chou chuckled and played along. "Yeah, Grace Li and I are just old pals. We''ve both been busy with our careers, haven''t seen each other much."


    But John Lewis wasn''t letting it go. "So, Grace Li, when you told everyone your boyfriend was studying in Europe, you were just messing with us, huh?"


    Grace Li gritted her teeth, cursing under her breath. She hated how John Lewis had this way of pushing her buttons. She''d never been good at lying, but back then, to get him off her back, she''d told him a little white lie about having a boyfriend. She thought it was harmless at the time. Now, with Daniel standing right there, she didn''t want to look like a joke in front of everyone. She needed to find a way to cover her tracks.


    Just as she was racking her brain for an explanation, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "She''s not lying. The guy she was talking about, that was probably me."A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Grace''s heart raced as she turned to see Aiden Thompson entering the room, dressed in a custom black Ermenegildo Zegna suit, with a white Turnbull & Asser shirt and a Hermes tie. His tall, handsome figure immediately drew everyone''s attention.


    Aiden flashed a slight smile, his eyes softening as he looked at Grace. "Grace, looks like your friends didn''t know about me. Am I that embarrassing to talk about? I flew in from London just for tonight''s event."


    Though Aiden was clearly stepping in to help her, Grace''s heart skipped. "What are you doing here?"


    "I couldn''t leave you on your own," Aiden said gently. "I know you don''t like these kinds of places, but with me here, you''ve got nothing to worry about."


    Daniel Chou noticed the flirting between them and instinctively looked away, his gaze settling on the drink in front of him.


    One of the girls at the table asked, "Grace, is this your boyfriend? Aren''t you gonna introduce him?"


    Henry Taylor chimed in, "Yeah, Grace, introduce us!"


    Grace Li didn''t know how to introduce Aiden. If she forced an introduction, it would mean telling yet another lie, and she''d have to keep coming up with more to cover up the first one.


    Aiden Thompson casually placed his hand on Grace Li''s shoulder and said, "Let me introduce myself. I''m Aiden Thompson, graduated from Oxford. I just finished my MBA earlier this year and came back not long ago."


    "Wow! Grace, how did you manage to land such a handsome, smart guy who''s even younger than you?" one of them exclaimed.


    Before Grace could respond, Aiden cut in, "It was love at first sight for me. I''m the one who chased her."


    Grace Li froze. This lie was even more ridiculous than hers. She knew she''d have to keep lying to cover up Aiden''s version of the story.


    Sensing Grace''s discomfort, Aiden gently took her hand. "My friends just showed up. Let me introduce you to them."


    Grace Li, still stunned, nodded, "Okay."


    Aiden turned to the group in the curved booth. "I''m gonna go introduce my girlfriend to a few friends, excuse us for a minute."


    As they watched Grace Li being led away by Aiden, Eleanor Jackson asked, "Is Grace''s boyfriend in finance too? I don''t think I''ve seen him around before."


    Someone replied, "Didn''t he just say he came back this year? That makes sense, I guess."


    Meanwhile, Daniel Chou''s expression was unreadable. He had just seen the guy with Anthony Miller, maybe he was another rich kid. When did Grace Li start seeing him? His mind was racing, but his face remained calm.


    Aiden Thompson pulled Grace Li out of the lively nightclub, the colorful neon lights spilling out from the windows and casting a glow over them. It wasn''t until they reached the street outside that Aiden finally let go of her hand.


    Grace Li''s heart was still racing, and her palm seemed to still feel the warmth from Aiden''s hand. "Aiden, really, thank you so much for helping me back there," she said gratefully.


    Aiden Thompson looked at her, his eyes showing a hint of concern. "No big deal, just a piece of cake."


    Aiden had been sitting in the booth beside the club, his back to the noisy crowd. He didn''t usually eavesdrop, but when the group mentioned Grace Li, he couldn''t help but listen in. It was obvious that one man in the group seemed determined to make her look bad, and it looked like there was some serious personal grudges involved.


    "That guy who was giving you a hard time earlier¡ªdo you two have some kind of history?" Aiden asked.


    Grace Li lightly touched her nose, her expression a little awkward. "It''s a long story."


    "No worries, I''ve got all the time in the world. I''m free as a bird tonight," Aiden said, hands in his pockets, looking serious.


    Grace Li looked at him skeptically and couldn''t resist teasing, "You seem kind of nosy, you know?"


    Aiden''s lips curled into a small smile. "I just pretended to be your boyfriend in front of all those people. You''ve got to fill me in on the backstory, or next time we run into them, we''ll totally bust it."


    Grace Li thought about it and realized Aiden had a point. She looked around; the street was too noisy for a proper conversation. "How about we go for a walk along the Hudson River? I''ve heard the night view there is lit."


    "Sounds like a plan," Aiden said, agreeing immediately.


    The cold winter wind cut through the air, sending ripples across the surface of the Hudson River. Grace Li was only wearing a black slip dress with a thin Chanel-style jacket over it, and she couldn''t help but shiver in the chill. Aiden noticed and without hesitation took off his jacket, handing it to her. "Put this on, babe, don''t catch a cold."


    His considerate gesture left Grace Li momentarily stunned. She couldn''t help but think of those romantic scenes in teenage dramas where the handsome male lead drapes his jacket over the female lead''s shoulders. Aiden was even more handsome than those drama heroes. Despite being five years younger, something deep within her stirred, like ripples on a lake.


    But she still declined. "No, I''m fine, thanks though."


    Aiden didn''t insist, just draped the jacket over his arm.


    Grace Li glanced at the unused jacket with a twinge of sympathy. "You should put it on, though. It''s pretty nippy tonight."


    "Nah, I''m fine. My body''s like Iron Man¡ªtough as nails," Aiden insisted.


    Grace Li didn''t know how to respond to that.


    Aiden noticed she was quiet and prompted, "So, ready to spill the tea about earlier?"


    "Huh? What?" Grace Li was a little slow to catch up.


    Aiden raised an eyebrow, a playful gleam in his eyes. "The gossip you were about to tell me. I''m waiting for you to spill the tea."


    Grace Li smiled faintly, her lips curling slightly. For some reason, she felt like opening up to Aiden. So, she started telling him about the past.


    "Well, the guy who was giving me a hard time earlier, he used to work at the same company as me. We were colleagues. For a while, he expressed interest in me, but I didn''t feel the same way. I thought I made it clear, but he didn''t seem to get it and kept pursuing me. I ended up telling him I had a boyfriend, hoping that would make him back off. And it worked¡ªhe stopped bothering me. But I never expected that little white lie would come back to haunt me today. I basically dug my own grave."


    Aiden listened quietly, his understanding clear. "You didn''t do anything wrong. It''s totally normal to use an excuse to turn someone down. People do it all the time, especially in a place like New York. That kind of thing''s as common as dirt."


    Grace Li responded, "What about you? Have you ever done something like that?"


    "Yeah, been there, done that. Everyone has their ways of protecting themselves," Aiden admitted openly.


    Grace Li smiled softly but with a touch of bitterness. "But it feels awful to lie. You''re always on edge, worried the lie will get exposed, and you''ll be a joke. Like earlier, when my lie got busted, I almost automatically wanted to tell another lie to cover up the first one. I really hate this side of me."


    Aiden looked at her, his expression full of understanding and compassion. "You''re being too hard on yourself."


    "Why do you say that?" Grace Li asked, confused.


    "You didn''t do anything wrong. When you lied, it was to spare the guy''s feelings, so he wouldn''t be embarrassed. And when you almost lied again, it was because someone was trying to make you look bad. You were just protecting yourself. You didn''t hurt anyone, so don''t beat yourself up."


    Hearing Aiden''s words, Grace Li felt like the clouds in her heart cleared up. She suddenly felt lighter. "Yeah, you''re right. I wasn''t hurting anyone. I was just protecting myself." She said sincerely, "Thanks."


    "By the way, I can offer after-sales service for the lie I just told," Aiden suddenly said.


    Grace Li looked at him in confusion. "What after-sales service?"


    Aiden tilted his head slightly, looking at her with a soft gaze. "If you ever need someone to pretend to be your boyfriend again, I''m your guy. No strings attached¡ªjust like Uber."


    Grace Li couldn''t help but laugh. Then, with a playful grin, she said, "Alright, I''ll remember that. If I need someone next time, I''ll definitely give you a holler."


    Aiden smiled as they walked side by side along the Hudson River, his jacket draped over his arm. The colorful Christmas lights on the trees by the riverbank sparkled like dreamy stars.

 Chapter 16

    They walked in silence for a while, then Aiden broke it. "Is Daniel Chou the guy you''ve been waiting for these past three years?"


    When Aiden suddenly mentioned Daniel Chou, Grace Li''s emotions became complicated. She looked at him in surprise, her mind racing with questions: How did he know about Daniel Chou? How did he know I''ve been waiting for him for three years? Even though she had drunkenly mentioned "a friend" when talking to Aiden about her past with Daniel Chou, how did he figure out that it was her own story?


    She tried to act calm and responded, "Nope, you''re trippin''."


    "You don''t like him?" Aiden pressed.


    Grace Li immediately shook her head. "No, I don''t."


    Aiden chuckled lightly, teasing her. "Good thing you don''t like him. Otherwise, your taste in men sucks."


    Grace Li instinctively hugged her Chanel-style jacket tighter and couldn''t resist asking, "Why do you say that? What''s wrong with him?"


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. "He''s average-looking, not tall, doesn''t have much personality, and no backbone. And, as far as I know, he might even be a guy who lives off women. If you liked him, I''d seriously question your judgment. You can find someone better just by grabbing anyone off the street in New York. He''s a total dud."


    Grace Li was taken aback by his harsh words. Hearing Aiden put Daniel down like that, she couldn''t help but start doubting her own judgment. But in reality, Daniel Chou wasn''t that bad¡ªhe was considered pretty great in school, and a lot of girls liked him. Objectively speaking, Daniel was definitely in the group of the more successful ones. But in Aiden''s eyes, he was completely worthless.


    She couldn''t help but retort, "Aiden, are you comparing him to yourself?"


    "Duh, of course. If I''m judging someone, I use myself as the standard. I''m the real deal," Aiden replied matter-of-factly.


    Grace Li thought for a moment. If she compared Daniel Chou to Aiden Thompson, Daniel would probably lose. Aiden was better in every way¡ªlooks, charisma, and ability. She suddenly understood. "So you''re flexing, huh?"


    Just then, a cold gust of wind blew through, and Grace Li couldn''t hold back a sneeze. She quickly tightened her jacket around her and sniffed.


    Aiden noticed and once again offered her his jacket. "Don''t be a tough guy. Put it on, or you''ll get sick."


    "You''re the one being a tough guy!" Grace Li muttered, then suddenly realized, "Aiden, why are we still walking out here in this freezing wind?"


    Aiden was momentarily silent, then shrugged and said, "You were the one who wanted to walk here. You said it would be fun as hell."


    Grace Li suddenly remembered it was her suggestion. Shivering, she turned toward the street and said, "Let''s bounce, it''s freezing."


    Aiden laughed softly, watching her hurry away, then quickly followed after her.


    **************************************************************************


    Grace Li thought to herself, she must be losing it.


    After coming back from the finance cocktail party, she took a hot shower and planned to catch up on the financial news before going to bed. But the words kept swimming in front of her eyes, and none of it was sticking.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Right now, all she could think about was Aiden Thompson.


    She kept replaying the way he had rescued her earlier that day¡ªhis smooth, effortless demeanor, the way he''d taken off his jacket and handed it to her. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. The image kept replaying in her mind, over and over again. If this kept up, she was going to lose her mind.


    In a daze, she picked up a novel, but after reading the first chapter, Aiden''s handsome face had somehow managed to slip into the image of the male protagonist.


    This was getting out of hand.


    Grace Li gave up trying to fight it. She lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. It had been two months since she first met him. From the initial shock of his good looks to working together, she thought she''d gotten used to having such a charming subordinate around.


    But today¡ªjust because Aiden Thompson showed up at the right time and helped her out of an awkward situation¡ªher heart was now racing uncontrollably. It was as if a little rabbit had taken up residence in her chest. Her mind was completely scattered.


    As a career woman approaching her thirties, Grace Li never imagined she''d be this distracted by someone.


    Somehow, she drifted off to sleep, her mind still racing. In her dream, she was back in college.


    The professor had just finished his "U.S. Economic Policy" lecture, and Grace Li was packing up her books, getting ready to head back to the dorm with her roommate. That''s when Daniel Chou walked up to her and said, "Grace, I need to talk to you."


    Grace Li followed him out of the classroom, her mind full of questions. What could he possibly want to talk about? Her stomach was tied up in knots.


    They reached the garden near campus, and Daniel stopped. He turned around with a serious look on his face and asked, "Grace, why did you tell people I''m your boyfriend?"


    Grace Li''s face turned pale. She hadn''t expected this.


    "I just¡­" Before she could explain, Daniel interrupted, "Don''t you think this is making things awkward for me?"


    Grace Li felt like the floor was falling out beneath her. Embarrassment and discomfort flooded her, and she just wanted to disappear. "I''m sorry, I didn''t say your name. I just needed to turn down John Lewis¡­"


    At that moment, she heard whispers behind her. She turned to see a small group of people gathered nearby, watching her with sneers and whispering among themselves. Though she couldn''t make out what they were saying, the contempt in their voices made her feel like she was being stabbed in the back.


    "I just told a little white lie to get rid of a guy''s advances. I didn''t hurt anyone, so why are they treating me like this?" Grace Li felt both confused and hurt.


    Just when she was about to lose it, a familiar figure appeared in her line of sight. Aiden Thompson, wearing a sharp suit, his right hand casually in his pocket, flashed a charming smile as he walked toward her. He stopped right in front of her.


    Grace Li stood there, stunned, still trying to process it. Before she could react, Aiden leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.


    Then, he casually draped his arm over her shoulder, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He looked at the group of people around them and said, "Looks like you guys got it all wrong. Grace is my girlfriend."


    Grace Li felt her heart race like it might burst out of her chest.


    Suddenly, Grace was jolted awake. The room around her came into focus, the morning light filtering through the curtains. Her heart was still pounding, as if everything from the dream had really happened.


    She instinctively touched her lips, still stunned by the dream. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She couldn''t believe she dreamt that Aiden Thompson kissed her. How crazy was that?


    Although she couldn''t stop thinking about Aiden after everything he did yesterday, deep down she knew it was impossible between them.


    First off, they had quite an age gap. Secondly, someone as good-looking and capable as Aiden wouldn''t possibly be interested in her. And third, Aiden always gave off the vibe that he was more into relationships with women who had financial power, probably looking for something in return. He didn''t seem to take romance seriously.


    The alarm hadn''t gone off yet. It was only 6:30 a.m. But Grace Li was wide awake, no longer feeling sleepy. She''d left the office at 6:30 yesterday to attend the finance cocktail event, so her work had piled up. So, she decided to just get up and head to work.


    When Grace Li arrived at the office, it was only 8 a.m. The skyscraper was quiet, almost eerily so. She stepped into the elevator, which smoothly ascended to her floor.


    As she walked into the office, her gaze instinctively swept over Aiden Thompson''s desk as she passed it. It was neat and orderly, with almost no unnecessary items. The only thing that stood out was an elegant ornament, a gift from a client. Grace had regifted it to Aiden during Thanksgiving, and since then, it had stayed prominently on his desk.


    Thankfully, the cold weather had preserved the chocolates and candies she''d given him as part of the holiday gift. They sat neatly to the side, untouched and still in perfect condition.


    Grace settled into her own desk and began her day.

 Chapter 17

    By 8:40, coworkers were starting to trickle in. The first to arrive was Aiden Thompson. The moment he walked in, his eyes landed on Grace. He smiled warmly and greeted her.


    "Morning."


    Hearing his voice made Grace''s heart skip a beat, but she quickly steadied herself and replied as casually as possible.


    "Morning."


    "Want a coffee?" Aiden asked, his tone friendly.


    She waved him off. "No, thanks. You enjoy it."


    Despite her refusal, Aiden walked over and placed a coffee cup gently on the corner of her desk. "Got two," he said with a grin.


    A small ripple of warmth spread through her chest. Could it be he''d gotten it just for her? She kept her tone even.


    "Why''d you get two?"


    Aiden shrugged, his expression light. "Buy one, get one free."


    Grace glanced at the coffee cup and noticed the logo of Starry Brew, the popular caf¨¦ downstairs. She raised an eyebrow.


    "I didn''t see that promo. Or do you just look like a VIP customer?"


    Aiden smirked, his tone teasing. "Probably my good looks¡ªthey couldn''t resist."


    Grace rolled her eyes. His cockiness was borderline ridiculous, but she couldn''t entirely deny it.


    Seeing her reaction, Aiden chuckled. "What? You don''t think I''m good-looking?"


    Grace picked up the coffee cup, feeling its warmth seep into her hands. After a moment''s thought, she nodded seriously.


    "Good-looking enough."


    By 9 a.m., the office was buzzing as everyone had arrived. Grace had already been working efficiently for an hour.


    Olivia walked in, her voice carrying across the room.


    "Hey, who grabbed coffee from Starry Brew? Can you send me the receipt?"


    Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need the receipt?"


    "Because their app has this promo! If you collect 12 stamps, you can redeem an exclusive Christmas mug. It''s adorable, and I need it!" Olivia explained enthusiastically.


    Ryan glanced at Aiden''s desk, pointing at his coffee cup.


    "Looks like Aiden bought one."


    Immediately, Olivia darted to Aiden''s desk, a playful tone in her voice.


    "Aiden, if you drink there again, can you save me your stamps?"


    Aiden looked up from his computer, smiling. "Sure, just remind me next time."


    "You''re the best!" Olivia beamed. She turned to the rest of the team. "Anyone else using the Starry Brew app? Help a girl out!"


    Ryan shrugged. "Don''t drink their coffee, so no can do."


    On her way back to her desk, Olivia noticed the cup on Grace''s desk and lit up.


    "Grace, you bought one too? Did you use the app to collect stamps?"


    Grace glanced at the coffee, her tone casual.


    "No, just grabbed it on a whim."


    "Ah, what a shame. Next time, help me collect some stamps, okay?"


    "Sure, sure," Grace replied, waving her off.


    Shortly after, Grace finished reviewing a file when her office phone rang. It was Benjamin Harris asking her to come to his office. Taking one last sip of her coffee, she headed over.


    She knocked lightly before entering.


    Inside, she noticed a young woman standing by Benjamin''s desk. She had shoulder-length light brown hair and was dressed in a camel-colored wool coat that reached mid-thigh, paired with a burgundy turtleneck sweater and slim black pants. She wore brown ankle boots and had a gray scarf tied neatly around her neck. The outfit was simple yet exuded a warm holiday vibe, catching Grace''s eye for a brief moment.


    "Mr. Harris," Grace Li greeted politely as she entered the office.


    Benjamin Harris smiled warmly and waved her over. "Grace, come in. Let me introduce you to someone."


    Grace walked closer as Benjamin stepped out from behind his desk. He gestured toward the young woman standing beside him. "This is my daughter, Scarlett. She recently graduated from the University of Reading and interned at Barclays for six months. She''ll be joining Nova Capital, and while she''s bright, she''s still getting her feet wet. I''d like you to show her around and help her settle in."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Grace nodded. "Of course."


    Benjamin turned to Scarlett. "Scarlett, Grace is one of my most trusted team members. You''d do well to learn from her."


    "Got it, Dad." Scarlett smiled at Grace. "Looking forward to working with you, Grace."


    "Likewise," Grace replied with a polite smile.


    Benjamin added, "Grace, why don''t you give Scarlett a quick tour of the office?"


    "Sure."


    Grace guided Scarlett through the various departments, introducing her to key teams. Finally, they arrived at Grace''s group. The office was buzzing with chatter about holiday sales, the room filled with energy.


    Grace cleared her throat softly, and the noise instantly quieted as everyone turned to look. Their curiosity was evident as they noticed Scarlett standing beside her.


    Ryan was the first to speak. "Hey, boss, who''s the new face?"


    Grace kept it simple. "This is Scarlett, our new colleague. She''ll be working with us going forward."


    Ryan clapped his hands together. "Welcome aboard!"


    Scarlett smiled warmly. "Thank you."


    Before anyone else could speak, Ryan grabbed a notepad and pen, grinning as he stepped forward. "So, Scarlett, how about leaving your number? You know, in case you need a guide to office survival."


    Grace pinched the bridge of her nose. She could already see where this was going.


    Scarlett, however, chuckled lightly. "How about I treat everyone to dinner after work instead? That way, I can get to know you all better."


    Olivia interjected, "Wait, wait! You''re new¡ªyou shouldn''t have to treat us! It''s our job to welcome you."


    Scarlett waved it off. "I insist. You can pick the restaurant¡ªI''m still new to the area."


    Ryan grinned. "Don''t worry, we won''t let you spend too much. Right, team?"


    Scarlett smiled. "No need to hold back. I''ll leave it to you guys."


    After the introduction, Scarlett excused herself to head to her desk. On her way to the main office, she crossed paths with a man whose sharp features and calm demeanor caught her attention. He glanced at her briefly before walking past, his focus already back on whatever task was at hand.


    Scarlett''s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she shook her head and continued on her way.


    Back in Grace''s office, Ryan leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Boss, where''d you find this newbie? She''s not only stunning but super chill too."


    Grace gave him a pointed look. "Oh, I forgot to mention¡ªshe''s Mr. Harris''s daughter."


    Ryan froze mid-sip of his coffee, choking slightly. "You''re kidding, right?"


    Grace raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I''m joking?"


    Ryan groaned. "Great. So, should I start packing my things now, or¡­?"


    The final dinner location was a popular local American restaurant known for its steaks and seafood.


    Scarlett Harris noticed that, compared to the lively mood in the office this morning, the atmosphere at the dinner was a bit tense.


    She flashed a warm smile and said, "Don''t be shy, everyone. Order whatever you want, this one''s on me."


    Though everyone knew she was the CEO''s daughter, hearing her take the initiative made them relax a little and start discussing the menu.


    "This place''s onion rings are amazing, we should definitely get an order," Mike said, kicking things off.


    "And their grilled corn and creamed spinach are pretty great too!" Olivia added.


    Grace glanced through the menu and suggested, "How about we add a couple of mains? Maybe a classic rib-eye and some grilled salmon?"


    Everyone nodded in agreement, picking out their favorites. After they finished ordering, the table fell into a brief silence.


    To break the awkwardness, Scarlett Harris smiled and said, "What''s going on, you all are so quiet tonight. Did I do something wrong? You don''t have to be so formal with me."


    Ryan finally gathered the courage to speak up. "Actually, this morning I was a little too casual, made some jokes that probably weren''t appropriate. Hope you don''t take it the wrong way."


    Scarlett waved it off with a smile. "No way, I think the vibe at your office is awesome, you guys are really fun." She pulled out her phone, "By the way, you mentioned exchanging contact info earlier, let''s do that now."


    Ryan was a little taken aback but quickly pulled out his phone, and they added each other.


    Scarlett''s gaze then shifted to Aiden Thompson. She had noticed him a few times already. From the moment they sat down, she''d glanced his way a few times.


    At that moment, Aiden was looking at his phone, seemingly scrolling through something, but soon put it down and looked up at Scarlett.


    To keep things light, Scarlett suggested, "Oh, by the way, we never properly introduced ourselves. How about we all share a little about ourselves? I''ll go first."


    "I''m Scarlett Harris. I graduated this June with a finance degree from the University of Reading in the UK, and I interned at Barclays. Now I''ve just joined Nova Capital and I''m looking forward to working with all of you."


    Ryan couldn''t help but comment, "Barclays is a huge name in banking, that''s really impressive!"


    He glanced at Aiden and added, "Sounds a lot like Aiden. He comes from an investment banking background too, and even interned at Goldman Sachs."


    Scarlett''s eyes lit up. She had initially noticed Aiden because of his good looks, but now, hearing about his background, she was even more intrigued.


    She smiled at Aiden and asked, "You interned at Goldman? That''s awesome! Which department were you in?"


    Aiden casually replied, "Investment Banking."


    "Wow, that''s the same department I was in at Barclays! Where did you graduate from?"


    "Oxford MBA. I graduated last December."


    "Small world! I have a mentor who did his MBA at Oxford too, his name''s Alexander Laufer. Do you know him?"


    Aiden thought for a moment and shook his head. "No, I don''t."


    "Guess we''re not in the same class," Scarlett laughed. "Still, funny how we both have similar backgrounds."


    Her tone was light and friendly, with the occasional smile directed at Aiden, making the conversation seem effortless. Aiden, however, responded politely but didn''t seem overly enthusiastic.


    Grace quietly observed their interaction, a pang of disappointment settling in her chest. Ever since Aiden Thompson stepped in to help her out yesterday, she''d started developing some feelings for him. She thought to herself, if Aiden really became her boyfriend, even if she had to support him financially, she wouldn''t mind.


    Though she wasn''t particularly rich, she felt like she had an advantage over Evelyn Garcia, who had previously interacted with Aiden. Grace was younger and had a better temperament.


    But now, watching how Scarlett Harris interacted with Aiden, Grace realized how naive her previous thoughts were. She knew that among Aiden''s many admirers, there were plenty who were younger, wealthier, and more polished than she was. There was no way someone like her could compete.

 Chapter 18

    Scarlett Harris said, "Since we''re going to be working together, let''s connect on Slack so we can keep in touch. I''ll join the project channels and make sure I''m up to speed."


    She quickly pulled out her phone and shared her Slack account in the work group.


    Everyone said they''d add her soon. Aiden Thompson just gave a small nod, not saying much.


    The BBQ grill sizzled with steaks, the mouthwatering aroma filling the air. Grace had ordered everyone''s favorites, and once the food was out, they all dug in, not caring at all about appearances, turning into total "foodies" as they ate.


    Though everyone had been a bit "tight" when they first found out Scarlett''s background, seeing how down-to-earth and approachable she was, they quickly relaxed.


    Back at home, the team Slack group lit up.


    Ryan: Didn''t expect Scarlett to be so "down-to-earth."


    Mike: Yeah, good thing she''s chill¡ªif she were a total ice queen, based on how you acted this morning, you wouldn''t even make it through the door tomorrow. Just remember, she''s Benjamin''s daughter.


    Ryan: Haha, I must be lucky to still be breathing after that!


    Olivia: @Grace, is Scarlett officially part of our team now?


    Grace: She''s going to be shadowing me for now, getting familiar with the workflow.


    Olivia: So, she''s just here to "get her feet wet," right?


    Grace: Yeah, pretty much.


    Ryan: Glad she''s easygoing, or else our group would be "dead in the water."


    Ryan: Should we add her to our Slack group so she can get a feel for what we''re working on?


    Olivia: Nah, let''s keep this group for our "inner circle." Talking shop and gossiping about company stuff might be awkward if she''s in here.


    Mike: Yeah, let''s set up a new channel just for work with her.


    Grace: Sounds good, I''ll create a new group if we need to. We''ll leave this one as is.


    Ryan: Perfect, that works.


    Grace Li was feeling a bit lost about how to guide Scarlett Harris.


    Benjamin Harris hadn''t given her many instructions, so she had to figure it out herself.


    If it were any other new hire, Grace would have followed the usual approach: start them off with basic tasks, and once they had the hang of it, gradually involve them in project follow-ups.


    But with Scarlett, other than knowing she had interned at Barclays for six months, Grace didn''t know much about her actual work capabilities. So figuring out how to guide Scarlett was giving Grace a headache.


    After thinking it over, Grace decided to let Scarlett choose an area of interest for herself. She sent Scarlett the details of the current projects the team was working on and asked, "Hey Scarlett, check these out and let me know which one you''d like to dive into."


    A short while later, Scarlett replied, "Grace, I was out visiting clients with my dad today. I''ll take a look at them later tonight."


    Grace responded with a simple "OK."


    She also knew that Scarlett was Benjamin''s only daughter, and it was likely she''d eventually take over the family business. Though she was officially being guided by Grace, Benjamin would surely mentor her privately as well.


    So Grace decided to keep an open mind. If Scarlett was interested in getting involved, she would do her best to guide her. If not, that was fine too.


    Later that afternoon, after Scarlett had finished visiting clients with her father, she approached Grace.


    After going through the project details, Scarlett seemed particularly interested in the "Grill & Glory" project. She smiled and said, "Grace, I''m a huge fan of BBQ, so this restaurant project sounds pretty cool. Where are we with it?"


    Grace replied, "We''re planning to start due diligence next week. It''s no small task¡ªwe''ll need to thoroughly review the restaurant''s financials, business model, market competition, and compliance with U.S. restaurant industry regulations to make sure we''re making a solid investment decision."


    Scarlett then asked, "Who''s involved in the investigation?"


    Grace paused briefly before answering, "Ryan, Aiden, and me."


    Hearing Aiden''s name, Scarlett''s eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "Count me in! I''d love to experience the whole due diligence process here in the U.S."


    "Great," Grace replied. "Just a heads-up, the project is based in San Antonio. It''s about a 90-minute drive each way, so we''ll be commuting back and forth for a few days. It could get a little exhausting."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Scarlett waved her hand dismissively, "No worries at all, I''m totally game!"


    The team drove to Grill & Glory for the due diligence, with Grace Li behind the wheel. Aiden Thompson and Ryan, the two guys, were quick to volunteer to take turns driving¡ªone for the outbound trip and the other for the return.


    When they got to the Grill & Glory office building, they met with the founder, Jack Bennett. After a quick sit-down, they got a solid understanding of the company''s setup and went over the operating numbers from the past year.


    To check that everything was on the up-and-up, the team needed to hit a few of their physical locations and chat with the store managers and staff.


    By the time they pulled up to the first store, it was already 1:30 PM, and everyone was starving. Jack had set them up to eat at the barbecue joint, and the manager joined them for lunch. While they chowed down, they managed to sneak in a bit of an interview with the manager to get a feel for how the store was doing.


    After lunch, they hustled to the next spot. Grace was used to the grind that is due diligence, but for Scarlett, this was her first time out in the field. After they wrapped up at the second store, Scarlett spoke up, "Hey, do you guys wanna hit up a dessert spot? I could use a little something sweet and a drink."


    Grace had planned to knock out two stores during lunch and then head back for some number crunching, but now it was 3:30 PM, and they were way off track. She was a little annoyed but kept it professional, "I hear you, Scarlett, but we''re on a tight timeline today. How about we keep it under 30 minutes? That way we can still get that financial analysis in."


    Scarlett grinned, "Don''t worry, I''m treating today!"


    Grace agreed after a brief pause, "Alright, but let''s keep it quick."


    The crew walked into a fancy dessert joint. The guys grabbed a spot on one side, while the women took the other, and Scarlett ended up facing Aiden.


    As soon as they sat, Scarlett started rubbing her calves, groaning dramatically, "Ugh, Grace, I should''ve known better than to wear these boots. My legs are toast!" In reality, they hadn''t walked much, and the interviews had mostly been sitting down.


    Grace, understanding that Scarlett wasn''t used to this kind of grind, smiled softly and said, "Take it easy, Scarlett. You''ll be fine."


    Scarlett sighed, "I''m gonna have to buy some comfy shoes after this. This is torture."


    Grace chuckled, "Go for it."


    Since they hadn''t started ordering yet, Scarlett urged, "What''s everyone getting? Order up¡ªI''m buying!"


    Grace quickly replied, "You''ve done enough today, let me get this."


    "Don''t sweat it, I''ve got it," Scarlett insisted.


    Ryan, always the joker, chimed in, "Either way, we''re all just here for the food, right?"


    Scarlett pulled out her phone, scanned the menu, and then turned to Aiden, who had been quiet, asking, "Aiden, what''s your poison?"


    Aiden put his phone down and answered with a shrug, "Just a sea salt soda, I''m good."


    She asked Ryan and Grace what they wanted, and while the three of them stuck to just drinks, Scarlett went all in¡ªgrabbing a bunch of snacks to go with her drink. It was clear she was planning to enjoy herself.


    Grace checked the time again, feeling the pressure, but decided to roll with it, trying to stay present with everyone.


    Scarlett grinned, "I gotta say, this BBQ project looks solid. The lunch we had was insane, and even though we came in late, the place was packed. This place is buzzing."


    Ryan nodded, "Yeah, it''s looking good. I did some street-level research before, parked outside the store all day, and the line was out the door."


    Scarlett turned to Aiden, raising an eyebrow, "What do you think, Aiden?"


    "Yeah, it''s decent," Aiden replied with a flat tone.


    Scarlett kept trying to get him to open up, "You into BBQ?"


    Aiden shrugged again, "It''s okay."


    "When you were at Oxford, you must''ve had your fair share of good food, right?"


    "Nothing to write home about."


    "When I was interning in the UK, we got to try all kinds of international dishes, but there was always something off about the flavor. This BBQ place¡ªman, it''s got that perfect smoky flavor and seasoning. You just can''t get that kind of authenticity in the UK. New York''s where it''s at, you can get all the best global flavors here. Like, I went to an Italian joint in Queens once, and their pizza was as close to what I had in Rome as it gets."


    Ryan laughed, "No kidding, New York''s a food heaven. You can try food from all over, but honestly, after a while, you get tired of it. Nothing beats the classics."


    Scarlett asked, "Ryan, where''d you go to school?"


    Ryan scratched his head, "I didn''t study abroad. Graduated from NYU."


    Scarlett raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really? I thought you''d be one of those Ivy League guys."


    Ryan laughed, "Nope, just a regular guy from the city."


    Scarlett turned to Grace, "What about you?"


    "I went to school in the U.S. too. Arizona State University."


    Scarlett blinked, "Whoa, Grace, I thought for sure you were from one of those top-tier schools, like Harvard or Yale! Arizona State''s a surprise!"


    As soon as the words left her mouth, Grace felt a bit awkward. She wasn''t sure if Scarlett meant it as a compliment or if there was some judgment behind it, and wasn''t sure how to respond.


    Aiden, who had been zoning out on his phone, looked up and said, "Your degree doesn''t define your skills. It''s what you can do in the real world that matters."


    Scarlett nodded quickly, "Exactly! I think Grace is pretty amazing."


    Grace gave a small, awkward smile, "I''m just doing my best."


    Scarlett grinned, "Don''t sell yourself short."


    Then Scarlett glanced at Aiden, thinking to herself, Why was he sticking up for Grace earlier? What''s going on there?

 Chapter 19

    After dessert, the group returned to the Grill & Glory office building to continue reviewing the company''s business and financial records.


    On the way back, it started to rain. December rain in New York is often accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature. It had been 16¡ãC when they arrived in the morning, but by 4 PM, the temperature had plummeted, and pedestrians on the street were quickly bundling up in coats and scarves.


    The car pulled up to a street-side spot near the office building. After stopping, Ryan smoothly opened the glove compartment and found an umbrella inside. "Boss, there''s just one umbrella here. How about you ladies use it, and Aiden and I will run over?"


    The parking spot was about 200 meters from the office building. While the rain wasn''t too heavy, running there would still get them soaked.


    "Running in this weather, you''ll probably be calling in sick tomorrow," Grace said to Aiden, who was in the driver''s seat. "I have an extra umbrella in the trunk. Aiden, can you pop it open for me?"


    Aiden Thompson unbuckled his seatbelt. "I''ll go get it."


    He opened the car door, stepped out into the rain, and retrieved the umbrella from the trunk. After opening it, he tilted the umbrella so that it covered the car door.


    Grace froze as she watched him from the back seat. His suit, polished shoes, and long fingers holding the black umbrella made him look incredibly sharp. Standing there in the rain, everything else around him seemed to blur out.


    In that moment, Grace''s heart skipped a beat, uncontrollably.


    Sitting next to Grace, Scarlett Harris also noticed this. As Grace started to open the door, Scarlett quickly followed her out of the car, stepping under the same umbrella as Aiden. "Thanks."


    "Scarlett, why don¡¯t we share an umbrella?"


    Scarlett Harris snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Ryan standing by the car door. How she wished it were Aiden Thompson standing out there instead. Pushing aside the twinge of disappointment, she forced a smile and said, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s do that.¡±


    Scarlett got out of the car, and she and Ryan shared the umbrella.


    Aiden Thompson held the umbrella and walked ahead with Grace. The folding umbrella wasn''t big enough for two people, so it was angled mostly in Grace''s direction.


    Scarlett watched this scene from behind and cautiously turned to Ryan. "Ryan, looks like Grace and Aiden are getting along pretty well, huh?"


    Ryan grinned. "Well, everyone in the team gets along. It''s not just them."


    Scarlett thought about the group dynamic and agreed. Everyone was close-knit, like a big family. Aiden holding the umbrella for Grace didn''t seem that special. After all, Ryan was holding an umbrella for her, too.


    Back at the Grill & Glory office building, Jack Bennett arranged for them to use a conference room to continue reviewing the materials.


    They each sat at different tables, with piles of paperwork in front of them.


    It was now 5 PM, the temperature was still dropping, and the sky outside was getting darker.


    Scarlett had dressed lightly today, and the drop in temperature made her feel chilly. Looking at the others, they were all absorbed in their work, taking notes or reviewing documents, and the room was quiet.


    Should''ve bought a jacket when I picked up the shoes earlier.


    "You guys cold?" Scarlett asked.


    Grace looked up. "Not too bad. Are you cold?"


    Scarlett hugged her arms around herself, rubbing them for warmth. "It''s freezing. The temperature''s dropped so fast."


    Ryan glanced over at the air conditioner in the corner. "I''m a little cold, too. Let me turn it on."


    Grace stopped him. "Hold on, I''ll go ask them first."


    She stood up and walked over to the office next door. Jack Bennett''s son, Dean Bennett, who was in charge of operations, was in there.


    David saw Grace walk in and quickly met her halfway. "Ms. Li, what can I do for you?"


    Grace said, "The temperature suddenly dropped, and we''re all a little underdressed. Is it possible to turn on the heat in the conference room? We understand you have some rules about this, so I wanted to check with you first."


    "Sure thing, no problem. I''ll get it for you. The rules are mainly to keep things eco-friendly."


    "Thanks so much."


    David went to the conference room to adjust the temperature. "Anything else, just let me know."


    "Will do."


    Once the heat was on, the temperature in the room started to rise, and Scarlett began to feel warmer.


    She said, "When I was in the UK, they had heating everywhere except outdoors. Back home, a lot of places don''t have it, and it''s such a pain."


    Grace replied, "Yeah, it''s all about the climate and habits."


    While they chatted, Aiden Thompson remained focused on his paperwork.


    Scarlett glanced over at him a few times. She had come to join this project because of him, but they hadn''t really spoken much.


    After a while, Aiden stood up, picked up a document, and walked over to Grace. "Grace, there''s an issue with these numbers."


    Grace took the document from him, and Aiden leaned over the table, pointing to the data. "For a restaurant chain, their promotion costs are too high. They''re eating up 8% of their total revenue, which doesn''t make sense."


    Grace studied the numbers and agreed. In the U.S., it''s typical for large restaurant chains to spend around 0.5% to 3% of their revenue on promotions each year. Promotion costs vary widely depending on the platform, the type of influencer, and the format used. For example, a lifestyle influencer with a million followers on Instagram might charge anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for a regular post, while a food blogger with the same following could charge $3,000 to $5,000 for a combination of posts, stories, and videos. For Grill & Glory, a mid-sized chain, spending 8% of their revenue on promotions seemed unusually high.


    Stolen novel; please report.Grace said, "Can you go ask Dean Bennett to break down the promotion costs for us? The more detailed, the better."


    "Got it."


    By 6:30 PM, Dean Bennett suggested taking the team out for a nice dinner. However, considering how much time they¡¯d already lost today, Grace Li politely turned down the offer and decided to order takeout through DoorDash instead.


    Once the food arrived, they quickly ate and got back to reviewing the documents.


    By 7:30 PM, Dean Bennett finally had the finance team send over a detailed breakdown of the promotional expenses.


    Grace reviewed the records and noticed something odd: according to the data provided, a big chunk of the company¡¯s promotional budget had been paid to social media influencers and short-video creators.


    She searched for the listed influencers online and found that they had, in fact, promoted Grill & Glory.


    Having worked in the consumer industry for over five years, Grace knew how things operated. In recent years, it had become common for restaurants to work with influencers to create ¡°viral¡± dining experiences. She was familiar with the going rates for such promotions.


    Grill & Glory currently operated only in a few cities within New York State. For a promotion campaign, they should¡¯ve focused on local food influencers. That would¡¯ve kept costs reasonable. Hiring national influencers with millions of followers, on the other hand, didn¡¯t make much sense when the brand wasn¡¯t even expanding outside the state yet. It seemed like a waste of money.


    Grace quickly sent a Slack message to Aiden Thompson:


    ¡°Aiden, the promotional expenses seem fishy. Can you pull the contact info and campaign data for the influencers listed? Thanks.¡±


    Aiden replied almost immediately: ¡°Got it.¡±


    By 8:00 PM, everyone was still working hard, but Scarlett Harris checked the time and sighed to herself. It was going to take her an hour and a half to get home, and with a morning meeting tomorrow, she¡¯d barely have time to wind down.


    After a moment, she messaged Grace:


    ¡°Grace, what time are we heading back?¡±


    Grace saw the message and understood that Scarlett, though polite, was hinting that she wanted to call it a night.


    Since this was Scarlett¡¯s first time on a due diligence trip, Grace didn¡¯t want to overwork her. She replied:


    ¡°Let¡¯s leave at 8:30.¡±


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Scarlett quickly responded.


    At 8:30 sharp, they packed up and left Grill & Glory¡¯s office.


    Once they got into the car, Grace pulled up the data Aiden had sent her and skimmed through it. After a moment, she turned to the others and said:


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make a few calls. Let¡¯s keep it quiet for a bit.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Aiden said, keeping his eyes on the road.


    Grace dialed the first number on the list. The phone barely rang before someone picked up. She softened her voice and said politely:


    ¡°Hi, this is Grace Li from Grill & Glory¡¯s finance team. Sorry to bother you this late¡ªdo you have a moment?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± the person replied. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to confirm something regarding the promotional video you did for us. Did you send us an invoice for the campaign?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I mailed it out last week.¡±


    ¡°Got it, thanks. Just to double-check, the total amount on the invoice was $8,680, right?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat? No way,¡± the person sounded surprised. ¡°I only got paid $1,980.¡±


    Grace quickly apologized. ¡°Oh, my mistake! Must¡¯ve been a mix-up on our end. Thanks for clarifying.¡±


    After hanging up, Grace called another influencer, only to get a similar answer. The amounts listed in the company¡¯s records were significantly higher than what the influencers had actually been paid.


    Grace leaned back in her seat and said calmly, ¡°Grill & Glory¡¯s promotional expense records are fake. The amounts they reported are way higher than what was actually paid.¡±


    Scarlett, sitting in the back, frowned. ¡°Why would they fake their promo expenses? If they¡¯re spending more on paper, it just makes their profits look worse. What¡¯s the point?¡±


    ¡°They probably did spend that money,¡± Grace said, scanning the data again. ¡°But it wasn¡¯t on influencer promotions. They¡¯re hiding something else.¡±


    Aiden, still driving, chimed in: ¡°You know, something felt off earlier. When we got to the restaurant around 1:30 PM, it was still packed. Lunch rush should¡¯ve been over by then. I thought that was weird.¡±


    Ryan, who had been quietly listening, nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right. I noticed that too. When I visited their locations before, there were long lines every day. Their food¡¯s good, sure, but the crowd sizes didn¡¯t seem normal for weekdays.¡±


    Grace tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°They¡¯re probably paying people to stand in line to make the place look busy. That kind of thing isn¡¯t cheap, so they¡¯re burying those costs in the promo budget.¡±


    Scarlett looked skeptical. ¡°But their barbecue really is good. If it¡¯s just for appearances, I guess I can see why they¡¯d do it. It¡¯s all about marketing, right?¡±


    Grace shook her head. ¡°The food they served us was probably their best. It doesn¡¯t mean the average customer gets the same experience.¡± She turned to Ryan. ¡°Check Yelp, Google Reviews, and any other review platforms. Let¡¯s see what customers are really saying.¡±


    ¡°On it,¡± Ryan said, pulling out his tablet.


    A few minutes later, Ryan let out a low whistle. ¡°Okay, here¡¯s the deal. Their Yelp rating is 4.5 stars, which looks good on the surface. But a lot of the recent five-star reviews seem fake¡ªlike they were bought. If you scroll further back, you¡¯ll see a bunch of complaints about the food quality going downhill. People are saying they¡¯re using cheap frozen ingredients. For their ¡®fresh¡¯ options, they¡¯re charging $150 for a two-person barbecue set¡ªdouble the price of their regular set.¡±


    Grace crossed her arms. ¡°This is typical for restaurant chains that expand too fast. They cut corners on quality to save costs, and it hurts their reputation. Throw in rising labor costs and rent in a place like New York, and the pressure to stay profitable must be huge.¡±


    Ryan nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m seeing a lot of mixed reviews now. The bad ones were just buried under the fake positives.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± Ryan asked hesitantly, ¡°do we still move forward with this project?¡±


    Grace thought for a moment before replying, ¡°We¡¯ve been working on this deal for three months. We owe them a chance to explain themselves. Let¡¯s meet with Jack Bennett tomorrow and see how he responds. If he can¡¯t give us a straight answer, we¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Ryan said.

 Chapter 20

    Saturday was the day Grace Li would take possession of her new apartment. She invited Isabella  to come along.


    Grace''s new place was 89 square meters in total, with 73 square meters of usable space. It had two bedrooms, two living rooms, and both a large and a small balcony. The location was about a 30-minute drive from downtown New York, which was considered a pretty solid spot in the city.


    The apartment was fully renovated, so as they did the walk through, Grace and Isabella started making plans for how they''d deck the place out.


    After checking out the place, Isabella looked at Grace with envy. "Grace, I''m seriously jealous. I''ve been dreaming of having my own space."


    "You''ll get there soon enough," Grace said with a grin.


    Isabella had been practicing law for seven years, but it was only in the last couple of years that her salary had really started to pop. When she first started out, she was an assistant attorney, barely pulling in six figures. Back then, she was making a bit over $100,000. But after taking on her own cases four years ago, her income shot up. Even so, with New York''s crazy housing prices, Grace''s place¡ªat $4,800 per square meter¡ªwas over $4 million. The down payment alone was nearly $1.3 million, and the monthly mortgage was a whopping $16,000. Isabella couldn''t even dream of affording a place like that.


    After finishing up the paperwork, the two of them went for lunch, and then spent the afternoon shopping for furniture.


    They''d been best friends for over a decade, so there was always a lot to chat about¡ªwork, life, love, you name it.


    As they walked through the furniture store, sipping on bubble tea, they laughed about how much they''d already spent and scouted out different pieces of furniture.


    When Grace mentioned taking on the boss''s daughter, Isabella gave her a playful tap on the shoulder. "Wow, your boss really trusts you, huh? Handing you his only kid to look after?"


    "I''m not sure about the trust part," Grace said with a chuckle. "But yeah, it''s a little awkward. Normally, new hires just do the grunt work¡ªorganizing files and all that¡ªbut she''s not like that. It''s weird. I can''t treat her like a regular new hire."


    Isabella shrugged. "Sounds like a pain in the ass. You can''t just boss her around."


    "Exactly. I have to be extra careful, especially with how I talk to her."


    "My guess? Your boss wants to train her to take over the company one day. Who knows, maybe she''ll end up being your boss."


    "Yikes, I don''t even want to think about that. But honestly, she''s pretty chill. She''s generous and treats everyone to coffee or afternoon tea. The team likes her."


    They plopped down on a sofa to take a break, and Isabella asked, "So, what about that cute guy you mentioned? What''s the deal with him?"


    Grace gave her a confused look. "Why are you asking about him?"


    "I was just thinking, if he''s into rich women, what are the chances he''s eyeing your boss''s daughter?"


    Grace thought back to the past week. Scarlet Harris had mentioned Aiden Thompson a few times, but his expression had been as cold as usual, with none of the enthusiasm he''d shown for Evelyn Garcia. Back when Aiden was with Evelyn, he''d been extra polite and way more talkative.


    "I don''t know¡­ Maybe it''s just me, but I think he''s more into older women."


    Isabella nearly choked on her bubble tea. "Whoa, hold up. So he''s into older women? What''s the deal with that?"


    Grace laughed awkwardly. "I don''t know, but he''s not really my type."


    Isabella leaned in, intrigued. "You sure? Sounds like you''re defending him, Grace. You into him or something?"


    Grace shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I don''t know if it''s on purpose, but sometimes he does stuff that really bugs me."


    Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"


    "Well, last week at a networking event, John Lewis made a scene and tried to embarrass me in front of Daniel Chou. Aiden stepped in and totally had my back. You should''ve seen it¡ªhe saved me."


    Isabella''s eyes lit up. "John Lewis is a real jerk! What did he say to you?"


    "He used to chase me around, and I told him I had a boyfriend in Europe. Then, he went and told everyone in front of Daniel that I had said Daniel was my boyfriend."


    Isabella rolled her eyes. "Ugh, typical John. What did Daniel do about it?"


    "Nothing. He just let it slide."


    Isabella sighed. "What a loser. So how did Aiden save you?"


    "Aiden just showed up out of nowhere and said in front of everyone that he was my boyfriend from the Europe."


    Isabella''s jaw dropped. "No way! He actually said that?"Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Grace nodded. "Yeah, right there in front of everyone."


    "Wow, okay. He''s got game, I''ll give him that," Isabella said. "Maybe he''s not just into rich women, maybe he''s into older women with power. You might be in luck."


    Grace hesitated. "I don''t know¡­ It feels like we''re from different worlds. He''s just doing this because I''m his boss."


    "Just keep an eye on him. If he''s into you, there''s no harm in seeing where it goes. And hey, he''s pretty cute. You''ve got nothing to lose."


    Grace smiled. "We''ll see."


    Isabella grinned. "Don''t wait too long, okay? Go for it! I''m rooting for you."


    "Thanks for the pep talk. I''d almost forgotten I''m still single at this age," Grace said, half-laughing, half-sighing. At nearly 30, she hadn''t been in a serious relationship. Isabella, on the other hand, at least had been married once¡ªthough it lasted all of a few months.


    Isabella smiled sympathetically. "Girl, you''re basically a catch. Back in school, you had dudes falling over themselves to get your attention. You just didn''t vibe with any of them."


    Just then, Grace spotted a familiar couple walking toward them. She quickly grabbed Isabella''s arm. "Let''s dip this way."


    Isabella frowned, whispering, "What''s going on?"


    Grace murmured, "Just some people I know. Don''t want to deal with them."


    Isabella raised an eyebrow. "What, you''re turning into a social hermit?"


    Grace shook her head, ducking behind a display. "Depends on who it is."


    She peered out from behind the display and saw Evelyn Garcia, draped in a fur coat, walking arm-in-arm with a younger guy, probably in his early twenties. He was fit, with a solid build, and they were clearly close. Grace thought, That''s how rich women roll¡ªbouncing from one partner to the next like it''s no big deal.


    But more than anything, she wondered if Evelyn and Aiden were really over for good.


    It was a Monday at work, and Christmas had arrived.


    Grace Li parked her car and, as she walked out of the building, headed straight to a nearby coffee shop. As soon as she walked in, she saw a beautifully decorated Christmas tree standing right in front of the glass door. The walls were lined with all kinds of little holiday ornaments, and the baristas were all wearing cute Santa hats. The place was bursting with Christmas cheer.


    The barista spotted her and greeted her warmly. "Hey, pretty lady! We''ve got some holiday drinks going on, and if you buy one, you could win a special Christmas cup!"


    Grace looked at the cup in the clear display case. It was dark green with a gold foil Christmas tree design, elegant and classy. No wonder Olivia had been so obsessed with it. She couldn''t help but feel drawn to it too.


    "What''s on the holiday menu?" Grace asked.


    The barista quickly handed her the menu. "Here''s what we''ve got: Black Forest Mocha, Cranberry Latte, and Snowy Velvet Matcha Latte."


    Grace glanced at the menu with the festive images. Everything, from the drink designs to the cups, screamed Christmas vibes. She pointed at the Snowy Velvet Matcha Latte. "I''ll go with that."


    After paying, the barista handed her a raffle ticket. Grace pulled one out and opened it: Thank you for your patronage.


    Yep, no luck again.


    The barista smiled kindly. "Don''t worry, maybe next time you''ll win!"


    Grace was really hoping to get that cup. She imagined herself sipping coffee from it on a chilly winter day, all cozy and festive. She asked, "Can I buy this cup?"


    The barista gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, we can''t sell them. If we did, what would happen if someone won it in the lottery? But the event runs through New Year''s, so feel free to try your luck again tomorrow!"


    Grace sighed a little, "Okay, thanks."


    "Morning~"


    Grace turned around, and to her surprise, Aiden Thompson was standing right behind her. He was wearing a gray mid-length coat, and his tall frame made him look even more striking.


    "Morning."


    Aiden''s eyes immediately landed on the clear gift box by the counter, where the Christmas cups were on display. "How do I enter the raffle?"


    The barista showed him the menu. "Just buy any of our holiday drinks, and you''ll be entered into the raffle!"


    Aiden pointed to the Black Forest Mocha. "I''ll have one of these."


    "Got it," the barista said, and then turned to Grace. "What about you? What''ll you have?"


    Grace waved her raffle ticket and shrugged. "I''ve already ordered."


    After Aiden paid, the barista handed him the raffle box to draw his ticket. Grace stood off to the side, quietly hoping for some good luck.


    Aiden casually picked a ticket. When he opened it, it read: Congratulations! You''ve won a Christmas-themed coffee cup!


    "Wow!" Grace exclaimed, covering her mouth. "Aiden, you actually won!"


    Aiden didn''t look overly excited. He handed the ticket back to the barista.


    The barista smiled and said, "Congratulations, sir! You''ve won a Christmas cup!"


    Aiden turned to Grace and said, "Please give the cup to her."


    Grace froze for a second, not sure if she had heard him right. Was he giving it to her?


    "Aren''t you keeping it?" she asked.


    Aiden shrugged. "That cup suits girls better."


    Girls?


    Hearing that, Grace''s heart skipped a beat. Did he mean her? It had been a while since anyone called her that.


    "Thank you."


    Aiden''s Black Forest Mocha and Grace''s Snowy Velvet Matcha Latte were ready and placed on the counter. The cups were both in Christmas colors¡ªred and green¡ªand they seemed to match, almost like a couple''s set.


    They grabbed their drinks and headed toward the elevator. It was still early, and the elevator was empty except for the two of them.


    Grace held the winning cup and stood next to Aiden, a little nervous. "Merry Christmas."


    Aiden nodded and smiled. "Merry Christmas."


    The atmosphere was a little awkward. Being alone with Aiden in such a small space made Grace''s heart race. She wondered if she should start a conversation to distract herself from the tension.


    She thought about the other day when she had seen Evelyn Garcia with a young guy at the furniture store. She wasn''t sure if she should tell Aiden about it. But, she wasn''t even sure if Aiden and Evelyn had ever been officially together. Bringing it up now might seem out of place.


    Soon, the elevator reached their floor. Grace snapped out of her thoughts and realized that Aiden hadn''t moved. He was still holding the elevator door open.


    "Why aren''t you leaving?" she asked.


    Aiden smiled softly and said, "Ladies first."


    Her heart skipped again. This damn gentleman act. But he probably treated Evelyn Garcia the same way.


    Once they got to the office, the others started trickling in.


    Olivia spotted Grace''s Christmas cup immediately. Her eyes lit up. "Boss, you got the cup before me! Did you collect twelve receipts or something?"


    Grace explained, "No, there was a raffle today."


    "Your luck is insane! I heard the chances of winning are only one in a hundred!"


    "Actually, someone won and gave it to me," Grace added.


    "Wow! Who''s that nice?"


    Grace glanced over at Aiden, who was nearby. "A kind-hearted guy."


    Aiden chuckled softly. It was barely audible, but Grace heard it.


    Olivia gasped, "Oh my god! Does that mean you two are, like, together now? Giving a cup is pretty serious!"


    Grace almost dropped the cup in shock. She quickly glanced at Aiden, hoping no one would get the wrong idea. She hurriedly said, "Do you really think he just didn''t want it after winning, and I got lucky?"


    "Wow, you really hit the jackpot."


    Grace tried to change the subject. "Aren''t you still one receipt short?"


    "Yeah, Ryan said he''s gonna buy a coffee later, then I''ll be all set. I''m gonna get my cup during lunch break," Olivia said with a grin.


    "Okay, congrats," Grace replied with a smile.

 Chapter 21

    It wasn''t long after Grace Li got to work that she received a message from Benjamin Harris on the internal chat system, asking her to head to his office immediately.


    Grace Li quickly grabbed her papers and made her way to Benjamin Harris''s spacious office, which had a killer view of the Manhattan skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. When she walked in, she saw Scarlet Harris lounging on the couch, absorbed in her tablet, probably going through some docs.


    Grace smiled warmly, greeting them in a friendly and respectful tone. "Morning, Mr. Harris. Good to see you, Scarlet."


    Benjamin Harris put down his coffee cup, gestured to the chair across from him, and got straight to the point. "Grace, there''s a big project on the table from GloryPath Capital. They''re itching to partner with us. But since Scarlet''s new around here and doesn''t have much experience with GloryPath Capital, I want you two to team up. Your first task is to set up a face-to-face with President Tang from GloryPath Capital. We need to dig deep and figure out if this project is worth our time and money."


    From Benjamin Harris''s tone, Grace knew exactly what was going on. If the project had potential, Scarlet would take the lead going forward, and Grace''s role would be more of a mentor, providing guidance. But she was already juggling a lot of high-stakes projects, each with tight deadlines and a million things to keep track of.


    Grace frowned slightly, replying earnestly, "Mr. Harris, I really appreciate the opportunity, but I''m swamped with projects right now. I''m up to my eyeballs in work. Each one has serious deadlines and demands. I''m worried about stretching myself too thin and compromising the quality of my existing projects."


    Benjamin Harris gave her a nod, his expression understanding but unwavering. "I hear you, Grace. But this GloryPath Capital project is a game-changer for the company. You''re sharp, and I know you can handle it. We won''t be doing most of the heavy lifting¡ªGloryPath Capital''s gonna take care of a lot of it. Your job is to guide Scarlet, give her solid advice, and make sure everything stays on track. If you''re feeling overloaded, we can bring in some extra hands. We''ve got room in the budget for that."


    Grace knew she didn''t have much wiggle room, given how Benjamin was laying it out. She took a deep breath, flashed her most professional smile, and said, "Got it, Mr. Harris. I''ll make it happen."


    As she was leaving, Scarlet quickly caught up with her, her tone warm and sincere. "Grace, I hope I''m not putting too much on your plate. If there''s anything I can do to make things easier for you, just let me know."


    Grace gave her an appreciative look and responded gently, "Thanks, Scarlet. I''ve already divvied up the tasks with the team. For this GloryPath Capital project, your focus should be on building solid relationships with them. Dig into their business model, their plan, their financials. And don''t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how dumb they might seem."


    Scarlet''s eyes lit up, her voice full of excitement. "By the way, I''ve been looking into that low-alcohol project you mentioned last time. I''ve done some digging, and I think I can offer a fresh perspective. Is there any chance I can be involved in that?"


    Grace nodded approvingly, "For sure! We''re heading out to the winery tomorrow, and it''s gonna be a great chance to see the production process up close. You should come with us."


    Scarlet made a disappointed face, shrugging. "I''d love to, but I''ve got a meeting with some potential clients tomorrow. It''s a big deal¡ªcould be the one that seals the deal for us. But I''ll be all ears when you get back. Do you think you could record some short clips of the key steps? That''d really help me out."


    Grace patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. "No worries. We''ll make sure to capture all the important parts. Can''t wait to hear your thoughts when we''re back."


    Since the Grill & Glory project had raised some red flags during due diligence, Grace had decided to pull the plug on that one and shift her focus to other projects.


    Grace Li, Ryan, and Aiden Thompson head to the winery for a site visit. The place is top-notch, with state-of-the-art equipment, a clean production and packaging area, and packaging designs that appeal to a younger market. Everything''s on point for what the market demands.


    While they''re touring the place with the founder, Scarlet Harris calls.


    "Grace, what''s good? Mr. Tang from GloryPath Capital wants to grab dinner. You coming or what?"


    Grace Li asks, "When''s that?"


    "Seven sharp, babe."


    Grace Li glances at her watch. It''s already 4:30. "I''m still at the winery. Not sure if I''ll make it in time, but I''ll try."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "C''mon, don''t leave me hangin''. I already told him you''d be there."


    "Alright, alright. Shoot me the address. I''ll head there straight after this."


    After hanging up, Aiden Thompson asks, "What''s up?"


    "Scarlet''s got dinner with Mr. Tang from GloryPath Capital. She wants me to come, but I''m not sure if I''ll make it."


    "Sounds like a fun night," Aiden says, smiling.


    The site visit wraps up at 6:00, and Grace Li drops Aiden Thompson and Ryan off near the office so they can grab a cab back. She heads off to the dinner spot on her own.


    Once back at the office, Ryan doesn''t go upstairs. He heads straight to the garage to grab his car and go home, while Aiden Thompson goes back to his desk, planning to organize the visit details as an important reference for future project evaluations.


    Walking past the break room, he overhears some chatter.


    "Yo, Scarlet, you lookin'' fly tonight. Where you headed?"


    "Not much, just dinner with Mr. Tang from GloryPath Capital."


    "Mr. Tang? I thought he was just some rich dude."


    "He is, but you don''t wanna mess with him. I heard he''s a bit of a sleaze. My friend from college said he once tried to get too close to a female client at a dinner. Had to settle it with cash."


    "Seriously? That''s sketchy."


    "Yeah, but who knows, it''s just rumors. I wouldn''t mess with him, though."


    "Stay safe, girl."


    Aiden Thompson returns to his desk, but can''t focus. He keeps thinking about what he overheard in the break room. He closes his laptop and heads out of the office.


    He runs into Scarlet Harris at the front door.


    Scarlet Harris smiles and greets him, "Aiden, you headin'' out?"


    Aiden Thompson casually asks, "Where you off to?"


    Scarlet Harris flicks her hair behind her ear and says, "I''m feelin'' a bit off, so I''m bouncin'' home to rest."


    Aiden Thompson doesn''t press the issue but finds it a bit odd. She had just called Grace Li earlier about meeting Mr. Tang, and now she''s suddenly bailing.


    He doesn''t ask more questions but feels a bit uneasy about Grace Li.


    He joins the after-work crowd heading to the elevator, then pulls out his phone to message Grace Li.


    Aiden Thompson: Yo, where you at? Send me the deets.


    A few minutes go by, and when the elevator reaches the first floor, Aiden Thompson walks out, still no reply.


    It''s still not even 7:00, and based on Grace Li''s usual habits, she''d probably be there early, waiting. So her lack of response is a little weird.


    Aiden Thompson calls her, but the phone goes straight to voicemail.


    A sense of unease washes over him. If her phone is off right now, it could either mean it''s dead, or something else is going on.


    He tries calling again, but still, the voicemail.


    He opens Scarlet Harris''s chat. They haven''t talked much before, and she''s usually the one reaching out. But now, he decides to take the initiative.


    Aiden Thompson: Yo, where''s the dinner with Grace & Mr. Tang? What''s the address?


    Scarlet Harris: Why you askin'' all of a sudden?


    Aiden Thompson: I got something important for her.


    Scarlet Harris: It''s at Flyer Steakhouse.


    After getting the address, Aiden Thompson immediately orders a car to head to the restaurant.


    Flyer Steakhouse is a high-end joint. It''s past 7:00, and the place is packed with people. The atmosphere is buzzing.


    Aiden Thompson checks his phone again to see if Grace Li has replied. The first message he sees is from Scarlet Harris.


    Scarlet Harris: Was supposed to meet the client with Grace, but I''m not feelin'' it. Could you meet her instead?


    He doesn''t reply to this message, just puts his phone away and starts looking around the restaurant for Grace Li.


    A waiter comes over and politely asks, "Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?"


    Aiden Thompson replies, "I''m lookin'' for someone."


    The waiter asks, "May I have the name of the reservation?"


    "My friend''s phone died, and she didn''t tell me the name. It''s with Mr. Tang."


    The waiter quickly checks the reservation list on his tablet, finds the info, and says, "Right this way, please. Mr. Tang''s reservation is at table 8 on the second floor."


    "Thanks, I appreciate it."


    Aiden Thompson heads upstairs, and sure enough, he spots Grace Li. Sitting across from her is a slightly pudgy man, probably Mr. Tang.


    Aiden Thompson takes a deep breath, puts on a calm face, and walks over. He extends his hand to shake Mr. Tang''s and says, "Mr. Tang, good to meet you. I''m Aiden, Scarlet''s colleague. She wasn''t feelin'' too well, so she sent me to cover for her."


    Grace Li hears the familiar voice and instinctively turns her head. She''s a little surprised to see Aiden Thompson.


    What''s he doing here?


    Mr. Tang looks up at the young man, nods, and says, "Mr. Thompson, good to see you. Have a seat."


    Aiden Thompson pulls out the chair next to Grace Li. Mr. Tang gives her a quick look and says, "Your company''s got some real talent."


    Grace Li responds humbly, "You''re too kind, Mr. Tang."


    Mr. Tang continues, "Let''s talk shop. We were just discussing our pharmaceutical project. The goal here is to develop inhalable meds. With the inhalable drug market booming, there''s huge potential. Most inhalable drugs are still imported, so there''s plenty of room for local growth. Big opportunity."


    Grace Li mainly focuses on consumer goods, so she''s not super familiar with the medical field. But because of this project, she''s done her homework. "Mr. Tang, I''ve looked into inhalable meds. The U.S. market is dominated by European companies. But there''s still room for local brands. The challenges are twofold: one, innovation in drugs is tough, and R&D is risky. Two, entering the generic market is no easy feat. A lot of companies have invested big, but ended up with nothing. So, it''s a risky move. Can you share your market data? How do you plan to position your product in such a competitive space? And what''s your strategy for protecting intellectual property?"


    Mr. Tang laughs and says, "We''ve done our homework. Our product''s positioned as a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing quality. We''ve got patents in the works, and we''re bringing in top talent for R&D. We''re ready to move once we have the funding. As for risk, that''s just part of the game. No risk, no reward."


    Grace Li doesn''t fully agree with his perspective, but she doesn''t want to turn him down either, especially since he''s a client introduced by Benjamin Harris.


    "Mr. Tang, I''d like to discuss this with Mr. Harris. If you could send me a full due-diligence report, including market research, financials, and IP details, we''ll take a closer look."


    "No problem. I''ll have my team send it over by tomorrow."


    "Thanks, Mr. Tang. I appreciate it."

 Chapter 22

    After dinner, Grace Li and Aiden Thompson leave the restaurant together. Grace Li glances at Aiden Thompson and asks, "How''d you know I was here?"


    Aiden Thompson smiles and replies, "I just had a feeling. New York vibes, you know?"


    Aiden Thompson asked, "Your phone was off?"


    Grace Li suddenly remembered and pulled her phone out of her bag, tapping her forehead in frustration. "Yeah, I took a ton of videos at the winery today. Then, my phone just crapped out ''cause the battery died. I meant to charge it, but totally spaced on it."


    Aiden Thompson let out a sigh of relief¡ªat least it was just a dead battery, not something worse like he''d been worried about.


    He asked, "Do you know why Scarlet didn''t show up?"


    Grace Li replied, "She said she wasn''t feeling well. She called me about it."


    "You buying that?"


    Grace Li smiled, "Wanna hear the truth?"


    "Sure as hell."


    "Truth is, no way. But what can I do? In the corporate world here, you can''t exactly call out the boss''s daughter. Even if I knew she was faking it, I''ve gotta play it cool. It''s all about keeping things smooth at the office, you know? If it was one of my regular team members pulling that, I''d probably still give ''em the benefit of the doubt. But Scarlet''s Mr. Harris''s daughter, so I''m kinda stuck."


    Aiden Thompson relaxed. Grace Li definitely knew what was up¡ªshe wasn''t someone who''d get easily played.


    "I heard Mr. Tang''s made some... questionable moves with a client''s employee."


    "I know. Word''s been going around in the VC circle, and we''ve even talked about it at the office."


    Aiden Thompson asked, "Aren''t you freaked out by him?"


    "Well, look, here''s the deal. If I was fresh out of school, yeah, I''d probably be freaking out being around someone like him. But once you''ve been in the game for a while, you realize there are creeps like him in every industry. If I had a choice, I''d steer clear. But sometimes, it''s out of your hands, like today. I couldn''t just tell him no. All I can do is stay sharp and protect myself."


    She was clear-headed and practical, and Aiden Thompson realized his worries were a bit over the top.


    "Next time you''re meeting someone like him, you should bring a guy with you."


    "Like you?"


    "You bet your ass."


    Grace Li smiled, "Thanks."


    They walked to the parking lot. Grace Li pulled out her keys, unlocked the car, and slid into the driver''s seat. After starting the engine, they picked up the conversation again.


    "So, what do you think about this inhalable drug project?"


    "The project itself has real potential. The domestic market''s huge, and right now, domestic brands have less than a ten-percent market share, so there''s a ton of room to grow. But like you said, without a strong R&D team and top-notch tech, it''s a long shot to break through. European  companies are way ahead in this field. Without a unique edge, anyone jumping into this market is just gonna get eaten alive. As for Mr. Tang''s project, it''s lacking that critical competitive edge. No matter how slick the business plan is, it''s all pie-in-the-sky. I trust my own judgment on this. In the U.S., we stand up for what we believe in, especially in business. I''m not afraid to speak my mind, even if it goes against what others think." Aiden Thompson leaned against the car window, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I''m thinking Mr. Tang wants to rope Nova Capital in because he knows it''s a risky move, and he doesn''t want to shoulder all the risk himself."


    Grace Li laughed. Aiden Thompson was totally on the same page. "I think so too. But for this project, I''m just advising. I don''t make the final calls on the investment."


    The car stopped at a red light. In the U.S., it''s common to see people getting impatient, tapping their fingers on the steering wheel, or checking their phones while waiting. Grace Li, like most Americans, quickly glanced in the rearview mirror to fix her hair.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "It''s not far from your place. I''ll drop you off."


    "Sure, appreciate it."


    Grace Li asked, "New Year''s coming up. You heading home?"


    "Nah."


    Grace Li didn''t press further, instead responding casually, "No biggie. Everyone''s got their own thing going on. Hope you have a blast, though."


    The light turned green, and Grace Li released the brake, continuing on their way.


    The car was quiet. Grace Li couldn''t help but think about Aiden Thompson''s warning about Mr. Tang. He was clearly looking out for her, giving her a heads-up.


    Then it hit her¡ªScarlet probably asked Aiden Thompson to come along because she was worried something might happen to her. She felt a bit bad about it.


    Suddenly, she thought about Evelyn Garcia. She hadn''t mentioned running into her over the weekend and the young guy she was with at the furniture store.


    "By the way, I ran into Evelyn Garcia this weekend," Grace Li said out of the blue.


    "And?"


    "I saw her at the furniture store, and she was dropping serious cash on all this high-end stuff. In the U.S., consumerism is everything. People use their purchases to show off, and it seems like she''s all about that ¡®young lover, high life'' vibe. They were all over each other. Must be her new guy."


    Aiden Thompson chuckled softly. "What made you wanna tell me this?"


    "Just shootin'' the breeze."


    Aiden Thompson grinned, "You seem pretty interested in her."


    Grace Li didn''t expect him to say that. She felt a little awkward but replied, "Not really. It''s just, as a woman, I''m a little envious she can date someone younger than her."


    "Actually, if you wanted to, you could too," Aiden Thompson said, propping his elbow on the window and turning to look at her, a lazy but slightly flirtatious smirk on his face.


    Grace Li''s heart skipped a beat. Was he implying something?


    Her face went red, and she tried to keep her cool, joking, "Well, you''d need deep pockets for that. Compared to her, I''m still living paycheck to paycheck."


    Aiden Thompson laughed softly. Grace Li''s face got even redder. Was he teasing her?


    The mood shifted a bit awkwardly. Grace Li fell silent, trying to cover up her embarrassment by not saying anything.


    "Grace Li," Aiden Thompson suddenly said.


    Grace Li''s heart missed a beat. Aiden Thompson never called her "boss" or "Ms. Li" like everyone else. He always just used her name, and for some reason, it always sounded so nice, so alluring, when he said it.


    "Yeah?"


    "Dating someone younger doesn''t really cost an arm and a leg," he said, his voice still lazy.


    Grace Li''s heart pounded in her chest, her blood racing. His words had so many possible meanings. She forced herself to focus on the road, trying to drive like normal. Even though her mind was racing, she replied, "You really think so? That''s news to me. I might just have to give it some thought."


    Grace Li stepped into her apartment in Manhattan, the hum of the busy city still echoing in her ears. She kicked off her heels, a move she always made after a long day of hustling through the streets of the city. Her mind was full of the conversation with Aiden Thompson earlier. Lately, his face seemed to be glued in her head, and that just didn''t sit right with her.


    For a brief moment, she even wondered if she was on the verge of talking about dating Aiden Thompson. The thought felt like pure delusion.


    Grace Li grabbed her phone and shot a quick WhatsApp message to Isabella Hsueh.


    Grace Li: Isa, I swear I''m losing it. I can''t stop thinking about that young guy at work. [facepalm emoji]


    Not long after, Isabella Hsueh fired back a voice message, laughing her head off. "Chica, are you falling for him or what?"


    Grace Li: I don''t even know, but every time I''m around him, I get all flushed, like my heart''s doing backflips.


    Isabella Hsueh sent another voice message: "Ooooh, girl, you''ve got a crush on him!"


    Grace Li: Also, I don''t know if I''m imagining things, but it feels like he''s flirting with me.


    Isabella Hsueh shot back with a string of laughing emojis, followed by a voice message: "HAHAHAHA, okay, spill the tea, girl. What did he say?"


    Grace Li shared everything Aiden Thompson had said to her today. Isabella Hsueh listened intently, then texted: "Maybe he''s low-key hitting on you. When he said dating someone younger doesn''t cost much, sounds like he''s saying he wouldn''t make you break the bank."


    Grace Li: But how much is "not much"? [dog emoji]


    Isabella Hsueh: A few thousand a month, you can swing that, right? [dog emoji]


    Grace Li: But his salary''s like twenty grand. If I throw a little cash his way, I don''t think that''s gonna do the trick.


    Isabella Hsueh sent a voice message, barely able to contain her laughter: "HAHAHAHA, girl, just win him over with your charm! Who needs money when you''ve got that magic? Hahaha."


    Grace Li: [facepalm emoji]


    Grace Li: Isa, I''m a mess.


    Isabella Hsueh sent a huge question mark emoji and followed with: "Wait, what? How did you come to the conclusion that you''re a mess?"


    Grace Li: I just realized, I''m fantasizing about my younger subordinate. I feel like one of those creepy middle-aged dudes who harass their younger female employees.


    Isabella Hsueh sent a voice message, trying to ease her mind: "Girl, come on, don''t be so hard on yourself! In the U.S., we''re all about being true to ourselves. Crushing on someone is normal. You''re not crossing any lines, you''re just figuring it out. No need to beat yourself up!"


    Grace Li: But those gross guys are always doing stuff like that. Ugh, I''m disgusting. So creepy.


    Isabella Hsueh:  Grace Li, snap out of it! You haven''t done anything yet! Don''t go putting yourself in the same category as those creeps!


    Grace Li: No, I just need to cool it for a second. I can''t keep fantasizing about him like this, or I''m gonna lose my mind. I don''t know how I''m gonna work with him after this.


    Isabella Hsueh sent another voice message, trying to lighten the mood: "Relax, girl, just take it easy! Hahaha."


    Grace Li: What''s so funny?


    Isabella Hsueh texted: "Grace Li, you''re such a scaredy-cat, hahahaha!"


    Grace Li: ...

 Chapter 23

    The next morning, Scarlet Harris showed up bright and early with a latte from the popular coffee shop around the corner, trying to make amends with Grace Li.


    "Grace, I can''t even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I had this brutal headache yesterday. There was no way I could make it to meet the client. I feel terrible about leaving you hanging."


    Grace Li could tell what was up, but out of respect for Scarlet''s position and the office dynamics, she didn''t want to make a big deal out of it. She smiled and said, "It''s okay. Don''t worry about it."


    "By the way, how did things go with Mr. Tang yesterday?"


    "We talked briefly about the project. But honestly, I think there''s a major issue with their plan. So far, their R&D team isn''t all that impressive. Mr. Tang said they''ll put one together once they get the funding, but there are too many unknowns. The risks are huge."


    Scarlet nodded in agreement and threw up her hands. "Thanks for the breakdown, Grace. I''ll talk to my dad and gather a small team to go through the due diligence materials when they come in. We need to make sure we''re all on the same page before moving forward."


    "Alright then." Scarlet added, trying to be sweet, and gave Grace''s shoulder a light squeeze. "Thanks for all your hard work."


    Back at her desk, Grace Li glanced over at Aiden Thompson''s workstation out of habit. To her surprise, Aiden was looking right at her.


    She quickly looked away, trying to act casual.


    This is so awkward.


    Sitting down at her desk, Grace Li took a sip of the latte Scarlet had brought, trying to calm herself and get back to work.


    Her desk was diagonally across from Aiden Thompson''s, just a little over two meters away.


    Today, she just couldn''t help it. Her peripheral vision kept drifting in his direction.


    She rubbed her temples, thinking, This really isn''t good. Aiden hasn''t done anything out of line, but here I am, overthinking everything. If anyone found out, I''d be the office joke.


    Calm down.


    Grace Li closed her eyes for a moment to clear her head. After a few minutes, she finally felt like she''d gotten Aiden out of her mind.


    The second she opened her eyes, there he was, standing right in front of her, and she jumped. Aiden raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Am I that scary?"


    Grace Li cleared her throat, trying to act casual. "Not at all. What''s up?"


    Aiden slid a file onto her desk. "This is the winery inspection report from yesterday."


    Grace Li nodded. "Okay, thanks for your hard work."


    "Didn''t sleep well last night?" Aiden noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes.


    Grace Li picked up the file Aiden had just placed on her desk, a little uneasy. "I slept just fine, like I always do."


    Just then, Lily Lin from HR walked in, flashing a cheerful smile. "Hey, everyone! This Friday afternoon, our company''s having a networking mixer with BM Capital. There''ll be a casual cocktail hour to mingle with industry peers and exchange ideas, and also a basketball game. Anyone from your team interested in signing up?"


    Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Lily, what''s with the sudden mixer with BM? It''s kind of out of the blue, don''t you think?"


    "Well, the company we jointly invested in with BM Capital just went public. Both sides want to build on that and strengthen the partnership. So we''re having this event to get to know each other better. You know, building relationships is key in the business world here."


    Ryan piped up, "But it''s New Year''s weekend! I''ve been looking forward to this break for ages. I''ve already got plans to hit the slopes in Colorado. I really don''t want to miss that. No way anyone will be in the mood for a networking mixer on Friday."


    Lily shot back, "Hey, hey, hey! I''m giving you guys a heads-up. This mixer with BM is super important. No one''s leaving early. If you do, it''ll count as an unauthorized absence. You know, opportunities like this can really open doors for our careers. We can''t afford to miss out."


    Ryan slumped in his chair like a deflated balloon. "Lily, my flight''s at seven Friday night. I''ve got a long-awaited ski trip booked."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "That''s not my problem. You all need to be there. Think about the long-term benefits for the company and your career," Lily said, switching gears. "Anyway, who''s signing up for the basketball game?"


    The room fell silent. Lily glanced around, a little frustrated, and turned to Grace Li. "Director Li, Mr. Harris said each team should have at least one or two people sign up for the game. Please send me the names by the end of the day."


    Ryan looked over at Aiden Thompson, grinning. "Aiden, better bring your A-game. We''re counting on you to show BM Capital who''s boss on the court."


    Grace Li turned to Aiden, hesitating a moment before asking, "What do you think?"


    Aiden''s lips curled into a smile. "Sure, I''m in. It''ll be a great chance to show some team spirit and have some fun."


    Grace Li looked back at Lily. "Lily, we''ll have Aiden represent our team."


    Lily jotted down the name and left the office.


    By noon on Friday, after a hectic morning, the Nova Capital team began heading to the venue for the mixer with BM Capital.


    The event was being held at a well-known entertainment club in Midtown Manhattan, right in the heart of New York''s hustle and bustle. The place had a great view of the Empire State Building from its windows. With everything from an indoor basketball court to a tennis court and even a bowling alley, it was the kind of spot that practically screamed "perfect for a company event." The second floor had a swanky restaurant and a hip bar, and the rooftop had an outdoor BBQ area, so it was definitely the place to be for a mixer.


    Aiden Thompson was driving smoothly, while Grace Li sat next to him, staring out the window, clearly lost in thought.


    It had been over a month since the Daniel Chou thing went down, and Grace thought she was over it. She was trying to move on, but the thought of running into him at the mixer still made her uneasy.


    The event was Benjamin Harris''s idea¡ªdesigned to strengthen ties between the two companies. As the investment director, Grace knew she had no excuse to bail.


    The car pulled into the parking lot, and Aiden parked. Ryan and Olivia jumped out of the car and headed straight for the club, clearly pumped. Grace and Aiden lingered a moment longer.


    Olivia knocked on the car window. "Hey, boss! Aiden! What''s the holdup?"


    Aiden rolled down the window. "You guys go ahead. We''ll be there in a sec."


    "Alright, cool. Don''t keep us waiting!" Olivia waved and walked off with Ryan.


    Once they were out of earshot, Aiden turned to Grace, raising an eyebrow. "You okay? You seem off. You worried about running into Daniel?"


    Grace shrugged, not really sure how to explain. "I''m not scared of him or anything¡­ it''s just... I don''t know how to act around him now."


    "Still got him on your mind?" Aiden asked, his tone softening a bit.


    Grace shook her head firmly. "Nah, I''m over it. I''m fine."


    "Good. Then forget about him. He''s just some guy from the past. If you can''t look at him that way, then think of him as just some douchebag you don''t need in your life. Whatever works."


    "You''re right." Grace took a deep breath. "But, hey, do you remember the finance mixer thing? You know, the whole pretending-to-be-a-couple thing?"


    Aiden smirked. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"


    Grace hesitated, glancing at him. "Well, I''m thinking¡ªif we fake it again at this mixer, it might get... weird. I mean, our colleagues will be here. But if we drop the act, then everything we''ve done before could come out, and that''s awkward too."


    Aiden scratched his chin, thinking it over. "So, what''s your move? What are you thinking?"


    Grace gave him a side-eye. "You tell me. You''re the one with the game plan."


    Aiden leaned back, grinning. "Alright, here''s what we''ll do: let''s keep it low-key around the Nova team. We''re just colleagues, you know? But with Daniel? We go full-on couple mode. Just make it look believable."


    Grace blinked in surprise. "Wait¡ªseriously? You think we can pull that off?"


    Aiden chuckled. "Trust me. We got this."


    Grace still wasn''t sure. "I''m just worried I''ll mess up the whole ¡®acting'' thing. I''m not exactly a pro at this."


    Aiden shrugged, completely unfazed. "Don''t sweat it. Just act like yourself. I''ll handle the heavy lifting. You''ve got nothing to worry about."


    For some reason, his confidence put her at ease. Grace nodded. "Okay, you''ve got this."


    They got out of the car and headed toward the club. Just as they reached the entrance, they ran into Daniel Chou¡ªand, of course, standing next to him was John Lewis.


    Grace froze for a second. Wait, what was John doing here? This event was supposed to be between Nova Capital and BM Capital. Did John switch teams? Was he now with BM?


    Her mind raced. Last time she saw him, at that finance mixer, John had tried to throw her under the bus. If he made things awkward here in front of everyone, it''d be a mess. Especially with Aiden around¡ªGrace didn''t want him caught up in anything.


    Daniel smiled warmly and stepped forward. "Grace! Well, look who it is. Long time no see!"


    Grace gave a polite smile. "Hey, Mr. Chou."


    Daniel''s face twitched. "Mr. Chou? Now that''s a first. You trying to make me feel old?"


    Grace kept her tone calm, almost casual. "Just getting used to it."


    John glanced over at Aiden and couldn''t resist. "Whoa, look at you guys, bringing your boyfriend to the company mixer?"


    Before Grace could say anything, Aiden shot back with a grin. "I''m just an employee at Nova, same as everyone else. Got a problem with that?"


    John raised an eyebrow and forced a laugh. "Nah, just remembered that Nova Capital isn''t exactly the biggest fan of office romances."


    Aiden smirked. "They don''t love it, but there''s no rule saying we can''t."


    Daniel, sensing the tension, pushed up his glasses and stepped in. "Alright, enough chatter. Let''s head inside. We can talk more in there."


    He made a sweeping gesture toward the door. "After you, Grace."


    Grace gave him a polite nod. "Thanks." She walked in with Aiden right behind her.


    Daniel watched them leave, his gaze a little harder to read now.

 Chapter 24

    At the mixer, nearly eighty people from both companies gathered in the spacious event hall. While enjoying the buffet spread, they mingled and tried to get to know each other.


    The best thing about a buffet is that people can move around freely and the seating isn''t fixed. Throughout the event, Aiden Thompson stayed close to Grace Li, always maintaining a comfortable two-to-three-meter distance.


    As the investment director, Grace took advantage of this rare opportunity to sit down with a few other senior directors from BM Capital. They discussed their latest investment projects, and even chatted about the recent hit Broadway show that was making waves in New York.


    Aiden Thompson, however, had zero interest in mingling with BM Capital''s team. Despite that, several female employees from BM Capital approached him, trying to strike up conversations. In less than thirty minutes, three women had already asked for his contact info.


    "Hi, I''m Anne, an investment manager at BM Capital. Mind if we exchange contact info? We might have some opportunities down the line," one woman said.


    Aiden smiled politely and declined. "Sorry, my phone''s MIA."


    Anne''s face fell a bit. "Oh, no worries. Maybe next time."


    Ryan, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes and sarcastically muttered, "''My phone''s MIA''? Dude, seriously, you gotta come up with better excuses. It''s 2025, who forgets their phone?"


    Aiden took a sip from his drink and shrugged. "Sometimes you need an excuse that''s so ridiculous, it''s almost too good to argue with."


    "Yeah, sure." Ryan took a big bite of his steak and continued, "That girl was cute, though. What''s your deal?"


    "Not interested," Aiden said, coolly.


    Ryan''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait¡ªno interest? You''re saying you''re not into her? Or, like, no girl in general?"


    This was a regular thing¡ªafter just a few months of knowing Aiden, Ryan had already questioned his sexuality a couple of times.


    Aiden didn''t even look up, instead glancing toward another table where Grace Li was talking animatedly with Henry Taylor from BM Capital.


    When Grace noticed Aiden''s gaze, she looked over just in time to catch his eye. Aiden gave her a slight smile. Grace''s gaze immediately dropped, as if caught doing something wrong, and a strange flutter of unease crept over her.


    The lunch went on until 3 p.m., and by 3:30, the much-anticipated basketball game was about to begin. Players started heading to the locker rooms to change and warm up. Some were dribbling on the court to get into the groove, while others were stretching and shouting motivational phrases to pump themselves up, just like NBA stars.


    John Lewis had signed up for the game as well. After changing into his jersey, he walked out of the locker room and bumped into James Shun from Nova Capital, who was holding his jersey and walking in.


    James Shun and John had worked together before, so they were somewhat familiar with each other. James Shun broke the silence first. "Hey, John. You signed up for the game too?"


    John adjusted his jersey and replied casually, "Yeah, see you on the court."


    James Shun raised an eyebrow. "Seriously though, what''s the deal with you jumping ship to BM Capital? I was shocked to see you here."


    John shrugged. "Everyone''s trying to climb the career ladder. BM Capital''s a great place to be."


    "True that."


    John suddenly looked thoughtful and asked, "By the way, I''ve got a question for you."


    "Sure, shoot."


    "Is Grace Li dating that younger guy from your company?"


    James Shun raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What? You still hung up on Grace Li?"


    John scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Tsk, who cares about her?"


    "If you don''t care about her, why you asking?" James Shun shot back.


    "Just curious. What''s so special about a woman like her anyway?"Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    James Shun frowned. "A woman like her? What do you mean by that?"


    John let out a dismissive chuckle. "An ordinary woman with too much confidence. A plain Jane with an attitude." He finished adjusting his jersey and stood up. "I''m gonna warm up. Catch you later."


    "Yeah, sure."


    After John left, James Shun entered a nearby locker stall to change. Just then, the door of the stall next to him opened, and Aiden Thompson walked out in a black jersey. He had a neutral expression, but inside, he was seething with anger. "In New York, there''s no place for that kind of disrespect," he thought, his fists clenched. His eyes glinted with barely concealed rage.


    The indoor basketball court was equipped with comfortable spectator seating. Employees from Nova Capital and BM had already taken their seats, eagerly awaiting the start of the game.


    As soon as Aiden Thompson stepped onto the court in his sleek black jersey, a wave of excitement rippled through the female audience, especially among the BM Capital staff.


    "He''s so handsome! And so tall!" one of the BM girls gushed. "I couldn''t stop staring at him when we were in the cafeteria earlier."


    "I heard he''s an Oxford MBA. Total brainiac."


    "Look at that vibe¡ªhe''s definitely from a wealthy family. A textbook rich, tall, and handsome guy."


    "But he''s so aloof. A bunch of people tried to get his contact info today, and he shot them all down."


    "Whoa, that''s cold."


    "Yeah, but I heard he''s a kept man."


    "No way! An Oxford grad being a sugar baby?"


    "Word is, he''s hooked up with some rich older woman."


    "Ugh, of course. Hot guys like him are never available for us."


    Grace Li overheard the chatter from the girls sitting nearby. Only now did she realize that a lot of people had tried hitting on Aiden Thompson earlier. As for the supposed "rich older woman" they mentioned¡ªwho could that be? Could it be Evelyn Garcia? But Evelyn had a new fling, so there''s no way she and Aiden were still involved... right?


    "Oh my God, he''s coming this way!" one of the girls squealed.


    Pulled out of her thoughts, Grace Li looked up and saw Aiden Thompson walking straight toward her. She froze for a moment. He was wearing his black jersey, which accentuated the sculpted muscles in his arms and the lean, powerful lines of his legs. His pale complexion seemed to glow against the dark fabric. Grace couldn''t help but think his skin looked even better than hers. But that wasn''t the point¡ªwhy was he coming over here?


    Aiden handed her a small bag and said, "My clothes and phone¡ªcan you hold onto these for me?"


    "Sure," Grace replied, a bit flustered, taking the bag and clutching it tightly on her lap.


    Some players on the court wore extra layers under their jerseys to stay warm, but Aiden was just wearing the jersey. Grace couldn''t help asking, "Aren''t you cold?"


    "I''ll warm up once I start running."


    "Oh, okay."


    From the side, Olivia chimed in enthusiastically, cheering him on. "Aiden, you''ve got this! Go Aiden! MVP! MVP!"


    Aiden smirked and gave a quick reply, "Got it."


    As he headed to the court, Daniel Chou, sitting not far away, glanced in their direction briefly before looking away again.


    On the court, BM Capital''s players stood out in their bright red jerseys, while Nova Capital''s team donned sleek black uniforms. Every player was tall and well-built, but even in this crowd, Aiden Thompson was impossible to miss.


    The game opened with a tip-off at center court. Aiden Thompson and John Lewis stood inside the circle, facing off. The referee, holding the ball with both hands, stood between them.


    Before the jump, John Lewis rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms, glancing at Aiden with a smug expression. To him, Aiden was nothing more than a pretty boy riding on the coattails of a sugar mama. He figured there was no way this guy could even touch the ball, let alone pose a threat.


    Aiden, on the other hand, stood calm and collected on his side of the circle. His lips curved into a faint smirk, and there was a subtle but unmistakable sharpness in his eyes.


    The sharp blast of the referee''s whistle cut through the air as the ball was tossed high. John Lewis leaped with full confidence, reaching out to swat the ball. Just as his fingers were about to brush it, Aiden, with a solid height advantage of several inches, sprang up effortlessly and swatted the ball behind John Lewis, leaving him grasping at thin air.


    The crowd erupted into cheers. The chants of "Aiden! Aiden! MVP! MVP!" echoed throughout the gym. John Lewis''s cocky grin was instantly replaced with a furious scowl. Gritting his teeth, he spun around, determined to block Aiden.


    But Aiden was faster¡ªand far more agile than John expected. He darted down the court, weaving effortlessly past defenders. Ignoring John''s attempt to block him, Aiden pulled off a quick pivot and slipped right past him.


    The ball came flying toward him, and Aiden caught it with precision. John lunged forward to steal it, but Aiden coolly executed a between-the-legs dribble, followed by a smooth spin move. Before John could react, Aiden leaped into the air and sank the ball straight through the hoop with a clean, flawless shot.


    The gym erupted in applause and excited screams.


    "That was amazing!"


    "He''s incredible!"


    Even the female employees from BM Capital couldn''t help swooning at Aiden''s performance. They squealed and cheered, completely captivated by his fluid movements and undeniable charisma.


    Nearby, some of the BM male employees grumbled under their breath.


    "Whose side are you even on?"


    "Oh, come on, don''t be such a buzzkill. It''s just a game."


    "Exactly! It''s a friendly match¡ªdoes it really matter who scores?"


    Meanwhile, Olivia was busy snapping pictures and recording videos on her phone, capturing every highlight. She turned to Grace Li, barely able to contain her excitement. "Boss, who knew Aiden was this good at basketball?"


    Grace watched Aiden on the court, mesmerized. It had been years since she''d last watched a basketball game. Back in school, her roommates would drag her to watch the campus heartthrobs play. Those games were always brimming with energy¡ªcheerleaders hyping up the crowd, fans clapping inflatable sticks, and everyone chanting encouragement. Back then, she''d feel a fleeting crush whenever a guy made a spectacular play.


    But this¡­ this was different. It wasn''t just a nostalgic thrill. This was something much deeper, far more intense. Watching Aiden move across the court with such grace and confidence stirred emotions in her that she hadn''t felt in years. At 30, she thought she''d outgrown this kind of fluttery, teenage infatuation. And yet, here she was, her heart racing. Aiden''s magnetism was undeniable, pulling her in like nothing else ever had.

 Chapter 25

    On the court, Nova Capital dominated with a commanding lead of 27 to 9 against BM Capital. Out of Nova''s 27 points, Aiden Thompson had scored a staggering 18. Initially, it was his striking looks that drew everyone''s attention, but it didn''t take long for his stellar skills to win over every single spectator.


    Next to Grace Li, Olivia''s voice was hoarse from cheering. "Aiden! Let''s go! Aiden! You''ve got this!"


    On the court, beads of sweat glistened on Aiden''s forehead as he skillfully dribbled the ball, dashing toward the hoop. Just as he prepared to leap for a shot, someone suddenly lunged out of nowhere, swatting at the ball in his hands. The ball slipped from his grip, and the unexpected collision nearly sent him tumbling. Aiden steadied himself, his sharp glare locking onto the offender¡ªJohn Lewis.


    The referee immediately blew the whistle, signaling a foul for charging. Aiden huffed, blowing his bangs out of his face as he fixed John with a warning look that spoke louder than words.


    John raised an eyebrow, a smug, defiant smirk plastered across his face.


    The game resumed, growing more intense with every second. Dribbling the ball, Aiden found himself face-to-face with John Lewis. With a quick fake to the right, he baited John into lunging that way. The moment John realized he''d been duped, Aiden sold another fake pass forward. John, now on high alert, jumped to block it, only to find himself fooled again. Aiden unleashed a string of deceptive moves, each one leaving John scrambling like a confused puppy. The crowd roared with laughter, some nearly doubled over in their seats.


    John''s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. Enraged, he charged at Aiden like a bull seeing red. Aiden, unfazed, smoothly executed a between-the-legs dribble, spun around, and passed the ball to a teammate. John lunged¡ªand missed¡ªyet again.


    Olivia laughed so hard she could barely catch her breath. "Oh my god, Aiden is unstoppable! He''s totally clowning this guy!"


    But John wasn''t one to let things slide. His pride in tatters, he clung to Aiden like a shadow, dogging his every move. Wherever Aiden went, John was right there, arms outstretched, crouched low in an exaggerated defensive stance. His ridiculous antics drew more laughter from the crowd.


    Aiden stayed cool, gliding across the court with ease. When the moment came, he spotted an opening in John''s defense and slipped past him like a breeze, sprinting toward the hoop. On the other side of the court, a BM player attempted a shot. The ball spun on the rim, teetered for a second, and then rolled off the edge.


    Aiden seized the opportunity, leaping up to grab the rebound. At the same time, John lunged into the air, desperate to intercept.


    Aiden''s hands reached the ball first. As he came down, he swung his elbow out, making contact with John in midair. The impact sent John off balance, and he landed with a loud, heavy thud, his body sprawled awkwardly on the hardwood. Aiden hit the ground too, skidding to a stop as the crowd gasped in unison.


    The referee''s whistle blew again as both players lay on the floor, groaning in pain. The game came to an abrupt halt, and the team medics rushed onto the court. They knelt by Aiden and John, quickly assessing their conditions, asking about pain levels and injuries. After a tense moment, the medics gestured that both players would need further attention but were okay for now.


    In the stands, Grace Li''s heart clenched. Her gaze locked onto Aiden, who was clutching his leg as he lay on the court. Without thinking, she shot to her feet and made her way toward the court, her pulse racing.


    On the floor, both players were still down, visibly in pain, as the medics continued their checks. The game was temporarily put on hold, with the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.


    On the court, John Lewis grimaced and pointed accusingly at Aiden Thompson, shouting, "He slammed into me! He did it on purpose!"


    Aiden, clutching his leg with a pained expression, retorted, "Be reasonable, man. I got the rebound first¡ªyou ran into me."


    "You... you''re flipping the script! Unbelievable!"


    James Shun rushed over, panting. "John, you''re both hurt. Can we drop the blame game already?"If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Grace Li walked straight onto the court, ignoring the stares, and knelt beside Aiden. She helped him sit up, concern evident in her voice. "Are you okay?"


    Aiden winced as he inhaled sharply. "My ankle... it hurts. Feels like I twisted it."


    Olivia hurried over, practically tripping over herself. "Aiden, we should get you to the hospital, just to be safe."


    "Yeah, okay."


    Grace grabbed a bag containing Aiden''s clothes, crouched down, and pulled out his jacket, carefully draping it over his shoulders. She then helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as he stood gingerly.


    "Can you walk?"


    "I think so."


    At that moment, Scarlet Harris appeared, rushing to his side. "Aiden, are you seriously hurt?"


    "I''ll be fine," Aiden replied, his tone calm.


    Scarlet scanned him, her worry evident. "Maybe I should take you to the hospital?"


    Aiden glanced at Grace before responding, "No need. Grace can take me."


    Scarlet''s face fell ever so slightly, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "Alright, then. Feel better."


    Grace steadied Aiden as they hobbled toward the parking lot. Olivia followed closely behind, carrying Aiden''s bag and Grace''s purse.


    Ryan and Mike came over to meet them. "Need a hand?" Ryan asked.


    Grace shook her head. "No, stay here. It''d look bad if you all left."


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 Chapter 26

    Grace Li glanced again at his leg. The scrape on his knee stood out sharply against his pale skin. Turning away, she restarted the car. Eventually, she decided their destination would be her apartment in Brooklyn.


    Aiden Thompson sank into the worn-but-comfy sofa in Grace''s living room. It was his second time here, and the place had that unmistakable Brooklyn charm¡ªa mix of modern and lived-in. Grace came out of the kitchen with a bottle of water, twisting the cap open before handing it to him. That''s when she noticed his hand was scraped too. Clearly, he''d braced himself when he faked the fall¡ªhis foot didn''t look all that injured.


    Aiden took a sip, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°So, what''s the deal? You keeping me hostage here now?¡±


    Grace chuckled as she walked over with a first-aid kit and sat beside him. ¡°Nah. But I gotta patch you up first. Can''t let your resale value drop, you know? Brooklyn buyers are picky.¡±


    Aiden laughed. ¡°You''re ruthless, Grace. I like it.¡±


    Unscrewing the bottle of hydrogen peroxide, she said, ¡°Alright, let me clean this up. Give me your hand.¡±


    Aiden extended his palm, revealing a scrape near his pinky with faint bruising around it. Grace tore off a piece of cotton, doused it in the disinfectant, and gently held his hand as she dabbed the wound.


    Aiden watched her closely. The way her brow furrowed as she focused on cleaning the scrape¡ªit was... something.


    ¡°You heading to your folks'' place soon?¡± he asked.


    Grace shook her head slightly, still focused on his hand. ¡°Tomorrow morning. I''m flying to San Diego.¡±


    ¡°Long flight,¡± Aiden said, leaning back. ¡°You dreading it?¡±


    ¡°It''s fine. The town they live in is peaceful¡ªit''s worth the trip. I''ll probably take the train out there once I land.¡±


    ¡°Small town vibes, huh?¡± Aiden smiled. ¡°You''re a long way from Brooklyn.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it.¡± Grace gave a wry grin. ¡°But they love it there. My dad keeps chickens now, if you can believe it.¡±


    ¡°No kidding?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It''s actually kind of adorable. He names them after old movie stars.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°That''s wholesome. Who''s the favorite chicken?¡±


    ¡°Probably Audrey Henburn.¡± Grace couldn''t help but laugh at how ridiculous it sounded.


    After finishing with his hand, Grace knelt down to check the scrape on his knee. His skin was ridiculously smooth and pale¡ªpractically glowing in the soft light of her apartment.


    ¡°Jesus,¡± she muttered under her breath, more to herself than him. ¡°You really don''t do scrapes often, do you? Your skin''s like... porcelain.¡±


    Aiden grinned. ¡°I''m fragile. Handle with care.¡±


    Grace''s cheeks warmed as she realized her thoughts had slipped out. Standing abruptly, she muttered, ¡°Alright, all done. Go change before you catch a chill.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    Grace pointed toward the bathroom. ¡°Down the hall. First door on the left.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Aiden grabbed his bag of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.


    As Grace tidied up the first-aid kit, her phone buzzed. The caller ID said Daniel Chou. What the hell did he want?


    ¡°Hey, Daniel,¡± she said, trying to keep her tone neutral. ¡°What''s up?¡±


    ¡°Grace, how''s your boyfriend doing?¡±


    She paused. ¡°Aiden? Just a ligament strain. Nothing major.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear,¡± Daniel replied.


    Grace frowned. ¡°What about John Lewis?¡±


    ¡°He went to the hospital for X-rays. Minor hip fracture.¡±


    Grace''s jaw tightened. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°It''s not that bad,¡± Daniel reassured her. ¡°He''ll be fine in a few weeks.¡±


    ¡°Still, that''s rough.¡± She sighed. ¡°Look, I just hope John doesn''t try to start something over this.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Relax, Grace. It''s basketball. Stuff happens. I know your guy didn''t mean to hurt him.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate that, Daniel,¡± she said, softening slightly. ¡°Thanks for smoothing things over. I really don''t want this turning into some petty drama.¡±


    ¡°No worries. I''ll talk to John. He''s not the type to hold a grudge.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. You''re a lifesaver.¡±


    Grace hung up and turned to see Aiden, now dressed in a fresh T-shirt and joggers, leaning casually against the doorway.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Daniel Chou,¡± she replied.


    ¡°You still talking to that guy?¡±


    Grace shrugged. ¡°Why not? Blocking him would just make me look like I care. And I don''t.¡±


    Aiden stepped closer, his gaze locking on hers. ¡°So you really don''t care about him, huh?¡±


    Grace''s heart skipped a beat. Looking away, she muttered, ¡°We were never a thing. There''s nothing to care about.¡±


    He seemed satisfied with her answer, a slow grin spreading across his face. ¡°Alright. What''s the plan for dinner?¡±


    Grace raised an eyebrow. ¡°You''re the injured one. You tell me.¡±


    ¡°I''m good with anything. Even pizza from that bodega down the block.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°You''re not getting bodega pizza. I''ve got stuff in the fridge. How about I cook?¡±


    Aiden''s smile widened. ¡°A home-cooked meal? Now we''re talking. You need help?¡±


    ¡°Not from you, limpy,¡± she teased. ¡°Just sit tight and let me work.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± He sank back onto the couch with a grin. ¡°You''re a real New Yorker, Grace¡ªbossy as hell, but I like it.¡±


    Grace Li stepped into her cozy kitchen, ready to prepare dinner. The fridge didn''t offer much, but she decided on three simple dishes: tomato and egg stir-fry, cucumber salad, and braised pork ribs with potatoes.


    Soon, the aroma of home-cooked food filled the room. Aiden Thompson, sitting at the dining table, looked at the spread and said, ¡°This looks amazing. You must be a great cook.¡±


    Grace Li handed him a bowl of rice


    Aiden pi


    ¡°Eat as much as you like,¡± Grace said, watching him enjoy her cooking. A warm feeling crept into her heart, and for a fleeting moment, she imagined them as an ordinary married couple sharing a quiet dinner at home.


    As they ate, Aiden said, ¡°I watched the latest episode of that popular sitcom last night. It was hilarious. Have you seen it?¡±


    ¡°No, I haven''t had the time lately. What''s it about?¡± Grace asked.


    The conversation flowed easily until Grace asked, ¡°Are you going home for New Year''s?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I''m not big on family gatherings,¡± Aiden replied, shrugging. ¡°I might just check out some New Year''s Eve parties around the city. What about you?¡±


    ¡°I''m heading to my parents'' place tomorrow to celebrate with them,¡± Grace said.


    The thought of him spending New Year''s alone tugged at her heart. Hesitating, she asked gently, ¡°Are things still strained with your family?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Aiden admitted between bites. ¡°But honestly, I''m fine with how things are. I like my life now.¡±


    Grace didn''t press further, sensing the topic was sensitive.


    After dinner, she walked Aiden to the apartment complex gate. The streetlights cast a warm glow, and festive decorations adorned the houses, creating a cozy atmosphere. Aiden called for a ride, which was five minutes away.


    The wind picked up, ruffling Grace''s long hair. Aiden turned to her and said, ¡°You should head back inside. It''s cold out here.¡±


    ¡°Text me when you get home,¡± Grace said, hands tucked into her coat pockets.


    ¡°Will do.¡±


    Before she left, she reminded him, ¡°Don''t forget to keep your wound dry if you shower. Just wipe yourself down instead.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Got it, mom.¡±


    Feeling a bit embarrassed by her nagging, Grace said, ¡°Alright, I''m heading back.¡±


    As she turned, Aiden called out, ¡°Grace.¡±


    She looked back. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Dinner was amazing. It reminded me of home.¡±


    The wind carried his words to her, and for a moment, Grace stood still, her heart stirred by the unexpected sentiment.


    Aiden added, ¡°Think I could get another meal like that sometime?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Grace said with a sincere smile. ¡°I''m glad it made you feel that way. Next time, I''ll make something even better with proper ingredients.¡±


    ¡°I''m looking forward to it,¡± Aiden replied.


    <hr>


    The next morning, Grace boarded an early flight from New York to San Diego. She had booked a rental car near the airport and drove through the countryside toward her parents'' home in a quiet town. The sprawling fields and charming small-town scenery rolled by as she navigated the familiar route.


    When she arrived, her younger brother William Li showed up around the same time. Their mother, Huiyun Liang, had prepared a feast of traditional Chinese dishes, filling the house with mouthwatering aromas.


    As the family gathered around the table, their father, Shichen Li, sipped some wine and launched into one of his signature life lessons. Grace and William, accustomed to these monologues, listened politely, nodding occasionally.


    Inevitably, the conversation turned to Grace''s marital status.


    ¡°Grace, you''re 30 now. You shouldn''t wait too long. Don''t set your standards too high¡ªfind someone suitable and settle down,¡± Shichen said firmly.


    Grace continued eating and replied calmly, ¡°Dad, I know what I''m doing.¡±


    ¡°If you did, you wouldn''t still be single at 30,¡± he retorted. ¡°Look at your younger cousins¡ªthey''re all married or engaged. You''re the eldest, but you''re still single.¡±


    Her mother chimed in, ¡°What about that boy you mentioned in Europe? What''s happening with him?¡±


    Grace hesitated. She couldn''t bring herself to admit that Daniel Chou, the man she had once hoped for, was now married. Instead, she said vaguely, ¡°Nothing''s happening.¡±


    Huiyun sighed. ¡°If he''s not serious, you shouldn''t wait for him. It''s not worth it.¡±


    ¡°I''m not waiting for him anymore,¡± Grace said firmly.


    William suddenly suggested, ¡°Why don''t you give me his number? I''ll find out what he''s really thinking.¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± Grace replied, cutting him off. ¡°Let''s focus on the meal and stop talking about him.¡±


    Changing the subject, Huiyun said, ¡°By the way, your cousin Joseph is getting married soon.¡±


    ¡°Joseph?¡± Grace asked in surprise. ¡°Isn''t he just barely old enough to marry?¡±


    ¡°He''s 21,¡± Shichen replied. ¡°Not everyone stays single into their 30s like you.¡±


    Grace rolled her eyes. ¡°Dad, can we not make this about me?¡±


    William, curious, asked, ¡°How did Joseph end up getting married so suddenly?¡±


    Huiyun explained, ¡°He got his girlfriend pregnant. Your uncle told us a few days ago. Now both families are arranging the wedding.¡±


    Grace frowned. ¡°How old is the girl?¡±


    ¡°Nineteen,¡± Huiyun said.


    ¡°At nineteen, they can''t even get a marriage license yet, can they?¡± Grace asked.


    Shichen interrupted, ¡°That doesn''t matter. The baby is already on the way, and it''s a boy¡ªour family''s next generation. Your uncle only has Joseph, so this child is too important to give up.¡±


    Grace knew her father''s views on family legacy were deeply rooted and unchangeable. She decided not to push further, choosing instead to focus on her meal.

 Chapter 27

    Grace Li hadn''t expected Joseph Li''s wedding to involve her in any way.


    The next afternoon, her uncle, Baoheng Li, invited Grace and her family over for lunch. After the meal, Grace was ready to head home. Even though it was the holidays, she still had some work reports to finish.


    As she was about to leave, Baoheng called out, ¡°Grace, don''t rush off. Come have a cup of tea with your uncle.¡±


    He pulled out a traditional Chinese tea set he had brought over from back home and began preparing to brew tea. Grace sensed there might be more to this invitation and decided to stay, curious about what might unfold.


    The two families gathered around the coffee table. Baoheng brewed the tea with deliberate care, while her father, Shichen Li, sat on the couch smoking a cigarette. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and Grace couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.


    Once the tea was ready, Baoheng hesitated before saying, ¡°Big Brother, maybe you should explain.¡±


    Shichen exhaled a puff of smoke, glanced at Grace, and began, ¡°Yesterday, your uncle and I visited Joseph''s girlfriend''s family. We finalized the wedding arrangements, including the bride price. It''s set at $150,000.¡±


    As soon as money was mentioned, Grace had a sinking feeling about what was coming next. She knew Joseph had been unreliable for years¡ªever since graduating from a vocational school, he''d hopped from one short-lived job to another. Meanwhile, her uncle''s modest income barely covered his family''s expenses, leaving little in savings.


    Baoheng continued, ¡°Joseph hasn''t been able to save much with his job situation. We can scrape together $50,000, but we''re still $100,000 short. I was wondering if you could lend us the rest to help us out.¡±


    Grace couldn''t even remember how many times relatives had come to her for financial help. Four years ago, her aunt had borrowed $20,000 for a premature baby''s medical bills¡ªmoney that had yet to be repaid. Three years ago, another relative borrowed $30,000 to buy a house, though they returned it after the purchase. Two years ago, Baoheng himself had borrowed $20,000 for home renovations, of which only $5,000 had been repaid so far.


    Now, with Joseph''s wedding, they were asking again. Grace''s immediate reaction was resistance.


    ¡°Uncle,¡± Grace said firmly, ¡°I''m already stretched thin. I shell out $16,000 a month for my mortgage, and I''m still furnishing my new place. I really don''t have any extra cash right now.¡±


    Baoheng replied, ¡°Your dad told me you''re making seven or eight hundred grand a year. Sixteen grand for a mortgage is nothing. Besides, we''re family. You know I''ll pay you back¡ªjust like I did last time, right?¡±


    Grace didn''t like confrontation, but her uncle''s words rubbed her the wrong way. ¡°Uncle, I''m really in a tight spot. I just don''t have the money to spare.¡±


    ¡°How about this,¡± Baoheng said, trying to compromise. ¡°If you can''t lend $100,000, maybe $80,000 would work. We''ll figure out the rest.¡±


    Grace knew that if she agreed this time, the requests would never stop. She steeled herself and said firmly, ¡°I''m sorry, but no.¡±


    Her uncle''s expression darkened. ¡°You''re being so stingy. Joseph is your cousin. As his older sister figure, shouldn''t you lend a hand?¡±


    Grace thought to herself, Even if it were my own brother asking for this much for a bride price, I wouldn''t agree so easily¡ªlet alone for a cousin.


    ¡°I''m sorry, but I just can''t,¡± she said coldly.


    Frustrated, Baoheng turned to her father. ¡°Big Brother, you talk to her.¡±


    Shichen stubbed out his cigarette, paused, and then said, ¡°Grace, do what you can. Joseph''s wedding is a family matter. We can''t just ignore it.¡±


    Grace hadn''t expected her father to pressure her too, and frustration bubbled up. ¡°Dad, you know I just moved into my new place. Furnishing it is costing me a fortune. I really don''t have the funds.¡±


    Her mother, Huiyun Liang, chimed in, ¡°That''s right. Grace is doing her best to make ends meet in New York. Her income isn''t fixed¡ªit goes up and down. This year, she really can''t spare any money.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Baoheng''s wife, Haimei Zhu, scoffed and rolled her eyes. ¡°Forget it, Baoheng. Grace is a big-city success now. She probably doesn''t even see us as family anymore.¡±


    Huiyun quickly defended her daughter. ¡°Sister-in-law, that''s not fair. Grace really can''t help this time. If she could, she would have lent the money already.¡±


    At that moment, Joseph walked into the room and said loudly, ¡°Stop arguing. If it''s such a big deal, I just won''t get married!¡±


    Baoheng shot up, glaring at his son. ¡°You ungrateful brat! Shut your mouth!¡±


    Joseph rolled his eyes and stormed out.


    The tension in the room was unbearable. Grace stood up and said, ¡°I''ve got work to finish. I''ll head back now.¡±


    Back at home, Grace locked herself in her room and opened her laptop. She tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the uncomfortable scene she had just left behind.


    She was born in a small rural town near San Diego, in a traditional Asian immigrant family. Growing up in the peaceful countryside, she never thought much about her family''s traditional beliefs and customs. But after moving to New York for school and work, experiencing a broader, more modern world, she began to resent those outdated ideas and practices. Every time she faced them, it left her feeling stifled.


    Sometimes, she envied Isabella Hsueh. Isabella, a lawyer, was far more assertive than she was¡ªfearlessly standing her ground against unreasonable family demands and firing back with well-reasoned arguments. In contrast, even during her firm refusal to lend money earlier, she had still been mindful of preserving family harmony.


    But deep down, Grace knew she couldn''t afford to keep being softhearted. Every dollar she had was hard-earned, the result of countless late nights and countless frustrations¡ªsacrifices no one else could truly understand. What she had achieved was the rightful reward for her efforts. She owed no one anything and had no obligation to give away the fruits of her labor to satisfy her relatives'' expectations.


    She wasn''t a saint!


    Grace Li had just stepped out of her room when she saw her father, Shichen Li, sitting on the living room couch with a cigarette between his fingers, his brow furrowed. He looked tense, clearly frustrated. Grace took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and walked over.


    ¡°Dad, if any relatives come asking me for money again, can you help me turn them down right away?¡± she said, her tone firm but respectful. ¡°Here in the U.S., we''re expected to be financially independent. I''ve got my own goals and a plan for my future¡ªI really don''t have extra money to lend out.¡±


    Shichen flicked the ash off his cigarette, looking irritated. ¡°Enough already, Grace. I''ll deal with it. Just leave it to me.¡±


    Grace shook her head, clearly confused. ¡°But why is this such a big deal? Why does it have to be you who handles this? Over here, people focus on taking care of their own families. It''s not common to go out of your way to help relatives when it''s beyond your means.¡±


    ¡°This is a matter for the Li family,¡± Shichen said, his voice rising. He took a long drag from his cigarette and added, ¡°One day, you''ll get married. You don''t need to worry about these things. Focus on your own life here and your career.¡±


    His words hit Grace hard. She stood still for a moment, stunned. The underlying message in his words was clear: she was being excluded from the core family decisions. While she understood that her father was upset, the dismissive tone still stung. She had always thought of herself as an important part of the family, but now, it felt like she was being pushed away just because she didn''t lend money to her cousin.


    Suppressing the lump in her throat, Grace bit back tears and turned to leave without another word. Back in her room, she slumped into the chair at her desk, staring blankly at her laptop screen. She felt like her whole world had just shifted, leaving her adrift.


    When she first arrived home, she had been excited. After all, work had kept her so busy that she barely had time to breathe. She had been looking forward to spending time with her family, even if she was bracing for the usual ¡°when are you getting married¡± talk. But now, she felt like she had fallen into a deep hole, unable to find her way out.


    She kept asking herself, Did I do something wrong? But she knew the answer. No. She had lived in the U.S. for so many years and understood how important personal financial independence and boundaries were.


    Over an hour later, Grace started packing her things¡ªwork documents, clothes. As she stepped out of her room, she noticed her father was no longer in the living room. She went outside and found her mother, Huiyun Liang, sitting in the garden, trimming the plants.


    ¡°Mom, where did Dad go?¡± Grace asked.


    Huiyun, looking frustrated herself, didn''t look up. ¡°Who knows? He went off somewhere. I can''t be bothered. Why''s he so worked up over Joseph''s situation? We''ve got enough problems of our own. Life''s tough here, and we don''t have money lying around to help others.¡±


    Grace hesitated, then said, ¡°Mom, something came up at work. I need to head back to New York right away. You know how it is¡ªsometimes things pop up out of nowhere, and if I don''t handle this, it could mess up the whole project.¡±


    Huiyun looked up, surprised. ¡°But tomorrow is New Year''s Day! You''re going back now? Can''t it wait until after the holiday?¡±


    Grace bit her lip and replied, ¡°I wish it could, but it''s really urgent. The client''s pushing hard, and it''s about a major contract. If I don''t show up, it could cause huge losses for the company.¡±


    Her mother sighed and set down her pruning shears. ¡°So, you won''t be home for New Year''s?¡±


    Grace nodded. ¡°Yes, this can''t wait.¡±


    Huiyun waved her hand, resigned. ¡°Well, you do what you need to do. Just be careful on the road, alright? And call me when you get there.¡±


    Grace smiled faintly. ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡±


    Huiyun paused, then added, ¡°About Joseph, you did the right thing. You''ve got enough to deal with in New York. Between the mortgage and everything else, it''s not like you have spare cash. Your dad''s just too traditional to understand how things work here.¡±


    Grace nodded, grateful for her mom''s support. ¡°I know, Mom.¡±

 Chapter 28

    Grace Li was reflecting on her actions, wondering if she had acted too impulsively. When she was younger, she had done something similar. Around eleven or twelve, she was sensitive and a little naive. Whenever her parents scolded her for seeming less favored than her brother, she would throw a tantrum and threaten to run away from home. Looking back, she realized how childish that was; she was just trying to get her parents'' attention. Now, at thirty, she found herself thinking about "escaping" again.


    She couldn''t stand the suffocating atmosphere in the house anymore, the feeling of being an outsider, a "black sheep" in the family. If she stayed any longer, the guilt and anxiety would just keep growing. She longed for the peaceful and independent environment of her apartment in New York, where she could live at her own pace, free from the heavy expectations of family.


    The evening before New Year''s Day, the streets of New York were buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The city was alive with the holiday spirit, and people''s faces reflected the joy of a new year ahead.


    By the time Grace arrived back in New York, the night had already settled in. She went to a hotpot restaurant, one that combined American buffet-style dining with the traditional hotpot experience. The place had everything from fresh ingredients to American-style snacks and salads. She treated herself to a solo hotpot meal, taking her time and enjoying the peaceful solitude for two hours, even trying the restaurant''s signature American-style desserts.


    Back in her Manhattan apartment, the quiet, familiar surroundings immediately put her at ease. Here, there were no relatives pushing marriage, no constant money requests from family. Just peace.


    As she was settling in, her phone buzzed. She picked it up to find a message from Olivia in the work group chat.


    Olivia: Dude, you back in New York? I swear I just saw you coming out of a hotpot joint in a cab.


    Grace Li: Yeah, it''s me.


    Olivia: What brought you back so suddenly?


    Grace Li: Something urgent came up.


    Olivia: Gotcha. You going to Times Square for the countdown?


    Grace Li thought about it for a moment. Going out might help her shake off the mood.


    Grace Li: You going?


    Olivia: Heck yeah, meeting up with some friends. You should come too. I''ll introduce you!


    Grace Li: Nah, not really feeling it.


    After a few more messages, Grace left the chat. But then, another notification popped up on WhatsApp. It was Aiden Thompson.


    Aiden Thompson: When''d you get back?


    Grace Li: Just today. Went for hotpot right after.


    Aiden Thompson: Alone?


    Grace Li: Yeah.


    Aiden Thompson: You should''ve called me.


    Grace Li: Next time.


    Grace stared at the chat. She was surprised by how much she longed for some company. Since Aiden had reached out, she figured there was no harm in asking him to join her.


    Grace Li: Wanna go to the countdown?


    Aiden Thompson: Sure thing.


    Grace Li: I''ll pick you up.


    Aiden Thompson: You''re closer to Times Square. I''ll head over.


    Grace Li: Okay.


    Once the message was sent, her heart raced a little, and her mood lightened. Without overthinking it, she had invited Aiden to join her for the New Year''s countdown. If it weren''t for how low she was feeling, she probably wouldn''t have reached out so easily.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Soon, Aiden Thompson arrived at the building. He told Grace that with the crowds in Times Square, it wouldn''t be easy to drive.


    Grace decided to wear a red dress with a white jacket and black boots, carefully putting herself together before heading out.


    Aiden was already waiting outside in a gray coat and black sweater. As Grace stepped out, he asked, ¡°Aren''t you cold?¡±


    Grace grinned. ¡°I always choose style over warmth.¡±


    Aiden chuckled softly. ¡°But you look adorable all bundled up too.¡±


    ¡°Doesn''t sound like a compliment,¡± Grace teased.


    Aiden pulled out his phone and showed her the weather forecast. ¡°It''s gonna drop to 48¡ãF in an hour. Better layer up.¡±


    Grace smiled, ¡°Don''t worry, I''m good. Got a fleece-lined undershirt under here.¡±


    Aiden, satisfied, asked, ¡°Should we take the subway or the bus?¡±


    ¡°Bus. I can enjoy the night view on the way.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    As expected, the bus to Times Square was packed. Grace was squished in the middle, but Aiden stood in front of her, always keeping just enough space between them to protect her from the jostling crowd. It was such a gentlemanly gesture that Grace couldn''t help but notice.


    Grace had always been drawn to kind, chivalrous men like Aiden. She often found herself attracted to him, but she was too afraid to take it further. After all, there were too many practical things to consider.


    She wasn''t exactly wealthy, so keeping him around for fun wouldn''t work. And if she were to pursue a serious relationship, the age gap alone was an issue. Plus, Aiden was successful, educated¡ªhe''d probably be interested in someone younger, more traditional, someone who could make him feel like the center of attention. She assumed he was only hanging out with her because she was his boss.


    Maybe it was better to keep things as they were, she thought.


    When they reached Times Square, the place was already packed. The giant crystal ball for the countdown sparkled above, and the energy was electric. The stage was alive with a famous singer performing, the music blasting through every corner, and people cheered and danced along.


    Grace didn''t feel like joining the crowds, so she and Aiden got warm drinks and headed to the Hudson River promenade. They sat on a bench, quietly enjoying the view of the brightly lit skyline.


    ¡°Something bothering you?¡± Aiden asked suddenly.


    Grace turned to look at him, surprised. She thought she''d hidden her feelings well. How did he notice?


    ¡°How''d you know?¡±


    ¡°Just a hunch.¡±


    Grace smiled. ¡°Thought that was a girl thing.¡±


    ¡°Nah, guys get them too.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± She took a sip of her hot tea, her emotions heavy. She felt like opening up. She turned to Aiden, unexpectedly letting her guard down. ¡°Aiden Thompson, do you have any siblings?¡±


    ¡°I have an older sister.¡±


    ¡°Lucky you.¡±


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why do you say that?¡±


    Grace sighed. ¡°Because in Asian families, the younger brother is often the favorite.¡±


    ¡°Really? It was different for me growing up in the UK.¡±


    ¡°Cultural differences. In my community, there''s this deep-rooted preference for sons. It''s influenced by Confucian values and the belief that sons carry on the family name and legacy. It''s something that''s hard to break, even though more and more Asian girls are pursuing their education and careers now. My dad, despite the tradition, encouraged me to study and supported me going to college. But when it comes to other family matters, those old beliefs still linger.¡±


    Aiden nodded in understanding. ¡°That''s archaic thinking. Modern women are independent and strong. And often, daughters are just as filial as sons.¡±


    Grace nodded. ¡°But they don''t see it that way. In their eyes, daughters are like water spilled. It''s ingrained, and hard to change.¡±


    Aiden thought about Grace''s words and the time she had comforted a girl who was thinking of jumping off a bridge. He realized that Grace''s words to that girl were probably words she told herself too.


    ¡°Grace Li, your life is yours. Don''t let others'' opinions get to you too much.¡±


    Grace smiled faintly. ¡°I keep telling myself that. As long as I know what''s right for me. But I''m emotional. I get easily influenced by my surroundings.¡±


    She gazed at the skyline, lost in thought. ¡°Aiden Thompson, I just remembered something. When I was a kid, I used to think it was normal for my parents to favor my brother, especially when it came to birthdays. I remember once I bought myself a small cake for my birthday¡ªno one else thought it was important. Then one year, my parents brought home a big cake for my brother. I felt so left out, like I was invisible. It''s funny, though. I never really complained. But now, when I think back on it, I realize that what hurt wasn''t the cake. It was the feeling of being overlooked. I just wanted to feel equal, to be loved in the same way.¡±


    Aiden, moved, looked at her with tenderness. ¡°Grace Li, you deserve so much more love.¡±


    Grace managed a forced smile. ¡°It''s okay, really, Aiden. Honestly, I don''t expect my parents to love me more at this point. I''m content. Every time I bump into old classmates from my hometown, I feel lucky. Where I''m from, very few girls get the chance to go to college. A lot of them start working after middle school or go to trade schools because their parents think girls don''t need to study too much since they''re just gonna get married anyway. But my dad was different. He always encouraged me to work hard and get into college. His support is what got me here. I''m really grateful to him. Even though they still have that son-preference thing, I still feel lucky. After all, they''re my closest family, and they''re the ones who really want the best for me.¡±


    Aiden slowly lifted his hand, as if to pull her into a comforting hug.


    But suddenly, Grace pointed excitedly at something in the distance. ¡°Aiden, let''s go do that! I''ve been wanting to for ages!¡±


    The sudden shift in her mood broke the somber atmosphere. Aiden reluctantly pulled back his hand, which was almost on her shoulder, and followed her gaze. A group of young people were gathered nearby, waving sparklers in the air. The colorful sparks lit up like blooming flowers against the dark sky, crackling in a way that was nothing short of magical.

 Chapter 29

    Aiden Thompson stood up. "I''ll go get it. You wait here."


    "You know where to buy it?" Grace asked.


    "I remember there''s a party supply store nearby, it should have some decorations and stuff for special occasions. They might have sparklers too."


    "I''ll go with you."


    They strolled to the store, about five hundred meters away, but after looking around, they couldn''t find any sparklers.


    After asking a staff member, they learned that fireworks, including sparklers, are tightly regulated in the U.S. It turns out that you need a special permit to sell fireworks, and regular stores aren''t allowed to carry them.


    Grace sighed. "Guess we can''t play with them after all."


    Aiden wasn''t ready to give up. "But I bet those things are super fun. I really want to try one."


    Grace laughed, a little amused and exasperated at the same time, feeling like Aiden was a kid begging for a new toy. "What can we do? We can''t buy them."


    Aiden shook his phone. "I just looked it up. There''s a shop nearby with a permit to sell fireworks."


    "Really?"


    "Yep, for real," Aiden confirmed. "I''ll go buy them. You just wait here."


    "Let''s go together. It''s not like I have anything else to do."


    "I''ll be quicker on my own," Aiden said, pointing to the store''s seating area. "You stay there and relax, I''ll be back soon."


    Grace smiled. "Alright, but hurry back."


    After making sure Grace was settled, Aiden headed out. The store with the proper permits was five miles away, and it specialized in wedding supplies and fireworks for special events.


    As Aiden searched for the shop, he came across news stories and regulations about fireworks sales in New York. The city had strict controls¡ªonly licensed businesses could sell fireworks, and they could only sell them around certain holidays. He was glad he found a store that might still be open on New Year''s Eve.


    Aiden was about to call a rideshare, but when he opened the app, he saw that the area around Times Square was completely gridlocked. It was New Year''s Eve, and the streets were packed with people heading to the celebration.


    He glanced at the time¡ªit was nearly 11 p.m. and wasn''t sure if the store would still be open.


    He dialed the store''s number quickly. "Hey, what time do you close tonight?"


    The voice on the other end was a woman''s. "We closed at 10, sorry. What are you looking for?"


    "I''m hoping to get a sparkler. If you can open up for me, I''d be happy to pay an extra fee¡ªlike 20% of the price. Is that possible?"


    There was hesitation, but Aiden added, "If you think that''s not enough, we can work something out. This really means a lot to me."


    After a bit of back and forth, they agreed on a $500 fee for the special request.


    Aiden, hearing that the store was closed, quickly explained the situation. The owner hesitated but said, "We usually don''t do this because reopening involves insurance and safety checks."


    "I totally get it," Aiden said. "I''ll sign anything you need, and I promise I''ll follow all your safety rules."


    After more conversation, the shopkeeper, moved by Aiden''s sincerity and the special circumstances of New Year''s Eve, agreed to reopen for him.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    After hanging up, Aiden spotted a row of shared electric bikes on the sidewalk. He quickly unlocked one with his app, put on a helmet, and sped off toward the store.


    Thanks to the electric boost, he made the five-mile trip in just 15 minutes.


    At the store, the owner, a woman in her thirties, couldn''t help but think, He''s so handsome, and he''s such a thoughtful boyfriend.


    She handed over the sparklers with a smile. "Hope this cheers your girlfriend up."


    "Thanks so much," Aiden said, pulling out his phone to pay. "How much do I owe you?"


    "That''ll be $18 for the box."


    Aiden paid $518 without a second thought. The store owner, seeing the payment, widened her eyes. "You''re really giving $500?"


    "Well, you made a special trip for me. It''s the least I can do."


    She smiled, noting Aiden''s demeanor and how he clearly wasn''t hurting for money. "Go make your girlfriend happy," she said.


    "Will do, thanks again!" Aiden carefully placed the sparklers in his bike''s basket and rode off into the cool night air, heading back to Grace.


    Grace Li sat on a bench in the mall. Even though it was already past 11 PM, the mall was still buzzing with people. New York, the city that never sleeps, was full of life and energy, even in the middle of the night.


    Where did Aiden Thompson go to get it? It''s been half an hour, and he still hasn''t come back.


    Grace Li, bored, picked up her phone. She was about to scroll through the news but noticed a new message on WhatsApp.


    It was from Shichen Li.


    It was a voice message.


    Grace Li stared at the nine-second-long audio and felt a little hesitant. She wondered what her dad had to say.


    After a moment, she gently tapped play.


    Her father''s voice came through the phone: ¡°Grace, tomorrow''s New Year''s Day, so I''m sending you some money for a little treat. Don''t take today''s stuff too hard.¡±


    After hearing the message, Grace Li looked at the PayPal transfer notification below the voice message, and tears blurred her vision.


    Her mind drifted back to her college days. Back then, she''d only been able to visit home two or three times a year. During the holidays, she''d always call home, and Huiyun Liang and she had plenty to talk about. So, she''d usually call Huiyun Liang. Sometimes, Huiyun Liang would pass the phone to her dad, but he never said much. Every time, it was the same: ¡°It''s the holiday, eat something good. If you need more money, just ask.¡±


    Family is different from love or friendship. If a romantic relationship ends, it''s just a breakup. If a friendship falls apart, you go your separate ways.


    But family¡ªfamily is something you can''t let go of. Even though she''d often complained about her parents'' preference for sons, she knew deep down they were the closest people to her in the world. She couldn''t ignore everything they''d done for her just because of some outdated views.


    Grace Li typed into the message box: ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡±


    Then, she accepted the PayPal transfer.


    When she looked up, Aiden Thompson appeared in front of her, his face red from the cold. His nose was bright pink, and he was gasping for breath. Every exhale puffed out visible clouds of white mist, and the chill of the night still clung to him. He brushed off the snow that had collected on his coat and clearly looked like he''d been running around in the cold.


    He pulled the box of sparklers from his coat pocket and smiled. ¡°Got it.¡±


    Grace Li smiled back, her tears still lingering, and asked with concern, ¡°Did you have to go far to get them?¡±


    ¡°It wasn''t too far, just the traffic was crazy,¡± Aiden Thompson replied, naturally reaching out and taking her hand. ¡°Let''s go to the river.¡±


    Grace Li glanced down at their joined hands, not feeling the slightest bit of resistance, as if they were already the closest of lovers.


    They walked down to the riverbank. The cold wind bit at them, but the festive atmosphere made the place feel warm. Aiden Thompson took two sparklers out of the box, handed one to her, and lit them. The colorful sparks exploded instantly, like magical trees lighting up the night, casting a beautiful glow on Grace Li''s face.


    She looked at the crackling sparks, her face glowing with happiness. ¡°Aiden Thompson, can you take a few photos of me? I want some with that fireworks vibe.¡±


    Aiden Thompson looked puzzled. ¡°How do you want me to take them?¡±


    ¡°There''s a tutorial online,¡± Grace Li said, waiting until both sparklers burned out. Then, she quickly pulled out her phone, skillfully searching for a fireworks photo tutorial on YouTube.


    Aiden Thompson watched the video carefully and quickly picked up the technique.


    When Grace Li picked up another pair of sparklers, striking a playful pose, Aiden Thompson found the right angle and snapped a few beautiful shots.


    The sparklers burned out fast. Just then, a loud countdown echoed from across the square: ¡°Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one!¡± At the same time, famous performers lit up the stage, and colorful lights mixed together, decorating the whole square in a magical glow.


    Grace Li turned to look at Aiden Thompson, a smile on her face, and softly said, ¡°Happy New Year.¡±


    Aiden Thompson turned to her at the same time, his voice warm. ¡°Happy New Year.¡±


    Grace Li smiled shyly, her lips curving up. Suddenly, fireworks shot up along the riverbank, bursting in a spectacular display across the pitch-black sky, like a grand visual feast.


    Grace Li was mesmerized by the beautiful fireworks. She tilted her head back, staring at the flowers blooming in the night sky, her eyes wide and full of wonder.


    Aiden Thompson turned his head slightly and caught the smile on her lips and the brilliant lights reflecting in her eyes. In that moment, he knew¡ªshe was truly happy.

 Chapter 30

    It was already 1 AM when they got back home. Grace Li took out her phone and noticed Aiden Thompson had already sent her the photos they took that night via WhatsApp.


    Grace Li texted: ¡°Make sure you text me when you get home.¡±


    Aiden Thompson replied: ¡°Got it.¡±


    She carefully saved the pictures to her gallery, choosing two that had a great vibe, and shared them on Instagram with the caption: ¡°Happy New Year.¡±


    When she came out of the shower, Grace Li noticed she had received a lot of messages on Instagram. She opened the app and saw Aiden Thompson had posted too.


    His post also featured two photos, just the sparklers burning, with the same caption: ¡°Happy New Year.¡±


    For some reason, Grace Li''s heart skipped a beat. The timing of their posts felt like a sweet little exchange between a couple. Their mutual friends were bound to make assumptions.


    Ryan commented on Aiden Thompson''s post: ¡°Aiden, were you two together for the NYE countdown?¡±


    Mike quickly followed up: ¡°Tsk tsk, there''s definitely something going on here. ??¡±


    Olivia joined in: ¡°So? So? Were you really together for the countdown? ??¡±


    Grace Li felt a sudden tightness in her chest when she saw the comments. Luckily, Aiden Thompson hadn''t replied yet, so she quickly posted a comment.


    Grace Li replied to Ryan: ¡°You guys are just imagining things.¡±


    Olivia replied to Grace Li: ¡°Boss, were you at Times Square too? I was there. Why didn''t you come look for me?¡±


    Grace Li replied to Olivia: ¡°I was with a friend, so I didn''t come find you.¡±


    Ryan commented again: ¡°Guys, did you miss the most important thing? If the person Aiden spent New Year''s with wasn''t the boss, it could be some other girl! Or even another guy!¡±


    Ryan immediately tagged Aiden Thompson in the work chat: ¡°@Aiden Thompson Aiden, come clean. Are you dating someone?¡±


    Aiden Thompson replied: ¡°No.¡±


    Ryan clearly didn''t believe it: ¡°No one''s buying that. Are you seriously telling me a grown man was playing with sparklers by himself?¡±


    Aiden Thompson responded: ¡°Why not?¡±


    Olivia stepped in to lighten the mood: ¡°Ryan, you''re being ridiculous. Just because he posted a pic of sparklers doesn''t mean anything. The boss posted one too. Why aren''t you asking her?¡±


    Grace Li sent a message in the group: ¡°[sleepy emoji] If you guys really don''t have anything better to do, maybe you could send some New Year''s gifts via PayPal.¡±


    Ryan replied: ¡°For gifts, the boss should take the lead.¡±


    Grace Li sent a PayPal link with a note: ¡°Happy New Year! Here''s a little something for the celebration.¡±


    Everyone immediately went crazy over the PayPal link in the chat, trying to grab it. In the end, there was only one left. Grace Li looked and saw that only Aiden Thompson hadn''t grabbed it yet.


    Grace Li messaged Aiden Thompson privately.


    Grace Li: ¡°Why didn''t you grab the gift?¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Can I trade the gift for something else?¡±


    Grace Li: ¡°Oh? Like what?¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°It''s New Year''s Day today, I don''t feel like ordering takeout.¡±


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    Grace Li smiled, remembering the big meal she had promised Aiden Thompson a few days ago. She typed: ¡°I''ll probably sleep in tomorrow and have a late breakfast. I''ll go grocery shopping in the afternoon. Want to come over for dinner?¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Sure.¡±


    Grace Li wasn''t sure exactly when she fell asleep, but the next day, she woke up to find it was already past 9 AM. She had meant to sleep in until noon, but ended up waking up at 9:30.


    Grace Li applied a simple, everyday makeup look that emphasized a natural glow and contour, making her skin look radiant. Afterward, she had a quick American-style breakfast: toast with butter, a hot coffee, and a fruit salad. She then headed to the nearby grocery store. New York''s supermarkets had an amazing variety of ingredients from all over the world, each offering a taste of different cultures. After picking up everything she needed, she returned home, and it was already noon. With no time to spare, she quickly boiled some pasta and topped it with ready-made marinara sauce ¨C fast and easy.


    In the afternoon, Grace Li took some time to tidy up her apartment. The last time Aiden Thompson had been over, it had been too rushed for her to clean up. But this time, she was determined to make everything perfect ¨C subconsciously wanting to show him her best side.


    Aiden Thompson arrived promptly at 5 PM, wearing a black trench coat that made him look sharp and put-together. He held a small, elegant gift bag in his long hand.


    ¡°Happy New Year,¡± he said, smiling as he handed the gift bag to her.


    Grace Li was a little surprised. She hadn''t expected him to bring a gift. ¡°You brought a gift too?¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled and explained, ¡°I hope you like it. It''s just a little something to celebrate the new year.¡±


    Grace Li took the gift, her lips curving into a smile as she whispered, ¡°You''re so sweet. I''m sure I''ll love it.¡±


    She put the gift aside, turned towards the kitchen, and called back, "I''ll start making dinner now, you can sit for a while."


    Aiden Thompson followed her into the kitchen and asked, ¡°Anything I can help with?¡±


    ¡°Could you wash the vegetables for me?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Grace Li placed the veggies in a basket and quickly ran through the cleaning instructions. She then tied on an apron and began prepping the meal. She planned to make four dishes and a soup, mixing both American and Chinese flavors.


    ¡°This braised fish is a little modified ¨C I reduced the soy sauce and added some lemon juice to brighten it up. Give it a try and let me know what you think. The chicken soup is slow-cooked American style, with a bunch of vegetables and spices, and I skimmed off the excess fat so it''s light and healthy. The shrimp is cooked in a special sauce, and the stir-fried beef has tender beef slices with bell peppers. Finally, a simple stir-fried broccoli, light and nutritious,¡± she explained as she worked.


    They were both busy in the kitchen when suddenly, the doorbell rang.


    Grace Li frowned slightly. She was about to turn off the heat on the fish when Aiden Thompson spoke up.


    ¡°Should I get the door?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Aiden Thompson set down his basket of veggies, wiped his hands on a napkin, and quickly walked to the door, which rang again. He opened it to find Isabella Hsueh standing there, happily calling out, ¡°Happy New Year!¡±


    Isabella paused when she saw Aiden standing in the doorway, looking surprised. She''d seen photos of him before, and recognized him as the ¡°young stud¡± Grace Li often talked about.


    Aiden Thompson smiled politely, ¡°Hello.¡±


    Isabella quickly snapped out of her shock and gave him a forced smile. ¡°Hi, I''m Grace Li''s good friend.¡±


    ¡°She''s cooking, come on in.¡±


    From the kitchen, Grace Li heard the familiar voice and poked her head out. ¡°Isabella Hsueh, what are you doing here?¡±


    Isabella walked into the kitchen, grinning, and explained, ¡°I know we usually call first, but I thought I''d surprise you, like family, since it''s the holidays and we''re so close.¡±


    Grace Li saw her mischievous grin and quickly gave her a sharp look, signaling her not to say anything awkward.


    Grace Li cleared her throat, ¡°Why didn''t you call first?¡±


    ¡°Wanted to give you a surprise!¡± Isabella glanced at the braised fish and asked, ¡°You''re already cooking? Got room for me?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Isabella squinted with a grin, ¡°Guess I''ll stay then and not be shy.¡±


    Aiden Thompson adjusted his sleeves and slipped on his watch, heading to the door. ¡°Grace Li, I''ll run to the convenience store for drinks. What do you guys want?¡±


    Grace Li thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Some juice or apple cider vinegar would be great.¡±


    Isabella, unbothered, chimed in, ¡°I''ll take a beer or a cocktail.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Once Aiden Thompson left, Isabella immediately shifted into ¡°gossip mode¡± and grilled Grace Li, ¡°Come on, spill it. Did you two hook up?¡±


    Grace Li quickly denied it, ¡°No, I just invited him over for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, just dinner, huh? You''re having him over to eat alone, what''s really going on?¡±


    Grace Li sighed, explaining, ¡°We''re just friends and colleagues. Don''t overthink it. I''m worried he might feel awkward later.¡±


    Isabella smirked, ¡°He''s coming over for dinner, that''s basically a date, right?¡±


    Grace Li said seriously, ¡°Just treat him like any other friend.¡±


    Isabella nudged her playfully and teased, ¡°Need me to help speed things up a little?¡±


    ¡°Stop, don''t even think about it!¡± Grace Li panicked, ¡°Just eat and don''t say anything else. Otherwise, I''ll have to face him at work tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°All right, all right. I''ll just be a quiet foodie, okay?¡±


    Isabella looked at the spread and laughed, ¡°You''re making all this just for him? You''ve really got something going on, huh?¡±


    Grace Li blushed and smiled, ¡°Just shut up.¡±

 Chapter 31

    Grace Li''s dining table wasn''t very big¡ªjust enough to squeeze four people in, though it felt a bit cramped. Right now, the three of them were gathered around the small table, and there was a subtle tension in the air.


    The table was covered with a variety of delicious dishes, blending the delicate flavors of Chinese cuisine with the hearty portions typical of American meals.


    As the host, Grace Li cheerfully said, ¡°You two, don''t be shy¡ªhelp yourselves.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Aiden Thompson replied casually.


    Isabella Hsueh glanced at Aiden Thompson and said teasingly, ¡°Wow, we''ve known each other for a while now, but I still don''t know your name. How about a little self-introduction?¡±


    Aiden Thompson didn''t miss a beat and responded easily, ¡°I''m Aiden Thompson, Grace Li''s coworker.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh turned to Grace Li and, with a hint of mischief, said, ¡°Oh, you two must be pretty close at work. I''m getting jealous here.¡±


    Grace Li and Aiden Thompson happened to make eye contact. She subtly tugged at Isabella Hsueh''s sleeve, giving her a look that said, ¡°Stop talking.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh smiled and continued, ¡°Okay, let me introduce myself, then. I''m Isabella Hsueh, Grace Li''s best friend. We''ve known each other for 16 years. I''m a lawyer at EagleEdge Law Firm¡ªif you ever need legal help, just hit me up.¡±


    Her introduction came with the usual lawyer-ish flair. Grace Li couldn''t help but add, ¡°Isabella Hsueh mostly handles divorce cases.¡±


    Aiden Thompson gave a slight smile and said, ¡°Guess that means we won''t be working together anytime soon.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh quickly clarified, ¡°I deal with family law, not just divorces. I also handle inheritance issues, custody disputes, that kind of stuff. It''s just that divorce cases make up most of my workload.¡±


    Grace Li grabbed a shrimp and placed it on Isabella Hsueh''s plate, trying to quiet her down. ¡°Just eat your food.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh chewed on the shrimp and then asked, ¡°By the way, do you have a girlfriend?¡±


    Aiden Thompson''s lips curved into a slight grin as he replied, ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°Really? A guy as good-looking as you doesn''t have a girlfriend? That''s pretty rare.¡±


    Aiden Thompson casually responded, ¡°Really?¡±


    Being a lawyer, Isabella Hsueh was skilled at digging for information. She pressed on, ¡°Is it because your standards are too high?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    ¡°I don''t buy it,¡± Isabella Hsueh shot a glance at Grace Li, ¡°Grace here always says she doesn''t have high standards, but in all these years, she''s had at least ten guys chasing after her, and some of them were seriously top-notch. She didn''t give any of them a chance.¡±


    Grace Li felt awkward and almost wished she could vanish into the floor.


    Aiden Thompson turned to Grace Li and asked, ¡°So, you have high standards, huh?¡±


    Grace Li sighed in exasperation and defended herself, ¡°Don''t listen to Isabella Hsueh, nobody''s been chasing me.¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled gently, ¡°Maybe you''re just underestimating your own charm.¡±


    Grace Li was momentarily speechless.


    Isabella Hsueh, hearing this, nodded approvingly. ¡°This guy knows how to talk.¡±


    Trying to shift the topic, Grace Li asked, ¡°So, have you two been watching Yellowstone? The new season is amazing, I''ve been hooked on it.¡±


    Aiden Thompson answered, ¡°Yeah, I''ve seen it. Kevin Costner''s acting is as great as always.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh chimed in, ¡°I''m more into The Big Bang Theory, though. It''s such a feel-good comedy, I can''t help but laugh every time.¡±


    After they finished eating, Aiden Thompson figured it was time to leave and not interrupt the girls'' time together, so he took off.


    Isabella Hsueh took over the dishwashing duty, while Grace Li tidied up the kitchen.


    Isabella Hsueh suggested, ¡°How about we watch a movie to unwind?¡±


    Grace Li responded, ¡°Nah, I''m pretty tired. I just want to chat with you for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Grace Li, that guy is way better-looking in person than in his photos. Seriously, his skin is flawless¡ªlike, smooth as an egg.¡±


    Grace Li was wiping down the stove and said, ¡°He probably came from a good family, raised with plenty of care. So yeah, his skin''s probably that perfect.¡±


    ¡°I gotta say, even though it''s the first time I''ve really met him, I get a good vibe. If you''re interested, you should go for it.¡±


    Grace Li paused for a moment and said seriously, ¡°I want to take it slow. We''re coworkers, after all. I don''t want to mess things up and make things awkward at work.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh leaned in and said with a wink, ¡°Come on, he literally just said you''re underestimating your own charm. That''s gotta mean he''s into you.¡±


    Grace Li rolled her eyes and lightly nudged Isabella Hsueh with her elbow. ¡°You have the wildest imagination.¡±


    After the dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned up, they both collapsed on the couch with the beers they hadn''t finished earlier.


    ¡°By the way, what would you have done if I hadn''t shown up tonight?¡±


    Grace Li shrugged and said, ¡°Doesn''t matter if you were here or not. He came over because he didn''t want to eat takeout on New Year''s Eve.¡± With that, she suddenly remembered something and got up to grab a gift bag from the TV stand.


    ¡°Whoa, is this a gift from the cute guy?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± Grace Li sat back down on the couch and opened the bag to reveal an elegant box with a prominent Dior logo.


    ¡°Wow, it''s Dior perfume!¡± Isabella Hsueh exclaimed.


    Grace Li had been too busy cooking earlier to really notice the gift. Now that she saw it was perfume, her thoughts wandered: In the U.S., giving perfume can carry some serious meaning. Did he pick this out by accident, or is there something more to it? I really can''t figure it out. If I misinterpret it, things might get awkward at work later. But if I ignore the possible hint, I might miss out on something.


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    Grace Li wasn''t someone who wore perfume often, only spritzing a little when she met important clients or wanted to feel a little more confident.


    The next morning£¬Grace Li carefully did her makeup, her eyes landing on the bottle of Dior perfume on her desk. The pink bottle, soft and delicate, practically screamed "luxury" with an irresistible charm. After a moment of hesitation, she sprayed a bit, letting the light fragrance swirl around her. The perfume cost over a thousand bucks¡ªenough for Aiden Thompson to eat a few nice dinners. For him to splurge like that just for a dinner invite? It felt like over-the-top generosity.


    Grace Li couldn''t help but think that the value of the perfume wasn''t just in its price tag, but in the gesture itself. In the fast-paced, cutthroat world of New York, a thoughtful move like this was rare.


    She caught herself staring at her reflection in the mirror, realizing how often her mind wandered these days. She was definitely overthinking everything.


    As she stepped into the elevator, she bumped into Aiden Thompson. The faint scent of perfume lingered in the air, and it suddenly hit her: maybe she''d come off a little... extra this morning.


    Aiden Thompson turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers. Grace wasn''t wearing heels, so she was almost a full head shorter than him, and he unconsciously looked down a bit.


    ¡°That perfume? Totally works for you,¡± he said quietly, his voice echoing softly in the elevator.


    Grace''s cheeks flushed. Was he telling her he thought it matched her, or was she just overthinking it?


    ¡°Why''s that? You think it fits me?¡± she asked casually, her voice dripping with that signature New York nonchalance.


    ¡°The scent''s fresh but sticks around. Not too in-your-face. Plus, I''ve noticed the ones you usually wear are kinda similar,¡± Aiden explained with that no-nonsense New York confidence.


    ¡°Yeah, I love it. Thanks a ton,¡± Grace said with a light nod. ¡°I feel a little bad, though, spending all that cash on me.¡±


    Aiden waved it off with a grin. ¡°Nah, don''t sweat it. I''m basically crashing your dinner.¡±


    ¡°Still, you could''ve had like ten meals for the price of this,¡± Grace teased.


    Aiden smirked. ¡°Well, then, I guess I''ll just have to crash nine more dinners. Sound good?¡±


    Grace laughed, her smile lighting up. ¡°Think my cooking''s that good?¡±


    ¡°This is honestly the best home-cooked meal I''ve ever had,¡± Aiden said, sincerity in his eyes.


    ¡°Well, if I ever get sick of the venture capital grind, I''ll open a restaurant,¡± Grace joked, her tone playful but thoughtful.


    ¡°Do it! I''ll be your first regular,¡± Aiden said with enthusiasm, his smile wide.


    As they chatted, the elevator door opened, and they both stepped into the office. It was always just the two of them in the office this early, and these quiet moments had become a kind of comforting routine.


    Grace sat down at her desk and opened her laptop, ready to dive into work. Just then, there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Grace! You''re back! That''s awesome!¡± Scarlet Harris''s voice was upbeat and full of energy.


    Grace looked up, smiling. ¡°What''s up, Scarlet?¡± she asked, genuinely curious.


    Scarlet rushed in, clicking her heels with a slight urgency. ¡°I need your help with something,¡± she said, clearly a little flustered.


    As she walked past Aiden''s desk, she waved. ¡°Morning, Aiden.¡±


    Aiden shot her a smile. ¡°Hey, morning.¡±


    Scarlet quickly made her way over to Grace''s desk. ¡°Grace, remember that inhaled drug project we talked about with GloryPath Capital? They sent over their initial due diligence materials. Have you had time to look at them yet?¡±


    ¡°I skimmed them. What''s up?¡± Grace asked, raising an eyebrow, sensing something was off.


    ¡°My dad''s probably gonna ask me about it later, and I''ve been so slammed with stuff, I haven''t had the chance to dig into it. Can you break it down for me?¡± Scarlet''s eyes had a pleading look in them.


    Grace had only taken a cursory look at the project, so she didn''t have the full scoop. ¡°I''m not super deep into this, either, but I can give you the basics,¡± she said, being upfront.


    ¡°That works,¡± Scarlet said quickly, relieved.


    Grace clicked through her laptop, opening the due diligence file. ¡°So, the inhaled drug market is pretty wild. The whole drug-device combo thing, you know? D-D combo¡ªit''s a tough one. The drug itself, the materials, the formula, how it''s dispersed; that''s all super tricky. And the device to administer it? Even trickier. It''s all about having a kickass R&D team, and this company''s mostly been doing generics, not exactly pioneers in original research. Like Clyde Tang said, we could throw a ton of money at it, but this comes with a ton of risks¡ªand honestly, no one knows how it''s gonna turn out. Even if they get a solid R&D team, big pharma already owns a lot of patents in this space. Breaking new ground? Not gonna be easy.¡±


    Scarlet listened intently, nodding and chiming in with her own questions. They went back and forth for about twenty minutes, digging into the details.


    By 9 AM, the office had started to fill up.


    Seeing everyone return, Scarlet beamed, ¡°Morning, folks! New year, new coffee¡ªmy treat!¡±


    Ryan and Mike immediately cheered, ¡°Woohoo! Scarlet''s the best!¡±


    Scarlet laughed and turned to Ryan. ¡°Hey, can you check what everyone wants and let me know?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing!¡± Ryan replied, grinning.


    Then he added, ¡°Scarlet, you''re always buying us coffee and snacks. You''re spoiling us!¡±


    ¡°Stop it, we''re all colleagues, it''s no big deal,¡± Scarlet said, brushing it off with a wave, a bright smile on her face.

 Chapter 32

    At 10 AM, the company held its monthly senior management meeting. Only those at the level of Investment Director or higher were eligible to attend.


    Grace Li was surprised to see Scarlet Harris at the meeting. But she wasn''t too shocked¡ªafter all, in this kind of corporate environment, unusual situations aren''t all that rare, and no one else in the room seemed to raise any questions.


    As usual, the main agenda of the meeting began with each Investment Director reporting on the progress of their current projects. Then, everyone would discuss hot industry topics and clarify the company''s main investment direction for the future.


    Grace Li had already prepared her report the day before. She presented the current status of her projects in a clear and organized way, and when Benjamin Harris and the other partners asked questions, she handled them effortlessly, showcasing her professionalism and confidence.


    After hearing Grace Li''s report, Benjamin Harris turned to Scarlet Harris and asked, ¡°Scar, do you have anything to add about the inhaled drug project that GloryPath Capital mentioned?¡±


    Scarlet Harris smiled confidently and responded smoothly, ¡°After digging into this a bit more, I believe the risks are too high. From an investment standpoint, it''s not worth putting our money into.¡±


    Benjamin Harris nodded, then said, ¡°Tell us why you think so.¡±


    ¡°Well, first off, the technology barrier in the inhaled drug field is really high. It requires a perfect combination of the drug and the device that delivers it. That means the drug has strict requirements for its ingredients, formulation, and other factors, while the device must be highly compatible with the drug. This calls for a really strong R&D team. However, according to the preliminary due diligence report from GloryPath Capital, the project team currently lacks a competitive R&D group and the core technology needed. They plan to build this team after securing funding, which brings significant risks for investors. On top of that, most of the patents for inhaled drug formulations and devices are controlled by major European and American pharmaceutical companies. Even if they manage to build a solid R&D team, it would be incredibly difficult to break through those patents. Just look at a similar project in California last year. Even with a strong team, they still failed because of patent restrictions. That''s a warning for us.¡±


    After hearing Scarlet Harris''s explanation, Benjamin Harris gave a proud smile, clearly impressed by his daughter''s logical analysis. ¡°It seems like this project is too risky for us to get involved in,¡± he said.


    A partner sitting to Benjamin Harris''s left chimed in, ¡°Scar just graduated, but she''s already got such sharp business acumen and can analyze things from multiple angles. Very impressive.¡±


    The other executives nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, when I graduated six months ago, I couldn''t even write a decent industry report without making tons of mistakes.¡±


    Despite the compliments, Scarlet Harris was enjoying the praise inside but still maintained a humble attitude, smiling as she replied, ¡°Oh, come on! I''m just lucky to have such great examples to learn from around here.¡±


    While Benjamin Harris was clearly proud of his daughter, he maintained a stern fatherly demeanor and said in a serious tone, ¡°That''s true. You''ve got a lot to learn still.¡±


    ¡°I''ll work hard, Dad,¡± Scarlet Harris responded obediently.


    Listening to their exchange, Grace Li couldn''t help but chuckle inside. After all, what Scarlet Harris had just said was practically the same information she had shared with her just half an hour ago. But Grace Li didn''t feel the need to expose this. It didn''t threaten her own work, so she thought, ¡°This is a bit shady, but I guess it''s not worth making a big deal out of, as long as it doesn''t affect my work. But I''ll keep an eye on her.¡±


    Benjamin Harris then wrapped up the discussion, ¡°Alright, since this project has so many flaws, I''ll reach out to Mr. Tang at GloryPath Capital and let him know.¡±


    After the meeting, Grace Li walked out of the conference room with Scarlet Harris following closely behind.


    ¡°Grace Li, can I talk to you for a sec?¡± Scarlet Harris called out.


    Grace Li stopped and turned. ¡°What''s up?¡±


    ¡°My dad asked me to check out a theme park project in New Haven. I was wondering if you could lend me someone to come with me.¡±


    Grace Li guessed who she wanted to ask for, but still asked politely, ¡°Who do you want to borrow?¡±


    ¡°Aiden Thompson.¡± Scarlet Harris had already come up with a reason, ¡°It''s about an hour and a half drive from New York to New Haven, and Aiden could drive for me. That way, I can discuss the project with him on the way.¡±


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    Grace Li tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Although she had already anticipated this request, she wasn''t thrilled about the idea. Whether for work reasons or personal feelings, she didn''t really want Aiden to go with Scarlet. But she couldn''t just say no outright, so she replied tactfully, ¡°Well, Aiden''s kind of tied up with this project I gave him. I''m not sure if he''ll have the time, you know?¡±


    ¡°It''s fine. We can go whenever he''s free,¡± Scarlet Harris insisted.


    Grace Li sighed. ¡°I can''t really make that call for him. Why don''t you just ask him directly? If he''s available, I have no problem with it.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I''ll ask him myself,¡± Scarlet Harris said, then walked over to Aiden Thompson''s desk.


    ¡°Mm,¡± Grace Li responded and turned back to her own desk. She couldn''t help but glance at Aiden Thompson and wondered, Will he say yes to her request?


    <hr>


    After lunch with a client in a fancy restaurant in Manhattan, Grace Li didn''t return to the office until 2 PM. When she got back, she noticed Aiden Thompson''s desk was empty, and his computer was turned off.


    Her first thought was that Aiden had gone to New Haven with Scarlet Harris.


    She casually asked Olivia, who was nearby, ¡°Hey, Olivia, did Aiden step out?¡±


    Olivia nodded. ¡°Yeah, he hasn''t been back since this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Did he say what he was up to?¡±


    ¡°Nope, didn''t mention anything.¡±


    Grace Li went back to her desk, took out her phone, and saw that Aiden Thompson had sent her a message.


    Aiden Thompson: Grace Li, I''m out for a bit this afternoon.


    Grace Li instinctively typed: Where to? But then she thought that might sound too direct, and she didn''t want to come across as overly curious. So she deleted it and typed: OK.


    She put her phone down but found it hard to focus on her work after that.


    Grace Li thought to herself, If Aiden agreed to go with Scarlet to New Haven, he probably sees potential in her. In this city, where everyone''s chasing their dreams and personal gains, it''s not unusual for people to be drawn to those with resources. Scarlet''s got money and charm, and honestly, they''d make a good match in a material sense. But what about me? Aiden''s kindness might just be part of his professional demeanor or his general charm. I''ve been overthinking this and letting my emotions mess with my judgment. I''m 30, living in a fast-paced, opportunity-driven country, and I''m acting like some lovesick teenager. I need to snap out of it and focus on what really matters: my own goals and my worth.


    She continued, In American dating culture, people tend to be more open and move quickly. If Aiden is interested in Scarlet, it could get serious really fast. And here I am, hesitating and overthinking. I need to be more assertive and not let this bother me. I have my own life, career, and social circle, and people value me for who I am.


    This is ridiculous.


    Grace Li, you''re 30, get it together! In this fast-paced society that values independence and self-worth, how could you be so caught up in your emotions about a guy?


    ¡°Boss.¡±


    Grace Li snapped out of her thoughts. At some point, Olivia had walked up to her desk. Quickly regaining her composure, Grace asked, ¡°What''s up?¡±


    Olivia held out a stack of freshly printed papers with both hands. ¡°You asked me to do a research report on low-alcohol beverages, right? I''ve finished it. Here''s the printed version.¡±


    Grace took the papers. ¡°Thanks, I''ll take a look.¡±


    She reminded herself not to let her emotions be affected by Aiden Thompson anymore. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and began flipping through the report Olivia had prepared.


    The first working day after New Year''s Day had been packed with a senior management meeting that took up most of the morning. Grace had stayed late to catch up on her tasks.


    By eight o''clock, most of her coworkers had already left the office. Grace often found herself among the last to leave.


    At half past eight, the office was quiet. Grace''s workstation was by the window, and when she turned her head slightly, she could see the dazzling lights outside. The most vibrant part of New York''s CBD stretched out before her eyes.


    Every time she saw this view, she felt how small she was¡ªjust a tiny part of these towering concrete buildings.


    ¡°You''re still here, as expected.¡±


    A voice came from the doorway. Grace turned her head.


    Aiden Thompson, clad in a black suit, stood in the office. He carried a briefcase in one hand and a small paper bag in the other.


    Grace forced a smile. ¡°Wow, you''re back super late. Rough day?¡±


    Aiden shrugged. ¡°Missed the 7 o''clock PATH train, so I had to catch the next one. What a bummer.¡±


    Grace blinked in surprise. ¡°PATH? Where were you headed?¡±


    ¡°Jersey City.¡± Aiden, noticing her confusion, spread his hands and explained. ¡°The project you asked me to follow up on is near the PATH station there. It''s a quick commute, so I figured the train was the best option.¡±


    Grace nodded, finally recalling the project she had assigned him. If he''d been in Jersey City this afternoon, it meant he hadn''t gone to New Haven with Scarlet Harris.


    For reasons she couldn''t quite name, her mood lightened.


    Aiden gestured to the paper bag. ¡°Hey, I brought some food. Hungry?¡±


    Grace walked over and took the bag. Inside was a small box containing a slice of cheesecake.


    ¡°What''s this?¡± she asked, intrigued.


    ¡°New York-style cheesecake,¡± Aiden replied. ¡°I saw it at a bakery near the station and thought it looked too good to pass up.¡±


    Grace opened the box, and the rich smell of cream cheese wafted out. She loved cheesecake. ¡°No way! You know I''m a sucker for cheesecake. What made you think of getting this?¡±


    Aiden grinned. ¡°I was swamped with research until way too late. Didn''t have time to eat, so I grabbed some snacks. And I remembered you raving about cheesecake once, so¡­¡±


    Grace took a bite, the creamy texture melting in her mouth. ¡°Oh my gosh, this is amazing. You''ve got great taste.¡±


    Aiden watched her eat with satisfaction. ¡°Keep it. It''s all yours.¡±


    Grace looked at him, surprised. ¡°You sure? You haven''t eaten yet, right?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I grabbed a sandwich on the train. This was for you. Consider it a little pick-me-up after a long day.¡±


    Grace''s eyes softened. ¡°Really? That''s so thoughtful of you. I''m really touched.¡±


    She said ¡°Thank you¡± quietly, a soft smile on her lips, trying hard to hide just how much this small gesture meant to her.

 Chapter 33

    For Grace Li, January remained synonymous with busyness. While most companies wrapped up their fiscal year in December, her firm''s unique business rhythm meant that numerous projects had to close by January''s end. It left her working late into the evenings, often until 10 PM, before finally heading home.


    Weekends were no less hectic. With her current lease ending at the end of January, Grace was racing against time to set up her new apartment. The place came with a modern finish, so she decided to keep the hard furnishings intact and focus on decorating with her own touch.


    On the first weekend of the new year, Grace dragged her friend Isabella Hsueh to a large home decor market in Brooklyn. They spent the morning picking out curtains, rugs, and other soft furnishings. In the afternoon, a delivery service brought the furniture to her new place. After hours of arranging and cleaning, the apartment began to exude a sense of warmth and comfort. For appliances, Grace opted to order them online, scheduling delivery and installation for the following Saturday. If everything stayed on track, she could move in two weekends later.


    <hr>


    By Wednesday afternoon, Grace had scheduled a dinner meeting with Matthew White, one of her most significant clients. At 6:30 PM, she left the office to meet him.


    Matthew White was no ordinary client. At just 35, he had made a name for himself as the founder of a self-heating instant food company. Two years ago, his products had taken the U.S. market by storm, and he capitalized on the trend to generate substantial profits. Grace had helped him secure funding to expand his production lines, and in return, he became a limited partner (LP) at Nova Capital.


    While Matthew wasn''t the largest LP in Nova Capital, he was one of Grace''s most trusted collaborators. They met every couple of months, sometimes to discuss his company''s growth, other times for Grace to update him on investment performance.


    Their meeting place this time was a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant in Manhattan. Grace, as always, arrived ten minutes early, only to find Matthew already waiting for her.


    ¡°Mr. White, I''m so sorry to keep you waiting,¡± she greeted him with a polite smile.


    Matthew stood and waved off her apology. ¡°Not at all. I just got here myself. Please, have a seat.¡±


    As they settled in, Matthew poured her a cup of tea and asked, ¡°How''s everything going? Is January treating you well?¡±


    Grace took the cup, nodding slightly. ¡°It''s been non-stop. I''m swamped with end-of-month project closures, but I''m managing.¡±


    Matthew smiled knowingly. ¡°I can imagine. January can be a tough start for many. But you seem to be handling it well.¡±


    He handed her the menu, enthusiastically recommending dishes. ¡°The roast suckling pig here is incredible¡ªcrispy skin, tender meat. And their typhoon shelter crab? Unbelievably fragrant with garlic. You have to try it.¡±


    Grace chuckled. ¡°Sounds amazing. But I''m also curious about their rice rolls. Shall we order some of those too?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Matthew laughed. ¡°Let''s get it all.¡±


    <hr>


    As they waited for their food, Grace noticed a man and woman entering the restaurant. The woman appeared to be in her late twenties, her black hair elegantly pinned up. She wore a powder-blue wool coat, accessorized with diamond earrings and a Louis Vuitton handbag, exuding an air of sophistication.


    The man, however, was someone Grace recognized instantly¡ªAiden Thompson.


    The pair chose a table by the window. Aiden pulled out a chair for the woman before seating himself across from her.


    Grace''s heart sank. She wasn''t sure why she felt so uneasy. In a city like New York, where relationships were fluid and social norms were relaxed, she knew she shouldn''t care. Yet, seeing Aiden with another woman felt like a cold wind piercing through her coat on a freezing winter day.


    ¡°Grace?¡±


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    Matthew''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly offered an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry, I got distracted for a moment.¡±


    Matthew didn''t press further and instead said, ¡°I''ve been wrestling with a tough decision lately. I''d value your input.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Grace said, refocusing. ¡°What''s on your mind?¡±


    Matthew leaned back, his expression thoughtful. ¡°The buzz around self-heating instant food has cooled compared to two years ago. I''m worried about long-term growth. I''m torn between two strategies: expanding our instant food line to include non-heating products or entering the ready-to-cook meal market, targeting restaurants and grocery delivery platforms.¡±


    Grace listened intently, setting aside thoughts of Aiden and the woman. After a moment, she responded, ¡°Given the stringent FDA regulations in the U.S., both options require meticulous planning. For ready-to-cook meals, cold chain logistics are critical¡ªnot just for freshness but to meet safety standards. The upfront costs for compliance can be significant.


    ¡°Expanding the instant food line might be more cost-effective since it leverages your existing production and sales channels. However, the ready-to-cook market has been booming, and investors are optimistic about its potential. If you''re willing to invest heavily in the foundation, the long-term returns could be substantial.¡±


    Matthew nodded, visibly impressed. ¡°Your insights are spot on. If you were in my shoes, which route would you take?¡±


    Grace smiled, sipping her tea. ¡°As a venture capitalist, I''d probably lean toward the option with higher long-term potential.¡±


    ¡°That makes total sense,¡± Matthew agreed.


    <hr>


    After an hour of lively discussion, their dinner was far from over, but Aiden and the woman finished their meal. Grace watched as the woman handed Aiden a deep-blue gift box. He opened it to reveal a watch.


    Grace''s heart tightened. Was this woman Aiden''s new partner?


    When their meeting finally ended, Grace returned home by 9 PM¡ªan unusually early night for her. She sank into her couch, replaying the evening in her mind. Aiden''s actions, once special to her, now seemed routine.


    Her phone buzzed. It was her mother, Huiyun Liang.


    ¡°Grace, are you home from work?¡±


    ¡°Yes, just got back,¡± Grace replied.


    Her mother''s voice carried a hint of excitement. ¡°Your aunt told me about a great guy she wants to introduce you to. He''s a doctor at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, just like your cousin. Tall, well-educated, and very polite.¡±


    Grace sighed. ¡°Mom, I''m swamped. I don''t have time for blind dates.¡±


    ¡°Grace, this one''s different. Your aunt says he''s reliable and well-mannered. She even sent me a photo.¡±


    After some back and forth, Grace reluctantly agreed to meet the man over the weekend. Perhaps, she thought, it was time to move on from Aiden and focus on new possibilities.


    Ryan lit up the office group chat like a firecracker on Friday night.


    Ryan: Yo, everyone! Tomorrow''s the big day. My buddy''s got this killer camp-side caf¨¦ just outside the city. Epic grilling, cold drinks, and the whole vibe. Be there at 3 PM sharp, and guess what? It''s all on me, suckers!


    Immediately, Ryan unleashed a barrage of photos from the caf¨¦. Olivia, Mike, and others jumped into the chat, buzzing with excitement and tossing out plans for carpooling and outfit choices.


    Grace Li glanced at the notifications and decided to send Ryan a private message.


    Grace Li: Hey, Ryan, happy early birthday! I might have to miss it tomorrow¡ªI''ve got plans already.


    Ryan: No way! What could be more important than celebrating with me? Don''t tell me it''s your Mr. Right?


    Grace Li: You''re way more important, of course. But I''ve already committed. Gotta stick to my word.


    Ryan: Wait¡­ is this a date? Like¡­ an actual date?


    Grace stared at his reply, her emotions suddenly all over the place. How did he guess so easily?


    Ryan: OMG, it is! Hahahahahaha.


    Grace Li: [Crying-face emoji] Mind your own business, kid. Go to bed early.


    Ryan: Good luck, boss!


    <hr>


    At 7 AM the next day, Grace was already at her new apartment. She spent the morning cleaning and organizing as deliveries from her online orders began rolling in.


    By 8:30 AM, Isabella Hsueh showed up to help. Over the past two weekends, Isabella had been Grace''s go-to partner for getting the new place in shape.


    The first batch of deliveries included kitchen appliances. Together, they wrestled a refrigerator out of its packaging and into place, huffing and puffing with the effort. Next came smaller items like a rice cooker and microwave¡ªstill plenty of heavy lifting.


    By noon, they were exhausted. They ordered takeout and sat down at Grace''s new dining table to eat.


    Isabella dug into her shrimp dish and asked, ¡°So, if you''re going on a date, what about that cute guy you''ve been eyeing?¡±


    Grace sighed. ¡°It''s not about that.¡±


    Isabella pressed. ¡°Then what is it?¡±


    ¡°We''re not going anywhere,¡± Grace said, recalling what she''d seen earlier that week. ¡°And the other day, I saw him having dinner with some wealthy-looking woman. She even gave him a gift.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, sounds like he''s stringing you along while cozying up to someone else. Classic player move.¡±


    ¡°I don''t know if he''s a player, but he''s definitely not someone I should be thinking about,¡± Grace said. ¡°This new guy from the setup seems decent. I figure I''ll meet him and see how it goes.¡±


    ¡°And if he''s a good match, you''ll cut ties with the cute guy?¡±


    ¡°There''s nothing to cut. We''ve always kept it strictly professional.¡±


    Isabella gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°If all my clients were as level-headed as you, I''d sleep a lot better at night.¡±


    Grace chuckled. ¡°Which is probably why I''ll never be one of your clients.¡±


    Isabella grinned. ¡°Exactly! If you were, I''d have to give you free advice, and that''d be a terrible deal for me.¡±

 Chapter 34

    Ryan''s friend''s campsite caf¨¦ is located on the outskirts of West New York City. By 3 PM, people began showing up one by one.


    The caf¨¦ didn''t just serve coffee; it also offered a variety of snacks. Since it was Ryan''s birthday, the caf¨¦ manager had specially made a birthday cake for him and even brought out a BBQ grill.


    Ryan and Peter were the first to arrive, busy getting the fire going for the BBQ. Olivia checked the time. It was 3:15 PM. ¡°Hey, where''s the boss and Aiden? They''re still not here?¡±


    Ryan shrugged. ¡°The boss has something to take care of today, so she can''t make it. Aiden''s probably running late.¡±


    ¡°Wait, the boss isn''t coming?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she told me last night.¡±


    Aiden Thompson didn''t show up until 3:30 PM. He lived pretty far from here, and it took him over an hour by taxi.


    The caf¨¦ was set up outdoors on a grassy field, with each table covered by a canopy, giving off a relaxed camping vibe.


    Aiden Thompson showed up in a casual suit, and as soon as he appeared, a few women customers couldn''t help but notice him.


    Mike asked, ¡°Aiden, why so late?¡±


    Aiden just replied with a casual shrug, ¡°Left late.¡±


    Olivia passed over a plate of grilled chicken wings with a smile. ¡°Aiden, you gotta try my wings.¡±


    ¡°No thanks, I''m good.¡±


    Olivia raised an eyebrow, ¡°You don''t like wings? What do you like? I can grill whatever you want.¡±


    Aiden shook his head, ¡°No need. I''m not really into BBQ.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±


    Aiden glanced around the group, but didn''t see Grace Li. He made his way over and sat down on a folding chair. It wasn''t very high, so his long legs had to bend awkwardly. Ryan waved him over, ¡°Aiden, I''ve got the food covered. Grab a drink and order what you want through the menu.¡±


    Aiden scanned the menu and ordered a coffee.


    Everyone else was busy with the BBQ or enjoying their drinks, the atmosphere relaxed and casual.


    After everyone ate and hung out for a while, Ryan suggested playing a game of frisbee. The group ran around the field, laughing, enjoying a typical lazy weekend afternoon.


    Aiden stayed seated on his chair, casually taking in the scene around him.


    About ten minutes later, a caf¨¦ worker brought over Aiden''s coffee. He took a sip, then checked his watch. He still hadn''t seen Grace Li, so he thought maybe she was running late or had just gone to another part of the caf¨¦.


    But after another fifteen minutes, she still hadn''t shown up. Something didn''t feel right. Was she really not coming?


    Aiden took another sip of his coffee just as Ryan walked by, grabbing a macaron.


    Aiden glanced up and asked, ¡°Grace Li not coming?¡±


    Ryan''s cheeks were puffed up with the macaron, and he chewed as he replied, ¡°Nah, the boss has some big life stuff to deal with today, so she can''t make it.¡±


    Aiden frowned. ¡°Big life stuff? What''s that?¡±


    Mike, overhearing, chimed in, ¡°Big life stuff? It''s probably either a wedding or an arranged date. She''s still single, so my money''s on a date.¡±


    Ryan grinned and added, ¡°Hey, I never said the boss was on a date. That wasn''t me. If she asks tomorrow, don''t go telling her I said anything.¡±


    Ryan smirked, ¡°So, does this mean she''s really going on a date?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know. She didn''t say anything. Just guessing.¡±


    Aiden''s brows furrowed even more. Grace Li going on a date?


    Olivia, hands on her hips, rolled her eyes. ¡°Seriously, you guys are annoying. So what if she''s going on a date? You''ve never had your parents try to set you up?¡±


    Ryan kicked back, showing off with a smug grin. ¡°Since high school, I''ve always had a girlfriend. I don''t even know what ¡®arranged dates'' are.¡±


    As soon as he finished, someone shouted, ¡°Shut up and take a hit!¡±


    A group of guys immediately surrounded Ryan, playfully shoving him.


    Aiden pulled out his phone and sent Grace Li a text message:


    Aiden Thompson: Where are you?


    He waited ten minutes with no reply. Getting a little impatient, he stood up and walked a few yards away, dialing Grace Li''s number. After a few rings, she finally picked up.


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    ¡°Hello? Aiden, what''s up?¡±


    Aiden kept his tone calm, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I''m at home. Why?¡±


    ¡°You said last time I could come over for dinner. Is tonight good?¡±


    Grace Li paused for a second, then replied, ¡°Sorry, can''t tonight. I''ve been busy setting up my new place all day.¡±


    ¡°Need some free labor?¡± Aiden offered.


    She chuckled, ¡°Isabella Hsueh is helping me out. We''re almost done.¡±


    ¡°Alright, no worries.¡±


    **


    Grace Li hung up the phone and glanced at the time¡ªit was already 4 PM. She had a dinner date with her match at 7 PM and planned to head home at 5, take a shower, and change before the dinner.


    She wasn''t entirely sure about this blind date. Maybe it was because she didn''t want to let her aunt down, maybe the guy seemed decent enough, or maybe she just needed a distraction from Aiden Thompson.


    When she got home, Grace Li took a quick shower, washed her hair, and put on her usual outfit. She wasn''t planning to dress up for the date¡ªjust going with her usual style.


    At 6:30, she headed out the door, right on time.


    They were meeting at a fusion restaurant. Her date was already there when she arrived. They had exchanged photos beforehand, so he recognized her immediately.


    "Are you Grace Li?" he asked with a friendly smile.


    Grace Li smiled back, ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    "Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.


    Grace Li sat down and quickly assessed her date. He looked a lot like his photo, but instead of the white lab coat she''d expected, he wore a casual jacket.


    His name was Ting Wang, a colleague of her cousin''s, two years older than her. He wore glasses and had a soft smile, which gave off a pleasant vibe. Grace Li could tell he was satisfied with the match as well.


    Ting Wang handed her a menu. ¡°Ms. Li, would you like to order first?¡±


    Grace Li didn''t hesitate to take the menu. Ting Wang enthusiastically recommended, ¡°The steak here is amazing¡ªperfectly cooked, tender and juicy. And the signature salad is fresh and crisp. Want to try it?¡±


    Grace Li responded, ¡°Sounds delicious, but I''m a huge fan of their pasta. How about we each get something and share?¡±


    Ting Wang agreed and ordered the steak and salad. After confirming the order with the waiter, he turned back to Grace Li. ¡°I heard you''re in the investment field?¡±


    Grace Li nodded, ¡°Yes, that''s right.¡±


    Ting Wang continued, ¡°I''ve been dabbling in stocks with some of my colleagues lately. I''m not very good at it though. I''ve already lost about 10% of what I invested in the past few months.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, ¡°A lot of people are into tech stocks right now. They''re volatile, but they have huge potential. Have you looked into any emerging tech companies?¡±


    Ting Wang, being in the medical field, wasn''t familiar with financial jargon. ¡°Tech stocks? Can you explain a bit more?¡±


    Grace Li patiently explained, ¡°For example, companies in artificial intelligence or biotech, like Nvidia. Their stock has skyrocketed with the AI boom.¡±


    Ting Wang nodded, a bit embarrassed. ¡°I see. I''m still pretty new to this. But I''m really interested in learning more. Hopefully, we can find some common ground in the future.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, ¡°No problem. If you want to talk about medical stuff, I''d be just as lost.¡±


    Ting Wang switched topics. ¡°So, what do you like to do in your free time?¡±


    Grace Li thought for a moment. ¡°Honestly, I don''t have any particular hobbies. My job keeps me busy, and I rarely finish work on time during the week.¡±


    Ting Wang smiled sympathetically. ¡°I get that. Some days, when there are a lot of patients, we have to work non-stop for hours.¡±


    He then asked, ¡°Is there anything you particularly like to eat?¡±


    Grace Li thought for a second, ¡°There''s quite a lot I like. I''m not picky.¡±


    ¡°Same here,¡± Ting Wang said. ¡°I''m not picky either.¡±


    Grace Li kept smiling. He seemed like a decent guy, someone who could be good for a long-term relationship. Logically, she should be more interested or at least feel something. But she felt completely calm. He wasn''t stirring anything inside her.


    As the food was served, Grace Li ate slowly while Ting Wang continued trying to engage her in conversation. He asked about her college major, where she graduated from, and other typical first-date questions. She answered him politely.


    ¡°By the way, your aunt told me you bought a house in New York,¡± he said.


    Grace Li nodded, ¡°Yeah, that''s right.¡±


    Ting Wang said, ¡°It''s really impressive for a woman to buy a house in New York on her own.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Grace Li replied.


    Ting Wang continued, ¡°I''m also planning to buy a house. I''m almost done saving for the down payment. If I become an attending physician in a couple of years, my income should go up, and I''ll be able to afford the mortgage.¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡±


    Ting Wang added, ¡°If things work out between us, you don''t have to worry. I won''t try to take over your house. Also, my parents have a place in New York, so they won''t be living with us.¡±


    Grace Li thought he was being upfront, but she only half-believed him. After all, this was their first meeting.


    ¡°We can talk about that later,¡± she said, ¡°It''s something to think about for the future.¡±


    Ting Wang looked a little embarrassed. ¡°Sorry. I''m not great at this.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay,¡± Grace Li said. ¡°I''ve actually enjoyed talking to you. You''re much better at communicating than a lot of guys.¡±


    Ting Wang smiled shyly, ¡°That''s good. At least I haven''t annoyed you.¡±


    He then asked, ¡°Is there anything you want to ask me?¡±


    Grace Li paused. They were still getting to know each other, so there should''ve been some questions. But she couldn''t think of anything. ¡°I don''t have any questions for now. Why don''t you ask me something else?¡±


    Ting Wang leaned in slightly. ¡°Okay, let me ask one more. My current salary is about $300,000 a year. But your aunt told me you make $700,000 to $800,000 a year. So, I earn less than you. Would you mind dating someone with a lower income?¡±


    Grace Li was taken aback by the question. She thought for a moment before responding. ¡°To be honest, I don''t care about income that much. People always ask women if they''d mind if a man earns less. But I think the bigger question is for men¡ªwhether they can truly accept a woman who earns more.¡±


    Ting Wang nodded. ¡°I agree with you. It''s not just about women accepting it. Men need to do more mental prep for it. Men''s egos can be more fragile. If they feel inferior because a woman makes more, it could lead to tension. But for me, I''m confident in myself. I don''t think I''d mind too much.¡±


    Just then, a cold voice interrupted. ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    Grace Li turned her head, shocked to see Aiden Thompson standing right next to them.


    ¡°Aiden, what are you doing here?¡± she asked, confused.


    ¡°I''ll explain later,¡± Aiden said, looking directly at Grace Li.


    Ting Wang, visibly surprised by the sudden appearance of this handsome man, asked, ¡°Who''s this?¡±


    Before Grace Li could respond, Aiden Thompson stepped forward and looked directly at her. ¡°Grace, I''ve been looking for you. I can''t let you go through with this date. I like you, and I''ve liked you for a long time.¡±


    Grace Li froze. Aiden Thompson was declaring his feelings for her? What was going on?


    Ting Wang''s eyes widened. He quickly regained his composure. ¡°Hey, man, hold on. We''re in the middle of a date here. You owe us an explanation.¡±


    Aiden Thompson grabbed Grace Li''s hand, his grip firm. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Grace Li glanced at Ting Wang, who looked completely bewildered. Before Aiden could pull her away, she mouthed an apology to him.


    The other customers in the restaurant were now whispering and staring at the dramatic scene unfolding before them.


    Grace Li''s mind went blank. Everything was happening so fast.

 Chapter 35

    Aiden Thompson held Grace Li''s hand as they walked out of the restaurant. This time, it wasn''t just a grip around her wrist¡ªhis fingers naturally intertwined with hers, a touch full of sweetness and intimacy. The warmth from his palm sent a jolt through her hand, and Grace Li''s heart raced as if it might burst from her chest.


    Outside the restaurant, there was a charming old street lined with retro-style buildings. Purple jacaranda trees dotted the sidewalks, their blooms still bright despite the late hour. The streetlights cast a warm, golden glow, filling the space with a peaceful, almost magical vibe. Most of the shops were already closed, and only a few people strolled lazily down the street, adding to the quiet atmosphere.


    "Aiden," Grace Li finally spoke up, her voice a little shaky. "Where are we headed?"


    Aiden stopped and turned to face her, his expression soft, yet his grip on her hand didn''t loosen. Grace Li instinctively tried to pull away, but Aiden seemed to sense it and tightened his hold, not letting go. She sighed and gave up on trying to escape, then asked, "Didn''t you have Ryan''s birthday party to go to?"


    "I did," Aiden said quietly. "But when I got there and saw you weren''t around, I left early."


    The way they stood¡ªso close to each other, so intimate¡ªmade the air between them feel heavy with tension.


    "How did you know I''d be here?" Grace Li asked, still confused.


    "I asked Isabella Hsueh."


    Grace Li paused. She remembered meeting Isabella on New Year''s Day. Curious, she asked, ¡°When did you and Isabella get so close?¡±


    ¡°We exchanged business cards last time we met,¡± Aiden explained casually. ¡°We might not have much work overlap, but I thought it couldn''t hurt to stay in touch. Plus, she''s your friend.¡±


    Grace Li hadn''t expected Isabella to spill the beans about her whereabouts, but she didn''t have time to dwell on that now.


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Were you on a blind date just now?"


    Grace Li flushed at how blunt he was. ¡°Yeah," she admitted, her voice a little embarrassed. "I was."


    Aiden smiled, clearly amused. ¡°So, I didn''t interrupt anything serious, right?¡±


    Grace Li smirked back. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Aiden shrugged, his grin widening. "I don''t think it was anything serious. You didn''t seem all that into the guy."


    Grace Li''s heart skipped a beat. He was right, of course, but she quickly defended her date. ¡°He''s actually a good guy.¡±


    Aiden pressed on, unrelenting. "What about me? How do I compare to him?"


    Grace Li hesitated, her mind racing. She wasn''t sure how to answer. ¡°Well, uh... every person has their strengths and weaknesses. It''s not really a fair comparison.¡±


    Aiden wasn''t done though. "No comparisons, huh? Alright then, just tell me about me."


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    Grace Li''s mind immediately filled with countless things she could say about him. She didn''t even think before answering. ¡°You''re... really great. You''re impressive.¡±


    Aiden grinned wider. ¡°So, how about making me your boyfriend?¡±


    Grace Li froze. Her heart pounded in her chest. The question hit her like a ton of bricks. Everything was happening so fast, her thoughts scrambled. Could it be? The guy she had been thinking about for months was actually asking her out? But then a wild thought crossed her mind¡ªwas this some kind of arrangement? Was he just looking for her to take care of him?


    Internally, Grace Li had imagined this moment in many different ways¡ªwhether it was a real relationship or something with strings attached¡ªbut now that it was happening, she felt paralyzed. She had always been the decisive type, but now she realized how unsure she was. She wasn''t ready to jump in just like that.


    "Aiden Thompson, I..." Grace Li stammered, "I don''t think this is the right time."


    ¡°Why isn''t it the right time?¡± Aiden asked, his voice gentle but persistent.


    Grace Li thought fast. ¡°When I was in elementary school, you were probably still in diapers.¡±


    Aiden blinked, caught off guard. After a pause, he asked, ¡°Does the age difference really bother you that much?¡±


    Grace Li shot back, ¡°Don''t you mind?¡±


    Aiden''s eyes softened. ¡°Of course not. I mean, the average life expectancy for women in the U.S. is about 79 years, and for men, it''s 73. That''s over a five-year difference. Our age gap is basically nothing. We might not have been born in the same year, but we''ll probably live our lives out at the same time. That''s a whole lifetime together.¡±


    Grace Li felt her cheeks burn as she lowered her head, glancing at their still-joined hands. Aiden''s words caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn''t know how to respond. Her heart raced, and her mind scrambled to process everything.


    She had never been in a serious relationship. In the past, when people confessed to her, she usually shut them down right away. But with Aiden, it felt different. Over the past few months, she had found herself thinking about him all the time.


    ¡°So, have you said that to anyone else?¡± she asked, a little hesitant but curious.


    Aiden smiled gently. ¡°Only to you, Grace Li.¡±


    Grace Li felt a pang in her chest. ¡°What about... that rich woman you''ve been hanging around with?¡±


    Aiden smiled, a little teasing. ¡°No one serious. But if you say yes, then I''ve got no one else but you.¡±


    Grace Li''s hand, already sweaty, tightened around his again. ¡°Aiden Thompson, I''m... I''m really confused right now. I''m scared I''ll make the wrong choice.¡±


    Aiden paused, his expression turning more serious. ¡°Grace Li, no matter what you decide, we can''t go back to the way things were. After tonight, things won''t be the same.¡±


    Grace Li''s breath caught. She looked up at him, not sure how to react.


    ¡°Don''t worry,¡± Aiden added softly. ¡°I''m not quitting my job. But if you say yes, we''re taking this to the next level. If you say no... well, can you really act like nothing''s changed after that?¡±


    Grace Li''s mind spun. She''d been feeling this tension between them for months, but neither of them had said anything. They''d kept pretending everything was fine, but now the truth was out in the open. There was no going back.


    She took a deep breath, and then slowly, she let go of his hand, the warmth fading instantly. But as soon as she did, something inside her made her reach for his hand again, instinctively.


    Aiden felt her response, and without a word, he pulled her into his arms. Grace Li''s cheek rested against his chest, and she let herself relax in his embrace, feeling safe and secure. The warmth of his body was more comforting than she''d ever imagined.


    She had never realized how much she longed for this feeling, how right it felt to be this close to someone. It was like everything she was unsure about melted away in his arms.


    ¡°Aiden Thompson,¡± she whispered, her voice small, ¡°I''m scared.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Aiden murmured softly. ¡°I can tell.¡±


    ¡°Am I shaking?¡± she asked, half-laughing.


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Yeah, but you''re not the only one.¡±


    Grace Li could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong beneath her ear. It was like they were in sync, both of them feeling the same emotions. For the first time in her life, Grace Li wasn''t so sure of everything... but somehow, that was okay.


    After a moment, Aiden whispered, ¡°Grace Li, have you made up your mind?¡±


    She took a deep breath, then finally said, ¡°I think... I think we''re already in this together. Let''s call it an adventure.¡±


    She gave him a small, nervous smile, and wrapped her arms around his waist. ¡°Let''s see where this takes us.¡±

 Chapter 36

    Aiden Thompson followed Grace Li back to her apartment. It was almost 9 PM by now, but Grace didn''t waste any time. She walked straight into the kitchen to make some noodles.


    The kitchen in Grace''s apartment was small but well-equipped, with a stainless-steel stove and a rack of pots and pans hanging neatly above. As she turned on the gas and began boiling water in a saucepan, the sound of the flame whooshing filled the room.


    She noticed a hot gaze on her from behind. Turning around, she saw Aiden Thompson leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, staring at her with soft, affectionate eyes.


    Grace couldn''t help but smile to herself. Is this guy starving or something? ¡°You go sit in the living room. I''ll have the noodles ready in ten minutes.¡±


    Aiden grinned and replied in a teasing voice, ¡°But what can I do? I''m super clingy right now. Can''t stand being more than three feet away from my girlfriend.¡± His eyes were full of affection.


    Hearing the word girlfriend made Grace''s heart skip a beat. Her pulse quickened, and her smile widened. ¡°You''re distracting me. I''m gonna mess up the noodles if you keep staring at me.¡±


    ¡°I don''t mind if the noodles aren''t perfect,¡± Aiden said with a grin.


    Grace laughed softly and went back to cooking. Her hands were still a little shaky, and she felt herself buzzing with excitement. She had always thought she was calm and collected, especially at 30, but when it came to the guy she liked, she couldn''t help but feel all jittery and nervous. She wasn''t sure how long this would last, but she was pretty sure she wouldn''t be able to sleep tonight.


    Worried that he might still be hungry, Grace added two eggs to the noodles, then tossed in some hot dogs and seaweed. She hadn''t eaten much at the restaurant either, so she served herself a small bowl as well.


    Thankfully, the noodles turned out pretty well. Her nerves didn''t ruin them after all.


    They sat across from each other at the small kitchen table, quietly eating their noodles. Even though neither of them spoke, there was a quiet sweetness in the air, like there were pink bubbles floating around them, making everything feel light and happy.


    Aiden broke the silence, asking, ¡°What are you up to tomorrow?¡±


    Grace looked up from her bowl. ¡°I''m moving next weekend, so I still have a ton to do to get the new place ready.¡±


    Aiden leaned back in his chair with a smirk. ¡°Well, how about I be your free labor? You should definitely consider it.¡±


    Grace didn''t hesitate. ¡°Free help? I''d be crazy to say no.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°And on moving day, I''ll be your free mover. I''m down for some heavy lifting.¡±


    Grace raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sounds good. Wow, having a boyfriend actually saves me some cash,¡± she said, throwing in the word boyfriend back at him for fun.


    Aiden laughed. ¡°Well, having a boyfriend comes with its own costs, you know.¡±


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    Grace''s heart skipped again. Is he about to talk about money? But then she reminded herself that Aiden was a great guy, and it wouldn''t be realistic to think he wasn''t looking for something in return. She braced herself. ¡°Like what?¡±


    Aiden looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes. ¡°Well, for starters, I''m probably going to crash at your place for meals a lot. So, you''ll need to spend a little more on groceries.¡±


    Grace let out a breath of relief. Phew, it''s just about food¡­ ¡°Just that?¡±


    ¡°Yep, just that.¡±


    Grace smiled. ¡°You can come over anytime. I''ve got enough to feed you, even if it''s every day.¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry about making fancy meals. Noodles like these are more than enough to make me happy.¡±


    ¡°Are you that easy to please?¡±


    ¡°Only because you make them taste so good.¡±


    Grace looked over and saw him almost finishing his noodles, feeling a warm sense of contentment. Suddenly, she remembered something. ¡°Oh, by the way, there''s one more thing.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°In a lot of American companies, office romances are a big deal,¡± she said, her voice turning more serious. ¡°It''s not just about distractions, but also about favoritism. Since you''re in a mid-management role, we need to be careful. If anyone finds out, it could put both our jobs at risk. So, we need to keep our relationship quiet at work.¡±


    Aiden nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You''re right. We can''t take any chances. So, how should we handle things at work?¡±


    ¡°At the office, we''ll just be regular coworkers, like we always were,¡± Grace said, her tone firm. ¡°But when we''re alone, outside of work, we''ll be¡­¡±


    She trailed off, unsure of how to finish. Aiden raised an eyebrow and teased, ¡°We''ll be what?¡±


    ¡°Good friends,¡± she said with a grin.


    Aiden burst into laughter. ¡°¡®Lovers'' too hard to say? Is it burning your tongue?¡±


    Grace couldn''t help but laugh along. ¡°I''m just not used to it yet.¡±


    Aiden Thompson stayed at Grace Li''s place until 10 PM. Before he left, they agreed that Aiden would come over to help her get settled in her new apartment at 8 AM the next day.


    Once Aiden left, Grace finally had a chance to check her phone, and she saw that Isabella Hsueh had sent her a ton of messages.


    Isabella Hsueh: How''d it go? What''s the verdict on the blind date?


    Isabella Hsueh: Someone actually called me today asking where you were. Guess who?


    Isabella Hsueh: Why are you ignoring my messages? Darling, are you ditching your friends for a guy?


    Isabella Hsueh: [Marmot scream.gif]


    Grace looked at these messages and couldn''t help but feel a little helpless.


    Grace Li: So, you admit it¡ªyou sold me out, huh?


    Isabella immediately called her, and Grace picked up quickly.


    Isabella Hsueh: So, how was it?


    Grace Li: How was what?


    Isabella Hsueh: Don''t play dumb, did the cute guy come find you?


    Grace Li: Yep.


    Isabella Hsueh: And then?


    Grace sat cross-legged on the couch, thinking about everything that had happened that night. After Aiden left, she still felt like it wasn''t quite real.


    Grace Li: ¡°Then, I guess... maybe... I have a boyfriend now.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh: What do you mean maybe? What''s that supposed to mean? You''re killing me here.


    Grace Li: What''s the big hurry? (laughs) ¡°Why are you so worked up?¡±


    Isabella Hsueh: My best friend is 30 and still hasn''t had a boyfriend! You expect me not to be freaking out?


    Grace couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Grace Li: ¡°Well, technically, I got one before I turned 30.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh: So, you confirmed it, right?


    Grace Li: Yep.


    Isabella Hsueh: Congratulations!!! So when are you treating me to a meal for being your personal matchmaker?


    Grace Li: Tomorrow.


    Isabella had originally planned to help Grace with her move the next day, but since Grace and Aiden had just made things official, she figured they''d probably want some alone time. So she asked,


    Isabella Hsueh: So, is the cute guy still coming to your new place tomorrow?


    Grace Li: Yep, he said he''s gonna be free labor.


    Isabella Hsueh: Well, then I''ll skip out. I''ve already played the third wheel once or twice. As for that big meal, I''m writing it down in my book.


    Grace Li: Sounds good.

 Chapter 37

    Grace Li had to admit that having some free help around the house made things go much faster. Aiden Thompson had finished assembling the cabinets she bought online, and at this rate, she''d be able to move in by next weekend.


    Lately, Grace''s sleep schedule had been way off. She didn''t fall asleep until 1 or 2 a.m. and was up before 6 a.m. It was kind of like the effect of drinking coffee late at night¡ªlove was doing the same thing. The dopamine and adrenaline it stirred up kept her central nervous system hyped, leaving her in a state of happy excitement.


    Grace Li grabbed a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of orange juice for breakfast, ready to head to work, when her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and saw a message from Aiden Thompson.


    Aiden Thompson: What kind of coffee do you want? Grace Li replied: Latte.


    She put her phone away and grabbed her bag before heading out the door.


    She parked in the company''s underground garage and took the elevator from the basement to the ground floor. When the elevator doors opened, she found a few colleagues waiting, including Aiden Thompson. He was holding a brown paper bag in his right hand, with his left hand casually tucked in his pocket, looking like a standout among the well-dressed crowd.


    Having such a handsome boyfriend still felt a bit like a dream to Grace Li.


    Aiden Thompson stepped into the elevator and stood next to her, flashing a smile. ¡°Morning.¡±


    Grace Li, out of habit, glanced around at the other people in the elevator. Seeing no one she knew, she smiled back. ¡°Morning.¡± Just then, one of her colleagues casually chimed in, ¡°Early birds catch the worm, ain''t that right?¡± making the atmosphere a bit more relaxed.


    Aiden Thompson stood next to her as they both faced the mirrored elevator doors. When Grace Li looked at the reflection, she locked eyes with Aiden Thompson for a second. She froze, feeling a little flustered, then quickly looked away to cover it up.


    When the elevator reached their floor, Aiden Thompson followed her into the office. The entire way, they didn''t say a word to each other.


    Once they entered the office, Aiden Thompson placed the bag of coffee on Grace Li''s desk and asked, ¡°You look a little off today. Did you not sleep well?¡±


    Grace Li felt a bit uneasy. If he found out that she''d been losing sleep from excitement, it would be embarrassing. ¡°I''m fine. Probably just tired from all the moving stuff around.¡±


    ¡°Really? You look like you''ve been burning the candle at both ends.¡± Aiden Thompson said, ¡°I haven''t been sleeping too well myself lately.¡±


    ¡°What''s going on?¡± she asked instinctively.


    Aiden Thompson remained calm and collected. ¡°Probably because I''m head over heels in love. My brain''s been floating on cloud nine for days.¡±


    Grace Li stared at him in surprise. He just said that so casually.


    She looked down, her lips curving into a smile as she quietly teased, ¡°Watch the place.¡±


    Aiden Thompson grinned. ¡°They won''t be back until the last five minutes.¡±


    Just as he finished speaking, someone called out.


    ¡°Wow, you two are really early,¡± Ryan said as he approached, still yawning. ¡°I thought you two were early, but I didn''t expect this. Score! I''ve been dying for a decent cup of joe.¡±


    Aiden Thompson dropped the smile and, looking a little annoyed, said, ¡°You got here so early. Did you fly here?¡±


    ¡°I left work early last Friday for something. Got a data set due by 10 a.m., so I came in early.¡± Ryan yawned again. ¡°I''m beat.¡±


    Ryan glanced at the coffee on Grace Li''s desk, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Just in time. I was craving coffee. Boss, you bought two cups?¡±


    Grace Li pointed to Aiden Thompson. ¡°Aiden bought them.¡±


    Ryan slapped Aiden Thompson on the shoulder. ¡°Buddy, then I won''t be shy.¡±


    Aiden Thompson shot him a warning glare. ¡°If you want coffee, drink the Americano.¡±


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    Ryan feigned innocence, grinning. ¡°But I''m crazy about lattes.¡±


    Aiden Thompson almost pretended to strangle him. ¡°I''d suggest you order some takeout.¡±


    Grace Li laughed. ¡°Come on, let him have it.¡±


    ¡°Boss is the best.¡± Ryan grabbed the latte and took a sip, grinning. Then he looked back at Aiden Thompson. ¡°Aiden, you bought two cups of coffee. Were you trying to butter up the boss?¡±


    Grace Li smirked. ¡°Actually, I asked him to get it for me.¡±


    Ryan blinked in surprise. ¡°So the one I''m drinking is¡­¡±


    Grace Li smiled sweetly. ¡°The one I asked Aiden to bring.¡±


    Ryan froze, his expression changing quickly. He put on an innocent look again. ¡°Boss, I really didn''t mean to steal your coffee.¡±


    Grace Li waved him off. ¡°Okay, drink up. Consider it compensation for me not being able to make it to your birthday party.¡±


    ¡°Hehe.¡± Ryan grinned. ¡°Boss is so cool.¡±


    With Ryan in the office, Aiden Thompson couldn''t talk to Grace Li privately. They exchanged glances, then he went back to his desk.


    Aiden Thompson sent Grace Li a message: Drink mine.


    Grace Li replied: No need. I''ll make one myself later.


    Aiden Thompson: Going out today?


    Grace Li: Yeah, I''m going to a winery with Olivia this afternoon.


    Aiden Thompson: I''m coming too.


    Grace Li: Can you handle your project?


    Aiden Thompson: So far, I''m nailing it. This project''s a piece of cake.


    Grace Li: [dog head.jpg]


    Aiden Thompson: Any guidance, Director ?


    Grace Li: [pat on shoulder.gif] You''re killing it. Keep it up.


    Aiden Thompson: So, this afternoon?


    Grace Li: Sure, come along.


    Scarlet Harris was also involved in the low-alcohol project. However, Olivia was handling most of the materials and communications with the project side, so Scarlet''s involvement was minimal.


    Today, she was also going to the winery, driving there herself.


    On their last visit, Grace Li only took a quick look at the production scale and learned about the company''s operation model. This time, the project team invited them to a detailed discussion about the financing plan.


    When they arrived at the winery, they were led to a conference room for a two-and-a-half-hour meeting on the financing plan.


    After the meeting, they were shown around the exhibition hall, which had just finished renovations.


    Before heading to the exhibition hall, Grace Li stopped by the restroom, and Scarlet followed.


    As Scarlet touched up her lipstick, she commented, ¡°Grace, I sat through that meeting for two and a half hours, and my back is killing me. How about you?¡±


    Grace Li, washing her hands, replied, ¡°Two and a half hours isn''t too bad. I''ve had meetings that lasted eight hours straight with only a half-hour break.¡±


    Scarlet rubbed her back. ¡°I twisted it playing golf at that fancy Country Club over the weekend. The chairs there are uncomfortable, and now it''s hurting even more.¡±


    Grace Li asked casually, ¡°Do you need to see a doctor?¡±


    ¡°Nah, it''s not a big deal.¡± Scarlet shrugged. ¡°By the way, Grace, could you ask Aiden Thompson to drive my car later? My back''s acting up, and I''m not up for driving anymore.¡±


    Grace Li hesitated. She could see right through Scarlet''s little game. Scarlet wanted Aiden Thompson to drive her, and although Grace Li wasn''t thrilled, she didn''t want to refuse outright. ¡°I''m fine driving myself, but you can ask Aiden about it.¡±


    Scarlet gave her a sly smile. ¡°As long as you''re cool with it.¡±


    Grace Li forced a smile. ¡°Yeah, I''m good.¡±


    ¡°Then I''ll talk to him.¡±


    Afterward, Grace Li messaged Aiden Thompson: Scarlet wants you to drive her car back.


    Aiden Thompson quickly replied: I''ll handle it.


    Grace Li: Okay.


    Though she wasn''t sure how Aiden would deal with it, Grace Li was mentally prepared. Even if Aiden Thompson ended up giving Scarlet a ride out of politeness, she wouldn''t be mad. Just a little annoyed.


    The winery''s exhibition hall looked simple from the outside but was surprisingly stylish inside, almost like an art gallery.


    The manager explained, ¡°We just renovated this area and opened it last week. Here are our plum wines, our best-sellers. Over there are the fruit wines, with eight varieties, and...¡±


    Olivia, eyeing the fruit wines, said, ¡°Your packaging is really on point.¡±


    The manager smiled. ¡°Most of our target customers are young women with high aesthetic standards, so we focus on making the packaging visually appealing.¡±


    ¡°Really nice.¡± Olivia agreed. ¡°After drinking, the bottles can even be used as vases.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Grace Li asked, ¡°What''s the product renewal rate like?¡±


    ¡°We''re planning to launch at least three to five major products every year, and expand on existing categories,¡± the manager answered. ¡°With so many low-alcohol products on the market now, we''re keeping up with the trend.¡±


    After touring the exhibition hall, they went to the tasting area. The manager poured some of their newest liqueur into glasses and offered it to them.


    Aiden Thompson took a sip and said, ¡°So, what''s the deal with this liqueur? The taste is on fleek, and the sweetness is just right.¡±


    Grace Li didn''t try it because she had to drive.


    Olivia took a sip. ¡°It''s really good. It''s refreshing. Perfect for summer.¡±


    The manager smiled. ¡°Add some ice in the summer, and it''ll really pop.¡±


    Grace Li laughed. ¡°Hearing you all talk about it, I really want to try it, but I have to drive.¡±


    Hearing this, Scarlet, who was about to take a sip, stopped. She suddenly realized that since Aiden Thompson had drunk wine, he couldn''t drive, so there was no way he could give her a ride.


    The manager grinned. ¡°No problem. You''re all VIPs today. If you like any of our wines, just let us know. Take as much as you want.¡±


    Grace Li smiled politely. ¡°You''re too kind.¡±


    After the exhibition tour, the project team invited them to dinner, but Grace Li politely declined.


    Back at the parking lot, Grace Li unlocked her car, and Aiden Thompson got into the passenger seat.


    Turning to Scarlet, Grace Li asked, ¡°Are you okay to drive?¡±


    Scarlet gave a strained smile. ¡°I have to drive even if I''m not up to it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, be careful.¡±


    Grace Li adjusted her seat before starting the car, then turned to Aiden Thompson, who was lounging in the passenger seat, smiling at her. She smiled back, and they shared a silent understanding, their exchange hidden from Olivia in the back seat.

 Chapter 38

    Olivia was more than happy with the wine from the project team. They had given her two bottles¡ªone was the liqueur they had just sampled, and the other was her favorite mango wine.


    "Boss, if we really invest in their company, does that mean they''ll be sending us wine every holiday?"


    Grace Li chuckled. "Wishful thinking, buddy. You''re really reaching for the stars on this one."


    "Plenty of project teams do it, though. Even Aiguo sends us goodies every holiday."


    "Well, that just means you better stay on top of this project."


    "You betcha! I''ll be all over it like white on rice."


    After Grace Li dropped Olivia off at her place, only she and Aiden Thompson remained in the car.


    Aiden grinned and said, "I just stumbled upon this sick private dining spot in the West Village. Wanna swing by and give it a shot?"


    "What kind of food do they serve?" Grace asked.


    "Chinese. But I heard they put an American spin on some of the dishes."


    "Alright, let¡¯s check it out."


    Aiden plugged the address into her car¡¯s GPS, and Grace followed the directions.


    The restaurant''s exterior blended modern minimalism with subtle Chinese influences¡ªsleek wooden accents, a small water feature, and soft lantern lighting that gave the place a warm, inviting glow. Inside, the open-concept dining area had well-spaced tables, each next to a uniquely designed window overlooking a carefully curated mini-garden. The ambiance was perfect for an intimate dinner or a relaxed conversation with friends.


    By the time they arrived, the evening had set in. Each table was softly illuminated by a warm overhead light, just enough to highlight the dishes without being too bright. There were only eight tables in total, and six were already occupied.


    As they settled into their seats, Grace looked around, clearly impressed. "This place is off the hook! I¡¯m loving it."


    "Glad you dig it," Aiden said with a grin.


    Grace glanced at him and asked, "How on earth did you know I''d be into this place?"


    Aiden smirked. "Just a gut feeling. Call it my sixth sense."


    "And what made you think that?"


    He leaned back, thoughtful but sure. "People¡¯s preferences show up in the little things. You like a laid-back, peaceful vibe. Clean, sleek aesthetics. This place has your name written all over it."


    Grace blinked. She had never consciously noticed her own preference for quiet, minimalist spaces, but thinking back, even when she decorated her apartment, she had leaned toward the same style. It was surprising¡ªAiden seemed to know her better than she knew herself.


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    After placing their orders, Grace quietly turned to admire the garden view outside the window. When she shifted her gaze back, she caught Aiden looking at her.


    "What are you staring at me for? Cat got your tongue?"


    Aiden didn¡¯t even try to hide it. "Just because I can''t take my eyes off you. You¡¯re a knockout."


    Blunt. Straight to the point. Grace, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t like him¡ªmore than three seconds of eye contact with him, and her heart started pounding like she was doing something she shouldn¡¯t.


    Trying to switch the topic, she asked, "By the way, did Scarlet hit you up today, asking you to chauffeur her home?"


    "Nope. I had a drink. Unless she¡¯s lost her mind, she wouldn¡¯t even ask."


    "And if you hadn¡¯t had a drink? What was your plan?"


    Aiden shrugged, like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Piece of cake. I could pull the ¡®leg cramp¡¯ card, claim I¡¯m seeing double, or say my eyes are killing me."


    Grace chuckled. "You¡¯ve got an arsenal of excuses. You could write a book on it."


    "Compared to her, I¡¯m still a rookie in the excuse-making game."


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. If anyone was a pro at finding excuses, it was Scarlet Harris.


    "You do know she¡¯s into you, right?"


    "Of course. I¡¯m not living under a rock. But I¡¯m just not into her. She¡¯s not my cup of tea."


    "She¡¯s not exactly lacking in qualifications, though."


    Aiden propped his chin up with the back of his hand, his gaze turning softer, more serious. "Yeah, but right now, I¡¯m all about Grace Li. Everyone else is just background noise."


    A faint blush crept up Grace¡¯s cheeks. Looking at him, she couldn¡¯t help but notice that effortless mix of confidence and playfulness he carried¡ªlike nothing in the world could tie him down. Over the past few days since they made things official, she realized she had been following his lead the whole time.


    Dinner stretched on for nearly two hours. Grace loved everything about the place. It had been ages since she¡¯d had dinner in such a peaceful setting, where every little detail felt picture-perfect. She barely even talked through the meal, too busy soaking in the atmosphere.


    At nine o¡¯clock, the restaurant was closing, and they finally got up to leave.


    As they reached the entrance, Grace suddenly froze. "I totally spaced on paying. What a brain fart."


    She was about to turn back when Aiden gently took her hand. "Already took care of it. No sweat."


    She recalled that Aiden had placed the order through an app¡ªhe must¡¯ve paid then.


    "I should¡¯ve gotten this one," she said.


    Aiden raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why the sudden chivalry? What¡¯s the deal?"


    "Well¡­" She couldn¡¯t exactly say it was because she made more money than him¡ªthat would be brutal. Instead, she said, "Since you just graduated not long ago, I figured I¡¯d pick up the tab this time."


    Aiden let out a small laugh. "I¡¯ve only been out of school a year, but I¡¯m not broke. I can spring for a nice dinner with my girl."


    Grace decided to go with it. "Well, thanks for treating me tonight. You¡¯re the best."


    "Anytime, babe. My pleasure."


    Aiden laced his fingers through hers and started walking¡ªnot toward the parking lot.


    Grace frowned. "Where are we headed? The car¡¯s the other way."


    "There¡¯s a park nearby. Thought we could take a little stroll, enjoy the night air."


    "A park? Seriously?"


    "Yeah, just a casual walk. It¡¯s a rare chance to have you all to myself without any work stress."


    She sighed. If it weren¡¯t for today¡¯s winery visit, she would¡¯ve been stuck at the office working overtime. "It¡¯s the end of the year. Things are bananas at work."


    "Which is exactly why we should make the most of this moment. You can¡¯t put a price on quality time."


    "We¡¯ve been together all day."


    "Yeah, but now it¡¯s just you and me. No emails. No meetings. Just us. Whole different ballgame."


    Every time Aiden said the word girlfriend, Grace¡¯s heart gave a little jolt. The January air was cold, but the warmth of his hand in hers made her forget the chill. It was a reminder¡ªshe was in a relationship now. And he was good to her.


    She thought to herself, No matter where this goes, this moment is worth it.

 Chapter 39

    Grace Li started packing early Saturday morning, planning to move most of her stuff into the new place today so she could officially settle in tomorrow.


    Housewarming parties weren¡¯t exactly a must, but she wanted to stick to her family¡¯s traditions and celebrate her new home with close friends and family. Given the short notice, she wasn¡¯t inviting too many people¡ªjust her family, her team at work, and Isabella Hsueh.


    Aiden Thompson showed up at her place at 8:30 AM. Grace was in charge of packing, while Aiden carried everything down to the underground parking lot. Besides clothes and daily essentials, she had a ton of books¡ªthree full boxes of them, which made for some serious lifting.


    After three trips up and down the stairs, Aiden picked up another box of books when Grace called out, ¡°I got this. You take a breather for a bit. You''ve been busting your butt.¡±


    Aiden shifted the box slightly and said, ¡°This thing is no joke. Heavy as heck.¡±


    ¡°I can handle it. I''m not a lightweight.¡±


    She reached out to take it, but Aiden had no intention of letting go. ¡°You grab something else. I got the muscle for these books.¡±


    Seeing how determined he was, Grace just shrugged. ¡°Alright then. Suit yourself.¡±


    She picked up a duffel bag and followed him downstairs. Her car trunk was nearly full, and a few things had to go on the backseat. She planned to get everything in one trip. Some bedding and clothes were still in her rental, so she¡¯d have to spend one last night there.


    They spent the whole morning moving stuff into the new place and the afternoon unpacking. By the time they were done, it was already five o¡¯clock.


    Grace made some coffee, and the two of them sat outside on the balcony, each with a cup in hand, enjoying a well-earned break. Even though she had only carried the lighter stuff, her arms were already sore. Aiden, on the other hand, had done all the heavy lifting.


    She reached out and gave his arm a light squeeze. It was solid. ¡°Does it hurt? You¡¯ve been hauling heavy stuff all day.¡±


    Aiden shook his head. ¡°Not a bit. I''m as tough as nails.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Aiden glanced at her. ¡°If I said it did, what would you do? Shower me with kisses?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking more like a massage.¡±


    With a straight face, Aiden nodded. ¡°Okay, maybe it¡¯s starting to ache a little. Your magic touch might just do the trick.¡±


    Grace couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°You¡¯re such a drama king. But fine, let me see if I can help.¡±


    ¡°But when I said it didn¡¯t hurt, you didn¡¯t believe me either.¡±


    She realized she was being contradictory and said, ¡°Okay, whether it hurts or not, you were a huge help today. I really appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Is there a reward? I¡¯ve been a good boy, after all.¡±


    ¡°I''ll treat you to dinner tonight. How¡¯s that sound?¡±


    ¡°Just dinner? You¡¯re gonna have to sweeten the deal a bit.¡±


    Grace blinked at him. ¡°What else do you want? Name your price.¡±


    Aiden turned to her, his gaze landing on her lips. Grace caught where he was looking and instinctively pressed her lips together. That little movement seemed to break the last bit of hesitation in him.


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    He leaned in and gave her a light kiss, barely more than a brush.


    Grace¡¯s eyes widened. He was so close she could hear his heartbeat¡ªor maybe it was just her own racing. She saw his Adam¡¯s apple move as he swallowed. In that moment, she could feel the pull of his presence, his sheer physicality making her hyper-aware of everything about him.


    She dropped her gaze.


    Aiden¡¯s voice was low. ¡°Did I cross a line? You can tell me if I¡¯m moving too fast.¡±


    Grace shook her head. ¡°No. It was... nice.¡±


    She just didn¡¯t have much experience. What she didn¡¯t tell him was that this was her first kiss. At thirty. Even if it was just a quick one.


    She looked back up at him, feeling a little like a high school girl with a crush. ¡°I might be a bit slow to warm up. I¡¯m still getting used to all this.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m in no rush. We¡¯ll take it at your pace.¡±


    Grace hesitated, then added, ¡°But I don¡¯t mind following your lead. You seem to know what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    Aiden chuckled softly, pulling her into his arms. ¡°Alright, just stick with me. I''ll show you the ropes.¡±


    The sky was painted in hues of orange and red as the sun dipped below the horizon.


    ¡°Should we go grab some decorations for the new place? Spruce it up a bit?¡± Aiden asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I looked into some housewarming traditions. Turns out, people like to bring in a little something to make the place feel more homey.¡±


    Grace thought about it. It did make sense to get a few things to liven up the place. ¡°Let¡¯s pick some up while we¡¯re out for dinner later. Kill two birds with one stone.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡±


    Tomorrow was move-in day, and her team and parents would be coming over. But she wasn¡¯t ready to tell her parents about her and Aiden just yet. For one, they had only just started dating. And second, she wasn¡¯t sure how serious things would get. If she told her parents now, they¡¯d immediately start pressuring her to settle down. Worse, they¡¯d probably put Aiden under the microscope too.


    So for now, she¡¯d rather keep things under wraps.


    ¡°By the way, my parents are coming tomorrow. They don¡¯t know about us yet.¡±


    Aiden ran his fingers lightly through her hair. ¡°So, what¡¯s the game plan? How do you want me to play it?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say we¡¯re friends from work for now.¡±


    Aiden had no problem with that. ¡°Sure thing. Your call. I¡¯ll play it cool.¡±


    The next morning, Shichen Li, Huiyun Liang, and William Li left home and flew to New York. Grace Li drove to the airport to pick them up, and together they headed to their new home.


    At the entrance of the neighborhood, their coworkers and Isabella Hsueh were waiting with gifts. Ryan stood out, holding a big confetti popper, while others carried flowers and fruit baskets.


    There¡¯s no traditional ¡°housewarming ceremony¡± in the U.S., but Grace Li wanted to keep a touch of her hometown customs, so she organized a special celebration. Everyone helped set up the house¡ªarranging flowers, placing the fruit baskets. Then, Shichen Li lit a special incense stick, a small tradition from back home to mark the beginning of a new chapter. As they stepped inside, each person said a few words of good wishes. Finally, Ryan set off the confetti popper with a loud bang.


    Huiyun Liang headed to the kitchen to cook noodles and tangyuan. Grace Li had already prepared drinks, fruits, and snacks, setting them on the coffee table. ¡°Grab whatever you like! Make yourselves at home.¡±


    Ryan was already munching on snacks. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss. We¡¯re gonna make ourselves right at home. This place is ours for the day.¡±


    Olivia playfully smacked Ryan. ¡°You¡¯re not just making yourself at home. You¡¯re straight-up freeloading.¡±


    Grace Li chuckled at their banter.


    Olivia raised her hand. ¡°Boss, can we take a tour? Check the place out?¡±


    ¡°Of course, go ahead. Make yourselves comfortable and explore.¡±


    As the others wandered around, Aiden Thompson stepped into the kitchen and asked politely, ¡°Mrs. Li, need a hand in here? I¡¯m pretty good in the kitchen.¡±


    Huiyun Liang had already noticed him¡ªclean-cut, well-mannered, and strikingly good-looking. It was rare to see such a polite young man these days. She smiled warmly. ¡°You go have fun with the others. I can handle it. But thanks for offering.¡±


    Seeing her scooping tangyuan into bowls, Aiden said, ¡°Let me take these to the table. Save you a trip.¡±


    She appreciated his eagerness and nodded. ¡°Okay, that would be great. Thanks a bunch.¡±


    Aiden carried the bowls of noodles and tangyuan to the dining table. Just then, Isabella Hsueh walked into the kitchen, hoping to help. But seeing Aiden already handling it, she teased, ¡°Oh, Mrs. Li, I was gonna lend a hand, but looks like someone beat me to it.¡±


    Huiyun Liang laughed. ¡°This young man is so helpful. He¡¯s a real gem.¡±


    Isabella grinned. ¡°Wow, Aiden, you¡¯re setting the bar high for the rest of the guys. Someone¡¯s gonna be very lucky one day!¡±


    Aiden didn¡¯t react, just kept bringing out the food. Grace Li, overhearing their conversation, cleared her throat lightly and said, ¡°Aiden, don¡¯t just keep running around. Take a break and have some tangyuan.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. I could use a little fuel.¡±


    Then Grace Li shot Isabella a subtle look, signaling her to drop it.

 Chapter 40

    The dining table at Grace Li¡¯s place could only seat four people, but her coworkers didn¡¯t mind. Some got comfortable on the couch with a bowl of tangyuan or noodles, while others took their food out to the balcony. The dining table naturally ended up being used mostly by Grace Li¡¯s family.


    Mike finished a bowl of tangyuan and still wasn¡¯t satisfied. Holding his empty bowl, he walked into the kitchen. ¡°Auntie, got any more of those tangyuan? These are so good, I could eat a whole bunch more.¡±


    Huiyun Liang chuckled. ¡°Of course! There¡¯s plenty left in the pot. Let me get you another bowl.¡±


    ¡°Thanks a ton, Auntie! Seriously, these dumplings taste like they came straight from heaven,¡± Mike said with a big grin.


    Huiyun Liang beamed and scooped him a full bowl. ¡°Well then, eat up! Have as much as you like.¡±


    ¡°Thanks again, Auntie.¡±


    After finishing their tangyuan and noodles, everyone gathered in the living room to chat. Around eleven, they headed to a restaurant for lunch.


    Grace Li had reserved a large private dining room with a table big enough to comfortably seat twelve people.


    Even though it was their first time meeting, Olivia and Isabella Hsueh were chatting away like old friends. William Li and Ryan were deep in a conversation about video games, while others either talked quietly with the person next to them or scrolled through their phones. The only one sitting there silently, without even touching his phone, was Aiden Thompson.


    Usually, at these work gatherings, he¡¯d be playing a mobile game while waiting. Why was he so quiet today?


    Just as Grace Li was wondering about this, Aiden happened to glance her way. Their eyes met in the air for a split second. Feeling strangely guilty, she quickly looked down at her utensils.


    Meanwhile, Huiyun Liang had somehow struck up a conversation with Mike.


    With a warm smile, she started, ¡°You young folks are always so full of energy. Makes me think about my own youth. How old are you, Mike?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-nine,¡± Mike answered.


    ¡°Where are you from originally? I love hearing about different places.¡±


    ¡°Huicheng. It¡¯s a small city in China. We¡¯ve got some amazing food traditions¡ªlike these dumplings,¡± Mike added, just in case she wasn¡¯t familiar with the place.


    Huiyun Liang¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°No way! We¡¯re from Huicheng too! It¡¯s always nice meeting someone from back home.¡±


    Mike grinned. ¡°That¡¯s right! That¡¯s probably why these dumplings feel so familiar¡ªthey remind me of my grandma¡¯s cooking.¡±


    ¡°Huicheng dumplings really are something special.¡± Then, with curiosity, Huiyun Liang asked, ¡°Which part of Huicheng are you from?¡±


    ¡°Zexiang Town.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not far from where we¡¯re from! We¡¯re practically neighbors.¡± She then shifted to a more casual tone and asked, ¡°Family is important. Do you ever think about what kind of life you want for yourself in the future?¡±


    Mike touched his nose sheepishly. ¡°Oh man, one step at a time! I¡¯m still trying to figure out what to eat for dinner.¡±


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    Grace Li, catching on to her mom¡¯s intentions, quickly jumped in with a laugh. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re grilling him like it¡¯s an interrogation. Let the guy enjoy his meal.¡±


    Huiyun Liang laughed. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just chatting! No pressure, Mike.¡±


    Mike smiled. ¡°It¡¯s all good, Auntie. I don¡¯t mind chatting.¡±


    **


    After lunch, the team members and Isabella Hsueh headed home, while Grace Li returned to her new place with her family.


    In the group chat, everyone started uploading pictures and videos from the celebration, tagging Grace Li to check them out.


    Grace Li sent out a mobile coffee gift card link, and it was claimed in seconds.


    Grace Li: Thanks a ton, everyone, for coming today and making it so special.


    Mike: It was our pleasure. We¡¯re like a family, and we¡¯re always here to support you.


    Ryan: Today was awesome! I had a blast at your new place, Grace Li. And those dumplings were out of this world.


    Peter: Agreed! It was a great day.


    Olivia: Yeah, and it was nice to meet Isabella. We hit it off right away.


    Suddenly, Ryan chimed in: Hey, did you guys see that new article about our industry? It had some really interesting insights. We should discuss it in our next meeting.


    Peter: Yeah, I saw that. Some of the points they made could really impact our upcoming projects.


    Just then, Grace Li saw a notification for a new message. She left the group chat and saw a private message from Aiden Thompson.


    Aiden Thompson: It seemed like your mom took quite a liking to Mike.


    Grace Li: What do you think about that?


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯ll admit, I was a little jealous.


    Grace Li didn¡¯t expect him to just come out and say it so bluntly.


    Grace Li: It was just a friendly conversation. No need to be jealous.


    She sent the exact same words back to him, just as he had phrased them.


    Aiden Thompson: You¡¯re a quick learner.


    Grace Li: Is that a bad thing?


    Aiden Thompson: Not at all. It¡¯s actually really cute.


    Aiden Thompson: I should probably step up my game if I want to impress your family.


    Grace Li: Like how?


    Aiden Thompson: I want them to see how much I care about you. Maybe I¡¯ll share some of our best memories together¡ªshow them how much you mean to me.


    Reading that, Grace Li felt warmth spread through her chest. Aiden wasn¡¯t one for over-the-top sweet talk, but somehow, his words always had a way of making her heart race. It was more effective than any clich¨¦ romantic lines.


    From the couch, Huiyun Liang waved her over. ¡°Grace Li, come sit with me, sweetie.¡±


    Grace Li walked over and sat down. Her mom smiled at her. ¡°Your colleagues seem like really great people.¡±


    "Yeah, we¡¯ve got an amazing team at work. We support each other through thick and thin.¡±


    Huiyun Liang nodded. ¡°That Mike guy seems really genuine and down-to-earth. And the fact that he¡¯s from our hometown is a nice bonus.¡±


    Grace Li sighed. ¡°Mom, we¡¯ve known each other forever. If something was going to happen between us, it would¡¯ve happened by now. I want to be with someone because of a real connection, not just because he checks the right boxes.¡±


    "You never know. Sometimes the right person is right in front of you, and you don¡¯t see it until later. He¡¯s a great guy, and he¡¯s only a year younger than you. Age doesn¡¯t mean much these days.¡±


    Grace Li was curious why her mom was so set on Mike. Sure, he was nice, but Aiden¡¯s looks and charm were hard to ignore.


    "Mom, I have five male colleagues. Why do you think Mike is the best fit? What about the others?¡±


    "I just have a feeling about him. He seems like the kind of person you could build a stable life with. He has this warm, dependable energy.¡± Her mom paused for a moment before adding, ¡°And that really tall, good-looking one¡ªthe one who looks like a movie star. He¡¯s very charming, but guys like that usually have a lot of women after them. Sometimes, those types aren¡¯t the most reliable in the long run.¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s definitely popular. But he¡¯s also really serious about our relationship.¡±


    "And he¡¯s younger than you, right?¡±


    "Yeah, five years younger.¡±


    "Hmmm, that¡¯s a bit of an age gap. But as long as you¡¯re happy, that¡¯s what matters. I just want to make sure you¡¯re with someone who treats you right.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but smile. Her mom¡¯s concerns came from a place of love, and she appreciated that.

 Chapter 41

    The most exclusive Michelin three-star restaurant in New York was located on the top floor of a luxury high-rise. With a minimum spend of $3,000 per person, it catered exclusively to the ultra-wealthy and the powerful.


    Aiden Thompson, dressed in a sleek black trench coat, stepped into the private elevator leading straight to the restaurant. Just as the doors were about to close, the sound of clicking heels echoed as a woman hurried in. The scent of her expensive perfume immediately filled the small space.


    As soon as she stepped inside, her eyes landed on Aiden. ¡°Aiden Thompson? Is that you?¡±


    Aiden turned his head slightly, taking a moment to place her. She looked familiar.


    After a brief pause, he remembered¡ªshe was a high school classmate, though they had never been in the same class.


    Back in school, she had relentlessly pursued him.


    Her name, though, escaped him.


    Anthony Miller had mentioned her recently, saying she was now married to Daniel Chou.


    Mia Wen¡¯s surprise at running into him was evident. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, ¡°What are you doing in New York? I thought you were back in L.A.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°I¡¯ve been here the whole time. My family has investments in the city, so it made sense to build my career here. You know how it is¡ªNew York is where you go if you want to play in the big leagues.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t your family based in L.A.?¡±


    Aiden wasn¡¯t one to discuss personal matters, especially with people he had no real connection with. He had avoided Mia in high school, and he had no interest in making conversation now.


    Just then, Mia¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Hi, honey, I¡¯m almost there.¡±


    ¡°Great, meet me at the elevator.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    After hanging up, she turned back to Aiden with a smirk. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed¡ªstill the same cold and distant guy. You never liked talking to people, did you?¡±


    Aiden remained unfazed. ¡°We were never close in high school, and that hasn¡¯t changed. I prefer keeping my circle small.¡±


    Mia forced a smile. ¡°Well, in case you were wondering, I¡¯m married now.¡±


    The elevator doors slid open, revealing a man waiting outside. Aiden¡¯s gaze met his, and for a brief moment, there was a quiet tension in the air.


    Daniel Chou gave a polite but distant smile. ¡°Aiden.¡±


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. ¡°Small world.¡±


    Daniel¡¯s tone was casual but carried an undercurrent of curiosity. ¡°It is. Isn¡¯t Grace Li with you?¡±


    ¡°Not today,¡± Aiden replied smoothly. ¡°She had work commitments. You know how it is¡ªthis city never stops.¡±


    Mia looped her arm through Daniel¡¯s. ¡°Honey, who¡¯s Grace Li?¡±


    Before Daniel could answer, Aiden did. ¡°She¡¯s my girlfriend. We¡¯ve been together for a while. She¡¯s incredible¡ªsmart, kind, driven. She inspires me every day.¡±


    Mia was momentarily stunned. A sharp pang of jealousy hit her¡ªnot necessarily because she still had feelings for Aiden, but because she had once chased him for years without even getting close. Yet here he was, casually mentioning his girlfriend like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    Trying to sound nonchalant, she asked Daniel, ¡°You know her too?¡±


    Daniel nodded. ¡°Yeah, we went to college together. Didn¡¯t hang out much, but she was definitely one of the brightest people in our class.¡±


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    Mia put on a friendly smile. ¡°Since we all kind of know each other, maybe we should do a double date sometime.¡±


    Aiden let out a short laugh, clearly uninterested. ¡°Not really my thing. I¡¯d rather spend time with people who actually matter to me. But thanks for the offer.¡±


    With that, he glanced at his watch. ¡°I have an appointment. Enjoy your evening.¡±


    As Aiden walked away, Mia¡¯s mood soured. She turned to Daniel, her curiosity growing. ¡°Honey, is that Grace Li really your college classmate?¡±


    Daniel nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Mia hesitated before asking, ¡°Do you have a picture of her?¡± She was dying to know what kind of woman had managed to capture Aiden Thompson¡¯s heart.


    Daniel, of course, wasn¡¯t about to pull up a photo of another woman in front of his wife. ¡°We weren¡¯t close. I don¡¯t have any pictures.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±


    Arm in arm, they stepped into the restaurant, but Daniel¡¯s mind was still on Aiden.


    Something didn¡¯t add up. He had assumed Aiden was just another finance guy, but Mia had said they were high school classmates. And Mia had attended an elite private high school in L.A., the kind where tuition cost more than some people made in a year. That wasn¡¯t exactly a school for just anyone.


    Daniel glanced at his wife. ¡°So, you and Aiden went to high school together?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his background?¡±


    Mia gave him a knowing look. ¡°His family owns Huarui Group. They¡¯re old money, real power players. That private school we went to? It was basically a breeding ground for the kids of CEOs, politicians, and billionaires. I remember this one charity gala we had back then¡ªhis family was one of the biggest donors. It was a whole scene.¡±


    Daniel felt a slight chill run down his spine. He had underestimated Aiden Thompson.


    And now, he was more curious than ever.


    The restaurant had several VIP rooms, each with a massive floor-to-ceiling window that offered a stunning view of New York¡¯s skyline at night.


    Aiden Thompson followed the waiter to one of the private rooms and knocked before walking in. Seeing the person inside, he called out, "Mom."


    Mabel Thompson stood up when she saw her son, her eyes filled with warmth. "Aiden, come sit down."


    Aiden sat down. Since he''d moved here to start his career, Mabel visited him almost every month¡ªsometimes at his apartment, other times in a restaurant.


    As soon as Aiden sat down, Mabel looked him over carefully. "Honey, you¡¯ve been living alone, haven¡¯t you? You¡¯re looking a little thinner. Are you taking care of yourself?"


    Aiden smiled lightly. "Mom, it¡¯s just your imagination. I haven¡¯t lost any weight."


    She didn¡¯t seem convinced but moved on. "How¡¯s work? Everything going well?"


    "Yeah, it¡¯s going great," Aiden replied.


    Mabel nodded. "Chinese New Year is coming up soon. You didn''t come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas; you have to come back for the holiday this time. You know how important it is for our family. It¡¯s one of those things. We all get together, catch up, and make memories we can hold onto. It¡¯s irreplaceable. I really want you around the dinner table. Your dad misses you, even if he doesn¡¯t say much."


    Aiden took a sip of water. "I¡¯m not coming home."


    Mabel frowned. "It¡¯s been six months. How long are you planning to keep this up with your dad?"


    Aiden remained calm. "I¡¯m not mad at him. I just want to show I can make it on my own without him."


    Mabel¡¯s tone softened, a touch of concern in her voice. "Aiden, seeing the two of you like this really hurts me. Your dad has asked about you a few times. He¡¯s worried. He still cares. Why don¡¯t you go back and talk to him? We can all sit down and have a nice, peaceful time. Isn¡¯t that worth it?"


    Aiden paused for a moment, then spoke. "Mom, I don¡¯t want to stay in a stand-off with Dad forever. Working on my own, being independent, that¡¯s been a good challenge for me. So, please don¡¯t worry about this. And don¡¯t let it upset you."


    Mabel sighed softly. She¡¯d tried many times, but Aiden hadn¡¯t budged. She knew pushing any further would only make things worse. She didn¡¯t want to ruin their time together today. The food started arriving, and she changed the subject.


    "Alright, let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. Let¡¯s eat."


    Aiden picked up his fork and began eating the dishes in front of him.


    Mabel continued, "How about I come over for New Year''s Eve and spend it with you? Let your sister be with your dad."


    Aiden replied, "No need, Mom. Don¡¯t make a fuss over it."


    "But you¡¯ll be all alone on New Year¡¯s Eve! That¡¯s gotta be lonely."


    "It won¡¯t be. I¡¯ll have company."


    "Who?"


    "My girlfriend."


    Mabel froze for a second. Her son was handsome, smart, and capable. She¡¯d seen girls chase after him in the past, but she¡¯d never heard anything about him having a girlfriend. This was a first.


    "You¡¯re dating someone?" Mabel asked again, just to be sure.


    "Yeah."


    Mabel¡¯s mind raced. She should be happy, but she couldn¡¯t help wondering what kind of girl Aiden was seeing. Was she right for him? She was curious.


    "What¡¯s she like?" Mabel asked casually.


    Aiden¡¯s face lit up with a smile. "She¡¯s amazing. Smart, hardworking, and has the kindest heart. She¡¯s also Chinese, like us, and proud of our culture. She loves celebrating Chinese New Year¡ªmakes all the traditional dishes and even explains the meanings behind the customs to me."


    Mabel¡¯s curiosity deepened. "Well, next time I visit, you should bring her along so I can meet her."


    Aiden hesitated. "Let¡¯s take it slow, Mom. We¡¯ll definitely have the chance later."


    Mabel wasn¡¯t ready to drop it. "Well, do you have a picture of her?"


    "I do, but it¡¯s not a good time to show you right now."


    Mabel thought to herself, "If Aiden¡¯s not ready to introduce her to the family or share a photo, maybe he¡¯s not taking this relationship seriously."


    At 25, it was normal for Aiden to be dating, but she still wanted to know more.


    "You want a girlfriend, I¡¯m not going to stop you," Mabel said. "Just make sure you know what you¡¯re doing."


    Aiden didn¡¯t respond. He just quietly continued eating.

 Chapter 42

    Grace Li had just moved into her new home. For Lunar New Year, she planned to take time off to celebrate. She would spend New Year''s Eve and the first day at home, then visit her parents for a couple of days.


    Aiden Thompson had planned a short trip¡ªa three-day, two-night getaway to a coastal town in Rhode Island. It was their first trip together as a couple, and they had only been officially dating for a month.


    Aiden booked the flights, and when Grace found out, she was surprised. She had assumed they would split the costs from the start.


    Their flight was in the morning, and by the time they arrived at the town, it was early afternoon. They went straight to check in at their accommodations.


    Aiden had booked a charming bed-and-breakfast, a beautifully restored wooden house with a garden full of colorful flowers¡ªa tourist attraction in itself. He reserved two adjacent rooms.


    The rooms had a cozy farmhouse aesthetic¡ªsimple yet elegant, making them feel especially welcoming.


    During peak season, a place like this would cost at least $500 to $600 per night, and Aiden had covered it all. Grace figured he probably wouldn¡¯t ask her to split the cost, but she didn¡¯t want to let him pay for everything either. She needed to find a way to contribute without making it awkward.


    She wasn¡¯t experienced in this¡ªthis was her first serious relationship.


    So she did what any modern person would do¡ªshe looked it up online: How do couples split travel expenses without causing tension?


    There were various responses. Some couples opened a joint travel fund, some tallied up expenses and split them evenly, while others took turns covering different parts of the trip.


    After scrolling through several answers, Grace felt none of them quite fit their situation.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find Aiden standing there, a warm smile on his face.


    ¡°The view here is incredible. Let¡¯s take a walk to the beach and find a place for dinner. After that, we can check out the waterfront at night.¡±


    He had everything planned out.


    Grace nodded. ¡°Sounds great.¡±


    Aiden checked his watch. ¡°Take your time to rest. We¡¯ll head out in an hour.¡±


    ¡°Oh, before you go,¡± Grace said, reaching for his hand and pulling him inside.


    Aiden looked at their joined hands, his smile deepening. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    She let go and grabbed her phone. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s fair for you to cover everything on this trip. I was thinking we could use my travel rewards credit card for some of the expenses. I¡¯ve accumulated a lot of points, and it should cover most of the hotel cost. What do you think?¡±


    Aiden raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. ¡°Grace, that¡¯s really thoughtful of you. Actually, I have an airline membership, so I got a discount on the flights. We should definitely take advantage of those perks. But if you¡¯d rather split the total cost, that works for me too.¡±


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    She considered it and nodded. ¡°Yeah, splitting it sounds fair.¡±


    Aiden did a quick calculation. The whole trip was around $2,000. Grace transferred him $1,000 without hesitation.


    He knew her well, even though they hadn¡¯t been together for long. She was independent and didn¡¯t like feeling indebted to anyone. She wouldn¡¯t enjoy the trip if she thought she was taking advantage of him. The best way to let her fully relax wasn¡¯t to cover everything himself¡ªit was to respect her choices and make sure she felt comfortable.


    The town had a sizable Chinese community, and a local festival was taking place for Lunar New Year. Red lanterns adorned the streets, and a lion dance performance was happening in the town square.


    While watching the performance, a young British boy ran up excitedly. ¡°What¡¯s this? It looks so cool!¡±


    Grace smiled and crouched down. ¡°This is a lion dance. We do this during Chinese New Year to welcome good fortune and chase away bad luck.¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wow! Can I try?¡±


    Aiden pointed to a group of volunteers nearby. ¡°See those big kids over there? They¡¯re helping kids join in. You can ask them.¡±


    The boy beamed and ran off, leaving Grace and Aiden sharing an amused glance.


    For years, Grace had been too busy with work, constantly traveling for business. Every trip had a purpose¡ªmeetings, reports, deadlines. She never had time to truly enjoy the places she visited.


    But this time, it was different. This trip was just for fun.


    Even though this town wasn¡¯t a major tourist spot, the streets were lively. Grace quickly got into the festive spirit, snapping pictures, dragging Aiden through the crowd, stopping by souvenir shops.


    She looked nothing like the sharp, no-nonsense investment director who scrutinized every report and contract in her office.


    Aiden had seen different sides of her before, but each one fascinated him.


    Exploring a new town meant trying local food. Grace bought several snacks along the way, eventually stopping at a stand selling New England clam chowder¡ªone of the region¡¯s specialties.


    She bought two cups, the warm soup steaming in the cool night air, perfect for keeping their hands warm.


    After taking a sip, she turned to Aiden. ¡°This is really good. Try it.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    She handed him her cup, expecting him to take it by the handle. Instead, he drank directly from the same spot she had just sipped from.


    She blinked. ¡°I drank from there.¡±


    Aiden grinned. ¡°We¡¯ve kissed, remember?¡±


    He was referring to their brief, barely-there kiss¡ªnot exactly a full-fledged one.


    Grace instinctively glanced around. There were people everywhere, and occasionally, some cast glances their way¡ªprobably because Aiden was objectively good-looking.


    Lowering her voice, she said, ¡°We¡¯re in public.¡±


    ¡°Relax. No one here knows us.¡± Aiden shrugged. ¡°Besides, this is nothing. In New York, you see couples making out on the streets all the time. Just enjoy the moment.¡±


    She chuckled.


    Aiden held out his cup. ¡°Try mine.¡±


    Grace hesitated for a second before sipping from the exact spot he had drunk from.


    Aiden watched her. ¡°Good?¡±


    She licked her lips and smiled. ¡°Delicious.¡±


    By the time they strolled back to the bed-and-breakfast, it was already 10 PM.


    The weather was still pleasant during the day, averaging around 50¡ãF, but the temperature had dropped sharply at night¡ªnow it was down to 39¡ãF. Neither of them had dressed for the chilly evening.


    Without a word, Aiden slipped off his jacket and draped it over Grace¡¯s shoulders.


    The coat was oversized on her, nearly reaching her calves.


    He was left in just a fitted gray turtleneck. Grace frowned. ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold?¡±


    ¡°I run warm.¡±


    She gave him a skeptical look. ¡°That¡¯s what guys always say right before they catch a cold.¡±


    Aiden smirked. ¡°I have a solution for that.¡±


    ¡°What solution?¡±


    He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. ¡°Having you as my personal heater.¡±


    She laughed but didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she slipped her arms around his waist, holding him just as tightly.


    Walking under the streetlights, their shadows overlapped on the pavement.


    ¡°You know,¡± Grace mused, ¡°I used to think couples walking like this were moving too slow and being overly clingy.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°Now I think I just didn¡¯t get it.¡±


    Aiden chuckled, his warm laughter filling the quiet night air. They strolled back to their rooms, wrapped in warmth¡ªboth from the coat and each other¡ªlooking forward to many more trips together.

 Chapter 43

    Back at the Airbnb, after climbing the stairs, Aiden Thompson let go of Grace Li¡¯s shoulder.


    Grace took off her jacket, handed it to him, and smiled slightly. ¡°Good night.¡±


    Aiden took the jacket, draping it over his arm, then glanced at the time¡ª10:15 PM. ¡°It¡¯s still way early.¡±


    ¡°Got any plans?¡±


    ¡°Well, the rooftop here has an amazing view of the stars and city lights. Wanna check it out?¡±


    Grace met his inviting gaze, a mix of playfulness and sincerity. ¡°Should we go to my rooftop or yours?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the boss.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go to mine.¡± Grace pulled out her key card and led him into her room.


    The terrace had some potted plants and a double lounge chair, perfect for admiring the view. In one corner, a small BBQ grill stood next to a table with a few Yankees-themed cushions, adding a local touch.


    During the day, the view stretched to the garden and the distant cityscape. At night, only the city¡¯s outline was visible under the lights, and on clear nights, stars dotted the sky.


    Feeling the cool night air, Grace grabbed a light blanket and wrapped it around both of them.


    Snuggled against Aiden, the blanket created a warm cocoon around them.


    For a while, they simply enjoyed the view in silence.


    Then Grace spoke. ¡°Two years ago, I worked on a project to revitalize an old neighborhood in New York. It reminded me of a redevelopment project I worked on back in China. At first, I was really into it¡ªnot just because of the financial potential, but also because it involved preserving some historic buildings. You know, these old structures are part of our cultural heritage, so any redevelopment has to balance progress with preservation. I negotiated with the developers for months, but we just couldn¡¯t agree on the price. They wanted double what we estimated the project was worth. They were so arrogant, acting like their project was a goldmine that would skyrocket in value. So, we walked away.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like they were being unrealistic.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. I heard the whole thing fell apart because they ran out of funding. No one else has taken it over yet.¡± Grace realized she was talking about work and lightly smacked her forehead. ¡°Ah, I must be crazy. Why am I talking about work now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. Since we¡¯re both in finance, it¡¯s something we both get.¡±


    Grace nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Aiden adjusted the blanket around her. ¡°You can talk to me about anything you want, anytime.¡±


    Grace looked at him. ¡°On the way here, I was actually wondering if we¡¯d have any conflicts on this trip. I read this article about how couples argue during vacations¡ªone wants solo time, like exploring a museum alone, while the other wants to do everything together. I was worried we might run into that.¡±


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    Aiden thought for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll happen to us.¡±


    Grace was curious. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re so easygoing.¡±


    Grace raised an eyebrow. ¡°What? Maybe you¡¯ve got the wrong impression of me because I¡¯ve been on my best behavior these days.¡±


    Aiden smirked. ¡°Oh? So you¡¯ve just been pretending?¡±


    The way he flipped the question clearly suggested he believed she was always easygoing.


    Grace didn¡¯t want to brag about her temper. ¡°When I¡¯m really mad, I can be a volcano. You just haven¡¯t seen that side of me yet.¡±


    Aiden said, ¡°You know how I define easygoing?¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean never getting angry. It means having a stable temperament overall. Everyone gets mad when pushed to their limit¡ªthat¡¯s normal.¡±


    Grace chuckled. ¡°Your bar for easygoing seems pretty low.¡±


    ¡°Actually, not many people meet it.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I have a lot of quirks too. You just haven¡¯t known me long enough to see them.¡± Grace smirked. ¡°Hope you won¡¯t be too disappointed when you do.¡±


    Aiden grinned. ¡°I¡¯m actually looking forward to it.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Grace was puzzled.


    ¡°Because every side of you surprises me in a good way.¡±


    Grace scoffed. ¡°Could be a shock.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t shock that easily.¡±


    Grace smiled, wondering how he always managed to say the sweetest things.


    Was he professionally trained?


    She looked up at the sky, then suddenly remembered something. ¡°Oh, when my parents visited, you know what my mom thought of you?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? What did she say?¡±


    ¡°I asked her straight up. She said you were way too good for me and wouldn¡¯t be interested.¡±


    Aiden ran his fingers through her hair. ¡°Then she doesn¡¯t know how amazing her daughter is. Honestly, I feel like I¡¯m the lucky one.¡±


    Lucky?


    Grace chuckled. ¡°Are all you Gen Z guys this smooth?¡±


    ¡°How smooth am I?¡±


    ¡°Even sweeter than honey.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s lips curved up, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°If I¡¯m that sweet, why don¡¯t you take a taste?¡±


    Grace blushed at his implication. Aiden playfully traced his fingertip along her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.


    Almost instinctively, she leaned in and kissed him. Then, tilting her head slightly, she gazed at him with warmth in her eyes. ¡°It really is sweet.¡±


    It took Aiden a second to shift from being kissed to taking the lead. With a soft laugh, he quickly responded. His hand cradled the back of her neck as his lips met hers.


    This wasn¡¯t a fleeting kiss. It deepened, drawing them closer.


    Grace thought, A quick kiss is nothing like this.


    At that moment, she felt completely surrounded by Aiden¡¯s presence. His faint woody scent filled her senses, and their lips moved in sync. A tingling sensation spread through her, making her feel weak, as if she could only rely on him to stay grounded.


    She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.


    The kiss seemed to last forever.


    When they finally pulled apart, Grace leaned against Aiden, taking a moment to catch her breath.


    The blanket had slipped off her, and Aiden picked it up, draping it back over her to keep her warm.


    Grace wrapped her arms around his waist, realizing she might have truly fallen for him¡ªno turning back now.


    She knew Aiden had probably been this tender with others before, but she couldn¡¯t help herself.


    If Isabella Hsueh knew, she¡¯d probably call her lovesick.


    Grace had always been rational, but for now, for these few days, she let herself be a little lovesick.


    She glanced around the terrace, suddenly self-conscious. ¡°I hope no one¡¯s watching from afar. That¡¯d be embarrassing.¡±


    Aiden grinned, pulling her closer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this is our little private corner of the world right now.¡±


    Their three-day getaway in the small town felt both long and fleeting.


    Long, because it was the most time they had spent together as a couple since confirming their relationship.


    Fleeting, because time always flies when it¡¯s good.


    The day after their trip ended, they returned to work, slipping back into their usual professional roles.

 Chapter 44

    As soon as Grace Li sat down at her desk, her coworkers gathered around, chatting excitedly. She smiled and took out a handful of small keychains decorated with Chinese knots and tiny golden "Fu" charms.


    "These are little gifts for Lunar New Year," she explained warmly, handing them out. "It¡¯s a tradition in China¡ªmeant to bring good luck. Hope it gives everyone a great start to the year!"


    Her coworkers accepted them with curiosity and appreciation, turning them over in their hands.


    "This is awesome, Grace!" Ryan grinned. "I¡¯m hanging this on my car keys¡ªcould use all the good luck I can get!"


    "Does this mean I¡¯ll finally land that big deal?" Olivia joked, inspecting the charm.


    "Maybe!" Grace laughed.


    Aiden Thompson hadn¡¯t come over to grab one, so she walked to his desk and held one out to him. "Here¡ªgood luck for the new year."


    Aiden took it with a smile. "Thanks. That¡¯s really thoughtful of you. Cool way to share your culture."


    The first day back was packed with meetings. By the time the clock hit 6:00 PM, everyone was eager to head out for the company dinner.


    Aiden volunteered to drive, dropping his coworkers off in front of the restaurant before heading to the underground parking lot.


    The lot was packed, and he had to wait a few minutes just to get in. When he finally found a spot and stepped out of his car, another vehicle parked across from him caught his attention.


    A familiar voice called out, "Yo, Aiden! What are the odds?"


    Aiden looked up to see Anthony Miller stepping out of a black GMC Yukon, wearing a leather jacket and a pair of worn-in combat boots. He had the same effortlessly cool vibe he always did.


    "Yeah, no kidding!" Aiden chuckled.


    Anthony walked over. "Man, I¡¯ve been trying to get you to hoop with me forever, but you keep ghosting me. That hurts, bro."


    "I told you¡ªI was drowning in work."


    "Yeah, yeah, last year was nuts, but you¡¯re not slammed now, right?" Anthony clapped him on the back. "A bunch of us are grabbing dinner and playing ball after. Leo Wright is in town¡ªremember him?"


    "Of course."


    They had all attended a private high school£¬where a lot of kids from wealthy families went.


    "Then you gotta come. He¡¯d love to catch up."


    Aiden shook his head. "Can¡¯t tonight. Company dinner."


    Anthony smirked. "How late are you stuck there?"


    "Probably around 8:30."


    "We¡¯ll be at the penthouse club. If you wrap up early, swing by."


    "We¡¯ll see."


    By the time Aiden arrived at the restaurant, his coworkers were deep in conversation about what to order.


    "Should we start with some wings? I heard they¡¯re amazing here," Ryan suggested.


    "I¡¯m getting the steak," Scarlett Harris said. "Olivia, what about you?"


    Olivia frowned at her menu. "Torn between the pasta and the salad. Had a big lunch, though, so maybe salad."


    With the food mostly decided, the conversation shifted to vacations.


    "Grace, I saw your Instagram post," Olivia said. "That town you went to looked amazing. Was it as good as it looked?"


    "Yeah, it was a great trip¡ªscenery was beautiful, and the food was on point. Only downside? Way too many tourists."


    Scarlett leaned in. "Who¡¯d you go with? Your pics looked professionally taken¡ªyour photographer must be pretty talented."


    Grace had posted a nine-photo Instagram carousel the day before, including a couple of shots of herself. Keeping her expression casual, she replied, "Went with a good friend."


    Scarlett smirked. "A guy or a girl? I¡¯m betting a guy."


    Grace didn¡¯t dare look at Aiden, worried they¡¯d give something away. She shrugged. "A girl."


    Olivia sighed dreamily. "Man, I need a trip too. We should do a team-building getaway sometime."


    "That¡¯d be sick," Ryan agreed.


    "A two-day, one-night weekend trip would be perfect," Mike added.


    As the group tossed around ideas, Grace finally risked a glance at Aiden. He wasn¡¯t looking at her, but the corner of her lips twitched as she suppressed a smile.


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    When the food arrived, everyone¡¯s focus turned to eating.


    Olivia pulled out a few bottles of light wine. "Check this out¡ªthese were sent over by the project team from ¡®Blooming Moon Sips.¡¯ It¡¯s got an amazing fresh fruit aroma and goes down super smooth. Anyone wanna try?"


    "I¡¯m driving, so I¡¯ll pass," Mike said.


    "I¡¯m not, so count me in!" Ryan reached for a bottle.


    Scarlett took the opportunity to turn to Aiden. "Aiden, I¡¯d love a drink. Can you drive my car later?"


    Aiden shook his head. "Sorry, got something after this."


    Scarlett¡¯s smile faded slightly. "Something? With who?"


    "Just a friend."


    Olivia passed bottles around. "Grace, you wanna try some?"


    Grace shook her head. "I¡¯m driving too."


    Olivia blinked. "Wasn¡¯t Aiden gonna drive?"


    "He¡¯s got plans."


    "Ah, got it."


    She moved on, handing Aiden a bottle. "How about you?"


    "Sure, why not?"


    Scarlett, looking deflated, mumbled, "I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m driving."


    Grace¡¯s phone screen lit up with a message from Aiden.


    Aiden Thompson: Some old high school friends are hanging out nearby. I¡¯ll stop by after dinner. Let me know when you get home.


    Grace Li: Got it.


    The club Anthony Miller mentioned was on the top floor of a sleek skyscraper. It wasn¡¯t just a bar¡ªit was a high-end social lounge, blending luxury dining with top-tier entertainment. The dining area offered a curated selection of global cuisine, from gourmet French dishes to classic American burgers, authentic Mexican tacos, and wood-fired Italian pizzas. Meanwhile, the entertainment section featured a stylish billiards lounge, complete with tournament-grade pool tables, neon-lit d¨¦cor, and framed posters of legendary players. There was also a modern bowling alley with high-tech scoring systems and an exclusive fitness area where members could train with top-tier equipment.


    Anthony and his friends were hanging out in the billiards lounge. Along with him were Leo Wright, an old classmate, and Aiden Thompson, who also knew Leo from back in the day.


    Leo was carefully chalking his cue when he spotted Aiden walking in. His eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa! No way. Anthony said you might show up, but I figured he was full of it."


    Aiden smiled. "Was grabbing dinner nearby, figured I¡¯d drop in."


    Back in school, the three of them had been inseparable. Leo shook his head with a smirk. "Man, you¡¯ve been in New York for how long and didn¡¯t hit us up? Weak, bro."


    "Work¡¯s been killing me," Aiden said, shrugging. "Corporate grind. Nine-to-nine, barely got time to sleep."


    Leo grinned. "What, got tired of the rich-kid life and decided to suffer with the rest of us?"


    Anthony walked over, tossing Aiden a cue. "Enough talk. Been a minute since we played¡ªlet¡¯s see if you¡¯re still any good."


    Aiden raised a brow, smirking. "Hope you¡¯re not expecting an easy win."


    "Man, please." Anthony scoffed. "I ain''t the scrub you used to school back in the day."


    Aiden leaned on his cue, wiping the tip with his fingers. "Guess we¡¯ll find out."


    A waiter, dressed in a sharp uniform, expertly racked the balls. Anthony grabbed the chalk, gave his cue a final swipe, then grinned. "Break¡¯s yours, Aiden."


    Anthony smirked. "You might regret that. One shot, and I might clean this table up."


    "Less talk, more action."


    Anthony lined up his shot, took a deep breath, and struck. The white ball shot forward, cracking into the tight cluster. Colors scattered across the table, and the 9-ball rolled smoothly into the corner pocket.


    "Stripes are mine," he said with a grin.


    Aiden nodded. "Alright. Keep going."


    Anthony took his second shot, sinking two more balls in quick succession.


    Leo clapped. "Damn, man! You¡¯ve actually been practicing?"


    Anthony grinned. "Took a few lessons. Figured it was time to level up."


    Lining up his third shot, he focused on the 10-ball. The ball rolled toward the pocket¡ªthen stopped right at the edge.


    "Ugh, come on," Anthony groaned.


    "Guess it¡¯s my turn," Aiden said casually.


    He stepped up, his movements smooth and controlled. With an effortless strike, he sank the 5-ball.


    Then the 3-ball.


    Then the 7.


    One after another, his shots were precise, unshakable.


    Anthony watched, his grin fading. His balls were either blocked, stuck against rails, or awkwardly placed. "No way," he muttered. "I bet you miss this one."


    Aiden¡¯s smirk deepened. He lined up, gave a small tap, and the cue ball bounced perfectly off the rail, slipping past Anthony¡¯s stripes to knock his own solid straight into the pocket.


    Leo let out a low whistle. "Dude. That was nasty."


    Aiden didn¡¯t slow down. Within minutes, every solid¡ªincluding the 8-ball¡ªwas down.


    Anthony groaned dramatically. "This is so unfair. How the hell am I supposed to win?!"


    Aiden leaned on the table. "You should be grateful I let you break. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have even touched the cue."


    "Man, screw that! Run it back!"


    Round two started. This time, Aiden didn¡¯t give Anthony any shots. By the time the last ball sank, Anthony just gawked at the table.


    "Hell no!" He threw his hands up. "This is rigged. I refuse to believe you haven¡¯t been practicing."


    Aiden just chuckled and grabbed his drink. "Believe what you want."


    Anthony flopped onto the lounge sofa next to him, still fuming. "Seriously, though. What¡¯s your secret?"


    Aiden took a sip of his soda. "Natural talent, I guess."


    Anthony groaned. "God, you¡¯ve been this insufferable since high school."


    Leo laughed. "Some things never change."


    Anthony kicked back, crossing his ankle over his knee. "Alright, enough pool. Tell me something¡ªwhy the hell didn¡¯t you come out with us over New Year¡¯s?"


    Aiden shrugged. "Had other plans."


    Anthony narrowed his eyes. "You got a girl, don¡¯t you?"


    Aiden didn¡¯t even hesitate. "Yeah. So what?"


    Anthony clapped his hands together. "I knew it! Dude disappears for months? Obvious."


    Leo smirked. "Man, you really ditched us for a girl?"


    Aiden stretched, looking completely unbothered. "Not gonna lie¡ªyeah."


    "Wow." Anthony exaggerated a sniff. "The stench of romance is overwhelming."


    Leo chuckled. "So, when do we meet her?"


    Aiden sipped his drink. "That¡¯s up to her."


    Anthony wiggled his eyebrows. "Oof. She wears the pants in this relationship, huh?"


    Aiden¡¯s relaxed demeanor shifted slightly. "Careful what you say about her."


    Anthony put his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. Noted."


    After a brief pause, Anthony leaned in, lowering his voice. "Yo, you won¡¯t believe who I ran into the other day."


    Aiden raised a brow. "Who?"


    "Mia Wen."


    Aiden¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "Oh?"


    Anthony nodded. "Yeah. She actually asked about you¡ªwhy you¡¯re in New York, if you¡¯re seeing someone."


    Aiden glanced at him. "And what did you say?"


    Anthony grinned. "Nothing. But, man¡­ she seemed real curious. Almost like she still cares."


    Aiden scoffed lightly. "Doubt it."


    Leo cut in. "Yo, forget exes¡ªdid you see the Warriors game last night? Curry was on fire."


    That was all it took to shift the conversation to basketball, then football, then a heated debate over which team was making the playoffs. They kept talking, laughing, and playing until almost midnight before finally heading out, saying their goodbyes with plans to catch up again soon.

 Chapter 45

    Anthony Miller was driving his black Chevrolet Suburban, taking Aiden Thompson home. In the front passenger seat, Aiden Thompson checked his phone but noticed that Grace Li hadn¡¯t sent him any messages. After scrolling through their group chat, he saw that she and her friends had dinner and then went to see a movie. A typical movie runs for about two hours, so it was probably wrapping up now.


    "Hey, Aiden, are you planning to stay in Nova Capital long-term?" Anthony Miller asked casually, keeping his hands on the wheel.


    "For now, yeah," Aiden Thompson replied, glancing out the window. "If a good opportunity comes up, I might try starting something on my own."


    "You thinking of going the startup route?" Anthony raised an eyebrow.


    "Why not?"


    "I admire that," Anthony said. "Honestly, with your abilities, starting a business is perfect for you. You''ve been successful at everything since high school. It¡¯s like Lady Luck is always following you. I swear, God must have a special spot for you."


    "Don¡¯t rely too much on luck. Picking the right direction is what matters," Aiden said.


    "Oh, come on. You¡¯re downplaying it again," Anthony teased with a laugh.


    Aiden smiled but didn¡¯t respond.


    As they approached an intersection, they ran into a traffic jam. The other lane was blocked too, and Anthony Miller couldn''t move. He rolled down his window and leaned out to see what was going on. "Damn, looks like there was an accident up ahead."


    Aiden wasn¡¯t too concerned. Car accidents weren¡¯t rare in New York. He sent Grace Li a text: Still not home?


    No reply.


    Since one lane was blocked by the accident, and cars were weaving through the other lane, the traffic backed up for a long time. Anthony Miller grew impatient and cursed under his breath. "What the hell, why don¡¯t they just move the damn cars? This is making everything worse!"


    Five minutes later, they finally managed to switch lanes, only to be met with a red light. Aiden rolled down his window, and that¡¯s when a harsh voice shouted from nearby, "You call the cops, I¡¯ll smash your car to pieces!"


    "I got hit by you. It¡¯s normal to call the cops for this," a woman¡¯s voice responded boldly.


    Aiden¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly jumped out of the car. Anthony Miller looked confused and called out, "Aiden, where are you going?"


    Aiden made his way to the scene of the accident, where a red-faced, slightly overweight middle-aged man was angrily pushing a woman. "You call the cops again and I swear I¡¯ll¡ª"


    The woman staggered back a few steps, almost losing her balance. Seeing this, Aiden rushed forward, wrapping an arm around her protectively. As she looked up in shock, she saw him and froze. What¡¯s he doing here?


    Aiden¡¯s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing like a blade as he stared down the man. In a flash, he executed a swift spinning kick that knocked the man to the ground. The kick sent the man into a fit of nausea, and he started vomiting on the spot. Seeing that help had arrived and realizing how tough Aiden was, the man tried to scramble to his feet and escape. Aiden wasn¡¯t having any of that, though. He quickly closed the distance, grabbed the man by his collar, and delivered a punch to his face.


    Grace Li, worried about Aiden making things worse, urgently pulled on his arm. "Aiden! Stop! He¡¯s drunk! Let the cops handle it!"


    Sure enough, the man reeked of alcohol, and Aiden¡¯s punch had left him dazed and disoriented.


    Aiden turned to her and asked, "Did you call 911?"


    "Yeah, I already called them," Grace Li confirmed. She had made the call earlier, and it was precisely why the drunk driver had gotten so enraged and threatened her.


    Just then, Anthony Miller had parked the car and rushed over. "Aiden, what¡¯s going on?"


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    Aiden nodded toward the groaning man and said, "Keep an eye on him. This guy hit my girlfriend¡¯s car while drunk and tried to run."


    Anthony raised an eyebrow and glanced at Grace Li, who was standing behind Aiden. He nodded quickly. "Got it."


    Aiden turned to Grace Li, his voice softer now. "Did he hit you?"


    Grace Li shook her head. "No, he just pushed me."


    "Are you hurt anywhere?"


    "No, just the car got rear-ended, and the trunk¡¯s a bit dented."


    Aiden let out a sigh of relief. He reached out to gently touch her head. "As long as you¡¯re okay."


    Before long, the police arrived at the scene. They immediately performed a breathalyzer test on the drunk driver, and the result confirmed he was well above the legal limit. He was promptly arrested and taken away.


    After the accident was cleared, Grace Li drove her slightly damaged BMW 3 Series home, planning to take it to the auto shop the next day for repairs. Aiden followed her home.


    As soon as they walked through the door, Grace Li had barely set her bag down before Aiden gently hugged her from behind. Grace Li turned her head slightly. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Aiden still felt a little shaken. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine what might have happened if he hadn¡¯t happened to pass by. In a city like New York, many people don¡¯t want to get involved in trouble. When something unfair happens, most just watch silently. Like today¡ªmost drivers just rolled down their windows to watch but didn¡¯t help.


    "You should¡¯ve called me the moment this happened," Aiden murmured, his chin resting on her shoulder.


    Grace Li was puzzled. "When there¡¯s a car accident, isn¡¯t calling 911 the first thing?"


    "Calling 911 is right, but you should¡¯ve let me know. Grace, don¡¯t forget I¡¯m your boyfriend."


    "I haven¡¯t forgotten."


    "So, if anything happens in the future, call me first, okay?"


    "Okay, I got it."


    Aiden pulled back slightly, holding her shoulders and gently turning her to face him. He looked serious. "If you feel anything, even a little off, let me know right away."


    Grace Li smiled and nodded. "Got it."


    "I¡¯ll go with you to the auto shop tomorrow morning."


    "Sure."


    Aiden reached up to gently tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and softly asked, "Were you scared today?"


    "To be honest, yeah. A little. If you hadn¡¯t shown up, that drunk driver might¡¯ve done something worse." Grace Li sighed in relief. "But it¡¯s okay now that you''re here."


    "Um..." Aiden hesitated, looking at her with an unreadable expression.


    Grace Li raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"


    "Should I stay with you tonight?"


    Grace Li froze for a moment, and Aiden quickly pointed toward the living room couch. "I can sleep on the couch. It¡¯s not too bad."


    Grace Li laughed, shaking her head. "The couch in my place isn¡¯t even long enough for you to stretch out."


    "So?"


    She smiled. "So, the guest room¡¯s empty. Why sleep on the couch?"


    Aiden grinned. "Alright, I¡¯ll take you up on that."


    "Okay."


    The guest room had been set up for when her parents or younger brother visited. They had stayed a couple of times, so everything was ready and tidy.


    After Grace Li finished showering, she found that Aiden had already made the bed himself. He was still in his fitted suit, which clearly wasn¡¯t comfortable for sleeping. Grace Li thought about helping him find something more suitable to wear, but it was late, and the nearby stores were closed. Besides, her clothes wouldn¡¯t fit him anyway. Then she remembered she had some oversized loungewear, and maybe Aiden could wear those.


    "Hey, I have some loose loungewear. You might be able to fit into them. Want me to grab them for you?"


    Aiden hesitated, a little uncomfortable with the idea of wearing his girlfriend¡¯s clothes. "Nah, I¡¯m good."


    "Then you¡¯re gonna sleep in your shirt and suit pants?" she teased.


    Aiden raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I can also sleep without them."


    Grace Li blushed. "..."


    Aiden noticed her reaction and laughed softly. "Surprised?"


    "Uh, not really."


    Aiden checked his watch. It was already 12:30 AM. "It¡¯s late. You should get some sleep."


    Grace Li suddenly remembered something. "I¡¯ll grab you a new set of towels and toiletries."


    Luckily, she had picked up an extra set when she went grocery shopping. She handed him the items and then headed to her room to rest.


    Aiden was pretty familiar with Grace Li¡¯s place. After all, he had helped her move in and unpack, so he felt right at home.


    The next day, the sky over New York was overcast. Grace Li and Aiden Thompson grabbed breakfast at a small diner near her apartment complex before heading to the dealership. On the way, they happened to pass by Aiden¡¯s place, giving him a chance to swing by and change clothes.


    Aiden pulled the car over and asked, ¡°I¡¯m going up to change. Wanna come check it out?¡±


    Grace hesitated. ¡°Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course. You should see where I live.¡±


    She had always been curious about Aiden¡¯s place. He had mentioned that he lived in Brooklyn, and she had assumed it was a small, basic apartment¡ªprobably compact, maybe a bit old.


    But when she stepped inside, she was surprised. His apartment was a stylish loft-style duplex with an open floor plan, modern furnishings, and a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the busy streets below. It was far from the cramped space she had imagined. Even in Brooklyn, a place like this didn¡¯t come cheap.


    As Aiden went upstairs to change, Grace wandered around the living room, taking in the sleek yet minimalistic decor. Everything was neat and intentional¡ªjust like him.


    A few minutes later, he came back wearing a fresh outfit. A faint, woody cologne followed as he walked past her, subtle but clean.


    ¡°Alright, ready to go?¡± he asked.


    Grace smiled. ¡°Your place is really nice. I thought it would be¡­ smaller.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Well, I like to be comfortable. The commute is still worth it for now, but my lease is up in February. I¡¯m thinking about moving closer to the office.¡±


    They stepped out together, got back into the car, and continued toward the dealership.

 Chapter 46

    After taking care of the car situation at the dealership, they decided to take the subway back to the office.


    As they neared the subway exit, they paused, watching the drizzle outside. The weather in New York had been all over the place lately¡ªjust a few days ago, it was sunny and warm, but now, thanks to a cold front moving in, the rain was back.


    Grace Li had left her umbrella in the car, and Aiden Thompson hadn¡¯t expected rain either. Standing near the entrance, they hesitated for a moment. The office was only about three blocks away¡ªnot too far. Grace figured she could probably just make a run for it.


    ¡°Wait here for a sec,¡± Aiden said before jogging off into the rain toward a nearby convenience store.


    A few moments later, he came back with an oversized black umbrella. As he walked toward her, his strides steady and sure, something about the moment made Grace feel unexpectedly warm inside¡ªdespite the chilly wind and rain, it was as if even the cold front had softened just a little.


    Aiden stopped next to her and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They shared the umbrella, stepping into the rain together. In New York, couples showing affection in public wasn¡¯t unusual, but considering their workplace, they kept a bit of distance. Aiden even tilted the umbrella slightly toward her side. Every now and then, their eyes met¡ªa brief, unspoken exchange.


    When they reached the office building, Aiden suggested that Grace head up first while he waited a moment before following, just to avoid unnecessary attention.


    Because of the nature of their work, they were often out meeting clients, so coming in late once in a while wasn¡¯t a big deal. Still, Aiden kept things professional¡ªhe shot a quick Slack message:


    Aiden Thompson: Hey, running a little late. Be there soon.


    Back at her desk, Grace powered up her laptop and got to work. A few minutes later, Aiden walked in. Their eyes met briefly¡ªno words were exchanged, but there was an unspoken understanding before they both got back to business.


    By the afternoon, the temperature had dropped to 46¡ãF (about 8¡ãC). The office heating kept it comfortable, so Grace hadn¡¯t really noticed the cold¡ªuntil Ryan and Mike returned from a client meeting, rubbing their hands together.


    ¡°Man, it¡¯s freezing out there!¡± Ryan complained.


    That¡¯s when she remembered¡ªAiden had been out all afternoon, and he wasn¡¯t dressed for this weather.


    He had just gotten back from meeting some startup founders. Grace glanced over and noticed he was only wearing a thick flannel shirt under a blazer¡ªnot nearly warm enough for a day like this.


    Sure enough, it wasn¡¯t long before he started sneezing. Grace felt a pang of concern, but with their coworkers around, she didn¡¯t want to make it obvious. Instead, she shot him a quick message.


    Grace Li: Hey, maybe you should head home early today. No need to stay late.


    Aiden Thompson: Still got some stuff to finish up. Why don¡¯t we head out together?


    Grace Li: Why wait for me?


    Aiden Thompson: We can split a cab. I¡¯ll drop you off first, then head home. No point in both of us getting separate rides.


    Grace saw right through him. This wasn¡¯t about saving money¡ªhe probably just didn¡¯t want her going home alone after what happened yesterday.


    Grace Li: You sure you¡¯re warm enough?


    Aiden Thompson: Nah, I told you¡ªI don¡¯t get cold.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Grace Li: ?? Yeah, and I told you¡ªdon¡¯t tough it out, okay?


    ***


    As expected, the tough guy ended up sick the next day.


    Grace Li¡¯s car was still at the dealership, but she still made it to work early. Normally, Aiden Thompson arrived around the same time as her, but today, he was nowhere to be seen. Even after work officially started, there was still no sign of him.


    Then, Grace received a text from him, saying he had a fever and was taking the day off.


    She sighed. No surprise there. First, he ran out in the rain to get her an umbrella, then he braved the cold to meet a client. No matter how tough he thought he was, his body had its limits.


    Stepping out into the hallway, she called him.


    When he picked up, his voice was hoarse.


    ¡°Hey, did you see a doctor?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Nah,¡± Aiden said lazily. ¡°Just went downstairs to CVS and grabbed some cold meds.¡±


    ¡°Want me to come over and keep you company?¡±


    He let out a soft chuckle, refusing to admit any weakness. ¡°I¡¯m not that fragile. It¡¯s just a cold. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Did you check your temperature? How high is it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. 102.2.¡±


    Grace frowned. ¡°That¡¯s pretty high.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Did you eat anything?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, grabbed something while I was out.¡±


    ¡°What do you want for lunch? I¡¯ll bring it over.¡±


    Aiden laughed. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously gonna go out of your way just for that, are you?¡±


    ¡°What, you don¡¯t want me to?¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want you running around for nothing. Just get off work early, pick up your car, then swing by.¡±


    Made sense. The dealership had already called to say her car would be ready by the afternoon, and it was on the way to his place.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said. ¡°But if you start feeling worse, call me. I¡¯ll take you to urgent care.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°And drink lots of water. Keep yourself warm.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Got it, Mom.¡±


    Grace hung up, turning around only to find Scarlet Harris standing there, having just walked in.


    ¡°Morning, Grace!¡± Scarlet greeted her with a knowing smile.


    ¡°Morning.¡±


    Scarlet raised an eyebrow. ¡°That call sounded¡­ sweet.¡±


    Grace cleared her throat. ¡°Just a friend. He¡¯s sick.¡±


    Scarlet smirked. ¡°Uh-huh. Sure. A ¡®friend.¡¯¡±


    Grace just smiled, not bothering to explain.


    <hr>


    After work, Grace called a ride to the dealership to pick up her car. The moment she got it back, she drove straight to Brooklyn.


    When it came to Brooklyn, Grace had a mental food map ready to go. There was a tiny rice noodle joint near Williamsburg Market, where the rolls were thin, soft, and packed with fresh fillings. A few blocks away, a Chaoshan-style congee shop served the creamiest seafood porridge, rich and flavorful. And then, tucked away in a little alley, there was an old Jewish bakery that made the crispiest, chewiest bagels in town.


    She made a quick stop at each place, grabbing their signature dishes to bring to Aiden.


    Yesterday, she¡¯d noticed his kitchen looked practically untouched. His fridge was packed with frozen meals and takeout boxes, the counters were spotless, and the only appliance that seemed well-used was the microwave.


    When she arrived, Aiden¡¯s eyes widened at the food she brought.


    ¡°Damn,¡± he said between bites. ¡°You know all these places? I¡¯ve lived here for years and never tried them.¡±


    Grace laughed. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to take you out more.¡±


    ¡°Well, now I know.¡± He grinned.


    As they ate, she casually asked, ¡°You don¡¯t seriously eat takeout every day, do you?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± Aiden admitted. ¡°It¡¯s convenient.¡±


    Grace wanted to tell him it wasn¡¯t great for his health, but then she realized she wasn¡¯t much better¡ªmost of her workweek meals came from delivery apps too.


    After a while, Aiden suddenly said, ¡°Grace, come house hunting with me this weekend.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°You found a place?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Spent the day scrolling through Zillow.¡± He said it like it was no big deal. ¡°Thinking about moving closer to you.¡±


    Grace blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re serious?¡±


    Aiden set down his spoon, looking at her. ¡°We have to act like regular coworkers at the office, and we live half an hour apart. How are we supposed to spend more time together like that?¡±


    A crazy idea popped into Grace¡¯s head, but she hesitated. They hadn¡¯t been dating for long. Still, thinking about how expensive rent was in her area, she bit the bullet and said, ¡°You do realize rent near me is crazy, right? For the same kind of place you have now, you¡¯d be paying at least two or three grand more, plus parking fees and maintenance. So¡­ why don¡¯t you just move in with me?¡±


    Aiden froze for a second, then smirked. ¡°You sure?¡±


    Grace quickly added, ¡°You¡¯d have your own space. The guest room is empty, and it has a private bathroom. You wouldn¡¯t be in my way.¡±


    His smirk softened into a genuine smile. ¡°If you¡¯re okay with it, I¡¯m all in.¡±


    Grace let out a breath. ¡°Alright. Moving day is this weekend.¡±


    Aiden held up his spoon with a grin. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 47

    The past month had felt like a whirlwind for Grace Li. Ever since she started dating Aiden Thompson, it was like stepping into a whole new world. Every day brought something different¡ªexciting, yet a little overwhelming. She wasn¡¯t the type to rush into things, and with their relationship still under wraps, she sometimes felt like she was struggling to keep up with his pace.


    On Saturday morning, Aiden moved in. To keep things low-key, he didn¡¯t ask any friends for help¡ªjust hired a moving company to drop his stuff off at Grace¡¯s place.


    When Grace opened the door, Aiden was outside, checking the last of his boxes with the movers. He looked up and grinned. ¡°Perfect timing. Can you grab my bag?¡±


    She took his backpack, glancing at the luggage and moving boxes stacked by the door. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to pack this light,¡± she teased.


    Aiden carried a box inside and shrugged. ¡°Bringing too much stuff is a hassle. Besides, your storage space isn¡¯t exactly unlimited¡ªI figured I shouldn¡¯t take over your whole apartment.¡±


    Grace closed the door behind them, watching as Aiden settled his things in the living room. It suddenly hit her¡ªhe was really moving in.


    Instead of unpacking right away, Aiden grabbed a glass of water and flopped onto the couch, like he¡¯d already made himself at home. Grace stood there, feeling a mix of emotions. Her personal space was no longer just hers alone, but oddly enough, she didn¡¯t mind it.


    As they unpacked together, Grace helped him hang up his clothes. She noticed his wardrobe was basically all black, white, and gray¡ªhis shirts folded neatly, socks and underwear rolled up like they were on display at a store. Compared to her messy closet, his organization skills were almost intimidating.


    While she was reaching into his suitcase, a few pieces of clothing slipped out. Instinctively, she bent down to pick them up, but the second her fingers touched the fabric, her face heated up. Did I really just grab that?


    Before she could process it, Aiden walked into the room and caught her red-handed, crouched over his open suitcase, holding his¡ªwell, personal items. Their eyes met, and for a second, everything froze.


    Grace immediately let go and stammered, ¡°Uh¡­ y-you should probably handle this yourself. Easier for you to find things that way.¡±


    Aiden chuckled and took the clothes from her. ¡°I don¡¯t mind you helping. I mean, it¡¯s all gonna end up in the same closet anyway.¡±


    Grace turned away, pretending to be busy, but her ears burned.


    Once they finished unpacking, they headed out to Whole Foods to grab groceries and a few household essentials. Since Aiden had gotten rid of some old stuff, he needed to replace a few things.


    It was their first time grocery shopping together. Walking into Whole Foods, Grace focused on picking out fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots for a salad, while Aiden pushed the cart, occasionally grabbing random bottles of fancy sauces and reading the labels. ¡°This looks interesting,¡± he mused. ¡°Bet you¡¯ll buy it and never use it.¡±


    Grace shot him a look. ¡°Shows how much you know. Sauces are the heart and soul of cooking.¡±


    Aiden smirked and tossed the bottle into the cart. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll let you prove me wrong.¡±


    By the time they got to self-checkout, their cart was full. Grace started scanning the items, and Aiden packed the bags. Just as she reached for her phone to pay, he swiped his card first.


    ¡°I got this,¡± he said casually.


    Grace frowned. ¡°Most of this stuff is for me. I should pay.¡±


    Aiden waved her off. ¡°Come on, I¡¯m crashing at your place rent-free. Covering groceries is the least I can do. Plus, I get points on my card¡ªit¡¯s a win-win.¡±


    She hesitated, then relented. He did have a point. Their situation was unusual, but at least Aiden wasn¡¯t just freeloading. Maybe she had misjudged him at first. Or¡­ was he actually a low-key, responsible guy?


    Back home, Grace tied on an apron and started cooking while Aiden helped out in the kitchen. By the time she finished, they had three dishes and a soup on the table.


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    After dinner, Grace gathered the dishes and carried them to the sink. Aiden followed her into the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯ll do the dishes.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°You sure? I heard you don¡¯t even step foot in the kitchen.¡±


    Aiden crossed his arms. ¡°It¡¯s just washing dishes. How hard can it be?¡±


    Grace laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ making you wash dishes on your first day here kinda feels like hazing.¡±


    Aiden smirked. ¡°You just don¡¯t trust me not to break something, huh?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± she said, grinning. ¡°I just think you should settle in first.¡±


    Aiden was quiet for a moment before he said, ¡°Then you better get used to it¡ªthis might be my job from now on. Unless¡­¡±


    ¡°Unless what?¡± she asked, curious.


    ¡°Unless I learn how to cook,¡± he said with a playful wink.


    Grace blinked, then realized what he was getting at. He was already thinking about their future¡ªhow they¡¯d divide household chores, how they¡¯d make things work as a team.


    She chuckled. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see how long that takes.¡±


    With that, she stepped aside and let him take over the sink. He wasn¡¯t the fastest, but he was focused, carefully scrubbing each plate. Watching him, Grace felt an unexpected warmth in her chest.


    For a brief moment, she had a vision of the two of them¡ªliving together, sharing responsibilities, building a life.


    And strangely enough, it didn¡¯t scare her at all.


    **


    Monday was the Lantern Festival, a day that brought back nostalgic memories of home for Grace Li.


    The afternoon, her coworkers decided to order some afternoon snacks, not necessarily to celebrate the festival, but just as an excuse to enjoy some good food together. Aiden Thompson and Peter were out on a client visit, leaving five of them in the office.


    Everyone gathered around the table, which was covered with an extra-large pizza from a well-rated Italian place nearby. The warm, cheesy aroma filled the air. Alongside it, there were buckets of crispy fried chicken, fresh out of the fryer, and bubble tea from Chinatown, with chewy tapioca pearls complementing the rich tea flavors.


    Olivia, wearing disposable gloves, took a big bite of a chicken wing and mumbled, ¡°Why does the Lantern Festival have to be on a Monday? If it were Sunday, I could¡¯ve hit up a Chinatown bar and partied all night.¡±


    Ryan, munching on a slice of pizza, said, ¡°You can still go out tonight. Times Square is having a crazy light show.¡±


    ¡°No way. It¡¯ll be packed. I¡¯ll probably see nothing but the backs of people¡¯s heads,¡± Olivia scoffed.


    Just then, Ryan walked in from outside, struggling to carry a large foam cooler. A coworker, in between bites of pizza, casually asked, ¡°Hey, Ryan, what¡¯s in the box?¡±


    Ryan carefully placed the cooler down and grinned. ¡°Not mine. My parents ordered me some seafood from Maine. They know today is the Lantern Festival, so they thought I should treat myself.¡±


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Olivia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s a serious haul!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my mom figured I shouldn¡¯t be eating takeout all the time,¡± Ryan chuckled. ¡°She only told me after she ordered it. There¡¯s no way I can eat all this myself, so if anyone wants some, feel free to take some home after work.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what you got!¡± someone said eagerly.


    Ryan grabbed a box cutter and carefully sliced through the packing tape. Inside, two massive Maine lobsters lay on top, their claws restrained by rubber bands. Beneath them, five enormous Dungeness crabs, each larger than a grown man¡¯s fist, were still lively and moving.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Everyone gasped in unison.


    Ryan laughed. ¡°You guys act like you¡¯ve never seen seafood before.¡±


    ¡°We have,¡± Olivia said, ¡°but it¡¯s not like we buy this stuff every day.¡±


    Growing up in a coastal town, Ryan was used to having fresh seafood, so he shrugged. ¡°Well, if you want some, take it. No way I¡¯m finishing all this alone.¡±


    Olivia, barely containing her excitement, asked, ¡°Anything else in there?¡±


    Ryan dug through the box. ¡°Yeah, some clams, mussels, and sea snails.¡±


    Then, an idea struck him. ¡°Hey, what if we do a Lantern Festival seafood dinner? We can cook it all together instead of everyone taking separate bits home.¡±


    Mike clapped his hands. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea! But where would we do it?¡±


    Ryan sighed. ¡°Not my place. I don¡¯t even own a pot.¡±


    Another coworker shook their head. ¡°My studio apartment is tiny. No way we¡¯d all fit.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s gaze naturally shifted to Grace, who was sipping her bubble tea. She blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ you mean my place?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Olivia said, ¡°out of all of us, your apartment is probably the most spacious. And you know how to cook seafood, right?¡±


    Normally, Grace wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to say yes. But now that she was living with Aiden Thompson, the last thing she needed was for her coworkers to notice something and start asking questions.


    Mike sensed her hesitation. ¡°Hey, Grace, if it¡¯s inconvenient, no worries. We can figure something else out.¡±


    Grace didn¡¯t want to be the killjoy. She forced a smile and said, ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s do it at my place.¡±


    Olivia grinned. ¡°Awesome! But seven of us eating just seafood? We need more food.¡±


    ¡°No doubt,¡± Ryan agreed. ¡°Let¡¯s stop by a supermarket after work and grab some extra stuff.¡±


    As her coworkers excitedly discussed what else to buy, Grace was already running scenarios in her head. If they saw a man¡¯s stuff in her apartment, what excuse could she use? Maybe she could say her cousin was in town for job interviews and staying over for a few days?


    That seemed reasonable enough.


    Besides, Aiden was in New Jersey for work today, and the train ride back was only about an hour. There was a good chance the dinner would be over before he even got home. Just to be safe, Grace sent him a message.


    Grace: What time are you getting back?


    Aiden: Taking the 6 PM train. Should be home around 7:30.


    Grace: Ryan and the team want to do a seafood dinner at our place. I said yes.


    Aiden: Got it. What¡¯s my cover story? ??


    Grace: My cousin, job hunting in NYC.


    Aiden: Cool. I¡¯ll head straight home after the train.


    Grace exhaled, feeling a little more at ease. This could work.

 Chapter 48

    After work, Grace Li drove Ryan and the box of seafood home first to prepare the ingredients. The rest of their colleagues caught a ride with Mike to a nearby grocery store to buy additional groceries.


    Aiden Thompson had only moved in a few days ago, and his personal belongings weren¡¯t fully unpacked yet. If no one went snooping around his room, it was easy to overlook that he lived there.


    Grace Li tied on an apron and took charge of cooking. She opted for a simple steamed preparation to preserve the fresh flavor of the seafood Ryan¡¯s family had sent. Alongside it, she made a mix of Chinese and American fusion dishes¡ªlike chicken wings marinated with Chinese-style sauces before roasting and a vegetable salad with a hint of Chinese five-spice. Since it was the Lantern Festival, she had also prepared two packs of tangyuan from a Chinatown supermarket.


    Just as she finished cooking, there was a knock at the door. It had to be Aiden Thompson.


    Mike, who was closest to the door, opened it. Seeing Aiden, he grinned. "Perfect timing, man. Food¡¯s ready, just waiting for you to dig in."


    Aiden walked in, still holding his briefcase. He set it down on the entryway table. Since there were extra guests tonight, Grace Li had told everyone to keep their shoes on to avoid the hassle of taking them off and putting them back on.


    Even though this was technically his home, Aiden had to play the role of a guest in front of his colleagues.


    The place was buzzing with energy as everyone gathered around the four-person dining table, eyeing the spread eagerly, waiting for the go-ahead to eat.


    Grace Li, still in her apron, brought out another dish and said, "No need to wait, dig in!"


    With that, everyone grabbed their chopsticks without hesitation.


    Between the chairs from the dining set and a couple of extra ones from her bedroom, Grace only had five seats total. That meant two people had to stand.


    As one of the ''hosts,'' Aiden instinctively stood aside, holding his plate. When Grace came out of the kitchen, Mike quickly stood up and offered his seat. "Grace, you¡¯ve been working so hard¡ªcome sit and eat."


    Grace waved him off. "It¡¯s fine, I can just stand and eat."


    "No way! You must be exhausted. Sit down already." The others chimed in, insisting she take a seat.


    Seeing their enthusiasm, she finally sat down. Watching everyone enjoy the meal, she asked, "How¡¯s the food? Hope it suits your taste."


    Olivia, her mouth full of crab leg, gave a thumbs-up. "Grace, this is amazing! Didn¡¯t know Chinese food could be this good."


    Ryan, looking utterly satisfied, nodded as he chewed. "So good. Best seafood feast I¡¯ve ever had. Grace, you could totally open a restaurant."


    Noticing Aiden wasn¡¯t taking much besides a bowl of tangyuan, Ryan nudged him. "Hey, Aiden, don¡¯t hold back. Eat more seafood¡ªmake yourself at home."


    Aiden smirked. "You focus on your own food."


    Grace overheard them and had to bite back a laugh. She avoided looking at Aiden, afraid she¡¯d crack up.


    Olivia suddenly started praising again. "Grace, not only are you a great cook, but you¡¯re also amazing at your job, and you¡¯re gorgeous. Whoever marries you must have saved the entire galaxy in their past life."


    Ryan nodded eagerly. "Yeah, seriously. You¡¯re perfect. No flaws at all."


    Grace blushed. "Alright, alright, enough with the flattery. Just eat."


    "We mean it!"


    Their team had always been more like friends than just coworkers. They ate, laughed, and chatted, making the atmosphere feel extra warm and lively.


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    Ryan stepped away to use the restroom. When he came back, he suddenly asked, "Boss, be honest. Are you dating someone?"


    Grace¡¯s heart skipped a beat. "What? Where did that come from?"


    "I saw two toothbrushes and a razor in the bathroom. Looks like a guy is living here."


    Grace coughed lightly and replied calmly, "That¡¯s my cousin¡¯s. He¡¯s job-hunting in New York and crashing at my place for a few days."


    "Wait, didn¡¯t you say your cousin lives in L.A.?" Ryan looked confused.


    Grace hesitated for a second.


    Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Ryan, how do you know her cousin is in L.A.?"


    "When she moved, I hit it off with her cousin and added him on WeChat. He¡¯s been posting from L.A. lately."


    Grace hadn¡¯t expected her cover story to get busted so fast. She had no choice but to double down. "That¡¯s another cousin. He came to New York for work at the start of the year and needed a place to stay."


    Ryan scratched his head. "Oh, got it. I thought you finally got a boyfriend."


    Another colleague chimed in, "If the boss were dating someone, she¡¯d tell us."


    Olivia nodded. "Exactly. Plus, she works late all the time¡ªshe doesn¡¯t seem like someone in a relationship."


    Grace just smiled and said nothing.


    After dinner, Olivia noticed they could see the Times Square light show from the balcony and excitedly called everyone over.


    The seven of them lined up along the railing, looking out at the dazzling lights. The apartment wasn¡¯t super close to Times Square, but the clear night made for a great view.


    "Damn, Grace, your place is awesome. This view is better than being in the crowd!" Olivia marveled.


    "Yeah, I bet the property value here is gonna skyrocket."


    "For sure, especially since they¡¯re adding a new subway line soon."


    Ryan looked up at the sky. "It¡¯s the Lantern Festival, right? Where¡¯s the moon?"


    Olivia burst out laughing. "Ryan, you dummy, it¡¯s behind us!"


    Grace listened to their playful banter with a smile. It was nice to have everyone gathered like this.


    Suddenly, she felt warmth on her hand. Aiden had quietly slipped his hand into hers. Startled, she glanced at him.


    Aiden, pretending nothing was happening, kept his eyes on the light show. Noticing her glance, he turned to her with a playful glint in his eye. She tried to pull her hand away, silently signaling him to behave, worried their coworkers would notice.


    But instead of letting go, Aiden intertwined his fingers with hers and casually said, "Yeah, the view here¡¯s pretty nice."


    With everyone focused on the lights, no one noticed the two of them holding hands at the edge of the group.


    By 9:30 PM, people started heading out.


    Ryan called out, "Aiden, let¡¯s go. Time to head home."


    Aiden, still in the kitchen, looked slightly annoyed. "I¡¯ll take out the trash first."


    There were two big bags of garbage. Ryan stepped in, ever helpful. "I¡¯ll carry one."


    "No need. You go ahead."


    "Come on, man. I was gonna split a cab with you to save some cash."


    Aiden paused, then quickly said, "I don¡¯t live in Brooklyn anymore."


    "What? When did you move? Where to?"


    "After the New Year. I¡¯m staying somewhere close by now."


    "Alright then." Ryan grabbed Aiden¡¯s arm, pulling him toward the door. "Hurry up, let¡¯s go. Let the boss rest."


    So, Aiden was dragged outside.


    Inside the elevator, each holding a trash bag, Ryan mused, "I swear, the boss is hiding something."


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"


    "I¡¯m telling you, she¡¯s definitely dating someone."


    Aiden¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression neutral, even smirking. "Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?"


    "I saw the stuff in her bathroom. She totally made up that cousin excuse."


    Aiden asked casually, "Who do you think it is?"


    Ryan thought for a second. "That guy I set her up with at my birthday party?"


    Aiden didn¡¯t hesitate. "No way."


    "How do you know?"


    "Just a guess."


    After taking out the trash, Aiden turned back. "I forgot my briefcase. You go ahead."


    Ryan didn¡¯t question it. "Alright, see you."


    Aiden went back upstairs, re-entering the apartment just as Grace finished mopping the floor.


    Aiden Thompson kicked off his shoes and slipped on his slippers before walking over to Grace Li.


    Grace looked at him with a smile. ¡°How¡¯d you get away from Ryan?¡±


    Aiden pointed to his laptop bag by the entryway. ¡°Told him I forgot my bag.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty slick.¡±


    Aiden glanced around. ¡°Anything else left to clean up?¡±


    After dinner, everyone had pitched in to clear the table and wash the dishes, so most of the cleanup was already done. The only thing left had been mopping the floor, and Grace had just finished that too.


    ¡°Nope, all set.¡± She carried the mop out to the balcony to let it dry.


    Aiden followed her outside. As soon as she put the mop down, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.


    ¡°Hm? What¡¯s up?¡± Grace asked.


    Resting his chin on her shoulder, Aiden said, ¡°That whole crowd finally left. Now I can actually hug my girlfriend properly.¡±


    Grace let him hold her as she thought back to everything that had happened that night. ¡°Tonight was... eventful.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Aiden teased. ¡°So you like a little excitement?¡±


    Grace¡¯s face warmed. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡±


    Aiden smirked. ¡°Then what did you mean?¡±


    Grace thought for a moment, then grinned. ¡°Okay, fine, I got nothing.¡±


    Aiden chuckled softly. ¡°Grace.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I must¡¯ve done something really right to deserve you.¡±


    Grace remembered what Olivia had said earlier and grinned. ¡°So, what are you? Superman?¡±


    ¡°Could be Spider-Man.¡±


    They shared a smile and stood quietly on the balcony, enjoying the night. Grace looked up and realized the moon had already risen, big and full, casting a soft silver glow over everything. It made the whole night feel almost unreal.

 Chapter 49

    "Hey, how was that AgroTech project in Jersey today?" Grace Li asked. AgroTech was the project Aiden Thompson had gone to evaluate. Grace had initially learned about it through her network¡ªit was an innovative vertical farming startup in a rapid growth phase, actively seeking funding to scale up.


    "Well, you know, I¡¯ve got most of the research done. I¡¯ll start prepping the investment proposal in the next couple of days, and then we can go over the details together." Aiden replied.


    "Great. I want you to present it at the investment committee meeting." Grace said.


    Aiden chuckled. "Wow, does this count as special treatment?"


    He had only been with the firm for six months. Normally, someone at his level would just assist a VP with research and prep work. AgroTech was an exception¡ªGrace had handed it off to him at the end of last year when she was overloaded with work. But he hadn¡¯t expected to skip the usual chain of command and present it himself.


    Grace turned to face him, her expression serious. "Aiden, I¡¯m not giving you any favors. You¡¯re genuinely outstanding. Your perspective, logic, and analytical skills¡ªeven with all my years of experience, I¡¯m often impressed. You deserve a bigger stage to showcase your talent. You chose Nova Capital, and as your manager, it¡¯s my responsibility to make sure the firm sees what you¡¯re capable of."


    Her words struck a chord with Aiden. He¡¯d been praised plenty throughout his life¡ªhe had always been that kid, the one teachers, coaches, and mentors pointed to as the model. But this was different. This wasn¡¯t just praise; it was recognition.


    Aiden rested his hands on the balcony railing, loosely boxing Grace in between his arms. "You really think I¡¯m that good?"


    "Absolutely. You¡¯re exceptional." Grace said without hesitation.


    Aiden smirked. "You know, that almost sounds like a love confession."


    Grace rolled her eyes. "I¡¯m being serious here."


    "Alright, alright, Grace, you win." Aiden said, grinning.


    Grace shook her head with a small laugh before continuing. "So, I¡¯ll support you on AgroTech, but you¡¯re leading this. How do you feel about that?"


    "Sure, I¡¯m in." Aiden answered without hesitation.


    "One more thing¡ªcompany policy requires projects to be led by a VP or above, so officially, this will be under my name. That means if this deal goes through, the credit, bonuses, and everything will initially be attributed to me. But as you know, at Nova, it¡¯s common practice to distribute performance bonuses to the team. That said, your payout might not fully reflect your contribution. Are you okay with that?"


    "Nah, I don¡¯t mind. And besides, between us, what¡¯s yours is¡­ still yours." Aiden joked.


    Grace let out a soft laugh. "Alright then. Just bring your A-game at the investment committee meeting. The firm is really interested in innovative projects like this. If you nail it, you could be in line for bigger deals¡ªand maybe even equity incentives down the road."


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    <hr>


    The meeting was scheduled for Friday¡ªcoincidentally, Valentine¡¯s Day. At Nova Capital, a powerhouse in New York¡¯s investment scene, these meetings were high-stakes affairs. At least once or twice a week, top executives gathered to review potential deals. Attendees included Managing Directors (MDs), key decision-makers, and the full project team. Sometimes, even Limited Partners (LPs) would join to weigh in on investment decisions.


    Normally, Grace led her team¡¯s presentations, occasionally giving junior members a chance to participate. But today was different¡ªthis was Aiden¡¯s show. He would take full ownership of the presentation, answering whatever questions the execs threw his way.


    Dressed in a sharp, tailored Italian suit, Aiden looked effortlessly confident¡ªlike he was born for the boardroom. His deep-blue tie, patterned with subtle geometric designs, added just the right touch of personality without being flashy. As he stepped up to the large presentation screen, he radiated a quiet, commanding presence that turned heads the moment he spoke.


    Despite this being his first time presenting at such a high-level meeting, there wasn¡¯t a trace of nerves. He carried himself with the kind of composure that made it seem like these high-stakes discussions were second nature to him.


    Grace, as the official project lead, opened the meeting with a warm yet professional introduction. "Good morning, everyone. It¡¯s a pleasure to be here today to introduce a very promising investment opportunity¡ªAgroTech. We¡¯ve been closely evaluating this company, and I¡¯m excited to have one of our most talented team members, Aiden Thompson, walk you through our findings."


    With that, she stepped aside, giving Aiden the floor.


    He took a brief moment to scan the room, meeting the eyes of the firm¡¯s top decision-makers. Then, with a confident nod, he began.


    "Good morning, esteemed executives and colleagues. I¡¯m honored to be here today to present this exciting project on behalf of our team. As we all know, the United States, with its large and diverse population, has a significant and growing demand for food and agricultural products. Our analysis of historical data shows that the U.S. currently produces about 80% of its food domestically. While this is a strong figure, many developed nations have adopted highly advanced agricultural models, enabling them to exceed 100% self-sufficiency and even become major exporters.


    One of the key differences lies in how agriculture is structured. While the U.S. is home to both small and large-scale farms, many operations still face challenges in scalability, efficiency, and sustainability. By leveraging innovation, there is a major opportunity to enhance agricultural output while reducing environmental impact.


    This is where AgroTech comes in. Founded in 2019, AgroTech is leading the way in vertical farming¡ªa revolutionary approach that maximizes efficiency in food production. The company has already established 200 state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouses, each spanning about an acre. While this footprint may seem small compared to traditional farms, the true power of vertical farming lies in its rapid growth cycles, climate resilience, and exceptionally high yields¡ªup to 200 times greater than conventional agriculture¡­¡­"


    Aiden Thompson spoke with his hands gently raised, using natural gestures that reinforced his words. His delivery was clear and engaging, with a logical flow that held the audience¡¯s attention.


    The attendees listened intently, their focus unwavering as they absorbed his insights. A few executives nodded in approval, a sign that his presentation was making an impact. From the side, Grace Li watched with quiet admiration, proud of how he carried himself with confidence and authority.


    Aiden smoothly flipped to the next slide and continued:


    "Currently, AgroTech¡¯s high-quality agricultural products are distributed through three main channels: online grocery platforms, which account for 46% of sales, supermarkets at 42%, and restaurants at 12%. Over the past three years, revenue across all three channels has grown consistently at approximately 30% per year. Notably, this growth has persisted despite challenges in scaling production to meet rising demand."


    Half an hour later, Aiden Thompson gracefully concluded his presentation, and the stage was set for the all - important question - and - answer session with the executives.

 Chapter 50

    Benjamin Harris, a seasoned and highly respected executive, leaned forward slightly as he posed his question:"The project''s annual losses are still rising. Given that, how confident are you in your profit forecast?"


    Aiden Thompson, unfazed by the direct question, responded in a measured tone. "Mr. Harris, I have strong confidence in our profit forecast, backed by extensive data analysis. Of course, no project comes without risk, but let me explain our reasoning."


    Benjamin Harris gave a thoughtful nod, signaling his interest.


    "As we all know, venture capital involves inherent risks. No company can claim 100% certainty in its projections¡ªmarket disruptions, regulatory changes, or unforeseen external factors always pose challenges. However, our analysis incorporates historical market trends, technological advancements, and industry growth trajectories. Based on these factors, we assess a high probability of success, with a balanced approach to risk and opportunity."


    Harris considered the response before posing another concern. "Vertical farming is promising, but its high costs remain a major hurdle. Can it truly compete with traditional agriculture in the long run?"


    Aiden, prepared for this question, smoothly navigated to the next slide. "That¡¯s a great point, Mr. Harris. Let¡¯s look at the data."


    The screen displayed a financial breakdown. "Since its inception, AgroTech has secured strong investor backing, allowing significant investments in infrastructure and technology. While upfront costs are substantial, our financial projections show a clear path to long-term profitability. Key factors include automation, operational efficiencies, and transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which will significantly reduce electricity expenses over time. Additionally, vertical farming allows for higher land efficiency, reduced labor costs, and better yield predictability¡ªadvantages that give it a competitive edge in the evolving agricultural landscape."


    Harris gave a slow nod. "That¡¯s a well-structured response. I appreciate the thorough analysis."


    As the meeting wrapped up, other executives followed with their own questions. Aiden answered each with confidence, reinforcing his expertise.


    Afterward, as the team exited the conference room, Ryan clapped Aiden on the back. "Dude, you crushed it in there! I mean, I knew you were good, but that was next-level. Six months in, and you''re already making waves. That Oxford MBA is paying off."


    Aiden, not one for excessive physical contact, gave Ryan a pointed look. "Come on, Ryan, you know I¡¯m not into that."


    Ryan smirked. "Oh, I bet if it were your girlfriend, you wouldn¡¯t mind."


    Aiden¡¯s gaze briefly flicked toward Grace Li, who was walking ahead. A subtle smile crossed his lips. "Well, a girlfriend is a different story."


    Grace caught the comment but kept her expression neutral. Still, a small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she continued walking.


    Back at the office, the team gathered to debrief. Grace addressed them with a nod. "Aiden¡¯s presentation was excellent, and everyone¡¯s hard work helped make this a success. Now, let¡¯s focus on next steps and how we can build on this momentum."


    The discussion quickly turned to strategy, with Aiden actively contributing ideas. As he spoke, Grace observed him with quiet pride. She had no doubt¡ªAiden was a rising star. And as their professional and personal relationship evolved, she was eager to see where it would lead.


    After the meeting, Scarlet Harris walked into her father Benjamin Harris¡¯s office, her hands playfully tucked behind her back. With a teasing smile, she asked, ¡°Dad, what did you think of Aiden Thompson¡¯s presentation?¡±


    Benjamin Harris walked around his desk and eased into his chair, considering his response carefully. ¡°Pretty impressive. His logic was tight, his points were clear, and he has a sharp eye for what matters. Honestly, he¡¯s better than some employees who¡¯ve been here for years.¡±


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    Scarlet¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Of course! And that¡¯s just scratching the surface of what he can do.¡±


    Catching the subtle excitement in his daughter¡¯s voice, Benjamin gave her a knowing look. ¡°You seem to have taken quite an interest in him.¡±


    Scarlet pursed her lips slightly before replying, ¡°He¡¯s talented, Dad. You think so too, don¡¯t you? So it¡¯s only natural I¡¯d pay attention.¡±


    Benjamin respected Aiden¡¯s abilities, but he still had his reservations. The guy was bright, no doubt, but he was still early in his career. He leaned back in his chair and said, ¡°Well, what about the younger son of Vitality Group¡¯s chairman? He¡¯s got a solid future ahead of him.¡±


    Scarlet¡¯s face immediately soured. ¡°Dad, absolutely not. Just because he looks polished on the outside doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s actually got his act together. The guy¡¯s all over social media partying with influencers. That¡¯s not my type.¡±


    Benjamin chuckled at her bluntness. ¡°Fair enough. But your aunt has plenty of great connections¡ªshe could introduce you to someone equally impressive.¡±


    Scarlet rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t help laughing. ¡°Does it really have to be about status?¡± She shot him a playful look. ¡°Besides, you know an Oxford MBA isn¡¯t cheap¡ªso maybe we¡¯re not so different after all.¡±


    Benjamin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oxford MBA, huh? I didn¡¯t realize.¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Scarlet said confidently. ¡°And that means he¡¯s smart, ambitious, and driven. That¡¯s gotta count for something, right? Way better than some spoiled rich kid who¡¯s never had to work for anything.¡±


    Benjamin rarely heard his daughter speak so highly of someone. It was clear she was genuinely interested. ¡°And what about him? Is he interested in you?¡±


    Scarlet bit her lip, a rare flicker of shyness crossing her face. ¡°Dad, I just got back to the company not long ago. We don¡¯t know each other that well yet¡ªwe¡¯re still figuring things out.¡±


    Benjamin decided not to push further. If Scarlet was serious, time would tell. Instead, he changed the subject. ¡°I¡¯ve got a meeting this afternoon. You¡¯re coming with me¡ªit¡¯ll be a good learning opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± she said, happy to move on.


    A little after five in the afternoon, Aiden Thompson¡¯s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, then got up and stepped out of his office.


    At the front entrance of the company, a florist delivery guy holding a large bouquet of vibrant red roses was looking around. As soon as he saw Aiden, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Mr. Thompson?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±


    The delivery guy handed over the bouquet along with a small card. ¡°Here you go. Enjoy!¡±


    Aiden took the flowers and smiled. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    As he walked back into the office, holding the bouquet in one hand, the receptionist caught sight of him and leaned toward a colleague. ¡°Wow, someone¡¯s feeling special today.¡±


    On his way back to his desk, a coworker from another team grinned. ¡°Nice! Who¡¯s the lucky one?¡±


    Aiden replied casually, ¡°They¡¯re for someone.¡±


    ¡°For your girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°You got it.¡±


    The coworker gasped dramatically. ¡°Ouch, there go my chances.¡± The people nearby chuckled.


    Unfazed, Aiden walked into his office. Olivia, sitting near the entrance, immediately spotted the bouquet and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Aiden, where¡¯d those come from?¡±


    ¡°I bought them.¡±


    Ryan, who had been typing away at his desk, immediately turned around. ¡°Whoa! Red roses? Man, there¡¯s gotta be a story here.¡±


    Mike smirked. ¡°Aiden, don¡¯t tell me you actually have a girlfriend now?¡±


    Aiden instinctively glanced at Grace Li¡ªjust as she happened to look up at him. Their eyes met for a second before Grace quickly looked down at her paperwork, pretending to be focused.


    Her heart was pounding. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because Aiden looked ridiculously handsome in his suit, holding that bouquet, or because she was nervous about people finding out.


    Aiden walked over to his desk and set the bouquet in the corner, slightly out of sight.


    Ryan rolled his chair over. ¡°Dude, since when? I sit right next to you and had no clue.¡±


    Aiden was already typing away at his keyboard. Without looking up, he said, ¡°It¡¯s personal. You don¡¯t need to know.¡±


    ¡°Wow, cold. I ask as a good friend, and you shut me down like that?¡±


    Another coworker took a sip of coffee. ¡°Man, with all the late nights you put in, you don¡¯t seem like a guy in a relationship.¡±


    Aiden shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s just as busy.¡±


    Ryan leaned in again. ¡°So, who is she? Someone in our industry?¡±


    Aiden pushed Ryan¡¯s head away with a light tap. ¡°It¡¯s a secret. Stop asking.¡±


    ¡°Keeping secrets now, huh?¡±


    As the office quieted down, Aiden saw a message from Grace pop up. She had even attached a meme: [Peeking from behind a door.jpg]


    Aiden chuckled.


    Aiden: LOL! What¡¯s up?


    Grace: Just watching you put on a show.


    Aiden: I¡¯m not acting. The flowers are actually for my girlfriend.


    Grace: Oh? Which girlfriend?


    Aiden: The one I¡¯m texting right now.


    Grace: The flowers are nice, but don¡¯t you think they¡¯re a little flashy?


    Aiden: That¡¯s the point. Now everyone knows I have a girlfriend.


    Grace: ¡­


    Aiden: Let¡¯s head out early today. Seven sharp.


    Grace: Where are we going?


    Aiden: I made a reservation. We¡¯re celebrating our first Valentine¡¯s Day together.


    Grace: Okay.

 Chapter 51

    Scarlet Harris had just returned to the office with Benjamin Harris after attending an investment conference, and it was already five in the afternoon. In the New York office building, people who had been busy all day were gradually winding down as the end of the workday approached, and a relaxing vibe filled the office.


    As soon as she stepped into the office area, she overheard a bunch of gossip coming from the break room next door. ¡°Hey, did you hear? That really good-looking guy, Aiden Thompson, got a huge bouquet of red roses today. Wonder who sent them?¡± one of her female colleagues excitedly asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.


    ¡°It¡¯s Valentine¡¯s Day, right? A guy like him getting flowers is totally expected. Ugh, you know how it is, this world¡¯s all about looks. He gets roses, and here we are still flying solo,¡± another colleague sighed, shrugging her shoulders.


    Scarlet''s curiosity was immediately piqued. She walked to her desk, tossed her bag aside, and headed straight for the consumer team''s office. As soon as she walked in, her eyes immediately locked onto Aiden Thompson''s desk. Sure enough, there was a beautiful bouquet of bright red roses standing out against the otherwise plain office decor.


    She first walked over to Grace Li''s desk and chatted with her about work. ¡°Grace, have you seen that market research report? I think we should add a bit more data. What do you think?¡± Scarlet asked, gesturing as she spoke. Grace Li listened carefully and nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, I think you¡¯re right. We could dive deeper into the latest industry trends and add more insights.¡±


    Then, Scarlet casually strolled past Aiden Thompson''s desk, pretending to just notice the flowers, and said, ¡°Wow, Aiden, these roses are gorgeous! Who sent them to you?¡±


    Aiden Thompson, deeply focused on typing away at his keyboard and staring at the screen, didn''t even look up as he replied, ¡°I bought them to give to someone.¡±


    Scarlet pressed on, ¡°Who are you giving them to? Come on, tell me!¡±


    At this point, Ryan chimed in, ¡°Haha, of course, they''re for his girlfriend! This guy seems all low-key, but didn¡¯t even tell us he had a girlfriend¡ªhe¡¯s been keeping it on the down-low.¡±


    Scarlet''s face went white in an instant, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open in disbelief. ¡°What? He has a girlfriend?¡± she thought. ¡°I specifically asked around before, and he was still single back then.¡±


    Trying to compose herself, she cleared her throat, trying to act casual, and asked, ¡°You really have a girlfriend?¡±


    Aiden Thompson simply nodded, his response blunt. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Grace Li, overhearing this, gave Aiden a quick glance and instantly understood. She realized that he had bought the flowers today to draw attention to the fact that he was publicly announcing he had a girlfriend.


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    Grace had always thought that they were quietly starting a relationship, keeping it under wraps. After all, there were many complications surrounding their situation, and she even wondered if one day Aiden might meet someone he liked more, and they¡¯d break up.


    But she never expected Aiden Thompson to openly declare he had a girlfriend, using the flowers to send the message and indirectly rejecting anyone who might be interested in him. Thinking it over, it was probably for the best. Lately, it had been pretty obvious that Scarlet Harris was into Aiden, even though he had already made it clear that he wasn''t interested. But Scarlet still seemed to be testing the waters. Now that Aiden had made his relationship status public, this whole thing was finally put to rest.


    Aiden Thompson left the office right on time at 6:40 p.m. After he left, he sent Grace Li a message letting her know where to meet him. ¡°Babe, I¡¯ll be waiting for you outside that coffee shop we always go to. You should be there in about 15 minutes. I¡¯ll walk over holding the flowers, that way we¡¯ll miss each other and no one will suspect anything.¡±


    The location was about a 15-minute drive from the office. Aiden planned to walk there with the flowers, while Grace Li would drive over to meet him. They intentionally timed their departures to avoid drawing attention from their coworkers.


    However, just after Aiden left, Grace Li received a notification from Benjamin Harris, asking her to come to his office. Originally, he had wanted Aiden to join as well, but when he found out that Aiden had already left, it was just Grace Li who went.


    Grace Li walked into Benjamin Harris¡¯s spacious, well-lit office. He greeted her with a warm smile and said, ¡°Grace Li, please, have a seat.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mr. Harris,¡± Grace Li responded politely, leaning forward slightly to show respect.


    Benjamin Harris continued, ¡°The project your team presented this morning, I went through the materials after the meeting. It¡¯s really promising. Your investment manager, Aiden Thompson, did a thorough job explaining everything, and I¡¯m pretty interested. How about you reach out to the project team and set up a meeting so we can all discuss it in more detail?¡±


    Benjamin Harris wanting to meet the project team personally was a clear sign he was very interested in the project. Grace Li immediately replied, ¡°Sure, no problem. I¡¯ll contact them right away and try to get something on the calendar as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Also, since the project involves a large amount of funding, you should touch base with Daniel Chou over at BM Capital and see if he¡¯s interested in getting involved.¡±


    As soon as Grace Li heard she¡¯d have to work with Daniel Chou again, she instinctively felt uneasy. However, Benjamin Harris was unaware of their past history and couldn¡¯t understand her feelings. Out of respect for her boss, Grace Li still replied, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll reach out to him. I¡¯ll give him a call tomorrow to discuss.¡±


    After that, Benjamin Harris spoke with her about a few other work matters.


    Grace Li absentmindedly glanced at her watch and noticed it was already after 7:00 p.m. Thinking about how Aiden Thompson was still waiting outside, she felt a sense of urgency, her fingers nervously tapping on her knee.


    Benjamin Harris, being sharp, noticed the small gesture and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s Valentine¡¯s Day today, right? Got a hot date?¡±


    Grace Li was about to deny it but then remembered how Aiden Thompson had openly announced he had a girlfriend today. So, she gathered her courage and admitted, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m meeting someone. But don¡¯t worry, take your time. We can keep talking.¡±


    Benjamin Harris, understanding and considerate, said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s wrap this up for today. It¡¯s the end of the workday, and I don¡¯t want to keep you too long. Don¡¯t let them wait too long!¡±


    ¡°Thanks so much, Mr. Harris,¡± Grace Li said, quickly leaving his office and heading toward the meeting spot.

 Chapter 52

    Grace Li rushed back to her office, eager to check her phone. She found that Aiden Thompson had already sent her his location 15 minutes ago. The message didn¡¯t have a hint of urgency, just like his usual calm demeanor.


    Grabbing her bag, she hurried out toward the parking lot and drove quickly toward their meeting spot. By now, the night had fully fallen over New York, and the city was alive with lights, the streets buzzing with the energy of the big city.


    Aiden Thompson stood by the side of the road, dressed in a sharp black suit, holding a bouquet of vibrant flowers. The neon lights flickered around him, casting an extra glow that highlighted his handsome features. He looked even more striking than the male celebrity on the billboard behind him, catching the attention of several passersby. A few young women even couldn¡¯t help but let out an ¡°Oh wow!¡± as they pulled out their phones to snap a picture.


    Grace Li pulled up smoothly and rolled down the window. ¡°Aiden, get in the car!¡±


    Aiden Thompson walked over with the flowers, leaning down to the window. There wasn¡¯t a hint of frustration on his face, despite having waited for half an hour. With a smile, he said, ¡°Let me drive. You can relax.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± she responded.


    Grace Li unbuckled her seatbelt and got out. Aiden Thompson naturally handed her the bouquet, his lips curving into a warm smile. ¡°Happy Valentine¡¯s Day, my love.¡±


    Grace Li took the flowers and hugged them to her chest. The rich scent of the red roses filled the air, and the petals were dotted with little water droplets, making them look even more vibrant. This was the first time she had ever received red roses. Even though she had been expecting it, when the moment actually came, she couldn¡¯t help but feel an overwhelming rush of excitement. She softly replied, ¡°Thank you, babe. These flowers are so beautiful!¡±


    Aiden Thompson feigned a pout. ¡°Why don¡¯t you wish me a happy Valentine¡¯s Day? I¡¯ve been waiting for you forever.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, smiling as she teased, ¡°Oh, right! Happy Valentine¡¯s Day, my handsome man!¡±


    Aiden Thompson slid into the driver¡¯s seat, and Grace Li settled in beside him, holding the flowers. Like any couple lost in a sweet moment, they chatted and laughed on the way to the restaurant, occasionally humming along with the pop songs playing on the car stereo.


    Once they arrived at the restaurant¡¯s underground parking lot, Grace Li carefully placed the flowers on the seat. Aiden Thompson naturally took her hand, leading her toward the elevator.


    There was already a couple waiting at the elevator. As they got closer, Grace Li immediately recognized the man, her face changing slightly. Instinctively, she pulled Aiden Thompson toward the nearby stairwell to avoid being seen.


    Aiden Thompson followed her into the stairwell, standing behind the door. He softly laughed, ¡°Uh oh, we running into someone we know? Who is it?¡±


    Grace Li took a deep breath to steady herself, then replied, ¡°It¡¯s a client we worked with before. He¡¯s pretty well-known in the industry. If he sees us together, people might start talking.¡±


    Aiden Thompson, being considerate, asked, ¡°Do you want to go somewhere else? I know a few great places with a romantic vibe.¡±


    Grace Li quickly shook her head. ¡°No need. We¡¯ll wait until they leave and then head out. No need to make it complicated.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he agreed.


    Aiden Thompson lowered his head slightly, gazing at her closely. ¡°Grace Li.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°This feels a bit like we¡¯re sneaking around,¡± Aiden Thompson said with a playful grin, his eyes glinting with mischief.


    Grace Li¡¯s ears turned bright red, and she raised an eyebrow, joking, ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the imagination! What are you thinking about?¡±


    The dim yellow light in the stairwell cast a soft glow on them, adding a touch of romance to the small space. Aiden Thompson¡¯s gaze was locked on Grace Li, her faint fragrance¡ªexactly the perfume he had given her¡ªfilling the air around them. That familiar scent, combined with the atmosphere, seemed to heighten everything.


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    His voice was low and magnetic as he softly asked, ¡°Babe, wanna try this thrilling feeling? Like now, sneaking around¡ªit¡¯s kind of fun, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she whispered, ¡°What do you mean? Don¡¯t go getting any ideas.¡±


    ¡°Like right now,¡± he said with a smirk. ¡°Sneaking around, in a place where we could get caught. Isn¡¯t it exciting?¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s eyes widened slightly, but before she could say anything, Aiden Thompson¡¯s lips crashed down on hers. Grace Li tilted her head back slightly, meeting him halfway. Her back pressed against the door of the stairwell, and Aiden Thompson¡¯s tall frame fully enveloped her.


    The kiss was passionate and lingering, and Grace Li felt a thrilling mix of nervousness and excitement spreading through her, her whole body suddenly buzzing. Just then, footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. Instinctively, they pulled apart quickly.


    The footsteps grew louder, and Aiden Thompson calmly took Grace Li¡¯s hand, opening the door and walking toward the elevator.


    When they reached the elevator, both of them kept their composure, as if nothing had happened. The doors opened, and they casually walked in.


    Once inside, they exchanged a glance and couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the same time.


    They had reservations at a famous upscale French restaurant in New York, its elegant d¨¦cor illuminated by candlelight, and soft French chansons playing in the background.


    For most Americans, France is synonymous with romance. It¡¯s just like in the movies¡ªwhenever someone mentions France, the image of lovers kissing under the Eiffel Tower or strolling along the Seine comes to mind. Grace Li, elegantly cutting into her foie gras, asked curiously, ¡°Aiden, have you been to France before?¡±


    Aiden Thompson, savoring his baked salmon with cheese, nodded and replied, ¡°Yeah, I went once. Stayed in Paris for three days. It really has a special vibe¡ªfull of art everywhere. Though the French can be a little snobby, and their English isn¡¯t great, so communication was a bit of a struggle.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve been to a lot of countries, huh?¡±


    ¡°Not that many, but back in college, I traveled around Europe for a month with a few friends. We hit over ten countries. Saw a bunch of different sights and experienced a lot of unique cultures. Like the pizza in Italy and flamenco in Spain¡ªthey were amazing.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but feel a little envious. ¡°Wow, that sounds awesome! When I was in high school, I dreamed of traveling the world in college. But once I got to university, I found myself buried in part-time jobs and schoolwork. The only trip I took was a class-organized graduation trip in my senior year.¡±


    She sighed a little, reflecting on how different reality was from her dreams. ¡°Since starting work, I¡¯ve been to a lot of places in the U.S. for business, but I never had time to really enjoy the local sights. ¡®Sightseeing¡¯ was more like a quick walk through places.¡±


    ¡°Going to Miami for vacation over the holidays was probably one of the few times I actually relaxed.¡± She joked, ¡°If I tell you I¡¯m 30 and still haven¡¯t traveled abroad, would you laugh at me?¡±


    ¡°Of course not! In my eyes, you¡¯re amazing.¡± Aiden Thompson set down his utensils and looked at her seriously. ¡°Grace Li, you should really travel abroad. Experience different cultures.¡±


    Grace Li, a bit confused, asked, ¡°Why do you suddenly want to know about France?¡±


    ¡°I just thought, hearing you mention France, it crossed my mind. I think it¡¯d be so romantic to go there with you. Imagine us at the Louvre, looking at the great art, or kissing under the Eiffel Tower. How wonderful would that be?¡±


    Grace Li looked around the restaurant, smiled, and lowered her voice. ¡°Well, we¡¯re already in a French restaurant, so it¡¯s easy to get swept up in the romantic vibe.¡±


    Aiden Thompson chuckled softly, then became serious. ¡°Babe, next time we travel, let¡¯s make it France. I want to take you to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa¡¯s smile, stroll under the Eiffel Tower, and visit the lavender fields in Provence.¡±


    Grace Li was taken aback by how quickly he made the decision. She didn¡¯t answer right away, instead sighing, ¡°With our current work schedules, our next trip might be a long way off. But if it does happen, it would be amazing.¡±


    Just then, Grace Li¡¯s phone buzzed. She looked at it and saw a message from Scarlet Harris.


    Scarlet Harris: Grace Li, is Aiden Thompson really in a relationship?


    Reading the message, Grace Li felt conflicted. She knew how Scarlet felt about Aiden Thompson, and hearing this news had probably left her heartbroken. But how should she reply? If she told the truth, it might hurt her; if she pretended not to know, it would seem dishonest.


    Aiden Thompson, noticing her discomfort, gently asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, babe?¡±


    Grace Li turned her phone toward him and said helplessly, ¡°Scarlet asked me if you¡¯re in a relationship.¡±


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s expression remained calm. ¡°So what are you going to say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still deciding. I don¡¯t want to lie to her, but I don¡¯t want to hurt her feelings either,¡± Grace Li said, frowning, clearly torn.


    Just then, Scarlet Harris sent another message.


    Scarlet Harris: Who¡¯s his girlfriend? I¡¯ve never heard of her before.


    ¡°Grace Li.¡± Aiden Thompson softly called her name, knowing she was struggling with how to reply. ¡°You should tell her it¡¯s my personal business and you¡¯re not comfortable discussing it. That way, you won¡¯t embarrass her, and you won¡¯t have to reveal our relationship. She¡¯ll understand that relationships can¡¯t be forced.¡±


    Grace Li had been torn between two responses, wanting to put an end to Scarlet¡¯s feelings without being too harsh. Since Aiden Thompson had suggested this, she decided to go with his advice.


    She typed: It¡¯s his personal matter, and I¡¯m not comfortable discussing it.


    Scarlet Harris quickly replied: Oh.

 Chapter 53

    Grace Li thought that Aiden Thompson¡¯s Valentine¡¯s Day surprise was just a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a super romantic dinner. But when they returned to his luxurious apartment in Manhattan¡¯s Upper East Side, Aiden Thompson walked out of the bedroom holding an exquisite gift bag, and she realized the surprise wasn¡¯t over yet.


    Inside the bag was a watch from a popular American luxury brand. Grace Li knew that a watch like this would cost somewhere between $6,000 and $8,000. She stared at the sleek and elegant watch in the box, feeling a mix of emotions. She¡¯d always felt that in their relationship, her financial situation was better, so she should be the one buying Aiden Thompson luxury items or contributing more to their everyday expenses. But since they started dating, the situation had been the complete opposite, with Aiden Thompson spending much more on the relationship.


    This was Grace Li¡¯s first serious relationship, and she was a little overwhelmed by the situation. Especially on this special Valentine¡¯s Day, she had no gift to give.


    The two of them lounged lazily on the balcony¡¯s double wicker chair, with the dazzling lights of New York City spread out before them. In the distance, the Hudson River shimmered under the city lights. Grace Li cleared her throat and shyly said, ¡°I was planning on getting you a Valentine¡¯s gift too.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of anticipation, and a teasing smile on his lips.


    ¡°Not yet, I might have to make up for it later,¡± Grace Li said, lowering her head slightly, her face turning pink.


    Aiden Thompson pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, gently saying, ¡°Honey, as long as it¡¯s from you, I¡¯ll be happy to wait no matter how long.¡±


    Grace Li felt a warmth in her heart. She picked up her phone and showed him a picture of some cars she¡¯d found on a car sales website, saying, ¡°Check this out, which one do you like?¡±


    Aiden Thompson glanced at the screen, which showed four super cool cars, each costing around $200,000. There was a luxury sedan perfect for business trips and an eye-catching SUV. He couldn¡¯t help but laugh and looked at Grace Li, saying, ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re not planning to buy me a car model, are you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not, I mean a real car you can drive on the road,¡± Grace Li said, rolling her eyes at him and being all serious.


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You¡¯re going to give me such an extravagant gift? That¡¯s no small amount of money!¡±


    Grace Li had actually been planning this gift for a while. She explained seriously, ¡°You travel a lot for work and meet clients, having a car would make it so much easier. Instead of buying something flashy and useless, I¡¯d rather give you something practical.¡±


    ¡°I can afford a car myself, baby. You don¡¯t need to spend money on me,¡± Aiden Thompson said, genuinely touched, but still trying to stop her from spending too much.


    Grace Li shook her head firmly. ¡°It¡¯s really nothing. I¡¯m not a super-rich person, but buying a car is no big deal for me.¡±


    Aiden Thompson pretended to be worried, saying, ¡°What should I do now?¡± He acted like he was troubled. ¡°I¡¯m really into Bentley or Rolls-Royce, but other cars? Honestly, I don¡¯t even look twice at them.¡±


    Grace Li was momentarily stunned, biting her lip and feeling unsure¡ªluxury cars were way out of her league. But she quickly regained her composure and said seriously, ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯ll have to work extra hard to make more money. But seriously, cars like Bentleys and Rolls-Royces are overpriced. Most people buy them just to show off their status. They¡¯re paying for a brand¡¯s inflated value. If it were me, even if I were rich, I wouldn¡¯t consider them. A few hundred thousand dollars? That money could go toward so many other meaningful things. Like investing in innovative startups that could change the world, or funding organizations like St. Jude Children¡¯s Research Hospital to help sick kids, or even donating to charities that improve the lives of elderly people. That¡¯s way more meaningful than spending it on a luxury car.¡±


    Aiden Thompson listened to her words and immediately saw luxury cars in a new light. He kept nodding, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, baby. I¡¯ve been so shallow.¡±


    Grace Li unlocked her phone again and showed it to him. ¡°So, go ahead and pick one from these. If you have another model in mind, just let me know.¡±


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    Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow, grinning half-jokingly. ¡°Honey, if I accept a car from you, does that make me a kept man?¡±


    Grace Li knew him so well. Even though he made jokes like that, she knew he cared deeply about his independence and had a strong sense of pride. She quickly reassured him, ¡°Of course not! You buy me gifts, and I give them back to you. That¡¯s totally normal in a relationship. It¡¯s just my way of showing love, don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    ¡°Then, can I make another request?¡± Aiden Thompson said, his voice suddenly lowering, filled with a bit of playfulness.


    Grace Li looked at him curiously. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Aiden Thompson leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, ¡°About what happened earlier in the stairwell¡­¡±


    His voice was low and sexy, sending a shiver down Grace Li¡¯s spine. Aiden Thompson gently tapped her nose with his finger, his eyes full of affection and expectation. ¡°What do you think, babe?¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s face instantly turned bright red. She slowly put down her phone, raised her arm to wrap around Aiden Thompson¡¯s neck, and then kissed him sweetly. In the quiet of that night, with the lights of New York City twinkling in the background, their love was silently witnessed by the city.


    **


    The AgroTech project had been successfully approved, and Benjamin Harris personally met with the founder. The company was extremely optimistic about the project. Benjamin Harris was actively engaging with a few influential investors in the industry, hoping to bring them on board for the investment.


    At the beginning of March, they set off for New Jersey to conduct due diligence. The group consisted of three people: Grace Li, Aiden Thompson, and Ryan.


    Aiden Thompson was driving, Grace Li sat in the back seat, and Ryan was in the front passenger seat.


    Today, Ryan seemed completely off. The moment he got in the car, he slouched down like a limp fish, barely saying a word the entire trip. Usually, he was the most talkative in the car, chattering nonstop. Grace Li noticed his unusual behavior and casually asked, "Hey, Ryan, you okay? You seem kinda off today."


    Ryan clutched his chest with a dramatic expression and said, "Nah, I''m not okay. My heart''s hurting."


    "What happened? You wanna go to the hospital or something?"


    Aiden Thompson chimed in, "The hospital can''t fix what''s wrong with him."


    Grace Li was puzzled. "What''s wrong with him, then?"


    "Heartbreak. He''s got a broken heart."


    Ryan let out a long sigh. "Man, I''m so screwed. My life''s a total mess."


    "What happened, dude?" Grace Li asked sympathetically.


    Ryan just shook his head. "Forget it. It¡¯s too painful to talk about."


    Grace Li¡¯s curiosity was piqued, but since Ryan was obviously upset, she held back from asking further.


    But then Ryan started loudly groaning, "I¡¯m so screwed! I¡¯m so screwed! Why is my life such a disaster?"


    Aiden Thompson was really annoyed. The night before, after Ryan got dumped, he dragged Aiden to a late-night diner and spent the whole time whining. Aiden was already fed up. "Knock it off, Ryan. If you don¡¯t stop, I¡¯ll drop you right here on the highway."


    "Dude, you¡¯re so heartless! I just got my heart broken, and you¡¯re being like this?"


    Grace Li caught the key point. "Ryan, were you dating someone?"


    Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t really want to explain, but Ryan was making such a scene, clearly fishing for attention. "He got shut down before he even got a chance to start dating."


    Now everyone understood he got rejected.


    Grace Li tried to comfort him. "Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself, Ryan. You¡¯re a great guy, and there¡¯s someone out there who¡¯s perfect for you."


    "For real?" Ryan turned his head to look at Grace Li in the back seat. "Boss, you really think I¡¯m a great guy?"


    Grace Li smiled. "Of course I do."


    "Then, would you ever be into a guy like me?"


    Grace Li forced a smile, while Aiden Thompson was fuming with anger. If he wasn¡¯t driving, he probably would¡¯ve strangled Ryan right then. "Ryan, I¡¯m warning you. One more word, and I¡¯m kicking you out of the car."


    Ryan immediately backed off. "Just kidding, just kidding."


    After a moment, Ryan looked at Aiden Thompson, confused. "Aiden, it was just a joke. Why are you so pissed off?"


    Aiden Thompson shot him a glare. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"


    "Why should I be ashamed?" Ryan asked, genuinely confused.


    Grace Li thought to herself that Aiden Thompson was like a completely different person when he was with her compared to when he was with colleagues. He could be so sharp-tongued with Ryan, but with her, every word he said was like music to her ears. His emotional intelligence was so high that she couldn¡¯t help but admire it.


    By the time they arrived in New Jersey, it was already lunchtime. The project team had been very thoughtful and prepared a delicious meal. Most of the ingredients were from their vertical farming base.


    The base wasn¡¯t far from the train station, just a ten-minute taxi ride away. Aiden Thompson had been there several times before, always arriving by train, but this was Grace Li¡¯s first visit.


    After lunch, the project team took them on a tour of the greenhouses. Grace Li had seen the pictures and videos Aiden Thompson had taken, but being there in person, she was still deeply impressed by the scale and advanced technology of this new type of intelligent agriculture.


    The first day¡¯s due diligence went smoothly, and they wrapped up around 6:30 p.m. Then, they headed to a local town.


    Apparently, today was the beginning of the Spring Celebration in this part of New Jersey. As it was early March, the locals were gearing up for spring festivals and celebrations, marking the end of winter and the start of the growing season. The event was still a small, local celebration, with a parade of colorful floats, live music, and dancers dressed in spring-themed costumes. People from nearby towns always came to join in the fun.


    This idea was proposed by Ryan, who said his broken heart needed some cheering up.

 Chapter 54

    The three of them made their way to the town center, where a vibrant Spring Celebration was taking place. The town had transformed into a lively festival ground, with colorful decorations, music filling the air, and streets lined with food vendors, craft stalls, and entertainers. It was a local tradition to mark the arrival of spring, attracting visitors from all over.


    One of the main attractions was the Spring Parade, where a massive golden dragon, adorned with sparkling lights and bright colors, was being led down the street by dozens of strong performers. The dragon weaved and slithered through the crowds, its movements resembling that of a living creature. The spectacle was as majestic as it was captivating.


    Tourists and locals alike cheered, following the dragon''s path with excitement. Ryan, holding a huge cotton candy, walked along, munching on the sweet treat. As he looked at Aiden Thompson and Grace Li, walking side by side, a sudden wave of loneliness hit him. He felt like a third wheel.


    So, he quickened his pace, squeezing between Aiden Thompson and Grace Li, and grinned. "Hey, wait up! Let''s all walk together!"


    Aiden Thompson shot him a look, half amused and half annoyed. "You could walk to the side, you know. Why do you have to crowd us?"


    Ryan shrugged with a grin. "No big deal, but if I walk in the middle, I won¡¯t get lost!"


    Aiden Thompson rolled his eyes, clearly trying not to laugh.


    They walked for a while, passing stalls selling all sorts of local crafts and seasonal treats. Ryan got distracted by a particularly colorful booth selling hand-painted mugs and keychains.


    It wasn¡¯t until Aiden Thompson and Grace Li had walked quite a distance that they realized Ryan was no longer with them. Grace Li asked, "Where did Ryan go?"


    Aiden Thompson had just spotted Ryan by a booth, but he didn¡¯t mention it right away. "He¡¯s fine. He¡¯s an adult, he won¡¯t get lost."


    Grace Li pulled out her phone. "I¡¯ll call him."


    Aiden Thompson stopped her, giving a knowing smile. "I¡¯ll text him. No need to make a big deal out of it."


    Aiden Thompson sent Ryan a message: Hey, where are you? We¡¯re heading to another spot. Meet us back at the hotel later.


    After sending the message, Aiden Thompson naturally reached for Grace Li¡¯s hand and said, "He says he¡¯s heading back to the hotel. Let¡¯s go."


    Grace Li raised an eyebrow but decided to go along with it.


    They followed the dragon all the way to the end of the parade route, where they found themselves in a large, open square. The golden dragon was performing a series of mesmerizing maneuvers, twisting and turning in the spring breeze, creating an atmosphere that was filled with excitement and joy. The crowd''s cheers blended with the rhythmic drumming, making the air alive with energy.


    As they stood among the spectators, Grace Li commented, "We¡¯ve got similar celebrations back home, but it¡¯s usually in the fall to celebrate harvest."


    Aiden Thompson smiled, "Well, next year, you¡¯ve got to take me to one of those."


    Grace Li paused for a moment. Taking him to her hometown festival meant bringing him home for the fall season, but they weren¡¯t quite there in their relationship yet¡­


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    She shook off the thought. No need to overthink things. She had learned to enjoy the present.


    After the event ended, Aiden Thompson and Grace Li treated themselves to the town¡¯s famous milkshakes¡ªrich, creamy, and perfect for the warm spring day. They even got a to-go order for Ryan, figuring he¡¯d want one when he caught up.


    **


    They were staying at a three-star hotel, which was considered one of the better options in the town. Due to company policy, employees at VP level and above are allowed to have their own rooms while others of the same gender are required to share a room.


    So, they only booked two rooms for the three of them.


    Ryan had returned to the hotel before them. He¡¯d already showered and was sitting on the single armchair in his room, his left foot resting on his right knee. He¡¯d been focused on playing a game, but when he heard the door open, he immediately looked toward it.


    Aiden Thompson walked into the room, and with Ryan¡¯s gaze fixed on him, he walked over and placed the milkshakes he¡¯d brought back on the table beside him. "Here¡¯s a late-night snack for you."


    Ryan put on a mock-serious face and asked, "Where have you guys been?"


    "We didn¡¯t go anywhere, just wandered around the street for a bit," Aiden replied casually.


    "Uh-huh." Ryan had eaten a lot today, but he still eagerly opened the milkshake Aiden had brought back.


    Aiden Thompson finished his shower and, noticing it was getting late, lay down on the bed, ready to sleep since they had work tomorrow.


    He was very particular about his sleeping environment and needed complete quiet. Any noise would make it hard for him to fall asleep.


    Just as Aiden Thompson was about to drift off, a loud, thunderous snoring suddenly shattered the silence. He slowly opened his eyes, turned his head in the dark, and looked over at the other bed. Ryan¡¯s snoring was like a freight train, echoing throughout the room.


    There was no chance of sleeping now.


    Aiden Thompson grabbed his phone and checked the time¡ªit was already midnight.


    He texted Grace Li: You asleep yet?


    Grace Li quickly replied: Just about to.


    Aiden Thompson opened the voice recorder and recorded Ryan¡¯s snoring, then sent it to Grace Li. A moment later, Grace Li sent a laughing emoji.


    She then asked: How are you holding up?


    Aiden Thompson replied: Not great. I¡¯m probably pulling an all-nighter tonight.


    Grace Li: Mike told me Ryan¡¯s snoring could shake the walls. Should¡¯ve packed you some earplugs.


    Aiden Thompson: I feel like my brain¡¯s about to explode if I stay in this room any longer.


    Grace Li: Why not just get a second room?


    Aiden Thompson: Grace Li, open the door.


    Grace Li: ??


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯m outside your room.


    Grace Li got up to open the door and found Aiden Thompson standing there in his pajamas, looking a little tired.


    She let him in and asked, "You wanna get a separate room?"


    "Wouldn¡¯t that go over budget?"


    Grace Li shrugged. "It¡¯s no big deal. I¡¯ll explain it to finance."


    Aiden Thompson hesitated, looking at her for a moment before replying, "It¡¯s just too much of a hassle."


    "Well¡­" Grace Li stared at him, realizing what was going on. Her room had a big bed, so if Aiden Thompson stayed, they¡¯d have to sleep in the same bed. Although they were dating, they hadn¡¯t been more intimate than kissing in the past two months. She felt a little nervous, but it was also something that made sense to her¡ªgrowing up, her family often shared rooms and space when traveling.


    Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t directly suggest staying, but his eyes were clearly waiting for Grace Li¡¯s response.


    Grace Li bit her lip, thinking for a moment before asking, "How about you sleep in my room?"


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s lips curled into a small smile, and he softly replied, "Sure."


    The bed was 180 cm wide, plenty of space for two people without disturbing each other.


    Grace Li lay on one side, feeling the odd sensation of having someone next to her. She was used to sleeping alone, but having someone there¡ªsomeone she liked¡ªmade her feel warm and a little fluttery. She thought about how different this felt from family get-togethers when people shared space more freely.


    She thought she¡¯d probably be wide awake all night, but she couldn¡¯t tell Aiden Thompson that.


    Surprisingly, neither of them slept right away.


    When Grace Li turned over, Aiden Thompson moved closer, and that¡¯s when she realized he wasn¡¯t asleep either.


    Grace Li whispered, "Still can''t fall asleep?"


    "Probably will soon."


    "Is it always this hard for you to fall asleep?"


    "Nah, I¡¯m just too excited ''cause my girlfriend¡¯s right here."


    Grace Li¡¯s face flushed slightly. So, he was having trouble sleeping for the same reason. "What should we do?"


    "Guess we just gotta get used to it, Grace Li. We¡¯ll need to get used to being around each other from now on."


    "Okay."


    "Good night."


    "Good night."

 Chapter 55

    Neither of them really knew when they finally drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Grace Li woke up and found the bed next to hers empty¡ªAiden Thompson had already disappeared. She figured he must¡¯ve gone back to his room early to avoid Ryan wondering where he was when he woke up.


    Grace Li instinctively reached out to feel the pillow beside her, and the events from last night replayed in her mind like a movie. She had been wondering whether being in the same room might spark something between them. But in reality, aside from Aiden Thompson gently holding her while they slept, nothing else happened.


    Grace Li couldn''t help but wonder what Aiden Thompson had been thinking last night while lying next to her. Was it really just because he couldn¡¯t stand Ryan¡¯s snoring and wanted to find somewhere quiet to sleep?


    After quickly freshening up and putting on some light makeup, Grace Li headed out with Aiden Thompson and Ryan to a nearby diner. As soon as they walked in, the smell of pancakes, bacon, and coffee filled the air.


    Ryan had slept soundly last night, and now, with a stack of fluffy pancakes drenched in maple syrup, his face was full of contentment. He was really digging into his food.


    He glanced over at Aiden Thompson and asked, ¡°Hey Aiden, I woke up around 5 this morning to use the bathroom, but I didn¡¯t see you around. Where¡¯d you go?¡±


    Grace Li, mid-bite of her bacon, froze for a second when she heard this. Aiden Thompson, however, seemed prepared for the question. Without missing a beat, he replied coolly, ¡°Man, your snoring was so loud, I couldn¡¯t sleep, so I went for a jog to clear my head.¡±


    Ryan wasn¡¯t focused on the jog. As soon as he heard about the snoring, he immediately shot back, ¡°I snore? No way, that¡¯s impossible!¡±


    Aiden Thompson calmly pulled out his phone and played the recording of Ryan¡¯s snoring from last night. The loud, grating sound filled the space between the three of them, and Grace Li nearly burst out laughing, her face turning red from holding it in.


    Ryan¡¯s face immediately turned bright red, and he huffed, ¡°Come on, that¡¯s definitely not me!¡±


    ¡°Alright, if you say so,¡± Aiden Thompson shrugged and put his phone away.


    ¡°But that look on your face? You were definitely trying to prank me!¡±


    Grace Li quickly stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Ryan, don¡¯t take it too seriously. Snoring¡¯s not something you can control. Don¡¯t let it get to you, okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the boss is right,¡± Ryan said with a smirk.


    After breakfast, the three of them headed to the agricultural base to continue their due diligence. As soon as they arrived, they could see the high-tech farming equipment and busy workers.


    The work was intense, like a mountain of tasks. They were busy until 9 p.m., when they finally left the base, exhausted.


    Afterward, they headed to a nearby bar. The bar was dimly lit, with posters of sports stars hanging on the walls, and the TV was showing a baseball game. They ordered some fries, chicken wings, and cold beers to snack on before heading back to the hotel to rest.


    Aiden Thompson showered and immediately sat at the desk, opening his laptop to continue working. Ryan, coming out of the bathroom, saw him and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Dude, aren¡¯t you tired? We¡¯ve been working all day.¡±


    Aiden Thompson kept his eyes on the screen and casually replied, ¡°I¡¯m good, just need to finish some data work.¡±


    Ryan flopped onto the bed, pulling the pillow under his chin, complaining, ¡°I swear, after looking at all those files today, my eyes are about to fall out, especially the financial stuff. I hate dealing with that. There¡¯s nothing worse than that kind of work.¡±


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    Ryan glanced over at Aiden Thompson again and said, ¡°Aiden, I feel kinda off.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Aiden Thompson muttered, still focused on his keyboard.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious why I¡¯m feeling this way?¡±


    Aiden Thompson barely looked up. ¡°Not really.¡±


    ¡°Man, you¡¯re so cold,¡± Ryan grumbled. ¡°I¡¯m only feeling like this because of you.¡±


    Aiden Thompson finally looked up at Ryan and asked, ¡°Because of me? How¡¯s that?¡±


    Ryan sat up straight, still holding the pillow, and stared at Aiden Thompson. ¡°Where the hell did you go last night? Don¡¯t give me that jog excuse.¡±


    Aiden Thompson seemed to have predicted what Ryan was going to say. He didn¡¯t respond right away but asked, ¡°And? What are you trying to get at?¡±


    ¡°A 5 a.m. jog? You think I¡¯m stupid?¡±


    Aiden Thompson frowned. ¡°Spit it out already.¡±


    ¡°Did you go see the boss last night?¡±


    Aiden Thompson remained calm and unruffled, replying, ¡°If I said no, would you believe me?¡±


    ¡°Not a chance!¡± Ryan shot back. ¡°I saw you two holding hands last night. The street was so long, I could¡¯ve easily caught up with you.¡±


    It turned out that after buying some stuff last night, Ryan had seen Aiden Thompson and Grace Li walking hand in hand. At first, he thought about catching up with them, but he decided against it.


    Aiden Thompson put down his laptop, his expression serious as he asked, ¡°Did you tell anyone about this?¡±


    ¡°Of course not, I know where to draw the line,¡± Ryan scoffed. ¡°But, you know, it¡¯s not easy keeping such a huge secret. The pressure is real.¡±


    Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow, half-jokingly threatening, ¡°If you can¡¯t keep it in, I wouldn¡¯t mind making sure you never say a word about it again.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Ryan shouted, throwing the pillow at Aiden Thompson in a burst of frustration.


    Aiden Thompson caught the pillow easily, his gaze cold as he replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing I wouldn¡¯t dare. So, you better keep that secret to yourself.¡±


    Ryan let out a heavy grunt, thinking about how badly his confession had gone the other day. Now, here he was, tagging along on a business trip with this sweet couple, and he felt like nothing more than a giant third wheel. He couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself, "What did I get myself into?"


    ¡°You mean your girlfriend you mentioned before¡ªwas that Grace Li, the boss?¡± Ryan asked, his eyes wide with surprise.


    Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t hesitate and nodded. ¡°Yep, that¡¯s her.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I didn¡¯t see that coming, bro!¡± Ryan suddenly perked up, his gossip radar fully on. ¡°Come on, spill the beans. When did you guys get together?¡±


    ¡°Last year, on your birthday, actually,¡± Aiden Thompson replied casually.


    ¡°What?!¡± Ryan¡¯s eyes practically popped out of his head. ¡°On my birthday? You two got together behind my back?¡± He pretended to get mad, slapping his thigh. ¡°No wonder you two were MIA that day. You were off talking love, huh?¡± Then, with a mischievous grin, he asked, ¡°But seriously, isn¡¯t she, like, four or five years older than you? Doesn¡¯t that bother you?¡±


    ¡°Dude, when it¡¯s true love, age doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Aiden Thompson shrugged, looking totally unfazed.


    Ryan leaned in closer, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°Come on, admit it, you¡¯re just after her money, right? I¡¯ve heard the rumors¡ªshe makes like 700-800k a year, and the projects she¡¯s done were huge successes. Her bonuses are probably massive, and this year, she¡¯ll probably crack a million. She¡¯s got a house, a car in New York, and she¡¯s got looks and money. She¡¯s practically perfect.¡±


    Aiden Thompson rolled his eyes. ¡°Ryan, can you stop being so shallow? Grace Li has a ton of great qualities, and making money is just one of them. She¡¯s smart, kind, talented¡ªevery day with her, I¡¯m learning something new.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, I get it,¡± Ryan waved his hand, nodding. ¡°But honestly, I get where you¡¯re coming from. If I were you, I might fall for her too.¡± He winked with a grin.


    ¡°Think whatever you want,¡± Aiden Thompson said, his face turning serious. ¡°But I need you to understand, you cannot tell anyone about this. If it gets out, both Grace Li and I could be in huge trouble at work. One of us might even have to leave.¡±


    ¡°No way, it¡¯s that serious?¡± Ryan¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Just because you two are boss and employee?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, workplace relationships are tricky. If rumors start flying, it could really mess with our careers and reputation,¡± Aiden Thompson explained.


    Ryan thought back to the way Aiden Thompson had helped him, especially that night when he¡¯d failed his confession. Aiden Thompson had stuck around, drinking with him all night and listening to his problems.


    ¡°Alright, bro, I promise I won¡¯t say a word. But you gotta do me a favor. From now on, you owe me coffee for the next couple of months,¡± Ryan said, holding up two fingers and shaking them.


    ¡°Deal!¡± Aiden Thompson said with a grin, agreeing without hesitation.


    ¡°By the way, what¡¯s it like dating the boss? Come on, spill the beans,¡± Ryan asked, his curiosity piqued.


    Aiden Thompson gave a mysterious smile. ¡°It¡¯s a feeling you can¡¯t really put into words. All I can say is, being with her makes me feel incredibly happy every day.¡±


    ¡°Pfft, you¡¯re just being all secretive,¡± Ryan rolled his eyes. ¡°So, are you going to stay with Grace Li tonight?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I really can¡¯t sleep here. Your snoring¡¯s like a freight train,¡± Aiden Thompson teased with a laugh.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t pin it all on me! You just wanna be with the boss,¡± Ryan shot back, grinning. ¡°Go ahead, go show off your love somewhere else.¡±


    Aiden Thompson laughed, shaking his head, and got up to knock on Grace Li¡¯s door.

 Chapter 56

    Grace Li sat on the bed, completely focused on her computer screen, working on her tasks. In addition to the due diligence project, she had other projects to handle. Her days were packed, and the only time she could catch up on work was at night.


    When she heard a knock at the door, she got up to open it, surprised to see Aiden Thompson. ¡°It¡¯s pretty late, is Ryan asleep?¡±


    Aiden Thompson gently wrapped his arm around her waist as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. ¡°Ryan knows about us.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Grace Li¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°How did he find out?¡±


    ¡°He saw us holding hands last night. He just told me now,¡± Aiden Thompson said.


    Grace Li frowned, her concern showing. ¡°That big mouth of his... I¡¯m worried he might tell everyone. The whole team will know.¡±


    Aiden Thompson softly stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He promised he wouldn¡¯t tell anyone. And if it does get out, we¡¯ll face it together.¡±


    Grace Li nodded, giving a small smile. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not the end of the world. But we¡¯ll have to be more careful at work from now on.¡±


    ¡°By the way, I had some questions about the AgroTech files. Want to go over them together?¡± Grace Li suggested, changing the subject.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Aiden Thompson said as he sat beside her. They both began discussing the details of their work.


    Once Grace Li got into work mode, she was laser-focused, her eyes glued to the screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. Aiden Thompson couldn¡¯t help but watch her. Her lips were softly pressed together in concentration, and the little mole by her eye seemed so playful under the light. Her eyes were bright and full of life, and she radiated an undeniable charm.


    After a while, Grace Li noticed that Aiden Thompson was staring at her, so she looked up and caught his gaze. With a playful smile, she tilted her head and asked, ¡°What¡¯s got you so caught up?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m looking at you. Watching you work like this is seriously mesmerizing,¡± Aiden Thompson said with a grin.


    Grace Li¡¯s cheeks flushed, and her smile grew wider. ¡°Oh? Really?¡±


    Aiden Thompson glanced at his phone. ¡°Babe, it¡¯s already 11. Shouldn¡¯t you get some rest?¡±


    Grace Li instinctively checked her phone and nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s getting late. Are you tired?¡±


    ¡°A little. I didn¡¯t sleep well last night, and today¡¯s been a long day.¡±


    Grace Li closed her laptop and lay down beside Aiden Thompson. He turned toward her, gently wrapping his arm around her. She rested in his arms, cherishing this quiet moment.


    Aiden Thompson leaned down and kissed her forehead, then kissed her between the brows softly, whispering, ¡°Grace Li.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Grace Li tilted her head slightly, and Aiden Thompson took that as a sign to kiss her. It started as a gentle kiss, but quickly grew more passionate.


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    Aiden Thompson shifted slightly and gently lay on top of her. She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck.


    As the moment grew more intense, Aiden Thompson¡¯s hand slid up the hem of her shirt. At that instant, Grace Li, startled, instinctively pushed him away. ¡°Stop!¡±


    The sudden action instantly cooled the atmosphere. Aiden Thompson froze, and Grace Li sat up, both of them shocked by what had just happened.


    The dim light made it hard to read each other¡¯s expressions, but they could both feel the tension.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­¡± Grace Li stammered, unsure of how to explain her reaction.


    Aiden Thompson immediately rolled off her, gently pulled the covers up, and said softly, ¡°Babe, it¡¯s my fault. I rushed things without thinking. Don¡¯t worry, just rest.¡±


    Grace Li felt touched by his care. She knew Aiden Thompson misunderstood the situation, but she didn¡¯t know how to explain herself, or if he would even understand.


    Aiden Thompson got up from the bed, and Grace Li instinctively sat up. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Aiden Thompson turned on the bedside lamp and looked back at her with concern. ¡°I¡¯m just going to the bathroom. You should rest, don¡¯t wait for me.¡±


    Grace Li saw that Aiden Thompson wasn¡¯t angry, which helped her relax a little.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Grace Li replied quietly.


    Aiden Thompson walked over to the edge of the bed, adjusted her shirt collar, and kissed her forehead. ¡°Goodnight, babe. Sleep well.¡±


    Grace Li watched him head to the bathroom, hearing the sound of water running. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. She knew she had pushed him away because of the deep emotional scars within her, but she wasn¡¯t sure how to explain that to him¡ªor if he would understand.


    A few minutes later, Aiden Thompson returned from the bathroom, his fresh scent filling the room.


    Grace Li closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. Aiden Thompson, thinking she had drifted off, carefully lay beside her, leaving some space between them to avoid disturbing her.


    Grace Li tossed and turned, finally dozing off after what seemed like hours. In her sleep, time seemed to rewind, and she found herself back in the Christmas holiday of her eleventh year, spending it with her family at her grandmother¡¯s house on Long Island.


    That night, she and her cousin had climbed into bed early, ready to drift off into sweet dreams. But in the middle of the night, as she was sleeping soundly, the peaceful silence was shattered by the sharp, ear-piercing sound of the smoke alarm ¡°beeping¡± and the chaotic shouts of people. Faintly, she heard someone yelling at the top of their lungs, ¡°Fire! Fire! Get out of the house now!¡±


    Suddenly, the thick, suffocating smoke rushed in like dark, menacing dragons through the cracks under the door. Grace Li jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. She immediately reached out and shook her cousin awake, shouting desperately, ¡°Come on, sis! We gotta get outta here right now! The house is on fire!¡±


    Their room was on the second floor, and the only window had bars on it. Fortunately, Grace Li had taken a fire safety course at school, and her mind quickly kicked into gear. She grabbed her cousin¡¯s hand and rushed to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she soaked a towel and held it over their mouths while they wrapped themselves in thick blankets, ready to make a run for it.


    Luckily, the fire hadn¡¯t fully spread yet. Just as they were about to rush out the door, her uncle appeared. He scooped up the younger cousin in his arms and grabbed Grace Li¡¯s hand, pulling them both down the stairs as fast as he could.


    The hallway was a scene of chaos, the heat overwhelming. In the panic, Grace Li¡¯s blanket caught fire from the sparks flying above her. The flames spread quickly. In a split second, she tossed the burning blanket away, but sparks, like mischievous little imps, landed behind her, and soon her clothes were catching fire too.


    ¡°Ah!¡± she screamed in pain, the sensation of burning needles stabbing her back as she pushed forward through the pain, tears streaming down her face. She ran, stumbling, until she reached the door, throwing herself onto the ground to roll in a desperate attempt to put out the flames. After struggling for what seemed like forever, she finally managed to extinguish the fire.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Grace Li suddenly woke up with a start, drenched in sweat, her pajamas clinging to her skin. The sky was still dark, and the room was quiet. Next to her, Aiden Thompson was facing away from her, sound asleep. His even breathing filled the silent room, a comforting rhythm. The dim light allowed her to faintly make out his silhouette, a familiar shape that made her feel both a sense of relief and a little guilt.

 Chapter 57

    Grace Li slowly reached out, her fingers gently brushing through Aiden Thompson¡¯s hair, her touch as delicate as if she were caressing a priceless work of art. Her mind wandered as she thought back to how she had rejected him so bluntly the day before. What did he think? Did he feel hurt, or maybe even a little angry?


    She sighed softly, pulling her hand back and carefully reaching behind to touch the skin that still held memories of the past. Over the years, the wound had healed, leaving only a scar that had faded with time.


    As a child, she hadn¡¯t paid much attention to it. She had even been secretly relieved that the scar was on her back and not on her face¡ªafter all, for a young girl who cared so much about her looks, the face was everything. But as she got older, especially after she was accepted into one of New York City¡¯s top schools, things changed.


    The dorms were shared, two people per room. She slept on the lower bunk, and her roommate was a bubbly girl with posters of celebrities and colorful graffiti all over the walls. One afternoon, after a long day of club activities and homework, Grace Li collapsed onto her bunk and fell fast asleep.


    Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the silence, waking her up with a start. She opened her eyes groggily to see her roommate standing by her bed, her face full of panic. With trembling hands, she pointed at Grace Li¡¯s waist and demanded, ¡°Grace Li, what is that on your back?¡±


    Grace Li instinctively reached back to touch her scar and realized what her roommate was referring to. Her heart dropped, and with a shaky voice, she asked, ¡°You mean the scar?¡±


    The girl scrunched her face in disgust, her lips curling slightly. ¡°Yeah, it looks a little weird. I¡¯ve never seen anything like that before.¡±


    Grace Li felt like she had been hit with a ton of bricks. This was the first time anyone had made such a blunt and hurtful comment about her appearance¡ªand it was about her. Her self-esteem felt like it had taken a heavy blow, and a wave of discomfort washed over her. She kept asking herself, Is it really that weird? Is this scar really that bad?


    Maybe it was the awkwardness of being a teenager, but from that moment on, she became extra careful. Every time she changed clothes or took a shower, she would check that no one was around. She made up excuses to skip swimming class or, when she did attend, wore a swimsuit that covered her back. She was always on edge, doing everything she could to keep the scar hidden from others.


    Now, at 30, the scar had faded. It no longer had the raised, uneven texture it once did, blending in with the rest of her skin. She had thought, in her naivety, that she no longer cared about it; it was just a small mark in the river of her life.


    But that all changed yesterday. When Aiden Thompson¡¯s hand accidentally brushed against it, she felt like an invisible force took over, and almost instinctively, she pulled away. She didn¡¯t want him to see this flaw she had worked so hard to hide.


    In her mind, it was a defect she had tried to bury. She wanted to always show her best self to the person she loved, keeping all the imperfections locked away. Though logic told her this reaction might be overblown, that love should be about accepting everything, in that moment, her body reacted before her mind could catch up.


    Even after it happened, she kept telling herself to open up to Aiden Thompson, to tell him everything. But every time she tried to speak, the words got stuck. She feared seeing any sign of disgust in his eyes, afraid that this beautiful relationship might crack because of a scar.


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    The next day, after completing their due diligence in New Jersey, they wrapped things up by 4 p.m. and drove back to New York.


    Aiden Thompson acted just like he always did¡ªbright and full of energy¡ªlike nothing had happened the day before.


    But Grace Li, in contrast, couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of unease. She tried to keep calm and act normal, but it was clear she wasn¡¯t at ease.


    After returning home to Manhattan, Grace Li headed straight into the kitchen, ready to work her culinary magic. The head of AgroTech had been incredibly generous, giving them a bunch of fresh vegetables as a farewell gift. Grace Li only took a small portion but it was enough to fill the fancy fridge to the brim, along with the usual American condiments like Heinz ketchup and Dijon mustard from France.


    As she was busy cooking, Aiden Thompson walked in and said, ¡°Grace Li, I think I¡¯ll show off some cooking skills today too.¡±


    Grace Li turned around, surprised. ¡°No kidding? Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for sure,¡± Aiden Thompson said, pulling out his phone to show her. ¡°I¡¯ve watched this YouTube video twice now. I¡¯ve got the steps down perfectly.¡±


    Grace Li glanced at the screen. It was a video showing how to make tomato egg soup. Coincidentally, they had brought back a lot of fresh California tomatoes from the field, known for their juicy, sweet, and tangy flavor.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got to see this,¡± Grace Li said with a smile.


    Aiden Thompson got started, and Grace Li watched closely. He was quick to pick things up, and his movements were surprisingly smooth. Grace Li raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯ve really never cooked before?¡±


    ¡°Never. This is my debut,¡± Aiden Thompson said proudly.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got some natural talent. Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll be the next big chef,¡± Grace Li teased.


    Aiden Thompson looked at her with a grin. ¡°How about this weekend? We each cook two dishes and have a cook-off. What do you say? I¡¯m all in.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good to me, I¡¯m up for the challenge,¡± Grace Li said, watching him peel the tomatoes and place them into a bowl. ¡°By the way, I used to really dislike scrambled eggs with tomatoes.¡±


    Aiden Thompson stopped and looked at her. ¡°So, are we still making this soup?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, keep going,¡± Grace Li said, explaining, ¡°Back in high school, the cafeteria always served scrambled eggs with tomatoes. But their version had way too much sauce, didn¡¯t peel the tomatoes, and it was a mushy mess. It looked like a red paste with a few egg drops floating on top. Everyone thought it was delicious, but I hated it. I wasn¡¯t into the sweet-and-sour flavor back then, so I¡¯d avoid it. I was busy with clubs¡ªdebate, photography¡ªand didn¡¯t really care about food.¡±


    Aiden Thompson, who had seen Grace Li warm up to the dish before, asked, ¡°So how did you end up liking it?¡±


    ¡°Well, when I got to college, I realized tomato egg soup wasn¡¯t so bad. It was just that high school cafeteria version that ruined it. The college dining hall had more variety, and I joined a food festival where I got to try all sorts of cuisines. My tastes became more open.¡± Grace Li grabbed a tomato from the basket, continuing, ¡°Actually, when I was a kid, I used to eat tomatoes raw or dip them in white sugar.¡±


    ¡°Dipped in sugar? That¡¯s a new one!¡± Aiden Thompson said, clearly curious.


    Grace Li quickly cut a tomato into eight small pieces, put them in a small bowl, sprinkled some Domino sugar on top, and held a piece up to his mouth with a fork. ¡°How does it taste?¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s actually pretty good. Sweet and tangy, really refreshing,¡± Aiden Thompson said, surprised by the taste.


    Grace Li took a piece herself and said, ¡°These tomatoes from the farm are amazing, sweet with no sourness at all. Adding sugar makes it even sweeter.¡±


    Aiden Thompson leaned toward her and playfully asked, ¡°Another one, babe?¡±


    Grace Li laughed and fed him another piece.


    They kept eating and chatting happily, and it felt like the tension from the night before had disappeared.


    But deep down, Grace Li still couldn¡¯t shake off the unease from what happened. She had thought about it a lot and even searched WebMD and Mayo Clinic for information about scar removal surgery.


    The scar on her back was about the size of a palm, and the recovery would take a long time. There were also risks, like possibly creating a more noticeable scar or dealing with infection.


    Though this scar had always been the source of her insecurity, she didn¡¯t think it was worth the risk of surgery. After all, in a society that values diversity and inclusiveness, she hoped she could eventually learn to accept her imperfections.

 Chapter 58

    On Saturday, Grace Li carried a large bag she¡¯d handpicked at Chelsea Market, filled with all sorts of quirky snacks and French pastries from Parisian shops, and headed to Isabella Hsueh''s stylish apartment. As soon as they walked in, the two of them flopped onto the soft velvet sofa, like two lazy kittens, wrapped in fluffy wool blankets. They enjoyed the food while sharing the latest snippets of their lives without holding back.


    Suddenly, Isabella Hsueh, in a playful mood, lifted Grace Li¡¯s shirt to take a look at the scar on her back and exclaimed, ¡°Hey girl, this scar is barely noticeable now, it¡¯s like a super cool, unique birthmark. Totally no big deal!¡±


    Grace Li, who had looked in the mirror countless times, knew the scar had faded a lot over the years. Still, she sighed and said, ¡°But when I¡¯m around Aiden, I don¡¯t know why, I just feel so insecure.¡±


    ¡°Grace, look at you! You¡¯re gorgeous, your bank account¡¯s full, and you¡¯re more capable than anyone I know. The scar isn¡¯t even on your face, so there¡¯s really no reason to feel insecure.¡±


    ¡°I used to think it was no big deal, but Aiden is so amazing. I just subconsciously don¡¯t want him to see my imperfections.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by imperfections? You¡¯re a total perfectionist. Think about it, he doesn¡¯t even make as much money as you do right now¡ªare you complaining he¡¯s poor?¡±


    Grace Li immediately defended Aiden Thompson, ¡°He¡¯s just getting started in his career. In a few years, he¡¯ll definitely be making more than me. This guy works so hard, staying late at the office, and his future¡¯s gonna be amazing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for the future. And don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re kind of the ¡®sugar mama¡¯ here. Take Evelyn Garcia, for example¡ªremember her? She¡¯s almost 50 now, and even though she gets tons of cosmetic treatments, she¡¯s still showing signs of age. But does her young guy care? He still calls her beautiful.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Speaking of which, after getting closer to Aiden, I realized he¡¯s not the type to date a ¡®sugar mama.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t care less about money, he values the emotional connection way more. Like last time, we went to the MoMA for the Picasso exhibition. He stopped in front of every painting for a long time, his eyes full of admiration for the art. Or when we¡¯re walking around Central Park, we can talk about a book or a movie for hours.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh reached out and playfully poked Grace Li¡¯s forehead, ¡°Uh oh, you¡¯ve totally got love brain now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious! The other day, I wanted to buy him a car, and he turned me down.¡±


    ¡°Turned you down?¡± Isabella Hsueh raised her eyebrows in surprise, ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°He said he only likes Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh burst into laughter, doubling over with her hands on her knees, ¡°You¡¯re kidding me! He says he doesn¡¯t care about money, but he¡¯s clearly hinting that you should buy him a luxury car. Anything less, and he¡¯s not even interested.¡±


    Grace Li waited for her to stop laughing, then said, ¡°I¡¯m serious. I was ready to spend some money on him, but he won¡¯t even let me. Now, every time we go to Whole Foods, he insists on paying. He says he loves the feeling of spending money on me, that it makes him feel more¡­ present.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Isabella Hsueh calmed down, tapping her chest, ¡°He¡¯s not after your money, he¡¯s just after you. Now back to the topic¡ªwhat are you gonna do about this insecurity of yours?¡±


    Grace Li hugged her knees, looking frustrated, ¡°I haven¡¯t figured it out yet. I¡¯ve tried everything, even gone to a therapist, but I still don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Isabella Hsueh saw the frown on her face and patted her shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t stress so much, Grace. You¡¯re amazing just the way you are. And remember, in a place like New York, where everyone is so accepting, imperfections are just part of the deal. Look at Lady Gaga, she¡¯s always rocking crazy looks and never hides her flaws, in fact, they¡¯ve become part of her brand. You can do the same!¡±


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    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Suddenly, Isabella Hsueh leaned in and whispered in her ear, ¡°And you know what? The intimate time with someone you like? Totally mind-blowing.¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s face instantly turned bright red. She looked at her in shock, ¡°Have you been¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Dating someone recently?¡±


    Isabella Hsueh took a sip of her Budweiser, casually replying, ¡°Not really. Just having some fun. You know, adults do things for mutual benefits. We met at a law seminar, and now we just go on dates and watch movies.¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s curiosity grew, ¡°Who is it? Some young hunk?¡±


    ¡°Nah, he¡¯s the new partner at my law firm. He¡¯s a big shot in intellectual property law, and his presence in the courtroom is just unbeatable.¡±


    ¡°Show me a pic. Come on.¡±


    ¡°Come on, he¡¯s not even my real boyfriend. What¡¯s the point of showing you?¡± Isabella Hsueh intentionally changed the subject, ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s focus back on you. Your Aiden is tall, handsome, has an amazing body, and his skin¡¯s so fair. Don¡¯t you want to take things to the next level with him?¡±


    ¡°Wanna hear the truth?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Grace Li answered very seriously, ¡°Yes, I do!¡±


    The two of them burst into a fit of laughter at the same time.


    **


    <hr>


    On Monday morning, after leading the senior management meeting, Grace Li returned to her office and immediately announced to her team, ¡°Hey, guys! The company is planning a team-building trip this weekend for two days and one night. The admin department has come up with two awesome options, and we¡¯re going to vote on it. We need to decide before the end of the day!¡±


    The office instantly erupted, with everyone shouting, ¡°Come on, tell us what the options are!¡±


    ¡°One option is to go to the beach in the Hamptons, where we can enjoy the sun and sand, and maybe even have a super fun beach volleyball game. The other is to head to a spa in the Catskills to relax. I¡¯ll send the details in the group chat right now¡ªtake a look and vote so I can report it to the higher-ups.¡±


    Olivia frowned, looking confused. ¡°A team-building trip sounds great, but why choose the weekend? Doesn¡¯t that cut into our personal time?¡±


    Ryan curiously asked, ¡°Olivia, got something special planned for the weekend?¡±


    ¡°Nope, but I¡¯ve heard that a lot of companies do team-building during workdays. That way, it¡¯s both productive and doesn¡¯t interfere with our personal time.¡±


    Mike shrugged, sounding indifferent. ¡°I don¡¯t have any high expectations, but a team-building trip sounds great to me. I¡¯m voting for the beach. What about you guys?¡±


    Ryan excitedly stood up, high-fived Mike, and said loudly, ¡°Great minds think alike, dude! A spa is nice, but the beach sounds way more fun. Plus, we¡¯ll get to see some bikini babes!¡±


    With that, Ryan slid his chair over to Aiden Thompson¡¯s desk and started egging him on, ¡°Aiden, come on, vote for the beach! The beach is going to be awesome!¡±


    Aiden Thompson, eyes still fixed on his computer screen, calmly replied, ¡°I¡¯ll take a look at the options first before I decide.¡±


    ¡°Stop hesitating, dude! The beach is all about sun, fun, and, of course, checking out the hot girls!¡±


    Aiden Thompson furrowed his brows and replied dismissively, ¡°Forget it. I really don¡¯t care about that.¡±


    Ryan continued teasing, ¡°What if the boss shows up wearing something crazy, like a funny costume? You telling me you wouldn¡¯t be interested?¡±


    Grace Li, who was about to post the travel details in the group chat, felt her face turn bright red. She was so embarrassed she could have crawled under the desk.


    Aiden Thompson shot Ryan a cold glare, and it was like the room got a little colder. Ryan, visibly rattled, quickly realized he¡¯d gone too far and pointed at Olivia, saying, ¡°Olivia would totally rock a bikini too!¡±


    Olivia¡¯s face turned bright red with anger. She grabbed a small plush toy from her desk and threw it at Ryan, yelling, ¡°Ryan, if you keep talking like that, I¡¯ll throw you into the ocean to feed the sharks!¡±


    Ryan scrambled to catch the toy, feeling trapped. ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯m sorry, I messed up!¡±


    As the office descended into chaos, Aiden Thompson quietly sent Grace Li a message.


    Aiden Thompson: Want to go where?


    Grace Li: The beach, I think.


    Grace Li: What about you?


    Aiden Thompson: Same as you.


    Grace Li: If I choose the spa, would you go with me?


    Aiden Thompson: Yeah.


    Grace Li, amused, replied: Why?


    Aiden Thompson: That way, I get to cast a vote for the place you want to go, gotta support you.


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but smile softly as she read the message.


    Hearing her laughter, Aiden Thompson looked up at Grace Li. She caught his gaze and, feeling a little shy, turned her head away, though the smile was still on her face.


    The vote was concluded by the morning, and the beach won. Seventy percent of the company voted for the beach. After a long and cold winter, everyone was eager to go somewhere warm, soak up some sun, and sip on cold coconut water.

 Chapter 59

    By the afternoon, the office was buzzing with plans for what to wear and what to bring to the beach. Some said they¡¯d bring surfboards, while others planned to bring a grill for a beach barbecue. Grace Li, however, wasn¡¯t in the mood to join in because, after discovering her period had started that morning, her stomach began to ache after lunch, making her sweat from the discomfort.


    Aiden Thompson kept an eye on her, noticing she was holding her stomach, her face pale. He quickly sent her a message.


    Aiden Thompson: Not feeling well?


    Grace Li: It¡¯s okay, just the first day of my period, a little pain.


    Aiden Thompson: Did you bring painkillers?


    Grace Li: I usually don¡¯t take pills. I¡¯ll tough it out, it¡¯ll be fine soon.


    A little while later, Aiden Thompson sent a message in the group chat with a link to a highly-rated Chinese tea shop in Chinatown that offered delivery.


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯m getting everyone some afternoon tea. Check out the menu and see if there¡¯s anything you want.


    The office quickly shifted from discussing the team-building trip to wondering why Aiden Thompson was suddenly buying afternoon tea. Normally, Grace Li was the one buying treats since she made a lot more money than everyone else, and they were used to her ¡°generosity.¡±


    Ryan, shocked, called out, ¡°Aiden, did you win the lottery or something? Why the sudden generosity?¡±


    Aiden Thompson replied seriously, ¡°I stumbled upon this tea shop and the snacks looked so good, I wanted to try them out. Thought I¡¯d invite everyone to join.¡±


    Ryan laughed, ¡°Well, in that case, I¡¯m not going to say no. Definitely gotta try their signature snacks!¡±


    Soon, everyone sent Aiden Thompson a list of things they wanted. Grace Li, however, didn¡¯t send anything. She was feeling so awful that just looking at food made her feel nauseous, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to eat.


    Aiden Thompson quickly placed the order, and half an hour later, the afternoon tea arrived. The colleagues gathered around the table, excitedly digging through the boxes of food to find their orders. Aiden Thompson, however, picked up a separate brown paper bag and walked over to Grace Li¡¯s desk, gently placing it on her desk. ¡°This is for you.¡±


    Grace Li was about to say she hadn¡¯t ordered anything but stopped herself, not wanting to raise any questions from her colleagues. She opened the bag and found a cup of steaming brown sugar ginger tea, with a faint ginger fragrance.


    A warm feeling spread through Grace Li¡¯s chest as she realized that Aiden Thompson had ordered this special tea just for her. Her colleagues were too busy enjoying their snacks to notice her tea.


    By the time the workday was winding down, Scarlett Harris clacked into the office on her high heels, walking straight to Grace Li¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Hi, Grace.¡±


    Grace Li set down the papers she was working on and looked up. ¡°What¡¯s up, Scarlett?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about the ¡®Bloom & Moon Sips¡¯ low-alcohol project. I¡¯d really like to pitch it for a project presentation. Can I?¡±


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    The ¡®Bloom & Moon Sips¡¯ project was one that Grace Li was currently leading. Most of the research and market reports were ready, and she was about to apply for the project approval. Grace Li hesitated at Scarlett¡¯s request. After all, Scarlett hadn¡¯t contributed much to the project, and according to company protocol, presentation opportunities were usually based on actual contributions. Allowing Scarlett to pitch the project might upset other colleagues.


    But considering the previous AgroTech project, where Grace Li had made an exception and let Aiden Thompson present, rejecting Scarlett now could lead to rumors of favoritism. Plus, Scarlett was Mr. Harris¡¯s daughter, and there was always a subtle atmosphere in the company. Everyone knew she might take over the company one day, so many things were often given extra consideration for her.


    After a moment of thought, Grace Li nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll come by later to go over the details,¡± Scarlett said with a big smile.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    After dinner, Scarlett pulled up a chair next to Grace Li, and the two of them started discussing the project while working on the PowerPoint.


    By 6 PM, most of the office was empty, and only Grace Li, Scarlett, and Aiden were left working.


    Scarlett¡¯s PowerPoint had three sections, and after completing the first part, she stretched, looked at the time, and said, ¡°Grace, thanks for all the help. How about I treat you guys to some late-night snacks?¡± When she said ¡°you guys,¡± she glanced at Aiden Thompson, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.


    Grace Li shook her head, feeling too tired. ¡°No, I rarely eat late-night snacks, and honestly, I don¡¯t have an appetite today.¡±


    ¡°We could order papaya with bird¡¯s nest. It¡¯s great for skin and beauty, perfect for us girls. And if you don¡¯t want to go out, ordering delivery is super easy,¡± Scarlett continued to suggest.


    ¡°If you¡¯re hungry, go ahead and order. I just can¡¯t eat right now.¡±


    Scarlett turned to Aiden Thompson. ¡°Aiden, are you hungry? Want to order some delivery?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± Aiden Thompson replied shortly, not even taking his eyes off the computer screen.


    ¡°Well, okay then. I won¡¯t eat either.¡± Scarlett seemed a bit disappointed as she started packing up her things. ¡°It¡¯s getting late, Grace Li, you should head home and get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡±


    Not long after Scarlett left, Grace Li also prepared to head out. Aiden Thompson followed her downstairs, and when they reached the parking lot, Grace Li was already sitting in the passenger seat, waiting for him. They had this unspoken understanding, no words needed¡ªjust a glance, and they knew what the other was thinking.


    The parking lot was dimly lit, cars coming and going. Aiden Thompson opened the driver¡¯s side door, got in, and started the car.


    ¡°Is your stomach still hurting?¡± Aiden Thompson asked, his eyes full of concern.


    Grace Li leaned against the window and replied, ¡°It¡¯s much better now. Thanks to that ginger tea you gave me this afternoon¡ªit was a lifesaver.¡±


    ¡°Do you get this pain often?¡±


    ¡°Not too much, just occasionally. It used to be worse when I was in school, but now that I¡¯m busy with work, it seems less frequent.¡±


    ¡°I bought a box of ginger tea. I¡¯ll leave it in the office for you. Next time you¡¯re in pain, just make some.¡±


    Grace Li was surprised by how thoughtful Aiden Thompson was. She had known some guys who took good care of girls during their period, but most of them were players, experienced in the game. She had to admit, Isabella Hsueh was right¡ªmaybe she really was in love. She even started feeling a little jealous, imagining how caring Aiden Thompson might be toward someone else.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Aiden Thompson asked.


    Grace Li snapped out of her thoughts and casually answered, ¡°Nothing, just a bit tired.¡±


    ¡°As for the ¡®Bloom & Moon Sips¡¯ project, I overheard you and Scarlett talking today. It seems like she doesn¡¯t know much about the industry or the project. If she does the presentation, you¡¯ll probably have to put in a lot of work guiding her.¡±


    Grace Li nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly. I spent over two hours explaining the project to her today, and I basically walked her through making the PowerPoint. We¡¯ve only finished the first part. To get her ready to present to the execs, I¡¯ll have to put in a lot of time. But there¡¯s nothing I can do. She¡¯s Mr. Harris¡¯s daughter.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Aiden Thompson replied. ¡°From her perspective, she wants to make a name for herself, create a strong image for the future when she takes over the company. When I first entered the venture capital world, Mr. Harris was the one who mentored me. Now helping his daughter out feels like a way to pay him back.¡±


    Grace Li understood everything, but she didn¡¯t want to say it out loud. Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t press the topic further. He knew Grace Li had her reasons, and she wasn¡¯t someone who lacked a sense of judgment.

 Chapter 60

    In mid-March, the temperature in New York had warmed up, with the average temperature for the weekend holding steady around 75¡ãF (about 25¡ãC). The weather was absolutely perfect.


    On Saturday morning, the employees of Nova Capital gathered downstairs in front of the office, ready to board the bus to the beach in the Hamptons for their long-awaited team-building trip. There were about forty people from the company, and a spacious bus was filled to the brim. Before they left, the group was buzzing with excitement, some even blasting popular hip-hop music to add to the fun vibe.


    By the time they arrived at their destination, it was 11 a.m. The group first headed to a famous seafood restaurant, where they enjoyed an incredibly lavish seafood feast. Sweet, juicy oysters, succulent lobsters, and a variety of specialty fish that no one could even name¡ªeveryone ate their fill. After the meal, they headed straight for the beach. The weather was warm but not scorching, and the sea breeze gently brushed their faces. By the afternoon, the temperature was around 84¡ãF (28¡ãC)¡ªperfect for a swim.


    The men couldn¡¯t wait to change into their swimsuits and rushed to the beach. Meanwhile, the women were still in the changing rooms, carefully picking out their swimsuits.


    On the crowded beach, there were long lines at the changing rooms and showers. When Scarlett Harris emerged from the changing room in a light pink bikini, all the women couldn¡¯t help but stare and compliment her.


    ¡°Scarlett, your figure is unbelievable! Even I, a girl, am jealous!¡±


    ¡°Seriously, and your skin is so flawless and glowing!¡±


    Scarlett, always confident about her body, smiled and played modest, ¡°Oh stop, you guys are making me blush.¡±


    ¡°Nothing to be shy about, girl,¡± Amanda said as she affectionately linked her arm with Scarlett¡¯s, ¡°Wait till the guys see you, their jaws are gonna hit the floor.¡±


    ¡°No way! You guys are exaggerating,¡± Scarlett responded, laughing.


    At that moment, Grace Li walked out in her Bohemian-style dress. Compared to her colleagues in swimsuits, her outfit was more modest.


    Seeing this, Scarlett couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Grace, why aren¡¯t you wearing a swimsuit?¡±


    Grace Li smiled and replied honestly, ¡°I¡¯m not feeling great today, so I¡¯m gonna pass on the swim.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, just use a tampon,¡± one of the admin girls chimed in.


    Grace Li shook her head with a smile, ¡°No, I¡¯m comfortable like this. Let¡¯s just go outside.¡±


    The nine of them walked toward the beach. The admin staff had pre-booked beach chairs and umbrellas through a popular app. Some of the guys were lounging in the beach chairs, soaking up the sun, while others were already in the water, playing around.


    When the group of women arrived, several of the men cheered, ¡°Wow!¡±


    The women responded, laughing, ¡°What¡¯s with the reaction? Have you never seen beautiful women before?¡±


    One of the guys yelled, ¡°We¡¯ve never seen you look this good in swimsuits! You all look awesome!¡±


    Then someone noticed that Grace Li wasn¡¯t wearing a swimsuit. James Shun asked, ¡°Grace Li, why aren¡¯t you in a swimsuit?¡±


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    Grace Li just smiled and explained, ¡°I¡¯m not planning to swim.¡±


    Aiden Thompson stood out in the crowd. He wore black beach shorts, and his well-toned, muscular upper body was exposed. His smooth, tanned skin gleamed in the sunlight, and his physique was impressive¡ªhe could easily be on a fashion runway. He wore a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, so it was hard to see his eyes, but he seemed to be looking in Grace Li¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Boss, no swimsuit? Someone¡¯s gonna be disappointed,¡± Ryan joked with a grin.


    At that, Grace Li¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Ryan, do you think I¡¯m too nice to you? Keep running that mouth of yours, and I might just make you work overtime next week!¡±


    Scarlett Harris, hearing the conversation, curiously asked, ¡°Ryan, who¡¯s going to be disappointed?¡±


    Ryan quickly shifted his response, ¡°Oh, the team is pretty disappointed. We¡¯ve been working with the boss for so long, but we¡¯ve never seen her in a swimsuit. Everyone was hoping to see a different side of you.¡±


    Scarlett laughed, ¡°I was just saying the same thing¡ªwhy isn¡¯t Grace in a swimsuit?¡±


    The colleagues gradually headed into the water to have fun. Grace Li stayed on the beach, casually sitting on one of the beach chairs. She scanned the ocean, but didn¡¯t see Aiden Thompson and wondered: Where did he go?


    Not long after, someone sat next to her on the chair. Grace Li turned to see that it was Aiden Thompson. She was a bit startled. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Just soaking up the sun,¡± Aiden Thompson said, setting a freshly opened coconut with a straw on the small side table. ¡°This one¡¯s for you. It¡¯s authentic Hawaiian coconut. I had to hunt it down.¡±


    Grace Li felt a bit nervous and instinctively said, ¡°But the others are all here.¡±


    Aiden Thompson was unbothered. ¡°There are ten chairs here, sitting next to you seems pretty normal. Don¡¯t overthink it. Everyone¡¯s busy having fun.¡±


    Grace Li glanced around, noticing a couple sitting under the umbrella next to them. It didn¡¯t seem odd for Aiden to sit next to her, and if she avoided it, it would feel even stranger.


    She took the coconut and sipped it. The sweet coconut water, filled with fruity flavor, instantly eased her dry mouth.


    At that moment, Aiden Thompson lazily stretched out on the chair, clearly enjoying his relaxation. Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but let her gaze linger on him. His skin was smooth and flawless, and his muscles were well-defined. There was an undeniable charm to him. She couldn¡¯t help but think of the scar on her back that she¡¯d hidden for so many years.


    ¡°Grace ,¡± Aiden Thompson called softly.


    Grace Li snapped back to reality. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Stop staring,¡± Aiden Thompson said with a slight smile. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but she could tell there was a mischievous look in his expression. ¡°If you keep looking at me like that, I might not be able to control myself. I might end up doing something impulsive in front of everyone.¡±


    His voice was soft, only Grace Li could hear. Her face immediately turned red, and she quickly turned away, not saying anything.


    Seeing her shy reaction, Aiden Thompson couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°You look stunning in that dress. The style really suits you, it makes you look so graceful.¡±


    Grace Li held the coconut, feeling warmth in her chest at his words, but she still didn¡¯t respond, pretending to just be ordinary colleagues.


    At that moment, Scarlett Harris walked up. ¡°Aiden Thompson, come play with us!¡±


    Aiden Thompson declined politely. ¡°I¡¯m good, I don¡¯t really want to get in the water.¡±


    ¡°Come on, you¡¯ll never know how fun it is until you try,¡± Scarlett Harris said, pulling on his arm in an attempt to get him up from the chair. She was tall and slender, with flawless skin, and her sexy swimsuit exuded an irresistible charm that most men would find hard to resist.


    Grace Li instinctively turned her gaze away, feeling a strange emotion rise in her chest. It wasn¡¯t jealousy, but a kind of unexplainable worry, fearing Aiden Thompson would agree and go with her into the water.


    Then, she heard Aiden Thompson say, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m allergic to seawater. I once went on vacation by the beach, and when I touched the water, I broke out in rashes and felt miserable for a long time.¡±


    Scarlett Harris, looking intrigued, replied, ¡°You¡¯re allergic to seawater? No kidding!¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Aiden Thompson motioned for her to let go of his arm, and Scarlett finally released him, saying, ¡°Okay then.¡±


    After Scarlett let go, she turned to Grace Li. ¡°Grace , come with me to play in the water. Surfing is so much fun.¡±


    Grace Li politely declined again. ¡°No, I¡¯m not really up for it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, the water¡¯s only up to our knees, it won¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°No, you go ahead and have fun. Just make sure to put on sunscreen so you don¡¯t get burned.¡±


    After being refused by both of them, Scarlett Harris finally walked away.

 Chapter 61

    After spending hours enjoying the beach in the afternoon, the night fell, and everyone gathered around the bonfire, kicking off an exciting and lively beach party. In the high-pressure world of venture capital, moments like these, where the entire team could relax and bond, were truly rare.


    The first game was the balloon stomp. The rules were simple: 16 people were selected, 8 men and 8 women, with each man teamed up with a woman. The women had two balloons tied to their ankles, and the men were responsible for protecting their team''s balloons while trying to pop the other teams'' balloons. Once all the balloons on a team were popped, that team was out, and the last team standing won a mysterious grand prize prepared by the admin team.


    There were only 9 women in the company, so besides Luna, who was hosting, all the other women had to participate.


    Luna had 8 women tie their balloons and then took a megaphone to shout, ¡°Gentlemen, if you want to join, raise your hand!¡±


    Many of the men eagerly raised their hands. Luna smiled at the enthusiasm and said, ¡°Wow, didn¡¯t expect the guys to be so into it. To make it fair, we¡¯ll have two people from each of the three investment teams, and two from logistics. You can decide who you want!¡±


    Ryan raised his hand high and asked, ¡°Luna, do we team up with the women from our own group?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s decided by a draw,¡± Luna replied.


    Ryan turned to Aiden Thompson, ¡°Aiden, you in?¡±


    Aiden Thompson wasn¡¯t particularly excited about the game, but when he heard Grace Li would be participating, he said, ¡°Sure.¡±


    Ryan then asked Mike, ¡°What about you?¡±


    Mike replied, ¡°You and Aiden go ahead. I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°Heh, well then, I won¡¯t hold back,¡± Ryan said with a grin.


    Aiden Thompson looked over at Grace Li, who was tying balloons with Olivia. The balloons on her ankles swayed gently in the sea breeze.


    The eight men gathered to draw their names. Ryan opened his slip and saw that he¡¯d drawn Amanda from the front desk. He leaned over to Aiden Thompson and asked, ¡°Who¡¯d you get?¡±


    Aiden Thompson looked at his slip and saw it said: Scarlett Harris.


    Ryan looked at him with envy, ¡°Whoa, Scarlett, huh?¡±


    Aiden Thompson handed him the slip, ¡°Let¡¯s swap.¡±


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t draw who you want,¡± Ryan said, showing Aiden his slip.


    Aiden Thompson was mentally prepared not to team up with Grace Li, but he wasn¡¯t keen on pairing up with Scarlett Harris either. ¡°It¡¯s fine, let¡¯s swap,¡± he said.


    Luna overheard and placed her hands on her hips, ¡°Hey, hey, let¡¯s respect the game rules, okay? Who you draw is who you get!¡±


    Ryan laughed and held up his slip, ¡°Luna, I got Amanda.¡±


    Luna took his slip, noted it on her phone, and said, ¡°Ryan and Amanda are a team.¡±


    After noting down the names, Luna turned to Aiden Thompson, ¡°Hey, Aiden, let¡¯s see who you got.¡±


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s gaze briefly landed on Grace Li. At that moment, David from the New Energy team approached Grace Li and showed his slip, ¡°Grace Li, looks like we¡¯re teamed up!¡±


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    Grace Li smiled and responded, ¡°Then let¡¯s do our best!¡±


    Luna saw Aiden Thompson zoning out and asked again, ¡°Aiden, let me see your slip.¡±


    Aiden Thompson handed it to her, and Luna grinned, ¡°Wow, you got Scarlett!¡±


    Luna then shouted over to Scarlett Harris, ¡°Scarlett, you¡¯re with Aiden Thompson!¡±


    Scarlett, having just finished tying her balloons, quickly walked over, flashing a sweet smile, ¡°Aiden, I look forward to working with you!¡±


    Grace Li heard Luna¡¯s words and glanced over to see Aiden Thompson paired with Scarlett. She quickly wiped the surprise off her face and returned her focus to David, who was explaining their strategy.


    When the game started, things quickly became intense. The women, with balloons tied to their ankles, hid behind the men, who were responsible for not only protecting their balloons but also stomping on the others¡¯ balloons.


    Laughter, screams, cheers from the sidelines, and the sound of balloons popping all blended together, echoing through the night air on the beach.


    Five minutes into the game, two teams had already been eliminated. Grace Li, who was quick on her feet, had managed to avoid all the attacks, and both of her balloons were still intact.


    Scarlett Harris, however, had only one balloon left. She tightly gripped Aiden Thompson¡¯s T-shirt, sticking close behind him. When someone rushed at her to pop her balloon, she screamed and jumped onto Aiden¡¯s back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs off the ground.


    It was an undeniably awkward moment.


    Grace Li noticed this and momentarily lost focus, which led to one of her balloons getting popped. She quickly regained her composure and sprinted away. David rushed to block an opponent and protect her.


    Scarlett Harris stayed on Aiden Thompson¡¯s back for several seconds. Aiden Thompson, without showing any emotion, said, ¡°I can¡¯t move like this.¡±


    Only then did Scarlett get off him, but she immediately continued to pull on his shirt.


    By this time, only four teams were left in the game. Aiden Thompson wasn¡¯t really concerned about winning, but when he saw Grace Li being chased by James Shun, with David pulling her behind him to protect her, he immediately rushed forward to take on Lin¡¯s team.


    While dodging Lin, Grace Li accidentally collided with Aiden Thompson and ended up in his arms.


    Aiden Thompson steadied her with a firm hand, and when Grace Li saw it was him, she quickly pulled away. With everyone watching, she avoided making eye contact and quickly ran off.


    Scarlett Harris saw Grace Li run away and noticed that Grace still had one balloon left. All Aiden needed to do was make a move, and she would be out. Scarlett couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Aiden, why didn¡¯t you pop Grace Li¡¯s balloon earlier?¡±


    Aiden Thompson casually responded, ¡°I didn¡¯t realize.¡±


    Before Scarlett could say anything else, she suddenly screamed as Jason rushed toward her, aiming to pop her balloon. Scarlett quickly ran in front of Aiden Thompson to shield herself.


    All four teams converged in the center, and chaos broke out as everyone tried to pop each other¡¯s balloons. Aiden Thompson, who wasn¡¯t that invested in winning, decided to help Grace Li. He quickly stomped on Lin¡¯s team¡¯s balloons, and soon only three teams remained.


    Aiden Thompson, with newfound determination, popped Jason¡¯s team¡¯s balloons, leaving only his team and Grace Li¡¯s team.


    David, full of energy, launched a strong attack, pushing Scarlett Harris back. She was clutching Aiden Thompson¡¯s shirt so tightly it was about to tear.


    In the end, Scarlett¡¯s balloon was popped, and Grace Li¡¯s team won.


    Grace Li and David went up to collect their prize, while Aiden Thompson sat back down. Ryan walked over and teased, ¡°You¡¯ve been protecting your girl, huh?¡±


    ¡°Got a problem with that?¡±


    ¡°No, not at all.¡±


    After the balloon stomp, the next game was darts. Many of the colleagues who hadn¡¯t played the balloon stomp gathered around.


    Grace Li returned to their team¡¯s resting area after collecting her prize. Olivia asked, ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the prize?¡±


    Grace Li shook the box in her hand, ¡°A fitness tracker.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s pretty nice!¡±


    Ryan leaned on the sand, saying, ¡°I actually need one of those. If I¡¯d known, I would¡¯ve fought harder to stay in the game.¡±


    ¡°There''s a dart competition with a prize too. You still have a chance.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to give it a try.¡± Ryan clapped Aiden Thompson on the shoulder, ¡°You coming?¡±


    ¡°No interest.¡±


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    Grace Li glanced at Aiden Thompson and smiled subtly, but said nothing. She sat on the cushion next to Olivia, with two people between her and Aiden Thompson.


    Earlier in the game, Aiden Thompson had taken on two teams attacking Grace Li¡¯s group, and when it came down to just her team and theirs, he¡¯d practically let them win. His intentions were pretty obvious.


    Around 10 p.m., the women started heading back to the hotel to shower and get some rest.


    Grace Li was also planning to head back, but her phone buzzed. She looked at it and saw a message from Aiden Thompson.


    Aiden Thompson: Wanna go for a walk?


    Grace Li: Where to?


    Aiden Thompson: Meet me outside the ice cream shop.


    Grace Li: Sure.

 Chapter 62

    Grace Li stood up, ready to leave. Around her, some colleagues were sitting together playing Werewolf, debating fiercely, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s definitely Jake! He¡¯s been acting so sketchy all night.¡± ¡°No way, I think it¡¯s Sarah. She¡¯s been way too quiet.¡± Others were playing Truth or Dare, bursting into laughter every now and then, ¡°Yo, you gotta do the chicken dance right here, right now!¡± Everyone was immersed in the fun and lively atmosphere of the games.


    Three minutes after Grace Li left, Aiden Thompson stood up, ready to head out as well. Scarlett Harris spotted him getting up and immediately followed him, asking, ¡°Aiden, you heading back to the hotel?¡±


    Aiden Thompson nodded, responding, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m beat.¡±


    ¡°Mind if I join you?¡±


    Aiden Thompson raised his phone and said, ¡°Not really convenient. I¡¯ve got a video call with my girlfriend later. You know, couple stuff.¡±


    Scarlett Harris¡¯s face slightly changed, but she quickly forced a smile, ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want to be the third wheel. Forget about it.¡±


    As soon as Aiden Thompson left, his phone buzzed again¡ªit was a message from Grace Li.


    Grace Li: Yo, they got chocolate, vanilla, mango, coconut, and strawberry flavors of ice cream. What do you want?


    Aiden Thompson: Coconut, for sure.


    Grace Li: Got it.


    When Aiden Thompson arrived at the ice cream shop, Grace Li had already bought an ice cream, holding it in one hand. Aiden Thompson walked up to her, and she handed him one.


    Aiden Thompson took the ice cream and, seeing her vanilla flavor, asked, ¡°You sure you can eat that? You know, with your health stuff.¡±


    Grace Li understood what he meant. She smiled and replied, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m good.¡± Then she took a lick of the ice cream and asked, ¡°So, where are we headed?¡±


    Aiden Thompson pointed toward the beach, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s take a stroll by the sea. Get some fresh air.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sounds good.¡±


    Aiden Thompson reached for her hand, but Grace Li instinctively glanced around and reminded him, ¡°Yo, there might be colleagues around. We don¡¯t want any drama.¡±


    Aiden Thompson let go, and they walked toward the quieter part of the beach. This stretch of beach stretched for several kilometers. The liveliest area was where they had the bonfire party. The further east they walked, the quieter it became, and the dimmer the lights got. In the distance, the lights of New York¡¯s iconic buildings twinkled in the night sky, outlining the unique city skyline. Occasionally, street performers could be seen on the beach, doing tricks that drew a small crowd.


    They strolled along the beach, eating their ice cream. The sea breeze blew Grace Li¡¯s hair and dress. After they walked far from the bustling area and finished their ice cream, Aiden Thompson took her hand again.


    As the night went on, the temperature dropped. Grace Li¡¯s hands felt a bit cold. Aiden Thompson asked, ¡°You cold, babe?¡±


    ¡°Not too bad. But brr, it¡¯s definitely getting chilly.¡± Grace Li looked at his T-shirt and said, ¡°Even if I were freezing, you couldn¡¯t exactly give me your shirt out here. We¡¯re in public, ya know.¡±


    ¡°But I can warm you up, no problem.¡±


    ¡°How you gonna do that?¡±


    Aiden Thompson stopped and pulled her into his arms. Grace Li leaned against him, surrounded by his body heat. Aiden Thompson rubbed her exposed arms to warm her up and said, ¡°Your arms are icy. Maybe we should head back to the hotel.¡±


    Grace Li wrapped her arms around him and said, ¡°Let¡¯s stay a little longer. I¡¯m loving this moment with you.¡±


    Aiden Thompson stroked her hair and said, ¡°All right, just a bit longer.¡±


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    Grace Li leaned quietly in Aiden Thompson¡¯s arms. He shielded her from the sea breeze. With her eyes closed, she could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the beach.


    This area was very dark, and hardly anyone came here. They hugged each other for a long time.


    Suddenly, Grace Li asked, ¡°Aiden, you ever wonder what I¡¯d look like in a bikini?¡±


    Aiden Thompson looked down at her and replied, ¡°Just for me to see? Sign me up.¡±


    Grace Li chuckled and moved a little away from him, saying, ¡°So you¡¯re really curious, huh?¡±


    Aiden Thompson tucked the hair the sea breeze had blown onto her face behind her ear and said, ¡°I¡¯d want to see you in anything, or nothing at all. You¡¯re beautiful, no matter what.¡±


    Well, another high-EQ answer. He always seemed to know how to make his partner feel secure.


    Grace Li thought that maybe even if she told him about her deep-seated inferiority complex, he would say something comforting.


    So, what was she still worrying about?


    Grace Li said, ¡°I¡¯ve never worn a swimsuit in my life, not even a conservative one.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t. You don¡¯t gotta force yourself. In America, we¡¯re all about body positivity, doing what makes you comfortable.¡±


    ¡°Do you know why?¡± Grace Li looked into his eyes. In the dim light, she could only see a vague outline.


    Aiden Thompson always felt she had something important to tell him. He listened patiently, asking, ¡°Why¡¯s that, babe?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m scared.¡± Grace Li lowered her head slightly as she said this.


    Aiden Thompson stroked her head and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay to be scared. But you don¡¯t have to be, not with me.¡±


    ¡°And the reason I¡¯m scared is that I¡¯m terrified of being laughed at.¡±


    ¡°Grace, no one¡¯s gonna laugh at you. You¡¯re amazing, and anyone who does is just jealous.¡±


    ¡°Let me finish.¡± Grace Li interrupted him. It took her a lot of courage to tell him this. She wanted him to know. Whatever happened after that, she just didn¡¯t like deceiving people.


    ¡°When I was eleven, I experienced a fire at my grandma¡¯s place. I have a scar on my back.¡±


    Aiden Thompson put his hand on her back, asking, ¡°Here?¡±


    Grace Li flinched like a frightened bird and took a small step back, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t touch.¡±


    ¡°Does it still hurt?¡±


    Grace Li shook her head, ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore.¡±


    Aiden Thompson stepped forward, ¡°Since it doesn¡¯t hurt, why can¡¯t I touch? In a relationship, we¡¯re all about being open and vulnerable with each other.¡±


    Grace Li still kept her head down and said, ¡°It¡¯s ugly. I¡¯ve always been self-conscious about it.¡±


    So, the previous doubts were finally cleared up. That day in New Jersey, he couldn¡¯t resist touching her. At first, everything seemed fine, and she seemed to accept his actions. But when he touched her waist, she pushed him away instinctively.


    Later, he thought maybe he was too hasty. After all, they had only been in a relationship for a little over two months.


    But now, he finally understood.


    Aiden Thompson pulled her back into his arms and placed his hand on her back, saying, ¡°Grace, when I hear that you went through a fire as a child, I feel for you. I¡¯m glad you survived. But that scar you mentioned, it¡¯s just a part of your story. It doesn¡¯t define you.¡±


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s hand moved to the zipper of her dress on her back. As he started to pull the zipper down a bit, Grace Li instinctively tried to break free from his embrace, but Aiden Thompson¡¯s grip was strong, and she was held in his arms.


    The zipper slid smoothly down, and the cold sea breeze blew in.


    Grace Li buried her face in his chest, her hands nervously gripping the clothes around his waist, saying, ¡°Aiden, don¡¯t... I¡¯m so embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°Grace, this is a knot in your heart. You need to face it, and I¡¯m here to support you. In America, we believe in embracing our flaws and moving forward.¡±


    When Aiden Thompson¡¯s palm covered the scar, Grace Li tensed up. She was too afraid to look at Aiden Thompson¡¯s reaction. Was he disgusted? Or indifferent?


    His palm gently moved over the uneven skin, as if exploring the extent of the scar, without any hint of impropriety. Then, he gently pulled the zipper back up.


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°This scar means nothing to our relationship. I would never think any less of you because of it. In fact, it makes me feel for you even more. And I don¡¯t want this tiny imperfection to be the source of your lack of confidence. Grace, you¡¯re amazing, truly outstanding. You¡¯re perfect just the way you are.¡±


    Grace Li felt a lump in her throat. At that moment, a warm feeling spread through her heart. Her nervousness gradually eased.


    It was like walking alone in the dark and suddenly someone with a light reached out to help her. Or like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm.


    Before, it was always her telling him, ¡°You¡¯re amazing,¡± to encourage him and boost his confidence.


    Now, it was his turn to encourage her.


    Grace Li looked up at him and said, ¡°Aiden, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.¡±


    Aiden Thompson gently caressed her face and kissed her between the eyebrows, asking, ¡°So from now on...¡±


    ¡°From now on what?¡±


    ¡°Can I touch you? I mean, whenever you¡¯re comfortable, of course. I want you to feel safe and loved with me.¡±


    Grace Li blushed and said, ¡°I¡¯m sharing a room with Olivia tonight. But... yeah, from now on, I want that too.¡±


    Aiden Thompson chuckled and said, ¡°Not talking about tonight. I¡¯m talking about in the long run. Building a relationship where we¡¯re completely comfortable with each other.¡± He leaned close to her ear and said, ¡°I mean in the future, whenever the moment is right.¡±


    ¡°Oh, gotcha.¡±


    Aiden Thompson took her hand again and said, ¡°The wind is getting stronger. Let¡¯s go back to the hotel. We can continue this conversation later, in a warmer, cozier place.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The two-day, one-night trip came to an end, and everyone returned to their regular work routine.

 Chapter 63

    On Tuesday, the project kick-off meeting for Bloom & Moon Sips was held at Nova Capital¡¯s New York office. Scarlett Harris had only finished the project¡¯s PowerPoint presentation yesterday, and last night, she rehearsed it with Grace Li. After Grace pointed out a few issues, she helped her make revisions, working until 11 PM before heading home.


    At the kick-off meeting, Scarlett Harris was dressed in a sharp, ivory-colored business suit, her long curly hair elegantly pinned up, and her light makeup made her look radiant. When she began, she politely greeted the senior company executives and spoke with confident: ¡°Good morning, everyone. It¡¯s a pleasure to present our project, ''Bloom & Moon Sips,'' to you today.¡±


    Grace Li had already thoroughly memorized the presentation, having essentially guided Scarlett step by step. The senior executives nodded along as they listened, with CEO Benjamin Harris particularly pleased with his daughter¡¯s performance, the smile on his face growing more evident.


    After Scarlett finished her presentation, one of the partners complimented, ¡°Scarlett, you¡¯ve only been with the company for a few months, yet you¡¯ve managed to put together such an impressive project report. Clearly, talent runs in the family. You¡¯ve got your father¡¯s charisma and sharp instincts.¡±


    Scarlett Harris smiled and responded, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Your kind words are truly encouraging.¡±


    During the Q&A session, just as Grace Li had anticipated, Scarlett answered every question effortlessly. By the end of the meeting, the senior executives had nothing but praise for her.


    After the meeting, Grace Li returned to her office and checked her phone, noticing that her mother, Huiyun Liang, had called twice during the meeting. She stepped into a small conference room next door to call her back. ¡°Hi, Mom. What¡¯s up?¡±


    Huiyun Liang spoke in Chinese, ¡°Today¡¯s your lunar birthday, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.¡±


    Grace Li smiled softly, ¡°I didn¡¯t even remember, but thank you, Mom. You¡¯re always the one reminding me.¡±


    ¡°Well, your dad and I were planning to celebrate with you today, but he¡¯s not feeling well, so I sent you some money. Go out and have a nice meal with your colleagues or friends.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Dad?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got his usual aches. You know, as people get older, they tend to feel a little off sometimes.¡±


    Grace Li smiled and reassured her, ¡°I¡¯ve been sending you guys some holiday money each year. You¡¯re doing well, so don¡¯t overdo it. You and Dad should relax more.¡±


    ¡°Well, your brother¡¯s at that age now where he should settle down, and we¡¯re planning to buy him a house by the end of the year. While we¡¯re still able to work, we want to help him out. But I understand your concern. We just feel it¡¯s important to support him at this stage.¡±


    Grace Li didn¡¯t argue further. Her parents¡¯ plan to buy her brother a car and a house seemed natural to them. William Li had just graduated last June, and his job wasn¡¯t yet stable, so buying a house now seemed a little premature.


    ¡°Mom, it might be better to wait until William¡¯s job is more stable. He may not be able to afford the mortgage if we buy a house now. You know, in the US job market, it often takes time for young people to establish a solid career.¡±


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    ¡°How¡¯s he gonna get married without a house? He¡¯ll need one sooner or later. In our culture, a house is a symbol of stability for a family.¡±


    Grace Li didn¡¯t push the issue further. She hadn¡¯t promised to help with buying the house, nor had she outright refused. She had given William plenty of spending money when he was in school, but now that he was working, Grace Li felt she didn¡¯t have an obligation to support him financially.


    After chatting with her mom for a while, she ended the call. She opened her messages and saw several notifications. Her mom had sent her a birthday gift, and Isabella Hsueh had also sent one with a message: ¡°Happy lunar birthday to our amazing Grace Li! You¡¯re like a blooming flower at thirty, but in my eyes, you¡¯ll always be eighteen. Hahaha. I¡¯m in San Francisco for a court session today. I¡¯ll probably be back really late, so I can¡¯t celebrate with you. But I¡¯m sure someone special will be there to keep you company. Hehe.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but smile when she saw the message.


    Just then, Benjamin Harris¡¯s secretary called: ¡°Grace Li, Mr. Harris would like to see you in his office. He wants to touch base about the Bloom & Moon Sips project.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Grace Li put away her phone and headed for Benjamin Harris¡¯s office. Scarlett Harris was already there.


    Benjamin Harris warmly invited Grace Li to sit on the couch, and he and Scarlett sat on one side, causing Grace Li to feel a bit of invisible pressure. The office walls were adorned with large photos of New York¡¯s Financial District, and there were several industry awards displayed, showcasing the company¡¯s standing and achievements.


    Benjamin Harris spoke first: ¡°Grace Li, I¡¯ve heard from Scarlett that you¡¯ve provided a great deal of guidance on the Bloom & Moon Sips project. Your input has been invaluable, and it really aligns with our company¡¯s collaborative spirit.¡±


    Grace Li responded modestly, ¡°Scarlett is really smart. She picked things up quickly. She has great potential to be a future leader in our company.¡±


    Benjamin Harris continued, ¡°Scarlett has only been with the company for a few months, and I originally wanted her to gain some experience. But since she¡¯s done such a great job on this project, I think it¡¯s time for her to take the lead. However, she might need some support. I hope your team can assist her in the subsequent work. Considering our project evaluation criteria, having a strong support system will be crucial for the success of Bloom & Moon Sips.¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s heart sank. Benjamin Harris¡¯s intentions were clear: she and her team would shift from leading the project to supporting it, and Scarlett Harris would take the lead. However, Scarlett¡¯s involvement in the project up until now had been minimal, and her ability to lead the project was still questionable.


    But Benjamin Harris was the CEO, and Scarlett was his only daughter. Grace Li had witnessed his favoritism towards her in recent days. If she pointed out Scarlett¡¯s lack of ability, Benjamin Harris would surely be displeased.


    Having been in the workplace for years, Grace Li knew exactly where she stood. In a family-run business, it was inevitable that she¡¯d face setbacks, and there was no place for complaints unless she decided to resign. Weighing the pros and cons, she decided to handle this diplomatically: ¡°Mr. Harris, I believe Scarlett has the capabilities to lead a project. However, my team is currently swamped with work. If my colleagues have to assist with both our ongoing projects and Scarlett¡¯s, I¡¯m concerned they won¡¯t be able to give either the attention it deserves. Maybe we could bring in a few new people to balance the workload. They could support Scarlett¡¯s project while giving my team more focus on what we¡¯re already handling.¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s response made it clear that she was unwilling to step down to a supporting role. She might relinquish the project, but she wouldn¡¯t accept an unfair arrangement. After all, if this was allowed once, there could be more unreasonable demands in the future.


    Grace Li was Benjamin Harris¡¯s trusted assistant, and he couldn¡¯t force her into something she didn¡¯t want. He took a deep breath and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll discuss this with the HR department. We need to come up with a ballpark figure for the new hires and a timeline for their integration. Let¡¯s make sure this transition is smooth.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Harris.¡±

 Chapter 64

    Back at the office, Grace Li sent a message to the team in their group chat.


    Grace Li: Hey, team! Starting today, Scarlett''s gonna take over the Bloom & Moon Sips project. We¡¯re gonna step back a bit, and I¡¯ll handle the handover stuff. If you¡¯ve got any questions, feel free to reach out.


    Olivia: Wait, what? This project was our baby from the start. Why is it going to Scarlett now?


    Ryan: Yeah, isn¡¯t Scarlett part of our team too? What¡¯s the deal, boss?


    Peter: Seriously, what¡¯s going on? Is Scarlett taking the lead from here on out?


    Grace Li: Details are still being worked out. Just be ready, we¡¯re handing the project off to her.


    Olivia: No way! I was really into this project. Their wines are amazing, you know?


    Grace Li knew Olivia had put her heart and soul into the project, but with Benjamin Harris¡¯s decision, there wasn¡¯t much she could do.


    She was frustrated, but in a family-run company like this, she knew the boss¡¯s kids often got special treatment.


    The company operated as a partnership. If Benjamin Harris tried to promote Scarlett Harris to a VP-level spot right away, the other partners would definitely have something to say about it. The best move was to make everyone in the company believe Scarlett Harris was capable and deserving of the role.


    Unfortunately for Grace Li, she¡¯d been put in the position of being a stepping stone for Scarlett Harris to show off her leadership abilities. In this business, where performance reviews are key and project success could make or break your career, she was stuck. Handing over a project she had nurtured meant a potential hit to her team¡¯s performance, but she couldn¡¯t go against the boss¡¯s wishes either.


    In the afternoon, Grace Li, Ryan, and Peter headed out to visit a prospective client, a resort under construction about two hours¡¯ drive from New York.


    On the way, Grace Li received a message from Aiden Thompson.


    Aiden Thompson: Grace, let¡¯s have dinner at home tonight.


    Grace Li was taken aback. They usually worked late during the week, rarely getting the chance to cook and eat at home.


    She wondered if Aiden Thompson knew it was her birthday, but then she remembered it was her lunar birthday¡ªsomething most people in New York wouldn¡¯t just know.


    Besides, she had no idea when she¡¯d be back.


    Grace Li: I might be super late. Traffic¡¯s a nightmare in this city.


    Aiden Thompson: No worries. I¡¯ll be waiting, no matter how late.


    Grace Li: We¡¯re probably out of everything at home.


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯ll swing by the deli on the way back. They¡¯ve got the best steaks in the neighborhood.


    Grace Li: Thanks, babe.


    Upon arriving at the resort, they were greeted by the client. After a brief exchange of business cards, they chatted about the latest Yankees game while walking around the property. The client then launched into a detailed presentation of the project¡¯s plans and future operational model.


    Before they knew it, it was getting dark.


    The meeting wrapped up at 6:30. The client invited them to dinner at a fancy new place in town, but Grace Li politely declined. "Thanks a million for the offer, but we¡¯ve got a long drive back to the city. Maybe next time we can check out that Italian joint you were raving about. I heard they¡¯ve got this amazing pasta dish."


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    After dropping Ryan and Peter off at their places in New York, Grace Li finally made her way back to her own place.


    At 8 o''clock, Aiden Thompson messaged her asking where she was. She replied that she¡¯d be home in an hour, fingers crossed the traffic gods were on her side.


    Grace Li arrived home at exactly 9 o''clock, beat and starving. When she opened the door, the house was pitch black.


    Was Aiden Thompson out?


    Just as she was about to turn on the living-room light, something suddenly lit up. Grace Li looked over and saw several 3D letter lights spelling ¡°Happy Birthday¡± on the TV stand.


    Then, a deep, melodious voice filled the room, singing the classic American version of ¡°Happy Birthday to You.¡±


    Grace Li watched as Aiden Thompson emerged from the kitchen, carrying a cake. A huge smile spread across her face.


    So she wasn¡¯t dreaming. Aiden Thompson really did know it was her birthday.


    Grace Li¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as she smiled. She had celebrated birthdays with Isabella Hsueh before, but she had always cherished those who remembered her lunar birthday. In her book, they were the ones who truly cared.


    Aiden Thompson walked up to her, looking at her tenderly as he sang, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. May all your dreams come true, may you always be in a great mood."


    The candles on the cake were burning brightly. Grace Li looked at Aiden Thompson, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the candles.


    "Grace, happy birthday."


    "Thank you."


    Aiden Thompson gestured towards the candles. "Make a wish and blow them out."


    Grace Li closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. The room darkened for a moment until she flicked the light switch.


    The living room was transformed. The cake was a beautiful creation, a starry-night theme with chocolate balls shaped like planets.


    There was a romantic candlelit dinner set up, complete with a bottle of fine red wine, a perfectly cooked steak, and a bouquet of red roses on the table. Grace Li hardly recognized her own dining table.


    Aiden Thompson pulled out a chair for her. Grace Li looked at the steak on her plate, impressed by its presentation, with a garnish of arugula, lemon, and asparagus.


    "Did you make this?"


    "Yeah, give it a try. I¡¯ve been practicing like crazy."


    Grace Li remembered Aiden Thompson had mentioned wanting to learn how to cook. He had made a few attempts, and while the results were just okay before, this looked promising.


    She picked up her fork and knife, cut a piece of steak, and took a bite. "This is actually really good."


    "First time?"


    "Not exactly. I made a couple of steaks last night, but they were total flops. I ate them myself. Fuhgeddaboudit."


    Grace Li smiled. She had been busy helping Scarlett Harris with the project until late last night. She never thought Aiden Thompson had been at home perfecting his steak-cooking skills.


    "Well, today¡¯s is a winner. You should open a restaurant, seriously."


    "Good to hear. All that practice paid off."


    As they ate, Grace Li asked, "How did you know it was my birthday?"


    "I saw your ID when I booked our trip. I remembered the date."


    "But it¡¯s my lunar birthday."


    "True, but you once told me that when you were a kid, you¡¯d always check the lunar calendar to find out when your birthday was. I remembered every word you said. In this city, where everyone¡¯s got their own unique story, I wanted to make yours special."


    He remembered everything she had ever shared with him. Grace Li wondered if she had been too hasty in opening up about her childhood experiences of being treated differently due to her parents¡¯ traditional views. But she had long since let go of those grudges, knowing that her parents did love her in their own way.


    Besides the steak, Aiden Thompson had also prepared a salad and some pasta. The pasta was a semi-homemade dish, but it still tasted great.


    After dinner, they shared the cake, each taking turns with a spoon.


    Grace Li had always thought she¡¯d be anxious about turning thirty. But aside from the morning¡¯s work drama, she felt incredibly happy today.


    "Aiden, I used to be really scared of turning thirty."


    "Why?"


    "Because in my hometown in China, a woman over thirty who¡¯s not married is the subject of gossip. People would talk behind her back, and the rumors could spread like wildfire. I could almost hear the things they¡¯d say. Even with all the mental preparation I¡¯ve done, a part of me was still afraid of the gossip. And it¡¯s not just in the countryside. In society, a woman over thirty is often seen as past her prime, her youth gone. But here in New York, I¡¯m starting to realize that age is just a number. People are chasing their dreams at all ages, and I want to be a part of that. I want to be fearless like the women I see here, breaking boundaries and doing things their own way."


    Aiden Thompson looked at her sincerely. "You¡¯re a total rockstar at thirty, Grace. You¡¯re brave, strong, and incredibly smart. You can handle anything that comes your way. You¡¯re mature, yet you still have that cute, childlike side. Your charm is like a bright spotlight, shining brightly for all to see. In this city that never sleeps, you¡¯re a force to be reckoned with."


    Grace Li laughed. "Did you take a love-talk crash course or something?"


    "Nope. I¡¯m just speaking from the heart. You inspire me every day."


    "Then how do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Aiden, if you keep this up, I might just turn into a total romantic."


    Aiden Thompson met her gaze with a smile. "So, in this relationship, am I the only one head-over-heels in love?"


    Grace Li chuckled. He always knew how to make her feel special.

 Chapter 65

    Grace Li stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed from the hot water. As she wrapped a towel around herself, she caught sight of Aiden Thompson finishing up in the kitchen.


    Despite his polished, aristocratic features and hands so smooth they looked untouched by hard labor, he moved around the kitchen with ease, putting away the last of the dishes with practiced efficiency.


    Rolling down the sleeves of his dress shirt, he glanced at her and noticed her damp hair. ¡°Hey, you should dry your hair. You know how crazy New York weather is. Wouldn¡¯t want you catching a cold.¡±


    ¡°I will in a bit,¡± she replied, running a hand through her wet locks. ¡°You should go take a shower too.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    As he turned toward the bedroom, she hesitated for a second before calling after him. ¡°Hey¡ª¡±


    He stopped at the doorway, glancing back, waiting patiently.


    Grace bit her lip, then, after a moment¡¯s hesitation, asked, ¡°Do you¡­ wanna stay in my room tonight?¡±


    Aiden¡¯s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. ¡°That¡¯d be great.¡±


    Back in her room, Grace applied some of her usual Kiehl¡¯s lotion, the familiar scent calming her nerves. She picked up her Dyson hairdryer, but even as she dried her hair, her heart raced like a drum. No matter how hard she tried to act normal, the anticipation bubbling inside her was impossible to ignore.


    A few minutes later, a soft knock came from the door.


    She jumped up, smoothing her nightshirt as she opened it. Aiden stood there, now dressed in a navy blue Calvin Klein pajama set. The top button was undone, revealing a hint of his collarbone. He looked effortlessly attractive, yet somehow different from his usual composed, businesslike self.


    Her gaze drifted to his hair. During the day, he used Bumble and bumble gel to keep it perfectly styled¡ªpolished and put together. But now, with his bangs falling naturally over his forehead, he looked years younger, more relaxed.


    For some reason, she suddenly felt like she was sneaking around, which was ridiculous. Clearing her throat, she fumbled for words. ¡°Uh¡­ did you dry your hair?¡±


    ¡°All dried up. No worries.¡±


    She nodded quickly. ¡°I-I should check if I turned off the living room lights.¡±


    Before she could move, Aiden stepped inside, smoothly pulling her into his arms as he shut the door behind him. ¡°Already took care of it. No need to stress, alright?¡±


    Her heartbeat picked up, pounding like a drum against her ribs.


    Aiden¡¯s hand slid beneath the hem of her shirt, his touch slow and deliberate. She stiffened, instinctively burying her face against his chest.


    ¡°Grace.¡± His voice was soft, coaxing. ¡°Look at me.¡±


    She lifted her head, meeting his gaze. His eyes searched hers, full of warmth and patience.


    ¡°You okay with this?¡± he murmured. ¡°I want you to be comfortable.¡±


    She hesitated, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not really used to this. But I want to try.¡±


    His smile was reassuring. ¡°Good. Just relax. Let me take care of you.¡±


    He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead before tilting her chin up, brushing his lips against hers. His touch was gentle, unhurried¡ªlike he had all the time in the world. One by one, the buttons of her nightshirt came undone, and his kisses traced a path along her skin, igniting something deep inside her.


    Every sensation felt magnified. Rational thought slipped away, replaced by an overwhelming rush of emotion.


    Aiden¡¯s breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, ¡°Grace, you okay?¡±


    Her breath came in uneven gasps. After a moment, she managed a soft murmur, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m okay.¡±


    His lips brushed against her temple. ¡°Think you can handle a little more?¡±


    A faint hum escaped her lips. ¡°Mhm~¡±


    **


    The next morning, Grace Li slowly woke up in Aiden Thompson¡¯s arms. Last night had been a whirlwind of passion, keeping them up late until exhaustion finally took over.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Aiden¡¯s deep, velvety voice rumbled above her, like a smooth jazz tune easing into the morning.


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    Grace replayed the memories of the night before¡ªevery moment vivid, every touch lingering. Her cheeks warmed as she murmured, ¡°Morning.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Half past eight.¡±


    Grace shot up. She was usually up by seven. Rubbing her temples, still hazy from sleep, she groaned, ¡°Oh no, I¡¯m late! You know how brutal the rat race is in this city.¡±


    But Aiden simply pulled her back into his arms, his voice soothing. ¡°Relax, you¡¯ve been pulling all-nighters at work. You deserve a break. A little late won¡¯t kill you.¡±


    Her head felt heavy, so she gave in, sinking back into the warmth of the sheets. A slow smile spread across her face as she mused, ¡°You know that saying? ¡®The night was too sweet, the morning came too soon, and from then on, the king skipped his early court.¡¯ I feel like that¡¯s basically New York in a nutshell¡ªwe live for the moment.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Then how about we just call in sick today? We could take it easy, maybe go for a stroll in Central Park.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ve got work,¡± she whined, her tone carrying just a hint of playful protest.


    Aiden smirked. ¡°You go back to sleep. I¡¯ll make us some breakfast. Maybe whip up those fluffy pancakes you love.¡±


    ¡°Nah, let¡¯s just grab something from Ess-a-Bagel downstairs. Their lox bagels are to die for.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡±


    By the time they got ready and stepped out, it was already 9:15¡ªwell past her usual start time. Luckily, their jobs had flexible hours, and heading out for morning meetings wasn¡¯t unusual. When they finally strolled into the office around ten, no one batted an eye.


    As soon as Grace sat down, a message from Isabella Hsueh popped up:


    Isabella: So, how¡¯s your first day of being thirty?


    Grace: Looking back, all that anxiety seems so unnecessary. Thirty¡¯s actually pretty great.


    Isabella: Hahaha! In what way?


    Grace: Honestly? I¡¯ve stopped stressing over the little things. And I¡¯m finally figuring out this whole work-life balance thing¡ªlike a real New Yorker.


    Isabella: Aha, I see. Sounds like that young hunk of yours knows how to keep you grounded. Maybe he¡¯s the secret to your new zen mode?


    Grace: He¡¯s always been amazing. He just gets me, you know?


    Isabella: I¡¯m flying back to New York today! Wanna meet up? I owe you a proper birthday celebration. We could check out that new rooftop bar in Tribeca.


    Grace: Swamped with work. Maybe this weekend? I¡¯ve been dying to try their cocktails.


    Isabella: Deal. Can¡¯t wait to hear all about your ¡®turning 30¡¯ wisdom over some drinks.


    Grace Li had just wrapped up her conversation with Isabella Hsueh when her desk phone rang. It was Lily Lin from HR, her tone light and conversational.


    ¡°Hey Grace, I wanted to touch base about the new hires. Got a few minutes to swing by the conference room?¡±


    When they met, Lily, who had been with the company for years, exuded the confidence of someone who had seen it all. As an HR manager, she was skilled at balancing company needs with employee concerns. She was also well-connected¡ªbeing Benjamin Harris¡¯s cousin-in-law didn¡¯t hurt.


    She got straight to business. ¡°So, here¡¯s where we¡¯re at¡ªMr. Harris knows your team¡¯s been overloaded, so he¡¯s signed off on hiring two new people. I wanted to get your thoughts on what skill sets we should prioritize. We need folks who can hit the ground running.¡±


    Grace knew exactly what this was about. She had already told Benjamin Harris that her team was stretched too thin to take on extra work from Scarlett Harris. If Scarlett needed more hands, she should have her own hires. To avoid internal tension, they had agreed that any new recruits would technically report to Grace¡¯s team¡ªbut in reality, they¡¯d be working under Scarlett.


    ¡°Lily, to be honest, the real need is on Scarlett¡¯s end. She¡¯s running this project solo and could really use some direct support. It¡¯d make sense for you to check with her on the specific skills required¡ªshe¡¯ll have the best sense of what¡¯s critical.¡±


    Lily nodded but didn¡¯t budge. ¡°I hear you, Grace. But here¡¯s the thing¡ªnew hires, no matter how experienced, will still need time to get up to speed with our operations. So, after thinking this through, I believe the best approach is for your team to train them first. In the meantime, we¡¯d like to have two of your folks support Scarlett. She¡¯s still new to the field, and throwing two fresh hires at her wouldn¡¯t be fair. This way, we keep things balanced and ensure the project moves forward smoothly.¡±


    Grace immediately caught on. This wasn¡¯t just about staffing Scarlett¡¯s project¡ªit was about pulling two of her best people. And if Lily was bringing this up, it meant the decision was already being pushed from the top.


    She kept her tone even. ¡°I see. Do you have specific names in mind?¡±


    Lily didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Mike and Aiden.¡±


    Grace¡¯s jaw tightened. Mike was a seasoned pro, someone who had navigated the cutthroat New York corporate world with skill and resilience. Aiden was a rising star¡ªquick, adaptable, and a natural problem solver. They were two of the strongest players on her team.


    And now, they were being poached.


    She leaned forward slightly, her voice measured. ¡°Lily, I respect the bigger picture, but let¡¯s be real¡ªmoving Mike and Aiden would have a serious impact on my team¡¯s efficiency. They¡¯re key players in our current projects, and pulling them midstream could slow things down.¡±


    Lily, ever the HR professional, didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°I get it, Grace. But we¡¯re thinking long-term here. You¡¯ve got space for two more desks in your office¡ªjust like the setup next door. The new hires will be sitting with your team, learning the ropes, while Mike and Aiden will still be part of your group on paper. They¡¯ll just be lending a hand on Scarlett¡¯s project.¡±


    She softened her voice slightly. ¡°And don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll talk to them personally. I¡¯ll position this as a career growth opportunity¡ªnew challenges, more exposure, a chance to work closely with senior leadership. You know how ambitious they are. They might actually see this as a step up. So, let¡¯s not stress too much about it¡ªwe¡¯re all working toward the same goal.¡±


    Grace exhaled slowly. She knew this wasn¡¯t really up for debate. Flat-out refusing would mean pushing back against Benjamin Harris himself¡ªnot a smart career move.


    But at the end of the day, she cared about her team. If Mike and Aiden genuinely saw this as a growth opportunity, she wouldn¡¯t stand in their way.


    After a moment, she nodded. ¡°Alright, Lily. I won¡¯t make the decision for them. Talk to them first¡ªif they¡¯re interested, I¡¯ll support them. But if they have concerns, I want to make sure their voices are heard.¡±


    Lily smiled, sensing the compromise. ¡°Sounds fair. I¡¯ll chat with them and circle back to you.¡±


    As Grace watched Lily walk away, she took a deep breath. In the fast-paced world of New York business, survival wasn¡¯t just about working hard¡ªit was about knowing when to push back and when to adapt.


    She just hoped this shift wouldn¡¯t come at too high a cost.

 Chapter 66

    Grace Li didn¡¯t bring up the conversation with Lily Lin in the group chat. She didn¡¯t want her personal feelings to add pressure to anyone in the team. If Mike or anyone else agreed to Lily Lin¡¯s request, then it would just be another normal workplace shift.


    It was probably because Scarlett Harris¡¯s project had been successfully approved, and Scarlett wasn¡¯t too keen on handling the details herself, leaving a lot of things that needed attention. That¡¯s why Lily Lin was in such a rush. Soon enough, she approached Mike and Aiden Thompson for discussions.


    Things moved quicker than expected. Mike agreed to help Scarlett Harris, while Aiden Thompson refused. Grace Li didn¡¯t feel the need to comment on it. Everyone had the right to make their own decisions, and she couldn¡¯t decide for others.


    Aiden Thompson noticed that Grace Li seemed a little off in the afternoon, and even without asking, he could guess why. After work, he went out of his way to buy beer and late-night snacks. The snacks were from the Hong Kong-style dessert shop near Gold Street, a place Grace Li had taken him to a few times, and he remembered it.


    The two of them sat on the balcony of his apartment, enjoying their snacks and chatting. The New York night was alive with lights, the skyscrapers flashing in neon colors, the sound of jazz music mixed with the buzz of traffic, and occasional street performers playing their tunes.


    "Yo, Lily talked to me today," Aiden Thompson suddenly said.


    Grace Li, still wearing her gloves and nibbling on chicken feet, responded, "I know, she gave me a heads-up."


    "Don¡¯t you have any thoughts about their arrangement? Not gonna vent a little? Come on, this is totally unfair."


    Grace Li gave a wry smile and shook her head, "What¡¯s there to say? The company¡¯s theirs, not mine. What I can do is either suck it up or just walk away. Finding a good job in New York isn¡¯t easy; I can¡¯t take that risk."


    Lately, Aiden Thompson had noticed how Benjamin Harris and Scarlett Harris had been running things. He felt it wasn¡¯t fair to Grace Li. ¡°With your skills, you could easily jump to a bigger, better, and fairer financial institution. In New York, places like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan would be fighting to hire you. You¡¯re too good to stay somewhere that doesn¡¯t value you.¡±


    Grace Li finished her chicken feet, took off her gloves, and took a sip of beer before replying slowly, ¡°Aiden, it¡¯s not that simple. In the New York finance world, people like me are a dime a dozen. There are so many people more talented and capable than me. Plus, jumping to another company might not necessarily make things better. You might face new problems and challenges. You know how cutthroat the finance job market is in New York. It¡¯s like a battlefield, and you never know if you¡¯ll be able to adapt to a new company¡¯s culture or team dynamics.¡±


    Grace Li turned her head and looked at Aiden Thompson. ¡°Do you know what my first job after graduation was?¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡±


    ¡°I worked as a bank teller. The job market was super competitive back then, and landing a job at a bank was already considered a pretty good opportunity for someone like me, from a non-Ivy League school. I thought it was a great job at first, but once I got in, I realized it was incredibly boring. It wasn¡¯t what I wanted. After six months of internal struggle, I quit and joined a small startup. The boss kept talking big, and I, being young and na?ve, actually believed him. I was making just a few thousand dollars a month and working my butt off. The company had only about 15 or 20 people, and half of them were the boss¡¯s relatives. Can you imagine that kind of suffocating work environment? That company wanted to raise funds, and I was the one putting together the business plan. I thought I did a good job, but when the investors came in, they picked it apart. They didn¡¯t get the investment, and I ended up leaving. It was at that startup where I first got involved in venture capital, and I became really passionate about it. But the venture capital world is super competitive. Most decent VC and PE firms only hire Ivy League grads, and many of them are PhDs or masters. It wasn¡¯t easy to break into. Eventually, I got into a boutique financial advisory firm, and that¡¯s where I met Mr. Harris. We worked together on a project, and after it ended, he asked if I wanted to join his firm, so I came aboard. I started as his assistant, but I was passionate about the industry and the work, and I went all in. After two years of feeling lost and uncertain after graduation, I finally found a place where I felt like I belonged. Mr. Harris was a great mentor¡ªhe¡¯s always willing to teach and guide, and under his guidance, I improved quickly. When the company expanded, I became the investment director and led my own team. Honestly, I¡¯ve been really grateful for Mr. Harris all these years.¡±


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    Aiden Thompson was deeply moved after hearing Grace Li¡¯s story. She was so smart and had a clear understanding of the workplace struggles. Even when she faced unfair treatment, she chose to silently endure, all because of Benjamin Harris¡¯s mentorship.


    ¡°You¡¯ve created so much value for the company, and it¡¯s a mutually beneficial relationship. You shouldn¡¯t feel guilty. You¡¯re totally qualified to pursue something better. There are opportunities everywhere in New York,¡± Aiden Thompson said sincerely.


    Grace Li leaned back in her chair and stared at the glowing neon lights in the distance. After a long pause, she said thoughtfully, ¡°I understand. Honestly, I do sometimes think about changing jobs, but the risks are just too high. I came from a regular family, and in New York, I don¡¯t have connections or a background. I¡¯ve made it this far on my own, step by step, and I¡¯ve finally built the life I want. I¡¯m afraid to lose it. Also, after jumping around to a few jobs, I¡¯ve realized that every job has its downsides. There¡¯s always going to be something that frustrates you. If I quit just because of a little frustration, I¡¯d be job-hunting forever and never reach my goals. As I¡¯ve gotten older, I¡¯ve come to understand the rules of the world more. Everyone starts at a different point. Look at Scarlett Harris. She doesn¡¯t have to worry about finding a job, buying a house, or a car. She¡¯s had all that since birth. So if she feels wronged, she can fix it right away. But I¡¯m different. When I first came to New York, I had nothing. If I wanted to get what I wanted, I had to work hard and make money. That¡¯s my goal¡ªmoney. To achieve that goal, I have to overcome all kinds of challenges and put up with various frustrations. I can¡¯t be too sensitive. The more experience I gain, the more I understand that you can¡¯t just give up on a job because of a few things you don¡¯t like. You have to weigh everything¡ªthe salary, the work environment, the leadership style, the job content, even the location. Look at me at Nova Capital. I have a great team, and the projects I¡¯ve invested in are starting to show results. If I left, someone else would take over, and all my efforts would go to waste. And you know, in New York, we¡¯re always attending industry events and social parties to expand our networks. That¡¯s a part of the job too. If I switched companies, I¡¯d have to start all over again.¡±


    Aiden Thompson reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Grace Li. He¡¯d had a smooth life up to this point, and the things she¡¯d been through were both unfamiliar and eye-opening. She had shown him a whole new world.


    ¡°Listening to you, it¡¯s like I¡¯ve had a crash course in survival in the workplace. I get it now. Making it in New York¡¯s job market is no joke.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, ¡°Well, I¡¯m not the kind of person who¡¯ll sacrifice everything just for money or neglect my health. I¡¯m not planning to stay at Nova Capital forever. I can endure some frustration, but I do have my limits. If they cross that line, I¡¯ll definitely leave. New York is big, and there are other places that can take me in.¡±


    Aiden Thompson took Grace Li¡¯s hand and gently stroked her fingers. ¡°Have you thought about starting your own business? The entrepreneurial scene here is booming, and there are so many opportunities. There are incubators, startup competitions, and plenty of venture capitalists willing to back promising projects.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it, but right now, the conditions aren¡¯t right. Starting a business needs capital, connections, and resources¡ªeach one of them is crucial. And in New York, the competition is fierce. Without enough preparation, it¡¯s easy to fail.¡±


    ¡°How about adding me to the mix? I want to try my hand at entrepreneurship too. I think we can build something together. With our skills, we can definitely make a mark in New York¡¯s startup scene.¡±


    Grace Li looked at Aiden Thompson, her eyes sparkling, yet she hesitated to speak.


    ¡°I know I¡¯m not fully ready yet, and I still need more experience,¡± Aiden Thompson said with a smile. ¡°But that¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll work on improving myself. I¡¯ll attend more startup workshops, expand my network, and learn more about the industry. When the time¡¯s right, we can go for it together. Who knows? Maybe one day we¡¯ll have our own spot on New York¡¯s startup avenue.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±

 Chapter 67

    Lily Lin was super efficient this time; by the next day, she had added two desks to the consumer team office and set up interviews. After she conducted the initial interviews, Grace Li would handle the second round.


    The day before, Lily Lin and Grace Li finalized the plan: Mike would assist Scarlett Harris going forward. The projects he was working on could continue, but he wouldn''t be involved in Grace Li''s new projects. Also, they were hiring two new people¡ªone to replace Mike and assist Grace Li, and the other to be Mike¡¯s investment assistant.


    Grace Li interviewed two candidates and ultimately chose one who had a law degree. Since Mike also came from a law background, having worked as a lawyer for a few years before switching to the VC world, hiring someone with a legal foundation would help fill the gap he would leave.


    By the time May rolled around, spring had passed, and the weather in New York was gradually heating up. People on the streets swapped their winter coats for lighter clothes, and the lawns of Central Park were filled with people basking in the sun. The smell of hot dogs from nearby vendors filled the air.


    In mid-May, New York hosted a large tech exhibition with many tech companies showcasing their products. These kinds of events were highly valued in the VC industry. As a major global financial and tech hub, New York boasted a unique entrepreneurial ecosystem, with areas like Silicon Alley featuring a tech startup hub that attracted many innovative companies. Several well-known startup incubators were also located there. The VC investment style here was bold and focused on innovative applications. Attending such events was a great way to broaden one¡¯s perspective, learn about the latest tech trends, and potentially discover promising projects.


    Although Grace Li led the consumer team, her interest in frontier tech had grown ever since she joined the AgroTech project.


    On the day of the exhibition, she arranged for her entire team to attend. The venue was huge, so to improve efficiency, they decided to split up.


    As soon as they entered the exhibition hall, Grace Li said, "This place is massive. We definitely won¡¯t get through it all in one day. Let''s split into three groups, two or three people per group."


    Olivia immediately hooked her arm through Grace Li¡¯s and said, "Boss, I want to be with you."


    Aiden Thompson chimed in, "Count me in."


    Ryan quickly protested, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, that¡¯s not fair! Haven¡¯t you heard the saying, ¡®men and women make the best teams¡¯?"


    Olivia raised her chin and shot back, "It¡¯s two girls and one guy, that¡¯s still a team with mixed genders!"


    Ryan grinned mischievously, "Olivia, I bet Peter wants to team up with you."


    "Stop joking around," Peter glanced at Olivia and quickly denied, "That¡¯s not true."


    "Yeah, right, even if you wanted to, I wouldn¡¯t want to be with you. Boss, let¡¯s go." Olivia clung tightly to Grace Li¡¯s arm and led the way into the exhibit, with Aiden Thompson following closely behind.


    The tech exhibition featured a dazzling array of cutting-edge products, with so much to see it was hard to keep up. Olivia, like a cheerful bird, was full of curiosity, dragging Grace Li from booth to booth. Grace Li occasionally glanced back and saw Aiden Thompson, hands casually tucked into his pockets, dressed in a crisp suit, his demeanor cool yet slightly lazy¡ªlike a business tycoon casually surveying his empire, ready to snatch up any company that caught his eye.


    After two hours of walking, Olivia, wearing two-inch heels, started to feel the pain in her feet.


    "Ugh, I should¡¯ve just worn some comfy shoes. My feet are killing me."


    Grace Li asked with concern, "Want to find a booth to sit down for a bit?"


    "That sounds perfect, I was just thinking I need a break."


    As they were walking, one booth caught Grace Li¡¯s attention. Unlike the nearby flashy and high-tech displays, this one was incredibly simple. The booth was barely decorated, with only a few products on display and a couple of promotional posters in the background.


    Grace Li walked in, and Olivia immediately plopped down in a chair. Just then, a man in his early thirties, wearing a black polo shirt, walked up with a big smile and greeted Grace Li. ¡°Hey, welcome! How can I help you today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Li.¡±


    ¡°Hi, Miss Li. Feel free to look around.¡±


    Grace Li took a look at their products, mainly a few wheelchairs, which were a bit different from the usual ones. She asked, ¡°You guys in the medical device business?¡±


    ¡°Sort of, but not exactly,¡± the man explained politely. ¡°Our products are more accurately called intelligent human assistive devices.¡±


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    Grace Li was immediately interested. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    ¡°Basically similar, but with more detailed features,¡± the man said, pointing to one of the wheelchairs on display. ¡°For example, this intelligent wheelchair has multiple functions. Helping people with limited mobility move around is the most basic feature. See, the armrest can extend out, and at the same time, supports form at the bottom to help someone in the chair reach higher objects or practice walking. Also, this wheelchair can flatten into a simple bed. Plus, we¡¯ve implanted an intelligent chip that enables navigation, obstacle recognition, and even autonomous driving. It connects to our mobile app and can use your home Wi-Fi to set locations in a small area.¡±


    The man pulled out his phone and showed it to Grace Li. ¡°For example, if we set a small area as home, we can set locations for places like the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, balcony, or even the shoe cabinet, fridge, and TV. With voice commands, the chair can take you where you want to go. It¡¯s also really handy for people with limited mobility when they need to use the bathroom. Check this out...¡±


    Grace Li listened intently, impressed by the wheelchair''s features. ¡°That¡¯s really useful for elderly people and those with limited mobility.¡±


    ¡°This wheelchair is just a prototype. I¡¯m planning to add more features in the future.¡±


    Grace Li asked, ¡°Are you the R&D engineer for your company?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I wear a lot of hats since we¡¯re a startup,¡± the man said, remembering something. He quickly grabbed a business card from the shelf beside him. ¡°Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I¡¯m Kyle Brooks. Here¡¯s my card.¡±


    Grace Li took the card and saw that he wasn¡¯t just an engineer but also the owner of Everjoy Technology, a truly fledgling company.


    Grace Li was intrigued. ¡°How many people are in your company right now?¡±


    ¡°Only about seven or eight. We¡¯re in the process of setting up a factory and planning to expand soon.¡±


    ¡°How long has the company been running?¡±


    ¡°It was founded just last year,¡± Kyle Brooks said. For some reason, he seemed to feel comfortable talking to Grace Li and spoke openly. ¡°I used to be a medical device designer. I started this company early last year, and we¡¯re just getting started.¡±


    ¡°Have you reached out to any venture capitalists?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Kyle Brooks replied. ¡°But I know this type of business needs a lot of capital, so I¡¯m planning to look for VC investment.¡±


    Grace Li smiled and took out her business card. ¡°Well, coincidentally, I¡¯m in venture capital. Let¡¯s stay in touch.¡±


    Kyle Brooks¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw her card, recognizing her as the investment director of Nova Capital. ¡°Does that mean you¡¯re interested in our company, Miss Li?¡±


    Grace Li took another look at the wheelchair he had introduced. ¡°I¡¯m definitely interested. However, I mainly focus on consumer-oriented investments. But we have another department that handles this type of thing. I¡¯ll pass your card on to them.¡±


    ¡°Great, thank you so much.¡±


    Grace Li glanced around the booth. ¡°Are there any other interesting products?¡±


    Kyle Brooks replied, ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve developed a health-monitoring bracelet for the elderly. There are a lot of similar bracelets on the market, but ours is specifically designed for seniors. With the growing elderly population, there will be more elderly people living alone in the U.S. in the future. For elderly people with underlying health conditions, the worst-case scenario is having no one around when an emergency strikes, missing the best window for treatment. My idea is to connect this bracelet to the hospital¡¯s emergency system. If it detects abnormal vital signs, the hospital can track the person through the bracelet and provide the quickest possible treatment. Also, when the person feels unwell, they can press a button for five seconds to call for help. And for elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer¡¯s who might wander off, this bracelet can be linked to family members¡¯ phones for real-time tracking.¡±


    After listening to the introduction, Grace Li nodded. ¡°That sounds really promising.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Kyle Brooks said with pride, his eyes sparkling as he spoke about his product.


    Grace Li glanced at the booth again. ¡°The booth could use a little more decoration though.¡±


    Kyle Brooks scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. ¡°I focused more on the product display. With the limited budget for this exhibition, I didn¡¯t put much thought into the decorations.¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°The products are great, though. I hope to see them widely promoted in the future.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Kyle Brooks was polite, much different from the rough-around-the-edges engineer she had expected.


    After leaving the booth, Olivia said, ¡°Boss, that guy was pretty good-looking.¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s not bad.¡±


    Olivia teased, ¡°Boss, are you into him?¡±


    Grace Li noticed Aiden Thompson¡¯s eyes on her and cleared her throat. ¡°No, I¡¯m just interested in his products.¡±


    ¡°Too bad we mainly focus on the consumer sector. Otherwise, we could have partnered with him.¡±


    ¡°Actually, his products are more focused on elderly care, which is somewhat related to our field. But I¡¯m not familiar with medical devices, so I¡¯ll pass it on to the team that handles that.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Olivia noticed the restroom sign. She¡¯d just had coffee and really needed to go. ¡°Boss, do you need to go to the restroom?¡±


    ¡°I went half an hour ago.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll go. Wait for me.¡±


    As soon as Olivia left, Grace Li turned around and almost bumped into Aiden Thompson.


    Grace Li jumped back, startled, then laughed. ¡°You scared me.¡±


    Aiden Thompson put his arm around her waist and looked down at her, their pose a little intimate.


    Grace Li glanced around the crowded exhibition hall and whispered, ¡°There are so many people watching.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your boyfriend. It¡¯s perfectly normal.¡±


    Grace Li was a little confused. He wasn¡¯t usually this way in public.


    Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow. ¡°That guy at the booth, was he really good-looking?¡±


    Grace Li blinked and answered honestly, ¡°Not extremely, but he¡¯s decent.¡±


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Oh? How do I compare to him?¡±


    Seeing him getting jealous, Grace Li held back a smile. ¡°Why are you being so childish?¡±


    ¡°Answer my question.¡±


    Grace Li took a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re the most handsome. You win.¡±


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s frown disappeared. Grace Li pushed him lightly. ¡°Let go, Olivia will be back soon.¡±


    Aiden Thompson released her.


    Just then, Grace Li¡¯s phone rang. It was Huiyun Liang calling. She stepped into a quieter corner to answer.


    Huiyun Liang said on the phone that she and Shichen Li had come to a hospital in New York for a check-up and decided to drop by and stay the night.


    Grace Li immediately tensed when she heard about the hospital visit. After listening to Huiyun Liang explain that it was just Shichen Li who wasn¡¯t feeling well, and they were worried because the local hospital couldn¡¯t make a clear diagnosis, so they had come to a larger hospital in New York. The test results showed there was nothing serious.


    Grace Li finally relaxed.

 Chapter 68

    The exhibition ended at 5:30. After parting ways with her colleagues at the entrance, Grace Li and Aiden Thompson headed to the parking lot.


    After Huiyun Liang¡¯s call, Grace Li had lost interest in the exhibition. She knew her parents were at her place, which meant they¡¯d find out she and Aiden Thompson were living together.


    She had been dating Aiden Thompson for almost six months but hadn¡¯t told her family yet. She wasn¡¯t sure how far their relationship would go. But lately, they had been living together, sharing an ordinary yet warm life like any other couple. Grace Li sometimes thought they might stay like this forever.


    As Aiden Thompson drove, Grace Li said, ¡°Aiden, my parents are here.¡±


    ¡°Should we go pick them up?¡±


    Grace Li had given Huiyun Liang a key, and they had already taken a cab to her place. ¡°No need. They should be at my place by now.¡±


    Aiden Thompson knew Grace Li had been hesitant to tell her family about their relationship. He didn¡¯t push, respecting her wishes. In American culture, personal independence and family relationships are highly valued. He understood Grace Li needed to handle this on her terms. ¡°Is it okay if I come over today?¡±


    Grace Li said, ¡°It¡¯s up to you. Do you... want to meet my parents?¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled. ¡°If I have a choice, of course I do. And as your boyfriend.¡±


    Since Aiden Thompson was willing, Grace Li felt less anxious. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled.¡±


    Grace Li thought that regardless of the future of her relationship with Aiden Thompson, they were lovers now. It was only natural for her lover to meet her parents.


    But before they arrived home, Huiyun Liang¡¯s phone call came again.


    The first thing Huiyun Liang asked was, ¡°Grace Li, are you dating someone?¡±


    Grace Li was caught off guard. Before she could answer, Huiyun Liang continued, ¡°I saw men¡¯s shoes in your shoe cabinet, and there are men¡¯s things in the bathroom too. Don¡¯t hide it from me. Just tell me, is it true?¡±


    Grace Li could hear the excitement in Huiyun Liang¡¯s voice even over the phone. She smiled helplessly. ¡°Yes, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Really? Does he live with you? Is he free today? Ask him to come over for dinner. Your dad and I want to meet him.¡±


    Grace Li looked at Aiden Thompson, who was driving. ¡°We¡¯re on our way back now.¡±


    Huiyun Liang got even more excited. ¡°Is he the doctor your aunt introduced to you last time?¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯ll see when you meet him.¡±


    ¡°Great. What does he like to eat? I¡¯ll go buy some groceries nearby.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not picky. Just make whatever¡¯s in the fridge.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡±


    Grace Li hung up the phone and looked at Aiden Thompson, sighing helplessly. ¡°My mom¡¯s been asking a lot of questions.¡±


    The car was quiet, but Aiden Thompson had already heard her mom¡¯s excited voice through the speaker. He could feel how much she was looking forward to meeting her daughter¡¯s boyfriend.


    A small smile played on Aiden¡¯s lips. ¡°Yeah, I heard.¡±


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    As the car pulled into the underground parking lot of their Manhattan apartment, Grace Li felt an unexpected wave of nerves. It was just introducing her boyfriend to her parents¡ªnothing out of the ordinary. But for some reason, her heart was racing.


    Her parents had been dropping hints about marriage since she was twenty-five. Five years of constant reminders. She knew they had been waiting for this moment for a long time. When she first started dating Aiden Thompson, she didn¡¯t have the courage to introduce him to them. She was worried about how they''d react.


    She turned to Aiden and asked, ¡°How do you feel about meeting my parents?¡±


    ¡°Looking forward to it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve met them before, though.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but this time, it¡¯s as your boyfriend.¡±


    They walked hand in hand into the elevator. Grace Li exhaled and admitted, ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m actually nervous.¡±


    Aiden let out a small laugh. ¡°I feel like I should be the one nervous, considering how serious it is.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°A little,¡± he admitted. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯m meeting them in this role.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª


    Shichen Li and Huiyun Liang came out of the kitchen when they heard the door open. They froze when they saw Aiden Thompson standing next to Grace Li.


    Grace Li was the first to speak. ¡°Dad, Mom.¡±


    Then, Aiden Thompson politely greeted them, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Li.¡±


    Huiyun Liang snapped out of her surprise. ¡°So, this is¡­ your boyfriend?¡±


    Aiden Thompson introduced himself. ¡°Mrs. Li, my name is Aiden Thompson, and I¡¯m Grace Li¡¯s boyfriend.¡±


    Huiyun Liang was both shocked and delighted. She had always thought her daughter would end up with someone more modest and around her age, but Aiden Thompson was completely unexpected. She recognized him from before. When Grace Li started working, she had a strong impression of him. ¡°We¡¯ve met before, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m also Grace Li¡¯s colleague.¡±


    ¡°I thought you looked familiar.¡±


    Grace Li changed her shoes and, speaking in Chinese, asked, ¡°Mom, is dinner ready?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still cooking, should be ready in about half an hour.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Grace Li went into the kitchen to help her mom, and Aiden Thompson stayed in the living room with Shichen Li.


    Shichen Li had been hoping for years that his daughter would find someone. When he learned that Grace Li had a boyfriend, he was overjoyed. But after meeting Aiden Thompson, he realized they were from different worlds. He was tall and lean, exuding an air of refinement, clearly from a well-off family, and he was much younger than his daughter.


    Aiden Thompson picked up the remote and turned on the TV.  He asked, ¡°Mr. Li, What kind of shows do you like?¡±


    Sitting on the couch, Shichen Li felt a little awkward. ¡°I watch whatever¡¯s on, anything¡¯s fine.¡±


    Aiden Thompson switched to a Chinese news channel and asked, ¡°Do you like tea? We have Longjing and Tieguanyin.¡±


    ¡°Never mind, dinner¡¯s almost ready, I¡¯ll pass on the tea.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let me get you some water then.¡±


    ¡°I just had some, I¡¯m good.¡±


    Aiden Thompson sat down and accompanied him while they watched the news.


    Shichen Li fidgeted with his hands on his lap. Normally, he¡¯d be chatting easily with neighbors, but right now, he didn¡¯t know how to start a conversation. After thinking for a moment, he asked, ¡°How old are you?¡±


    Aiden Thompson replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be 26 in August.¡±


    ¡°Wow, you¡¯re five years younger than Grace Li.¡±


    Aiden Thompson responded, ¡°People today are pretty open about age gaps. A few years older or younger is really no big deal. I mean, it¡¯s really not a big deal these days.¡±


    Shichen Li chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    He asked, ¡°What do your parents do?¡±


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°My dad does business , and my mom is a stay-at-home mom.¡±


    Shichen Li nodded. ¡°So your family must be doing pretty well, huh?¡±


    Aiden Thompson modestly responded, ¡°It¡¯s going well, we¡¯ve worked hard on it.¡±


    Shichen Li nodded again. ¡°Grace Li¡¯s mom and I, we¡¯re both just regular workers, a pretty average family.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡±


    Shichen Li continued, ¡°Have your parents met Grace Li yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. My family¡¯s in Los Angeles, but once we get the chance, I¡¯ll bring Grace Li there to meet them.¡±


    ¡°Los Angeles?¡± Shichen Li raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your family¡¯s in LA? What does your dad do?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    Just then, Huiyun Liang and Grace Li finished preparing dinner, and the family gathered around the table. The table was filled with traditional Chinese dishes: braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and Huiyun Liang¡¯s special dry bamboo shoots with pork. Outside the window, the busy New York streets and the occasional sound of car horns contrasted with the warmth of the family atmosphere inside.


    Huiyun Liang kept piling food into Aiden Thompson¡¯s bowl. ¡°Aiden, try this dry bamboo shoots. They were freshly dried this spring, really tasty.¡±


    ¡°Eat more meat, have a chicken wing.¡±


    Aiden Thompson looked at his bowl piled high with food. He wasn¡¯t used to having someone serve him food at the table, but not wanting to refuse in front of his girlfriend¡¯s mother, he simply said, ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Li.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, we¡¯re family.¡±


    Aiden Thompson then picked up a chicken wing from his bowl and placed it into Grace Li¡¯s bowl. Shichen Li and his wife noticed the gesture.


    During dinner, Shichen Li asked, ¡°So, when are you two planning to settle down?¡±


    Sure enough, here came the question.

 Chapter 69

    Grace Li replied, ¡°Dad, Aiden and I haven¡¯t been together that long, so we¡¯re not rushing into anything. I think we gotta take our time.¡±


    Shichen Li sighed, his tone softer but still firm. ¡°I know you¡¯re getting older, and marriage is an important step. You don¡¯t want to leave it too late.¡±


    Aiden Thompson spoke up, ¡°Mr. Li, both Grace and I feel that marriage is something to consider when the time is right. We believe we should wait for the right moment.¡±


    Shichen Li looked at Aiden and felt anxious. ¡°Aiden, our family is different from yours. Grace is a woman, and if she¡¯s still not married at thirty, people back home will talk. Her mom and I won¡¯t hear the end of it.¡±


    Grace Li frowned slightly. ¡°Dad, I understand where you¡¯re coming from, but we can¡¯t live our lives based on what other people think. What matters is that we¡¯re happy. I hope you and Mom can respect that.¡±


    Aiden Thompson sensed her growing frustration and quickly stepped in. ¡°Mr. Li, I know how much you care about Grace. She¡¯s incredible, and she deserves the best. Thirty is the perfect age¡ªshe knows exactly what she wants, both in her career and in her relationships. I hope you and Mrs. Li can trust her to make her own choices. Family is important, but so is her happiness.¡±


    His tone was calm and sincere. Shichen Li and Huiyun Liang didn¡¯t immediately respond. After a moment, Huiyun Liang smiled and said, ¡°Her dad is just worried. Don¡¯t take it to heart. You two do what feels right. We won¡¯t interfere.¡±


    The rest of the meal passed smoothly.


    After dinner, Aiden Thompson got up and said, ¡°Let me wash the dishes.¡±


    Huiyun Liang quickly waved him off. ¡°Oh no, you¡¯re a guest, you can¡¯t do that.¡±


    Aiden Thompson had already rolled up his sleeves. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Grace and I split the chores at home¡ªshe cooks, I wash the dishes, or I cook, and she washes. We have a system.¡±


    Huiyun Liang was surprised, and her impression of him improved even more. She had assumed he was just a privileged kid, but it turned out he was actually hands-on. ¡°You¡¯re very thoughtful. Not like Grace¡¯s dad¡ªafter all these years, I¡¯ve never seen him wash a single dish.¡±


    Shichen Li, who had been puffing on a cigarette, coughed lightly and muttered, ¡°Huiyun, you can praise Aiden, but do you have to throw me under the bus?¡±


    Huiyun Liang laughed. ¡°Well, am I wrong?¡±


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    The couple bickered playfully for a moment before Grace Li interjected, ¡°Alright, alright, enough. Let¡¯s not turn this into a fight.¡±


    ¡°Grace, come here,¡± Huiyun Liang said, pulling her daughter into the bedroom.


    Once inside, she closed the door. Grace Li sat on the edge of the bed and asked, ¡°Mom, what is it?¡±


    Lowering her voice, Huiyun Liang asked, ¡°That boy has such good conditions. How did you end up with him?¡±


    Grace Li chuckled. ¡°Mom, what do you mean? I¡¯m not bad either.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re great, but he¡¯s got everything¡ªhe¡¯s young, good-looking, comes from a well-off family. It¡¯s just¡­ unexpected.¡±


    Grace Li had once wondered the same thing¡ªwhy Aiden Thompson had chosen her. At first, she even doubted whether he was with her for the wrong reasons. But after nearly six months together, she had started to believe that his feelings for her were genuine.


    Still, she never asked him directly. She knew he could say all the right things, but that didn¡¯t necessarily mean they were true.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t overthink it. He¡¯s my boyfriend.¡±


    Huiyun Liang sighed. ¡°I just hope it lasts. You¡¯re already thirty. You don¡¯t have time to waste.¡±


    Grace Li answered, ¡°We¡¯ll see where things go. Right now, I¡¯m happy being with him.¡±


    ¡°So, has he mentioned marriage?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re taking things step by step, Mom. Please don¡¯t rush us.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Then, Huiyun Liang hesitated before saying, ¡°I saw Aiden¡¯s things in the guest room. Your dad and I will stay in a hotel tonight. Can you book one for us?¡±


    Grace Li felt a little awkward. ¡°He does keep some stuff there, but he hasn¡¯t stayed in that room for a while. You and Dad can use it.¡±


    Huiyun Liang had assumed they were sleeping separately, but now she understood. Living together before marriage was common in New York, and since her daughter was already thirty, it wasn¡¯t her place to say anything.


    Shichen Li and Huiyun Liang were early risers and usually went to bed before ten. Grace Li let them shower and rest first, then she and Aiden Thompson took their turns.


    After Aiden finished his shower, he walked into the bedroom. Grace was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through her phone. He lifted the blanket and sat down next to her.


    Grace Li put her phone down and looked at him. ¡°Don¡¯t take what my dad said too seriously.¡±


    ¡°You mean about marriage?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Aiden shifted his position, draped an arm around her, and pulled her closer. ¡°Grace, let¡¯s talk.¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°Marriage.¡±


    Grace Li paused.


    Aiden looked at her and asked, ¡°Have you ever thought about marrying me?¡±


    Grace Li wasn¡¯t sure how to respond. Had she thought about it? Of course, she had. But it had always been in passing, a vague idea, more fantasy than reality. Rationally, she knew that she and Aiden came from different worlds. Though their paths had crossed, she didn¡¯t know what the future held. She didn¡¯t want to build up expectations, only to be disappointed.


    Before she could answer, Aiden spoke again. ¡°I have. I want to marry you. At dinner, I didn¡¯t say anything because I wasn¡¯t sure what you were thinking. But honestly, I¡¯ve known from the start.¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s heart warmed, and she was a little surprised. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say that.


    ¡°Aiden, what about you? What do you really think?¡±


    She placed her hand over his, interlacing their fingers.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ve thought about it,¡± she admitted. ¡°But marriage is different from dating. We have to be sure, and we have to stand the test of time.¡±


    Aiden chuckled and leaned in closer. ¡°Alright. So how do I pass this test?¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°There¡¯s no specific test. Time is the best test. Time will tell.¡±


    He understood what she meant. ¡°Alright.¡±

 Chapter 70

    AgroTech¡¯s vertical farming project has been in the works for over two months now. But just when things seemed to be progressing, GloryPath Capital, which had previously committed to co-investing, suddenly backed out. This put Benjamin Harris in a tough spot¡ªnow he had to scramble through the financial maze of New York, searching for new General Partners (GPs) or Limited Partners (LPs) to fill the gap.


    This was AgroTech¡¯s Series B funding round, aiming to raise $200 million. While that amount isn¡¯t massive in the venture capital world, vertical farming is still in its early stages and full of uncertainties. Benjamin Harris is no stranger to risk, but even he knows that smart investors never go all in on a single bet.


    Recently, he connected with a private investor¡ªa billionaire and chairman of a major Los Angeles-based conglomerate. Coincidentally, the chairman was in New York to explore new opportunities. Seeing the potential, Benjamin arranged a dinner meeting at an upscale Manhattan restaurant, hoping to move the conversation forward in a city known for making deals happen.


    He called Grace Li, asking her to join the dinner along with Aiden Thompson, since they were key figures in the AgroTech project. But Grace was tied up with due diligence on another project and had already flown to the West Coast with Olivia and Ryan for a business trip. They wouldn¡¯t be back for three days. That left Aiden Thompson to attend the dinner solo.


    As the workday wound down, Scarlett Harris got wind of the meeting. Her heels clicked sharply against the office floor as she strode into the investment team¡¯s workspace.


    ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re going to that dinner with my dad tonight, right?¡± she asked.


    Aiden set down the document he was reading. ¡°Yeah, why?¡±


    ¡°My dad asked me to come along too¡ªsaid it¡¯d be a good learning experience for me,¡± Scarlett explained. ¡°He¡¯s busy with another meeting and will head straight to the restaurant, so I figured we¡¯d go together. In New York, appearances matter. Arriving together makes us look professional and well-prepared.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just meet you guys there. I still need to go over some project materials,¡± Aiden replied.


    Scarlett raised an eyebrow and played her trump card. ¡°My dad specifically said we should arrive together. You know how this city works¡ªdetails matter. We can¡¯t afford to be sloppy in front of a potential backer.¡±


    Aiden hadn¡¯t expected her to bring up her father¡¯s request. Left with no choice, he nodded. ¡°Alright, fine. We¡¯ll go together.¡±


    Scarlett glanced at the time. ¡°Dinner¡¯s at seven. Let¡¯s leave by 6:20. I¡¯ll meet you in the parking lot. Make sure you¡¯ve got the project highlights ready¡ªwe want to keep the momentum going.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    After Scarlett left, Mike, who had been sitting nearby, leaned over with a smirk.


    ¡°Dude, are you really that clueless, or just pretending? You know what¡¯s happening here, right?¡±


    Aiden shot him a quick glance, chuckled, and asked, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    By now, most of the office had emptied out, leaving just the two of them.


    Mike gave him a knowing look. ¡°Come on, man. It¡¯s obvious¡ªScarlett¡¯s got a thing for you. And in this town, connections like hers don¡¯t come around every day. Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t noticed.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°I keep my personal life separate from my career. If I move up, it¡¯ll be because of my work, not because of office politics.¡±


    Mike raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your girlfriend got better connections than Scarlett? Because let¡¯s be real, man¡ªScarlett¡¯s network could open doors most people spend years trying to get through.¡±


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    ¡°To me, my girlfriend is irreplaceable,¡± Aiden said firmly. ¡°And I¡¯d rather earn my success than have it handed to me.¡±


    Mike chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Respect. But just saying, in this city, playing it straight doesn¡¯t always get you ahead.¡±


    At 6:15, Aiden Thompson finally shut down his computer and headed downstairs. He arrived at the parking lot right on time at 6:20.


    Scarlett Harris, dressed in a white, round-neck mini dress, was waiting by her car. When she spotted Aiden approaching, she waved enthusiastically.


    ¡°Aiden! Over here! Hop in¡ªwe can¡¯t be late. You know how brutal New York traffic gets.¡±


    Aiden walked over, and Scarlett handed him the car keys.


    ¡°You drive,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re solid behind the wheel, and in this city, you need someone who¡¯s quick but smooth.¡±


    ¡°You drive just fine.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on. Just take the wheel. I¡¯ll navigate and go over some project details with you on the way.¡±


    Aiden took the keys without further argument. It was an Audi. As soon as he opened the door, a strong wave of perfume hit him. It was a little overwhelming, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He got in, adjusted his seat, and started the car.


    Scarlett settled into the passenger seat and glanced at him. ¡°First time driving my car¡ªhow¡¯s it feel? If anything¡¯s off, just say the word. No one needs extra stress behind the wheel in this city.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Aiden replied, eyes on the road.


    ¡°My dad mentioned that this investor is really interested in AgroTech,¡± she continued. ¡°I think we¡¯ve got a real shot at securing the funding. If we land this deal, it¡¯s going to put our names on the map. This could be a huge breakthrough.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Aiden responded, his tone indifferent.


    Scarlett pressed her lips together. There was something she¡¯d been meaning to say to him for a while, but she hadn¡¯t found the right moment. Now, alone in the car, she decided to go for it.


    ¡°So¡­ I heard from Lily that you turned down working on my project because of AgroTech. But once this round is over, have you thought about joining me? I could put you on the fast track for senior investment manager. With the right deals, you¡¯ll be looking at a major raise and real decision-making power.¡±


    Aiden had originally declined just to avoid complications. He hadn¡¯t expected her to bring it up again.


    ¡°I like working with Grace Li,¡± he said casually. ¡°I¡¯m learning a lot from her, and that¡¯s what really matters to me right now.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s be real, Aiden. You¡¯re insanely good at what you do, but under Grace Li, your growth is limited. If you come work with me, I can help you accelerate your career. You¡¯d have real influence over deals, access to top-tier investors, and way more autonomy than you do now. It¡¯s the kind of opportunity most people in this industry would kill for.¡±


    Aiden remained expressionless. ¡°I appreciate the offer, Scarlett, but I¡¯m more focused on learning and growing in a team where I can make an impact. Titles and salaries will follow when the work speaks for itself.¡±


    Scarlett felt frustration bubbling up. She narrowed her eyes slightly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. You¡¯re willing to play along with Grace Li, but you won¡¯t even consider working with me? Aiden, this is New York¡ªeveryone¡¯s hustling for their future. Being this stubborn won¡¯t get you far.¡±


    At that, Aiden¡¯s expression finally shifted. He picked up on the undertone of her words. He responded calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t need to ¡®play along¡¯ with anyone. Grace and I have a professional relationship¡ªbuilt on mutual respect and trust.¡±


    Scarlett scoffed. ¡°If that¡¯s all it is, then I really don¡¯t get it.¡±


    She had seen them holding hands during the company retreat at the beach back in March. The lighting had been dim, but she was sure it was them.


    ¡°She¡¯s your boss, Aiden. And you¡¯re just starting out. You don¡¯t have to¡­ do things like that to get ahead. This is New York¡ªpeople are practical.¡±


    So, she had figured out something was going on but assumed it was some kind of transactional relationship.


    Aiden had no interest in explaining himself. ¡°If that¡¯s how you see me, then you should know¡ªI¡¯m not worth your effort. I have my own principles, and I¡¯m not giving up what matters to me just for career perks.¡±


    Scarlett¡¯s fingers curled slightly. ¡°But everything you need¡ªI can help you get it. And you¡¯re telling me that doesn¡¯t tempt you? Aiden, opportunities don¡¯t wait in this city.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    The light ahead turned red. Aiden stepped on the brakes before continuing. ¡°You should offer that opportunity to someone who actually wants it. I¡¯m not the right fit. I¡¯d rather earn my success my own way.¡±


    Scarlett stared at him, incredulous. He wasn¡¯t budging¡ªat all.


    Her patience was wearing thin. She exhaled sharply and finally blurted out, ¡°Aiden¡­ you¡¯re not seriously into Grace Li, are you?¡±


    Aiden didn¡¯t answer directly. Instead, he said, ¡°I respect her leadership. She¡¯s professional, dedicated, and knows how to lead a team to success. We share the same vision for our work. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t exactly an answer, but it wasn¡¯t a denial either.


    Scarlett let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. ¡°You know what? Never mind. Just pretend I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    She turned to face the road, staring ahead in silence as the car rolled forward into the Manhattan night.

 Chapter 71

    When Aiden Thompson arrived at the restaurant, Benjamin Harris was already waiting in the private dining room. Benjamin had placed great importance on this dinner and had specifically chosen a luxurious French restaurant in the Upper East Side. Known for its high-end offerings, the restaurant blends New York¡¯s diverse culinary traditions, providing classic French cuisine alongside Italian-style pasta and creative dishes infused with various global flavors. The room was elegantly decorated with vintage crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow, and art pieces adorned the walls, creating an atmosphere that was both classy and fitting for hosting a distinguished client.


    As soon as they entered, Benjamin immediately gave instructions. ¡°Remember, we¡¯re meeting with the head of a major group today. You two young folks, make sure you¡¯re on your best behavior at the table. In New York, when you¡¯re dealing with clients at this level, the details make all the difference.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Aiden Thompson replied succinctly.


    Scarlett Harris, curious, asked, ¡°Dad, which big group is this? If it¡¯s a major one in New York, I should¡¯ve heard of it.¡±


    ¡°The CEO is from Los Angeles, the head of Silverstone Group,¡± Benjamin replied.


    Aiden Thompson felt a jolt inside but quickly regained his composure, casually asking, ¡°Mr. Harris, which CEO is from Silverstone?¡±


    ¡°He shares your last name, Thompson. His name is Rex Thompson. Just call him Mr. Thompson when you meet him.¡±


    Aiden Thompson couldn¡¯t help but smirk inwardly, thinking to himself: So, this guy''s father finally couldn¡¯t hold back.


    Benjamin Harris continued, ¡°Aiden, you¡¯ll be sitting to Mr. Thompson¡¯s right, and I¡¯ll take the seat on his left. Pay attention during dinner. We¡¯ll definitely discuss the AgroTech project, so don¡¯t be too casual with your answers, but don¡¯t make things overly complicated either. You need to be clear¡ªclear communication is key to success in New York¡¯s business world.¡±


    Aiden Thompson took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. No matter who showed up tonight, they were all potential investors. He just needed to do his job well. After all, his conflict with his father hadn¡¯t been resolved yet, and it was unlikely Rex Thompson would acknowledge him as his son in a setting like this. In American culture, while family is important, personal choices and independence are highly respected. He wouldn¡¯t let his father¡¯s stance sway him.


    Five minutes later, Rex Thompson entered the room with his assistant. Rex was tall, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and despite being 55, he looked sharp as ever. His expression was stern, making him seem unapproachable unless he was smiling, which was rare.


    Benjamin Harris immediately stood up and greeted him warmly, shaking his hand. ¡°Mr. Thompson, welcome!¡±


    Rex Thompson offered a faint smile. ¡°Mr. Harris, it¡¯s a pleasure.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve had a long journey from Los Angeles. Please, come in and sit down,¡± Benjamin said.


    As Rex Thompson settled into his seat, his eyes swept over Aiden Thompson. Aiden politely greeted him, ¡°Mr. Thompson, I¡¯m Aiden Thompson, Associate at Nova Capital.¡±


    Rex Thompson gave a slight, almost mocking smile. ¡°Associate, huh? That title sounds pretty impressive.¡±


    Aiden Thompson responded without hesitation, ¡°It¡¯s just an entry-level position, Mr. Thompson. Don¡¯t mind it. But in New York, even at an entry level, you can make a real impact if you¡¯ve got the skills.¡±


    Rex Thompson didn¡¯t say anything else, sitting down with a neutral expression. Aiden took his seat beside him.


    Benjamin Harris gestured for the waiter to bring the food. One by one, expensive, exquisite dishes were brought to the table. The five of them had ordered eight dishes, totaling at least five or six thousand dollars, showing just how important Benjamin considered this dinner.


    ¡°Mr. Thompson, try some of our local specialties. This French seafood bisque uses the freshest ingredients in New York, prepared with the finest techniques. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love it,¡± Benjamin eagerly recommended.


    One of the dishes was a French seafood bisque, served in five delicate porcelain bowls placed neatly in a silver steamer. Aiden Thompson picked up one of the bowls and gently placed it next to Rex Thompson.


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    Rex Thompson glanced at the soup and asked, ¡°What kind of soup is this?¡±


    Aiden Thompson lifted the lid, glanced at the soup, and said, ¡°It¡¯s a classic French seafood bisque, made with the freshest seafood and a rich, creamy broth. It¡¯s a staple of French cuisine and one of the most beloved dishes in New York¡¯s diverse culinary scene.¡±


    Rex Thompson nodded slightly but didn¡¯t say anything. He waved it off, showing no interest in the soup. ¡°I¡¯ve been having some high blood pressure lately, so I¡¯ll pass on the soup.¡±


    Benjamin Harris quickly apologized, ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, Mr. Thompson. We¡¯ll change the soup right away. Our restaurant offers a variety of dishes, and we¡¯ll find something that suits you.¡±


    Rex Thompson waved his hand dismissively. ¡°No need for that, Mr. Harris. I won¡¯t drink it, but the rest of you go ahead and enjoy. I¡¯ll try something else.¡±


    Aiden Thompson moved the soup bowl in front of himself.


    After eating for a while, Rex Thompson finally brought up the project. ¡°Mr. Harris, the vertical farming project you mentioned, I¡¯m quite interested. But I understand that vertical farming requires a huge upfront investment, which makes the produce much more expensive.¡±


    Benjamin Harris explained, ¡°That¡¯s true, at the moment, the cost of vertical farming products is higher than conventional farming. But Mr. Thompson, you know as well as I do, the cost of labor and land in the U.S. keeps going up. Vertical farming greatly reduces the volatility caused by these costs. Plus, once we scale up and stabilize operations, the benefits of high yield, high quality, and high efficiency will really shine through. In a city like New York, full of innovation and opportunity, this emerging industry has massive potential.¡±


    ¡°And where are you currently in the process?¡± Rex Thompson asked.


    Benjamin Harris turned to Aiden. ¡°Aiden¡¯s managing the project. He¡¯s got all the details. He¡¯s deeply familiar with the project and has been making strides in the New York financial world with his solid skills. Let him walk you through it.¡±


    Rex Thompson¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Mr. Harris, for such an important project, you¡¯ve got a junior associate handling it?¡±


    Benjamin Harris laughed and explained, ¡°Of course not. We take this project very seriously. I¡¯ve put in a lot of time myself, and we also have a senior investment director involved¡ªshe just couldn¡¯t make it today. Aiden is the next best person to discuss the project with you. He¡¯s been outstanding in his work, and I have complete faith in him.¡±


    Rex Thompson looked at Aiden Thompson, his tone full of skepticism. ¡°I see, a young man like you, probably with less than a year of experience.¡±


    Aiden Thompson remained calm. ¡°My knowledge of this project comes from extensive due diligence, Mr. Thompson. I assure you, you can trust me. In New York, age is never the only measure of capability.¡±


    Benjamin Harris, seeing the tension between them, quickly stepped in. ¡°Mr. Thompson, don¡¯t underestimate Aiden. He graduated from one of the top schools in the world, holds a master¡¯s degree, and has shown outstanding performance in New York¡¯s financial industry. I have no doubt about his abilities.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Rex Thompson looked skeptical. ¡°Well, let¡¯s hear it then. How well do you know the project?¡±


    Aiden Thompson understood that his father was intentionally trying to make things difficult for him, hoping to embarrass him and force him into submission. But he wasn¡¯t about to back down. Suppressing his frustration, Aiden Thompson began explaining the AgroTech project in detail to Rex Thompson. He spoke calmly, with clear logic, breaking the entire project down in a way that was easy to follow. Even Benjamin Harris couldn¡¯t find any flaws.


    Rex Thompson picked up his tea, took a small sip, and slowly said, ¡°You¡¯ve covered a lot, but still haven¡¯t gotten to the point.¡±


    Benjamin Harris was slightly taken aback, not expecting Rex Thompson to be so critical. He quickly asked, ¡°Mr. Thompson, what else would you like to know?¡±


    Rex Thompson didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I¡¯m most concerned about the return on investment for this project. What kind of ROI can we expect?¡±


    Benjamin Harris smiled and replied, ¡°Mr. Thompson, we¡¯re very confident about this project. If it successfully goes public in five years, we anticipate an ROI of 17 to 20 times. Of course, as you know, high returns always come with high risk. In New York¡¯s investment environment, opportunities and challenges go hand in hand.¡±


    Rex Thompson raised an eyebrow. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll need to take this back to my team and analyze it further before making a decision.¡±


    After the dinner, Benjamin Harris personally escorted Rex Thompson to the parking lot, watching as he got into his car and drove off.


    Benjamin Harris turned to Aiden Thompson, his voice adopting a concerned, almost fatherly tone. ¡°Aiden, how do you feel about today?¡±


    Aiden Thompson shrugged slightly. ¡°It was okay.¡±


    Benjamin Harris spoke with a touch of gravity, his smile softening the words. ¡°You¡¯re still young. There¡¯s a lot you need to learn. A guy like Mr. Thompson, running a big group like Silverstone, has a strong style, but he¡¯s earned that position. We¡¯ve got to know when to dial it back a bit and adjust to the situation. It¡¯s important not to come off as too arrogant. In New York¡¯s business world, flexibility and professional humility are crucial.¡±


    Although Benjamin Harris smiled, Aiden Thompson could tell he was subtly pointing out that he had come across as a bit too proud earlier. While Benjamin¡¯s approach with his daughter wasn¡¯t always ideal, as a leader, this advice actually made sense.


    Aiden Thompson couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Grace Li had ever gone through something similar when she was working with Benjamin Harris. He responded thoughtfully, ¡°I¡¯ll learn from you, Benjamin.¡±


    Afterward, Benjamin Harris and Scarlett Harris each drove off in their own cars. Aiden Thompson stepped out of the parking lot and stood on the sidewalk, waiting for a cab.


    Just then, a man in a gray suit, about forty years old, walked up to him¡ªit was Rex Thompson¡¯s assistant. ¡°Aiden, Mr. Thompson asked to see you before you go.¡±


    Aiden was surprised. Didn¡¯t expect him to still be around.

 Chapter 72

    Aiden Thompson followed the assistant to the sidewalk, stopping under an old oak tree. Rex Thompson¡¯s eye-catching Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked right there. The streets of New York were buzzing with activity, the noise from Times Square echoing with honking horns and chattering crowds. Street performers were showing off their juggling skills nearby, drawing a crowd of onlookers. Pedestrians around them wore a mix of business suits and trendy clothes, showcasing the city¡¯s vibrant, diverse culture.


    The assistant opened the car door and motioned for Aiden to get in. In the backseat, Rex Thompson sat with a serious look on his face.


    Aiden bent down and got into the car. Without greeting Rex, he sat down and immediately said, ¡°What¡¯s this about? You can¡¯t be serious if you think I¡¯m here for a casual chat.¡±


    Rex Thompson raised an eyebrow at his rudeness, clearly irritated. ¡°You¡¯ve only been out of the house for less than a year, and already you¡¯ve gotten pretty full of yourself.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who just put me in my place back there? You really piled it on thick,¡± Aiden said, teasing him a little.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Rex Thompson gave a low grunt. ¡°With your attitude just now, I¡¯ve been easy on you. I bet Benjamin Harris probably gave you a little lecture afterward.¡±


    ¡°As you predicted. Just like you predicted,¡± Aiden shrugged, his tone indifferent.


    Rex Thompson smirked slightly, looking pleased with his judgment. ¡°You¡¯re probably thinking, ¡®Why is it me getting criticized when it was you who was being a pain?¡¯¡±


    After a brief pause, Rex continued, ¡°Simple. Because I¡¯m the client, and you¡¯re the service provider. In this cutthroat world, that¡¯s the brutal reality. Some things just aren¡¯t up for debate¡ªforget about fairness.¡±


    ¡°Well, thanks for making the trip just to give me this ¡®valuable¡¯ lesson,¡± Aiden said sarcastically, his tone dripping with irony.


    Rex Thompson clenched his teeth, clearly frustrated by Aiden¡¯s stubbornness. ¡°I see you don¡¯t know how to back down! You¡¯re really getting under my skin here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I did anything wrong, so why should I change?¡± Aiden shot back, not backing down.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Rex¡¯s face turned red with anger as he clutched his chest. ¡°You¡¯re trying to kill me, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Seeing his father struggle, Aiden¡¯s heart softened a bit. He leaned forward with concern. ¡°Are you having heart trouble?¡±


    Rex Thompson shot him a sharp look. ¡°Mind your own business, Aiden.¡±


    Aiden sighed in exasperation, thinking his father was as stubborn as ever. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re not getting any younger. You need to take better care of yourself.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s your fault I¡¯m so stressed out!¡± Rex grumbled, not letting up.


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    Aiden decided to stay quiet. He knew his temper was just as quick as his father¡¯s, and neither of them would back down.


    There was a brief silence in the car. After a while, Rex Thompson spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m planning to spin off the investment division into a subsidiary. If you come back, you¡¯ll be in charge.¡±


    Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t hesitate. He immediately declined. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to come back yet.¡±


    Rex Thompson was surprised by the direct rejection, his eyes widening. ¡°What, you think you¡¯re too good to come back and take over the family business now?¡±


    Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t want to argue with his father anymore, afraid it might worsen his health. He patiently explained, ¡°I¡¯m an adult now. I can¡¯t rely on the family forever. Let me go out there and make my own mark. Think of it as a way to grow and learn.¡±


    ¡°You think the outside world is that easy? Without money or connections, you¡¯re just another face in the crowd. What are you going to do when it gets tough out there?¡± Rex Thompson said dismissively.


    Aiden Thompson responded firmly, ¡°Whatever I achieve out here, it¡¯ll be because I earned it. I¡¯ll make it on my own.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s tone was sincere, and Rex Thompson couldn¡¯t argue with him. He frowned, muttering, ¡°Suit yourself, but one day, you¡¯ll realize how tough it is out there and come back asking for help.¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled. ¡°It¡¯s getting late, Dad. You should get some rest. I¡¯m heading home now.¡±


    **


    Aiden Thompson returned to his apartment. The place felt cold and empty without Grace Li around¡ªshe was still out of town on a business trip. Without her presence, the apartment seemed especially quiet. He sat down on the couch, pulled out his phone, and sent her a message.


    Aiden Thompson: Busy?


    Grace Li: Just got out of the shower, about to watch some TV.


    Aiden Thompson: Got time to chat?


    Grace Li: I¡¯ll just text, I¡¯m sharing a room with Olivia.


    Aiden Thompson: Cool.


    Grace Li: So, how¡¯d that investor meeting go today?


    Aiden Thompson: It was hell.


    Grace Li: What happened?


    Aiden Thompson: The guy was a total jerk¡ªbad attitude, super hard to talk to, and nitpicked every little thing.


    Grace Li: LOL, that bad?


    Aiden Thompson: Ever dealt with someone like that?


    Grace Li: Oh, for sure. You know how some rich folks are¡ªthink the world owes them something just ''cause they¡¯ve got money. They treat everyone like their personal assistant, expect you to jump at every little demand. Honestly, sometimes I wanna punch them in the face.


    Aiden Thompson: You¡¯d definitely wanna hit this guy too if you met him.


    Grace Li: Hahaha!


    Grace Li: But you kinda get used to it. In a cutthroat city like New York, it¡¯s survival of the fittest. Sometimes, you gotta swallow your pride to close the deal. If it feels like a blow to your ego, just remind yourself¡ªhumility¡¯s part of our roots anyway. No big deal lowering your head once in a while.


    Aiden Thompson: You¡¯ve got a point.


    Grace Li: But hey¡ªgotta have your principles. No one should treat you like a doormat. As long as they don¡¯t cross the line, it¡¯s fine to bend a little. We can win respect with what we bring to the table, not just by kissing up.


    Seeing her playful use of ¡°fine to bend a little,¡± Aiden couldn¡¯t help but smile. His mood instantly lifted.


    Aiden Thompson: Learned something new again.


    He often felt that, whether as a colleague, a friend, or a partner, meeting Grace Li was one of the best things that had ever happened to him. She was sharp, grounded, and at thirty, had a clear-eyed view of the world. She didn¡¯t follow the crowd and always had her own way of thinking. Every conversation with her left him with a new perspective.


    Aiden Thompson had always been a stubborn guy¡ªjust like his father. The two of them butted heads constantly because neither was willing to back down. But with Grace Li, it was different. She always knew how to strike the right balance. Being around her was easy, and with her, he felt completely at ease.

 Chapter 73

    At 9 a.m., the Nova Capital office in New York was buzzing with activity. Traders were shouting quotes into their phones, analysts were gathered in heated discussions about the latest market trends, and the air was thick with the aroma of coffee and the tension of the workday. As soon as it hit 9:30, the office fell silent with the supervisor''s command: "Alright, everyone, back to it!" Some were frantically finishing reports for morning meetings, while others were grabbing a quick bite of breakfast¡ªbagels and coffee from the deli down the street, the quintessential New York breakfast.


    Grace Li was preparing for a board meeting later in the afternoon with a tech startup she had invested in. She was focused on reviewing the materials sent over by the company, which was based in the downtown Manhattan startup hub, specializing in AI applications in the healthcare field.


    Suddenly, the quiet office was pierced by Ryan shouting, "You''ve got to be kidding me!"


    Olivia, who had been engrossed in making a PowerPoint presentation, jumped in surprise, her face turning pale. "Ryan, can you tone it down for once? You¡¯re gonna blow the roof off this place!"


    "Breaking news!" Ryan stood up, eyes glued to his phone screen as he read, "The Moonlit Sip has been fined $3.2 million for financial fraud and tax evasion. It¡¯s all over the front pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post. Social media is blowing up with consumers boycotting their products." The Moonlit Sip, a popular Brooklyn brewery, had gained popularity among New York¡¯s young crowd with its unique flavors and artistic packaging.


    Grace Li was stunned by the news. Although she hadn''t been following the project recently, she remembered that the company had just made its first $5 million investment in The Moonlit Sip earlier this month. To have a scandal break so soon was undoubtedly a major failure in the investment.


    The person looking the worst was Mike, who had worked closely with Scarlett Harris to secure the project. "Ryan, are you sure it¡¯s the one we invested in?" he asked.


    "Absolutely! You better check out the top news sites¡ªthis thing is causing a stir in the New York business world."


    Everyone quickly grabbed their phones, checking The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and popular social media platforms among New York''s young crowd, and sure enough, the reports were true. The comment sections were flooded with angry consumers, accusing The Moonlit Sip of unethical behavior. In a city like New York, where business reputation is everything, such a scandal was a devastating blow to the company''s image.


    Olivia, who had high hopes for the project, hadn¡¯t kept up with it after Scarlett Harris took over. Now, she couldn¡¯t believe what was happening. "Mike, didn¡¯t anyone catch a hint of this during the financial due diligence?"


    Mike awkwardly responded, "I was in charge of the market research and business analysis... the financial stuff was..."


    He trailed off, but everyone knew what he meant¡ªScarlett Harris was the one responsible for the financial due diligence.


    At Nova Capital, each team member brought a different set of skills. Some were graduates of the Wharton School of Business, others had backgrounds from Columbia Law School, and some were financial experts who had come from the Big Four accounting firms. When Grace Li assigned projects, she made sure to combine people with different expertise to ensure thorough due diligence.


    For larger investments, the company often hired top third-party firms like Deloitte and PwC for financial and legal due diligence. But The Moonlit Sip was only a $10 million investment, which wasn¡¯t huge for the firm, so the internal team handled the due diligence, including financial, business, and legal checks.


    Among the three people responsible for this project, Mike had extensive experience in market research and business analysis, while Scarlett Harris, with a degree in financial management from NYU, was naturally in charge of the financial due diligence.


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    No one expected this kind of scandal to erupt so soon after the initial investment.


    In the venture capital world, it¡¯s normal for many investments to fail, but this one could have been avoided with more thorough due diligence. The firm¡¯s limited partners (LPs) would surely hold them accountable, and they might even lose confidence in the company. This would have a serious impact on the firm¡¯s reputation and future fundraising efforts. In the fiercely competitive financial market of New York, once your reputation is damaged, earning back the trust of LPs and the market is no easy feat.


    However, Scarlett Harris was Benjamin Harris¡¯s daughter. Considering how big the mistake was, Benjamin¡¯s definitely going to find a way to cover for her. The real question is, what measures will he take?


    Soon, Mike and Drew Owens were called into Benjamin Harris¡¯s office on the top floor. The office was decorated with modern art, and the view of the Manhattan skyline through the windows was breathtaking.


    Mike and Drew walked into the spacious, bright office. Half an hour later, Drew Owens returned alone.


    Seeing his downcast expression, Olivia asked with concern, "Drew, how¡¯d it go? Did he really lose it?"


    Drew Owens sighed, "Pretty much, yeah. But Mr. Harris didn¡¯t exactly blow up."


    Ryan chimed in, "Well, no surprise there, since the one responsible for the project is..." He glanced around, hesitated, and bit his tongue.


    Ryan then asked, "What about Mike?"


    "The legal team¡¯s in talks with The Moonlit Sip about canceling the investment agreement. Mike¡¯s with them. They¡¯re probably at The Moonlit Sip¡¯s headquarters in Brooklyn right now. Word is, this negotiation is crucial¡ªnot just to get the investment back, but also to minimize the damage to the company¡¯s reputation."


    Olivia asked again, "Seriously, during the financial due diligence, didn¡¯t you guys spot anything off?"


    Drew Owens shook his head, "I mainly handled some supporting work, didn¡¯t catch anything unusual."


    Ryan took a sip of his Starbucks coffee. "Some startups really do it to themselves. I remember last year, we evaluated Grill & Glory for an investment, and they were caught faking data. Thankfully, Aiden was sharp enough to catch their cost reports, and it turned out their so-called huge foot traffic was just paid actors. I heard the owner of that place tried switching careers later, but no one in New York would touch him." Grill & Glory was a BBQ chain in Queens that tried to attract investment with fake data.


    Drew Owens said, "You guys caught it early and pulled out in time. As for us, the first chunk of the money¡¯s already invested. Not sure if we¡¯ll even get it back."


    Grace Li calmly assessed the situation. "As long as The Moonlit Sip doesn¡¯t go bankrupt, there¡¯s a good chance we can recover the investment. Under U.S. laws like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, their financial fraud and tax evasion are clear violations of the investment agreement. We have every right to withdraw, and if necessary, we can take legal action to protect the company¡¯s interests. We could even join forces with other investors and file a lawsuit to increase our chances of getting our money back."


    Olivia sighed in disappointment, "I loved The Moonlit Sip¡¯s drinks. I really thought if they played their cards right, they had a huge future ahead. How could they just throw away their reputation like this? I heard they were planning to open a flagship store in Manhattan, but now that¡¯s definitely out the window."


    Ryan said, "There are plenty of companies like that¡ªthey just haven¡¯t been exposed. In this cutthroat business environment in New York, some people will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means cutting corners. I heard about this tech company recently¡ªfaked user numbers to get investment, and when the investors caught on, they got kicked out of the startup accelerator."


    Ryan then added with a bit of gossip, "Honestly, with all this financial fraud and tax evasion, do you think the pretty CFO¡¯s gonna end up in jail? I¡¯ve heard she¡¯s got a pretty big name in New York¡¯s social circles, always showing up at fancy parties."


    Olivia shuddered. "Thank God I didn¡¯t go into accounting. Whenever a company gets caught for financial fraud, it¡¯s always the accountants who end up getting burned. Under New York state law, financial fraud can lead to up to 15 years in prison, and tax evasion carries huge fines and years behind bars. I hear a lot of accountants in Rikers are serving time for financial crimes."


    Soon, the conversation in the office shifted to discussions about financial crimes and business ethics. Everyone had their say, expressing regret and condemnation for The Moonlit Sip¡¯s scandal. Some suggested tighter regulations for startups, while others complained about the current business environment being too shallow and impatient.


    But Grace Li remained deep in thought. Scarlett Harris had taken The Moonlit Sip project from her to prove her worth to the firm¡¯s partners and LPs. But now, with such a massive mistake, she was bound to become the laughingstock of the industry. In the face of such an embarrassing situation, what steps would Benjamin Harris and his daughter take next to fix things?

 Chapter 74

    Grace Li headed to a high-end office building in Midtown Manhattan in the afternoon to attend a board meeting with the project team. The building was located in a bustling commercial district, surrounded by towering skyscrapers, with a busy street full of cars down below. After the meeting, she took the elevator downstairs and walked out of the building, where the noise of the city hit her immediately. She hurriedly crossed the street and returned to the Nova Capital office near Wall Street. By this time, only three people remained in the office. Aiden Thompson had left early for New Jersey to handle the AgroTech project and wouldn''t be back until late.


    The funding for AgroTech had been successfully secured. The tough-to-deal-with old man, Rex Thompson from Silverstone Group, had decisively invested $80 million. Now, all that was left was to go through the tedious and strict processes. In New York''s financial circles, every step followed a strict set of rules, leaving no room for mistakes.


    Grace Li had just sat down at her desk and taken a sip of water when the office phone rang. It was Benjamin Harris''s secretary calling. " Grace Li, Mr. Harris wants you to come to his office immediately after you return."


    "Sure, I''ll be right there," Grace Li replied.


    She stood up, walked through the open office area, and headed to the corner office with the best view. The open office was full of personal items on colleagues'' desks, reflecting their personalities. Motivational quotes and team photos adorned the walls. Benjamin Harris looked a bit off, his brow furrowed, and there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes.


    Grace Li greeted him politely. "Mr. Harris, what''s up?"


    Benjamin Harris motioned for her to take a seat. "Grace, take a seat."


    Grace Li sat down, and Benjamin Harris handed her a thick stack of papers. "These materials were prepared by your team, right?"


    Grace Li took the materials and saw "The Moonlit Sip Project Investigation and Evaluation" written on the cover. A bad feeling crept over her. "Yeah, these are the preliminary research and analysis done by our team before the project was approved."


    Benjamin Harris continued, "You gave this project a very high rating in all aspects and were pretty optimistic about its prospects."


    Grace Li understood what he was getting at. When they first looked into The Moonlit Sip, based on industry research and initial communications, they were indeed impressed by the company, and she had given it a relatively high rating. However, in the venture capital industry, there is a long and rigorous due diligence process between the initial impression and the actual investment. "Sure, based on a series of data and market analysis during the initial contact, we were relatively optimistic about the project''s prospects. But you know, there''s still a lot of in-depth work to be done after the project is approved."


    "So, Grace, you really dropped the ball on this one. You didn''t even notice they were faking it."


    Grace Li was taken aback by his bluntness in blaming her. She quickly defended herself. "Mr. Harris, I gave a high rating at the preliminary stage, but investing in a project requires comprehensive due diligence. After the project was approved, I wasn''t involved in the subsequent in-depth work, including financial due diligence. According to the rules of our company and the industry, once the project handover happens, the responsibilities are clearly defined."


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    "Grace, I''m not blaming you right now. Today, our legal team and the firm''s lawyers went to The Moonlit Sip, and they admitted fault and agreed to our divestment. But as the investment director of the consumer group, both you and I need to give a reasonable explanation to the LPs."


    Benjamin Harris''s tone seemed calm, but he was subtly shifting responsibility onto her.


    Grace Li understood Benjamin Harris¡¯s intentions. He wanted someone to take the fall but didn¡¯t want it to be too obvious. She wasn¡¯t going to fall for it so easily. This project had originally been taken over by Scarlett Harris, and Grace Li had already felt wronged enough. Now, the project had hit a snag, and why should she be the one to explain to the LPs? "Mr. Harris, I remember that more than two months ago, right here in this office, you told me that the Moonlit Sip project would be led by Scarlett. Since then, I haven¡¯t been responsible for it. So the person who should explain to the LPs now is Scarlett."


    Benjamin Harris patiently responded, "Grace, I know this situation isn''t easy, and I truly value all the hard work you''ve put in. You sourced the project, and your initial rating was based on the information we had at the time. Scarlett is still learning, and she trusted your expertise on the matter. What I¡¯m asking now is for your help in explaining things to the LPs so we can make sure we¡¯re all aligned and can move forward as a team."


    Grace Li was silent for a moment. She knew Benjamin Harris was trying to protect his daughter. Scarlett had only been with the company for six months and was working hard to build her elite image in front of the partners and LPs in preparation for taking over the company in the future. If the first project she led went wrong, it would seriously damage her reputation, and she''d find it hard to win support within the company. As for Grace Li, although she was Benjamin Harris¡¯s trusted assistant, she was still just a subordinate. He could easily shift the blame onto her, reprimanding her a little to brush things under the rug.


    Grace Li firmly responded, "Mr. Harris, I completely understand the situation, and I definitely want to support the team. However, after the project was approved, I lost my involvement in the decision-making process. I truly feel that the responsibility of handling this issue lies with the team members who have been in charge of it since then. I would be happy to support the explanation to the LPs, but I do think it¡¯s important to clarify the roles and responsibilities at this stage."


    Benjamin Harris took a deep breath, trying again to persuade her. "Grace, you¡¯ve been with me for years, and I¡¯ve always thought you were someone who takes responsibility. I really appreciate you. This isn¡¯t a huge mistake. It¡¯s mainly the project side that faked the data. But from the company¡¯s overall situation, we need to give the LPs an explanation. Can¡¯t you cooperate on this?"


    Grace Li remained steadfast. "Mr. Harris, please try to see things from my perspective. I sourced the project, did the research, and prepared the project approval materials. But after the project was approved, I lost the right to lead it. I can¡¯t guarantee that I would¡¯ve made it a success if I¡¯d continued, but since it¡¯s not my responsibility now, I really don¡¯t know how to explain to the LPs. This truly shouldn¡¯t be my burden."


    Benjamin Harris realized that no amount of persuasion would work. He knew Grace Li had made up her mind, and pressing further would be pointless. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his temples and sighed. "Alright, you can go. I¡¯ll figure out how to explain to the LPs myself."


    Grace Li stood up. "Okay, I¡¯ll get back to work then."


    As she turned to leave, she ran into Scarlett Harris in the doorway. Scarlett¡¯s eyes darted away when she saw Grace Li. Out of politeness, she still greeted her. "Grace Li, hi."


    Grace Li didn¡¯t respond and walked straight down the hallway. This was probably the first time she had been so rude, but at that moment, she simply couldn¡¯t fake a friendly expression. In the highly competitive work environment in New York, she had worked so hard, but now she felt deep frustration and helplessness.


    She had thought that after six years at Nova Capital and becoming the investment director, with all the returns she had brought to the company, she had built her own career. But today, Benjamin Harris¡¯s actions made her realize that she was just a pawn, one that could be sacrificed at any moment.

 Chapter 75

    Grace Li managed to leave work early and headed out at 8 p.m. She hurried across the street, surrounded by busy office workers, with yellow cabs constantly passing by. Once she got back to her apartment, she took a long, hot shower, and by the time she was done, it was just past 9.


    Aiden Thompson still hadn¡¯t returned.


    She didn¡¯t ask any questions. Her mood was at rock bottom, like one of those dreary, cold, and oppressive New York days.


    She cracked open a bottle of Corona beer and lazily leaned back in a chair on her apartment balcony, sipping it. She and Aiden Thompson usually hung out here, looking over the sparkling lights of Manhattan while chatting about the frustrating stuff at work and dreaming about the future.


    Tonight, it was just her. A few more potted plants had been added to the balcony¡ªones they bought at the Union Square Greenmarket last month.


    She watered the plants before sitting back down in her chair.


    The frustration in her heart was overwhelming, and she couldn¡¯t even tell if she was more upset or filled with disappointment and anger.


    She had always looked up to Benjamin Harris as a mentor in her career. He was the one who helped her get into the competitive world of venture capital, giving her a chance to start and supporting her every step of the way. She¡¯d always been grateful to him, and respected him. She worked hard for the company, even when she was treated unfairly, but never said anything.


    But now, she felt completely betrayed. He had been using her as a stepping stone to boost his daughter¡¯s career, and he thought it was perfectly fine.


    She was so lost in thought that she didn¡¯t even notice when Aiden Thompson came in and sat next to her.


    She opened her eyes and saw him standing there, looking a little surprised. It took him a few seconds to force a smile. "You¡¯re home."


    Aiden Thompson was still in his black work pants and white shirt. He sat down beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. "You look wiped out. If you¡¯re tired, go get some sleep."


    "No, I¡¯m not sleepy yet." Grace Li leaned her head against him. His embrace always made her feel safe. "Aiden, I feel so drained."


    Aiden Thompson softly ran his fingers through her hair, his voice gentle. "What happened, babe?"


    Grace Li wasn¡¯t one to complain, but tonight, she just needed to vent. She felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and it wasn¡¯t healthy to keep holding it in.


    Before, she had always felt like she was on her own at work, taking on all her frustrations by herself. But now, things were different. She knew she had someone solid to rely on. If she couldn¡¯t handle it anymore, she could lean on him without hesitation.


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    "If I vent, don¡¯t say I¡¯m annoying."


    "How could I? You can say whatever you need to. I¡¯m here for you."


    Grace Li gave a small smile and started talking. "It¡¯s that ¡®The Moonlit Sip¡¯ project. The company just invested at the beginning of the month, and now, two days ago, it¡¯s been exposed for financial fraud and tax evasion. It¡¯s obvious the due diligence wasn¡¯t thorough enough. Today, Mr. Harris called me into his office, and he made it clear that I was the one who found the project and gave it a high rating. So, now that things have gone wrong, I¡¯m supposed to explain it to the LPs. He¡¯s playing his cards really well¡ªif this blows up, the LPs will question the company¡¯s professionalism and management. Mr. Harris doesn¡¯t want his daughter Scarlett Harris to lose face in front of the partners and LPs, so he wants me to take the blame."


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s eyes flashed with anger. He clenched his jaw and muttered, "They¡¯re crossing the line."


    "Exactly. I¡¯m not going to take the fall for this, and I¡¯m certainly not going to be the scapegoat for Scarlett Harris," Grace Li said firmly. "That¡¯s my line in the sand."


    Aiden Thompson gently kissed the top of her head. "So, what did Benjamin Harris say after that?"


    "He said he¡¯d handle the explanation to the LPs himself, but I don¡¯t really know what his plan is."


    "Let him handle it. Scarlett Harris isn¡¯t ready for this. He¡¯s been trying to turn her into some ¡®girl boss¡¯ figure, but that¡¯s a mistake from the start. He has to own up to his decisions."


    "Yeah." Venting with someone made Grace Li feel a lot lighter, and her mood improved. After everything that had happened, she realized something: "I get it now. In the workplace, talking about gratitude with the boss is just naive. I used to tell you how grateful I was to Mr. Harris for giving me my start in this industry. But now I see it differently. He took me on because he thought I could bring value to him and the company. It wasn¡¯t about gratitude¡ªit was a mutual exchange of value. I was so focused on ¡®giving back¡¯ that I missed the bigger picture. Honestly, it seems a little silly now."


    Aiden Thompson said, "You¡¯re just too kind-hearted."


    Grace Li lifted her head from his chest. "Be honest, do you think I¡¯m naive?"


    Aiden Thompson smiled and said, "Kind-hearted doesn¡¯t mean naive. You have a good heart, and you stand up for what¡¯s right."


    Grace Li¡¯s eyes lit up at his answer. She smiled and said, "Now that¡¯s more like it."


    Aiden Thompson looked at her, seeing the sparkle back in her eyes, and couldn¡¯t help but lean down to give her a soft kiss on the lips. Grace Li wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.


    The passionate kiss made Grace Li temporarily forget all her worries.


    When they pulled apart, she said, "I didn¡¯t know kissing could make you forget your troubles."


    Aiden Thompson swallowed, a mischievous grin on his face. "There¡¯s something else that not only helps you forget your troubles but makes everything feel amazing."


    Grace Li blinked her eyes playfully, teasing him. "What¡¯s that?"


    Aiden Thompson scooped her up in his arms, lifting her effortlessly like she weighed nothing. Grace Li tightened her grip around his neck, clinging to him like an octopus.


    He gently placed her down on the soft bed, kissing her forehead. "Wait for me for ten minutes, I¡¯m going to take a quick shower."


    "Okay."


    Aiden Thompson was right¡ªthis would make her forget her troubles. She was lifted again and again, each time higher, until all her worries had vanished.


    After that whole ¡®The Moonlit Sip¡¯ mess, Benjamin Harris never reached out to Grace Li again, and she didn¡¯t try to ask. She knew that the storm behind the scenes had settled, at least for now, on the surface.

 Chapter 76

    Early on Monday morning, Grace Li walked into the Nova Capital office in the glass-walled building in Midtown Manhattan. As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed Drew Owens'' desk was already tidied up, with just a few pens and a sticky note left on the surface, faint coffee stains still visible on the paper, as if telling the story of busy days now past.


    The news quickly spread throughout the office that Drew had resigned, supposedly due to his mistake with The Moonlit Sip project, which led to the investment failure. In the fast-paced world of New York''s corporate environment, these things happened, but they still made a ripple when they did.


    People also noticed that Drew had quietly left the office work group chat. In today¡¯s digital workplace, leaving a group chat was like a silent farewell, signaling the end of a chapter in his career.


    Ryan messaged him asking what happened, and Drew simply replied that he¡¯d messed up with The Moonlit Sip project, causing the company to misjudge the investment, and he didn¡¯t feel he could stay at the company anymore. The whole ¡°taking the fall¡± scenario was well understood in the office, and this time, it was Drew Owens who took the heat.


    Everyone assumed Drew resigned in shame, but Grace Li knew better. He wasn¡¯t just resigning; he was being made the scapegoat. Benjamin Harris had tried to convince her to take responsibility for the project¡¯s failure, but when that didn¡¯t work, he went for the softer option. This allowed him to protect Scarlett Harris¡¯s image in front of the employees and LPs, while still offering an explanation to everyone. In American corporate culture, it wasn¡¯t unusual for higher-ups to sacrifice lower-level employees in order to protect their own image. Though people were frustrated, they had little choice but to accept it.


    However, Drew Owens had quietly taken all the blame, and that clearly meant Benjamin Harris had offered him something in return¡ªperhaps a nice severance package or some future career opportunities. In the world of business, everything is negotiable.


    When Grace Li heard the news, she felt a pang of sadness. Drew might have worked closely with Scarlett Harris, but they¡¯d shared an office for over two months, and bonds do form, even in competitive New York offices. In a place like this, relationships are built on shared work, but also on time spent together.


    In the afternoon, Grace Li messaged Aiden Thompson.


    Grace Li: I don¡¯t have much work today. I¡¯m leaving at 6:30, then I¡¯ll cook dinner.


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯ll head out with you.


    It was Monday, and Grace Li rarely left work so early unless she had a meeting or something outside the office. In a city like New York, where people are constantly working, staying late is the norm, and leaving at a reasonable hour feels like an exception.


    After returning to their apartment on the Upper East Side, Grace Li made two meat dishes and one vegetable. As they sat down to eat, she said, ¡°It feels so good to be able to leave work on time and cook at home during the week.¡± In a city where takeout and fast food are common, cooking a meal at home and enjoying a quiet dinner felt like a luxury.


    ¡°We can make this a habit. You¡¯ve been working so hard, Grace.¡± Seeing her tiredness, Aiden Thompson couldn¡¯t help but feel concerned. He knew how hard she¡¯d been pushing herself.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s really tiring. Even though I love my job, I¡¯m exhausted from how little time I have for my personal life. I¡¯m getting tired of it.¡± There was a trace of sadness in her voice. In New York¡¯s competitive finance industry, the pressure to succeed often comes at the cost of personal life.


    Aiden Thompson could sense she had more to say, so he asked, ¡°So, is there something on your mind?¡±


    They had a deep understanding of each other, picking up on subtle emotional shifts.


    She smiled faintly, ¡°Let¡¯s finish dinner first. I¡¯ll tell you later.¡±


    After dinner, Aiden Thompson volunteered to do the dishes, while Grace Li stayed in the kitchen, cutting up some fruit for dessert.


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    After everything was set up, the two of them sat on the balcony chairs of their apartment, eating the fruit they had sliced and sipping sparkling water while chatting. The New York night was breathtaking, with the city lights shining brightly. From the balcony, they could see the Empire State Building lit up in the distance. The atmosphere was peaceful and refreshing.


    Grace Li leaned back in her chair, feeling content. "I¡¯ve been thinking a lot lately, Aiden Thompson. I think I need to make a big decision."


    Aiden Thompson focused on her, giving her his full attention. "What¡¯s on your mind?"


    "I¡¯m thinking about leaving Nova Capital and starting my own business." In a city like New York, full of opportunities and challenges, the idea of starting a business was hardly unusual. Every day, people from all walks of life started their own ventures here.


    Aiden Thompson probably guessed what she was about to say, so he asked, "Do you have a specific plan in mind?"


    "I do," Grace Li replied thoughtfully. She never acted impulsively; her approach to business and life was always deliberate and calculated. She explained, "I¡¯ve been working on a project that¡¯s about to exit, and I¡¯m in the process of transferring the shares. I expect to complete the deal by the beginning of next month, and I should be getting the performance-based carry¡ªprobably around $200,000. Once I have that, I¡¯ll officially resign. During this time, I¡¯m preparing to start my own business. My first priority is to set aside enough to cover three years of mortgage payments and living expenses, just in case I don¡¯t have any income for a while. In the U.S., missing a mortgage payment can lead to serious consequences, so I want to make sure I¡¯m secure. After that, I¡¯ll use the rest of the funds from my stock accounts¡ªprobably about $1 million¡ªfor my startup capital. But even with that amount, I know I¡¯ll need more to fund my venture. Fortunately, I¡¯ve built some strong relationships over the years, and a few people I trust might be interested in becoming my limited partners (LPs). I¡¯d say there¡¯s about a 50% chance of success. In New York¡¯s startup scene, personal connections are often the key to raising capital, especially in the early stages. If I succeed, I¡¯ll launch a venture capital firm. If not, I¡¯ll try angel investing with one or two startups, helping them grow. And if that doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll go back to a full-time job."


    After listening intently, Aiden Thompson nodded. "That sounds like a solid plan, but I think you might be missing something important."


    "What¡¯s that?"


    "Me," Aiden Thompson said, smiling as he lifted his hand and gently tapped her nose. "You¡¯ve forgotten about me."


    Their bond was strong, and when it came to big decisions in life, they both wanted to be involved.


    Grace Li smiled. "So, how do you plan to get involved?"


    Aiden Thompson thought for a moment before answering. "I don¡¯t have a huge amount of personal assets. My savings and stock profits add up to around a few hundred thousand dollars, but I can also borrow $1 million from the bank to help fund the startup. That way, we¡¯d both contribute 50%.  As for LPs, I may not have been in the workforce for long, but I do have two or three friends here in New York who would likely be interested in investing. Raising a multi-million-dollar fund shouldn¡¯t be too difficult."


    Aiden Thompson came from a privileged background, and it wasn¡¯t surprising that he knew some wealthy friends. In New York¡¯s social and business circles, wealthy individuals often exchanged ideas about investments and startups, creating a strong network of potential partners.


    Grace Li could see that he was confident, so she asked, "Have you already spoken to them about this?"


    "I mentioned it a while ago at a get-together. One of them has expressed interest in investing in a project I was involved with. At the time, I didn¡¯t want to bring him into the mix since I was already planning to leave Nova Capital." In New York, casual social interactions often led to new business opportunities.


    Grace Li nodded. "Sounds like he trusts you a lot."


    "Yeah, he¡¯s the type who¡¯s easygoing and has plenty of resources," Aiden Thompson said with a grin.


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but laugh. "How can you say that about someone who trusts you so much?"


    "It¡¯s the truth."


    Grace Li teased him, "I¡¯ve noticed something about you..."


    Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow. "What¡¯s that?"


    "You can be really sarcastic sometimes."


    Aiden Thompson shrugged casually. "I only say that kind of stuff to people I¡¯m close to. When he¡¯s our LP, I¡¯ll definitely smooth things over and say all the right things."


    Grace Li nodded, then began to imagine their future working together on their venture.


    "Aiden, do you ever get anxious?"


    "About what?"


    "Like, worried about the business failing?"


    "Nope," Aiden Thompson said confidently, taking her hand. "I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll make it work." His eyes were full of trust and conviction, giving Grace Li all the reassurance she needed.


    Grace Li asked, "What if we disagree about something during the startup process?"


    "Then I¡¯ll do my best to listen to you."


    Grace Li thought for a moment. "We should always go with the best idea, no matter who it comes from." In a startup, rational decision-making and good communication are crucial.


    She raised her glass of sparkling water. "Here¡¯s to our startup being smooth and successful!"


    Aiden Thompson raised his glass to meet hers, his lips curling into a confident smile.

 Chapter 77

    Grace Li felt a sense of relief wash over her, like she had just removed a heavy set of shackles.


    Though the road ahead was filled with uncertainty, she knew deep down that Nova Capital was no longer the place for her. The actions of Benjamin Harris and his daughter, Scarlet Harris, had crossed a line she could no longer ignore. In the highly competitive job market in the U.S., facing setbacks is normal, but she couldn¡¯t continue silently enduring, letting her grievances accumulate.


    If she stayed and allowed Scarlet Harris to gradually take over the company and become her direct superior, she would only sink deeper, becoming more insignificant and exploited. It was better to leave while the situation hadn¡¯t completely soured, while there was still time to exit with some dignity.


    She had spent six years at Nova Capital, starting as a rookie and gradually rising to become a managing director, finding a career she loved. Every corner of the office held countless memories for her. She hoped that when she left, it would be with grace¡ªlike a dancer making a poised exit¡ªnot like a failure running away in shame.


    Over the next two months, she decisively halted her search for new investment opportunities. It wasn¡¯t necessary anymore. However, she continued to manage the existing projects with professionalism and dedication. In the venture capital industry in the U.S., the success of a project directly affects one''s career reputation and future.


    On the last day of July, Grace Li, with mixed feelings, submitted her resignation. She was soon called into that familiar, oppressive office by Benjamin Harris.


    As an investment director, she was a mid-level manager, and it was unavoidable to have a brief, professional conversation with her boss before leaving.


    Benjamin Harris looked unusually serious, like the calm before a storm. Grace Li had always been an outstanding employee¡ªhardworking, responsible, and with sharp insight. Most of the projects she had worked on were doing well, and she had earned a solid reputation in New York''s venture capital circles.


    Losing her would be a huge loss for the company, like a ship losing a seasoned first mate.


    At first, Benjamin Harris tried to keep the tone light, feigning a sense of familiarity, ¡°Grace, your resignation really caught me off guard. What happened? Why the sudden decision to quit?¡±


    The last time, Benjamin Harris had tried to make her take the blame, but she had refused decisively. However, since he was her boss and there were still many professional matters that needed communication, Grace Li had continued to maintain a cordial professional relationship with him. He probably thought she had moved on, that it was as if nothing had happened.


    But it was precisely that incident that made Grace Li lose all hope in the company. She knew she couldn¡¯t continue sinking in such an unfair environment.


    At this moment, Grace Li¡¯s expression was calm, but her eyes showed unwavering determination, ¡°Mr. Harris, I¡¯ve thought this through carefully. I¡¯ve gained a lot from my time at Nova Capital, and I really appreciate everything you¡¯ve taught me. However, I have other plans, which is why I¡¯ve made this decision.¡± Her words were brief and polite.


    Benjamin Harris stared at the resignation letter in silence for a long time, clearly thinking about how to salvage the situation. ¡°Grace, we¡¯ve known each other for years, and I¡¯ve always been very satisfied with your work. I truly hope you¡¯ll stay. You''ve only been in this position for three years, and during this time, the projects you¡¯ve worked on have produced great results, like the recent DS exit with a twelvefold return. The projects you worked on will continue to bring in results in the next two years. I¡¯ll make sure you get your fair share. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a shame to leave now?¡± He tried to lure her with generous incentives, which was a common tactic used in the U.S. to try to retain employees.


    It would be a lie to say it wasn¡¯t tempting. These projects were like carefully cultivated fruit trees¡ªshe had poured so much effort into them, and now, just when they were ready to bear fruit, she had to walk away.


    Who wouldn¡¯t feel the sting?


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    But she knew that her projects would keep coming. If she stayed just because she couldn¡¯t part with them, she would never escape the cage that trapped her.


    Benjamin Harris and his daughter had assumed she wouldn¡¯t leave easily, so they had treated her with such disrespect, thinking they could use her as a pawn.


    But they didn¡¯t realize that her heart had already grown cold toward this company. She no longer had any illusions.


    Grace Li remained resolute, her tone firm and unwavering, ¡°It may be a shame, but I have other plans, and I must let go.¡±


    Benjamin Harris pressed, ¡°What exactly are your plans?¡± His gaze carried a mixture of curiosity and caution. In this highly competitive industry, the future paths of talented individuals were always of great interest.


    Before submitting her resignation, Grace Li had anticipated this question and had already figured out her future plans. She knew that if she started a business in New York¡ªwhere space was limited, the venture capital industry was highly developed, and the circles were small¡ªshe would inevitably encounter Benjamin Harris and many colleagues and peers in the future. In New York¡¯s venture capital world, connections were tightly woven, and even small actions could spark a chain reaction.


    Given that, lying would only make future interactions awkward. It was better to be honest. After all, starting a business after gaining a solid foundation in this field was nothing extraordinary. Every year, countless professionals with dreams ventured into entrepreneurship.


    ¡°To be honest, Mr. Harris, I¡¯m planning to start a business with a friend.¡± Her voice was clear and firm, without a hint of hesitation.


    Benjamin Harris wasn¡¯t surprised. It seemed like he had expected this. He simply asked casually, ¡°Venture capital?¡±


    Grace Li nodded, ¡°Yes, exactly.¡± Her eyes sparkled with hope and anticipation for the future.


    Benjamin Harris took a deep breath, feeling that her idea was overly na?ve, like a child unaware of the harsh realities. ¡°Grace, I don¡¯t think this is a wise choice. You¡¯ve been in the industry long enough to know that very few people actually succeed and sustain their businesses in the long run. In New York, the venture capital industry is extremely competitive. Every year, thousands of new companies are formed, but the vast majority collapse within a year. You need to understand that starting a business isn¡¯t easy¡ªfunding, networks, markets¡ªevery aspect can break you.¡± He tried to dissuade her by warning her of the harsh realities, and his words were a common piece of advice given to many U.S. entrepreneurs before they started.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, my partner and I have considered the risks, but we still want to give it a try,¡± Grace Li wasn¡¯t deterred by his words. Her resolve stood firm like a mountain.


    Benjamin Harris didn¡¯t believe Grace Li could accomplish anything with her current connections and finances. He was certain she would lose everything within a year. ¡°Grace, speaking from experience, I still urge you not to take such a high-risk gamble. After all these years in investment, you should understand where the money comes from, where it should be invested, and how long it takes to see returns. Blind confidence will leave you with nothing. There are too many failures in this industry, and I don¡¯t want you to become one of them.¡± In the U.S. business environment, the failure rate for startups was indeed high¡ªcash flow problems, market competition, and other factors could quickly lead to a project¡¯s demise. Though his words were harsh, they reflected the reality of the situation.


    Though Benjamin Harris¡¯ words stung, they highlighted the brutal truth of the business world. ¡°Thank you for the advice, Mr. Harris. I know the road ahead will be tough, but I¡¯ve made up my mind,¡± Grace Li¡¯s eyes reflected a tenacity. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.


    Benjamin Harris could see that Grace Li was determined, and he knew further persuasion would be pointless. He had said all he could. While he respected her, the company would continue without her, and he had no reason to force her to stay.


    ¡°Alright, if you¡¯ve made up your mind, then that¡¯s that,¡± he said with a resigned wave, a hint of regret on his face.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Harris.¡±

 Chapter 78

    The day after Benjamin Harris approved Grace Li''s resignation, he privately informed her that Mike would be stepping into her position.


    This was completely expected by Grace Li. In the competitive U.S. job market, promoting someone from within who is already familiar with the business is a standard move. Mike had proven himself capable in many areas, and promoting him would help maintain team stability while also allowing Benjamin and Scarlet Harris to consolidate their influence.


    Grace Li and Mike were preparing to hand over the work, but she didn¡¯t want to make it too obvious just yet, so she asked Mike to keep it quiet.


    The office was bustling as usual. A new colleague had recently joined, a bright and cheerful person with an overseas education background. She had already caught the attention of several male coworkers due to her good looks.


    Her name was Ava, and she was taking over Aiden Thompson''s role.


    Aside from Grace Li, no one else in the office knew that Aiden Thompson had already submitted his resignation. They all assumed that Aiden would be mentoring the new hire.


    Ava was 23, recently graduated, and had previously worked as an analyst at a well-known investment bank on Wall Street.


    Ava was very pleased with Aiden Thompson as her mentor. She would prefer to ask him questions in person rather than through messages, and she often found excuses to stop by his desk.


    "Aiden, could you quickly glance at this spreadsheet and see if there¡¯s anything that needs tweaking?" Ava walked over to Aiden Thompson''s desk, leaning in to hand him the document. As she did so, her wavy hair brushed his shoulder.


    Aiden Thompson took the spreadsheet and replied, "Sure, I¡¯ll take a look and let you know if I see any issues."


    ¡°I still need to keep working on this, so can you just take a quick glance?¡± she asked, her tone casual and friendly.


    At that moment, Grace Li returned to the office and noticed the interaction. She quickly looked away, feeling like she was intruding, and returned to her desk to focus on her tasks.


    Aiden Thompson gave Grace Li a brief glance, then turned to Ava and said, "You can give me some space, no need to be so close."


    His tone was polite, but it clearly indicated he was setting boundaries.


    Ava pouted slightly and stepped back. Aiden Thompson quickly scanned the spreadsheet and said, "Looks good overall. Just keep going with this."


    Ava smiled brightly, "Great, thanks, Aiden!"


    After returning to her desk, Olivia, who had already noticed Ava¡¯s interest in Aiden Thompson, decided it was time to step in. Olivia had once been interested in Aiden Thompson, but when she learned he had a girlfriend, she dropped the idea.


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    Olivia felt it was necessary to address the situation, so she said casually, "Hey, there¡¯s a jewelry store running a special deal for Chinese Valentine¡¯s Day. Spend over $3000, and you get a free $500 piece of jewelry. It¡¯s a great deal, and the gifts are really stunning. For those of you with significant others, it might be worth checking out."


    Peter responded, "I¡¯d rather spend that money on a nice dinner. At least we can enjoy it together."


    "I figured you¡¯d say that," Olivia laughed, then turned to Aiden Thompson, teasing him lightly, "Aiden, are you going to surprise your girlfriend with something?"


    Aiden Thompson wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the conversation, but he took the opportunity to confirm his relationship. "Send me the details. Let¡¯s see what they¡¯ve got."


    Olivia quickly sent him the store¡¯s promotion information, then asked, "Got it. Need help picking out something?"


    "Let me take a look first," Aiden Thompson responded.


    Ryan chimed in, joking, "A 10-carat diamond ring would be perfect for your girlfriend, Aiden!"


    Aiden Thompson replied, "She¡¯s not into that flashy stuff."


    "Flashy? What''s wrong with a nice diamond ring?" Ryan turned to Grace Li, teasing her, "Boss, you¡¯d love a 10-carat diamond, right?"


    Grace Li, caught off guard, answered seriously, "Well, if it¡¯s free, who wouldn¡¯t?"


    Ryan laughed, "See, I knew it!"


    Ryan then joked, "But we¡¯re talking about Aiden¡¯s girlfriend, not the boss. Why are you asking her?"


    Ryan, always eager to stir things up, added with a grin, "Come on, the boss is a woman too. Women have similar tastes, right, Olivia?"


    Olivia shook her head, laughing, "You¡¯re out of your mind. Stop talking nonsense!"


    The conversation continued as everyone chimed in, but Aiden Thompson stayed focused on the jewelry promotion.


    Since it was Chinese Valentine¡¯s Day, he did need to get something for his girlfriend.


    At that moment, Grace Li sent him a message with a meme of a small character holding a lotus flower with a peaceful smile. The caption read: "Save and be frugal."


    Aiden Thompson smiled. He and Grace Li had already agreed to keep their spending in check, especially with their plans to start a business together.


    Aiden Thompson replied, "You''re the boss. I¡¯ll stick to our plan."


    Grace Li responded, "I didn¡¯t say a word."


    Aiden Thompson laughed, "But that emoji says it all."


    Aiden Thompson then asked, "What time are you getting off today?"


    Grace Li replied, "Might be a bit late. I need to hand over the N-Perspective project to Mike."


    Aiden Thompson answered, "Okay, I¡¯ll head home and start dinner."


    Grace Li said, "Sounds good."


    Since they had decided to leave the company, they had been working less overtime, going home to cook dinner together and discuss their startup plans.


    After work, Aiden Thompson was the first to leave, and Ava immediately followed.


    Grace Li watched them leave and felt a slight pang of unease. She understood that she couldn¡¯t expect Aiden Thompson to be cold to every woman; that wouldn¡¯t be realistic.


    Ava followed Aiden Thompson to the elevator, where they entered together.


    Ava, carrying a Chanel handbag, secretly admired Aiden Thompson, who was dressed in a white shirt with his hands in his pockets. She thought he was both handsome and charismatic, exuding a kind of effortless charm.


    Ava had seen her fair share of attractive men during her time at the investment bank, but none of them had affected her the way Aiden Thompson did.


    Ava spoke up, "Aiden, I really appreciate all your help these days. I know I¡¯m still learning, and I¡¯ve probably asked you a lot of questions."


    Aiden Thompson responded politely, "Don¡¯t mention it. That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for."


    Ava took a deep breath and said, "To show my appreciation, I¡¯d love to take you out for dinner. There¡¯s this amazing Italian place I know. Are you free tonight?"


    Without hesitation, Aiden Thompson declined, "Sorry, I¡¯m tied up. I promised my girlfriend I¡¯d cook dinner for her."


    Hearing "cook dinner for my girlfriend" caught Ava off guard. She hadn¡¯t expected Aiden Thompson to be so down-to-earth.


    His words not only confirmed he had a girlfriend but also suggested that he cared deeply for her, and they might even be living together.


    Ava smiled, hiding her disappointment. "Oh well, maybe some other time."

 Chapter 79

    Grace Li¡¯s projects were ones Mike had been involved with, so the handover wasn¡¯t complicated. She and Benjamin Harris had agreed on a 15-day transition period, and August 15th would be Grace Li¡¯s last day at the company.


    In the afternoon, she sent a message in the group chat: "Hey everyone, I¡¯m treating for dinner tonight. Any restaurant suggestions?"


    Peter replied immediately: "Let¡¯s go for Japanese! I¡¯m craving sushi!"


    Olivia quickly joined in: "Hehe, Japanese sounds great. I¡¯m really in the mood for some salmon."


    Ryan joked: "Olivia, watch out for parasites!"


    Olivia shot back: "I don¡¯t care. I want it. Boss, let¡¯s do Japanese."


    Grace Li replied: "Okay, let¡¯s pick a place."


    Ryan couldn¡¯t resist: "Hehe, boss, did you just get a huge bonus?"


    Grace Li explained: "I¡¯m actually leaving the company tomorrow, so I wanted to have a meal with all of you."


    Ryan typed: "Hahaha, you¡¯re kidding, right? Hahaha!"


    At that moment, everyone in the office turned their attention to Grace Li. Seeing their surprised faces, Grace Li suddenly felt a wave of emotion. She said, "It¡¯s true. Today¡¯s my last day at Nova Capital. I really appreciate all your support during my time here."


    Ryan¡¯s smile quickly faded, and his face turned pale. "Wait, you¡¯re serious?"


    "Yep, serious," Grace Li replied.


    Ryan stood up, "Wait, why are you leaving? What happened?"


    Grace Li smiled gently, "I¡¯ve got some other career plans."


    "What kind of plans?" Ryan asked.


    Grace Li didn¡¯t intend to speak negatively about Nova Capital. She gestured to indicate they should talk about it later, "We can¡¯t get into this here. If you have questions, let¡¯s chat later at dinner."


    Ryan couldn¡¯t believe it. He turned to Aiden Thompson, "Aiden, the boss is joking, right?"


    Aiden Thompson said, "Let¡¯s not discuss it here. We¡¯ll talk about it later."


    The office fell into a quiet buzz. Everyone was processing the news, trying to figure out what it meant. As they reflected, they realized Grace Li hadn¡¯t been working late much in the last couple of months, and she had been handing over a lot of her work to Mike. They thought Mike was just getting a promotion, but now they realized it was all part of the handover process.


    After a moment, the sound of soft sobbing was heard.


    Ryan turned and saw Olivia bent over her desk, shoulders shaking.


    He walked over and asked gently, "What¡¯s going on, Olivia?"


    "I¡¯m fine," Olivia replied, standing up and walking out of the office.


    Everyone watched her leave. She¡¯d been so excited about the dinner, and now she was visibly upset.


    Grace Li got up and followed her, heading toward the restroom.


    Olivia had shut herself in a stall. Grace Li knocked softly, "Olivia, are you okay?"


    Olivia¡¯s voice came through, thick with tears, "I¡¯m fine."


    Grace Li asked, "If you¡¯re fine, why are you crying?"


    Olivia had started crying when she heard about Grace Li leaving. She had been with Nova Capital for over two years, and Grace Li had been her mentor. She¡¯d always felt fortunate to have a leader who was willing to teach and guide her. Olivia truly appreciated their relationship and wasn¡¯t prepared to lose it.


    Grace Li waited for a moment and knocked again, "Olivia, come on out."


    Olivia opened the door. Her eyes were red, and her makeup had smudged a bit, making her look like a sad puppy.


    Grace Li gently pushed a strand of hair from her face, "Why are you crying? Your makeup¡¯s all smudged."


    Olivia looked at Grace Li, her voice shaky, "Boss, is what you said really true?"


    "It¡¯s true. But I¡¯ll still be around in New York. We might not be colleagues anymore, but we can still stay friends. We can always grab dinner together," Grace Li said warmly.


    Olivia felt a little guilty. She didn¡¯t want to seem like she was holding Grace Li back, but she couldn¡¯t help feeling devastated by the idea of losing such a great mentor.


    Olivia nodded, "Okay."


    Grace Li¡¯s eyes welled up a little too. She was touched by Olivia¡¯s reaction and felt just as reluctant to leave. But sometimes, even the best things have to come to an end.


    "We¡¯ll go get Japanese food later, and we¡¯ll have all the sashimi you want," Grace Li said, trying to cheer her up.


    Olivia sniffed and managed a small smile, "Okay."


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    Normally, during team dinners, everyone would chat endlessly, and even while waiting for the food, they¡¯d play games. But tonight, the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet.


    Even Ryan, who usually couldn¡¯t stop talking, was silent.


    Grace Li had reserved a private room. Everyone sat around a long table. After sitting down, Grace Li glanced at the menu for a moment. Noticing that no one was making a move, she said, ¡°Order whatever you want, guys.¡±


    Aiden Thompson picked up another menu and handed it to Ryan, ¡°So polite today?¡±


    Ryan grabbed the menu, ¡°Oh please, I¡¯m not being polite. Watch out, boss. I¡¯m going to make sure we order $500 worth of food per person.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡±


    Olivia laughed, ¡°Ryan, you really have no shame!¡±


    ¡°Well, this is the last time the boss is treating us. We¡¯ve gotta go all out!¡± Ryan joked.


    When he mentioned ¡°the last time,¡± the table fell silent. Everyone felt the weight of the moment. The team had always been close¡ªgoing on business trips, working together on projects, and having a great time as a group. Grace Li had always been a warm and thoughtful leader, and now that she was leaving, everyone felt a bit down.


    Aiden Thompson spoke up, ¡°Guys, just order what you want. This dinner¡¯s on Grace Li and me.¡±


    Ryan gave him a puzzled look, ¡°Wait, Aiden, why are you and the boss splitting the bill?¡±


    Aiden Thompson casually replied, ¡°Because today¡¯s my last day at Nova Capital too.¡±


    The table fell silent again. Ryan nearly dropped the menu. ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re quitting too? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Aiden Thompson simply nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Peter, still confused, asked, ¡°Why? Nova Capital is a great place. We¡¯ve had a blast working together. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Aiden Thompson shrugged, ¡°Grace Li and I have some new plans lined up.¡±


    Ryan, picking up on the unexpected twist, asked, ¡°Aiden, why are you and the boss the only ones with these new plans? What¡¯s really going on?¡±


    Aiden Thompson glanced at Grace Li. For the first time, he looked at her openly with affection. ¡°Is it okay if I tell them?¡±


    Grace Li met his gaze and smiled. ¡°Okay, what¡¯s up?¡±


    Ryan suddenly jumped out of his seat, raising his hand. ¡°Hold up, I can¡¯t take it anymore! I have to spill the beans!¡±


    Olivia, startled by Ryan¡¯s outburst, said, ¡°Ryan, are you okay?¡±


    Ryan stood up, his face flushed with excitement. ¡°Yes, I am! I¡¯ve been holding onto this secret for 156 days! It¡¯s time to let it out!¡±


    Olivia looked at him, ¡°What secret? Just say it already!¡±


    Ryan pointed at Aiden Thompson and Grace Li, his finger trembling slightly. ¡°Them! They¡­¡±


    Grace Li¡¯s ears turned red. Aiden Thompson looked at her, then slowly smiled, finding Ryan¡¯s antics a bit much. ¡°Well, go on.¡±


    Ryan blurted out, ¡°They¡¯re together!¡±


    Aiden Thompson''s forehead twitched, realizing that Ryan was being a bit dramatic. He shot Ryan a look, his tone annoyed but calm, ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s not how you say it.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you call it?¡± Ryan shot back.


    Aiden Thompson sighed, ¡°We¡¯re dating. It¡¯s that simple.¡±


    Everyone stared at them, shocked. Grace Li, feeling a little shy under their curious gazes, smiled sheepishly. ¡°Sorry, guys. We didn¡¯t mean to keep it a secret for so long.¡±


    Mike, who had known Grace Li was leaving but had no idea about her and Aiden Thompson, was equally stunned. ¡°So, you two¡­ are a couple?¡±


    Aiden Thompson nodded confidently. ¡°Yeah, Grace Li and I are dating. We¡¯ve been together since the end of last year.¡±


    Another wave of shock swept through the table. Ava, who had been flirting with Aiden Thompson, felt a rush of embarrassment. She had thought there was a chance, since he wasn''t married, but now she realized how wrong she had been.


    Grace Li quickly added, ¡°We just didn¡¯t want to make things awkward at work, so we kept it quiet while we were colleagues.¡±


    Olivia, still processing the news, asked, ¡°But why does Ryan know?¡±


    Ryan, puffing out his chest, casually draped an arm around Aiden Thompson. ¡°Aiden¡¯s my bro. Of course I knew.¡±


    Aiden Thompson shrugged him off. ¡°He figured it out by accident. We weren¡¯t exactly broadcasting it.¡±


    Ryan grinned, ¡°Yeah, I figured it out. You two were all lovey-dovey on our business trips. I was basically the third wheel!¡±


    Olivia nodded, recalling how Aiden Thompson had often mentioned his girlfriend at work. ¡°So, the girlfriend Aiden was always talking about was actually the boss. Wow, we totally missed that.¡±


    Ryan laughed, ¡°No kidding. All the PDA, and I had no clue.¡±


    Grace Li cleared her throat, ¡°Okay, enough about that. Let¡¯s focus on the food. You guys haven¡¯t even ordered yet. What are you in the mood for?¡±


    After this revelation, the mood lightened, and everyone eagerly started chatting about the menu.


    Once the orders were placed, Olivia turned to Grace Li. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s next for you and Aiden?¡±


    Grace Li took a sip of her genmaicha tea. ¡°We¡¯re going to start our own business. It¡¯s a big step, but we¡¯re excited for the challenge.¡±


    Olivia nodded. ¡°You two are so talented. I know you¡¯ll do great.¡±


    Ryan added, ¡°I was thinking, when you both quit, I thought you were running off to elope or something. Starting a business sounds way more exciting.¡±


    Mike grinned. ¡°If you two get married, you¡¯ve gotta invite us to the wedding. We¡¯ll definitely be there.¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled. ¡°Of course. You guys are like family to us.¡±


    Ryan raised his hand. ¡°Count me in as the best man! I¡¯ll make sure your wedding is unforgettable.¡±


    Olivia joined in, ¡°And I¡¯ll be one of the bridesmaids. I¡¯ll definitely give the groomsmen a run for their money.¡±


    Grace Li laughed, enjoying their banter. She let them dream about the wedding, imagining all the fun and chaos that would come with it.


    The dishes started arriving¡ªsashimi, sushi, yakitori, and ramen. The table was soon filled with the delicious aromas of Japanese food.


    Throughout the meal, conversation flowed easily, with everyone laughing and sharing stories. It was a bittersweet moment¡ªfilled with both the sadness of saying goodbye and the joy of good company.


    The dinner lasted until 9 p.m. As they said their goodbyes at the restaurant entrance, Olivia stepped forward and gave Grace Li a tight hug. Her eyes were glistening with tears. ¡°Boss, thank you for everything. You¡¯ve been an amazing mentor and friend these past two years.¡±


    Grace Li hugged her back, patting her gently on the back. ¡°It¡¯s been a two-way street. You¡¯ve grown so much, and I¡¯m really proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Wish you all the success in your new venture.¡±


    ¡°Same to you, Olivia. Keep in touch.¡±


    Ryan, seeing the hug, opened his arms wide, ready to embrace Grace Li. But Aiden Thompson grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. Ryan protested, ¡°Aiden, come on! What¡¯s wrong with a simple goodbye hug?¡±


    Aiden Thompson glared at him. ¡°Not happening. Keep your hands to yourself.¡±


    Ryan, still with his arms outstretched, turned to Aiden Thompson. ¡°Fine, then you give me a hug.¡±


    Aiden Thompson made a face. ¡°No way. You¡¯re pushing it, Ryan.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re such a buzzkill,¡± Ryan muttered.


    Everyone chuckled at their antics.


    Grace Li looked around at the group. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. We should all head home. Let¡¯s make sure to stay in touch and hang out again soon.¡±


    ¡°Definitely. We¡¯ll miss you guys,¡± someone called out.


    Aiden Thompson took Grace Li¡¯s hand in his. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll be off then. Take care, everyone.¡±


    ¡°Good night!¡± came the chorus of replies.


    As Aiden Thompson and Grace Li walked toward the parking lot, Grace Li turned back and waved. Everyone watched them go.


    Olivia, watching their retreating figures, sighed. ¡°They¡¯re really perfect for each other. I¡¯m so happy for them.¡±


    Ava, who had been quiet for most of the evening, finally spoke up. ¡°There are plenty of great people out there. Just because they¡¯re a couple doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re the only ones.¡±


    Olivia shot her a look, sensing the bitterness in her tone. ¡°True, but you can¡¯t deny the chemistry between them. Aiden is head over heels for the boss.¡±


    Ava didn¡¯t respond. She just watched as the couple disappeared into the night, then turned and walked away, lost in her own thoughts.

 Chapter 80

    Grace Li returned to her apartment, still feeling a bit disoriented.


    Had she really just said goodbye to Nova Capital, the office building in Midtown Manhattan where she had spent six years, a place filled with so many memories? There were the high moments of passionately discussing big projects in the conference room, and the low points of facing tough challenges and office politics. But no matter what, that chapter had been a key part of her life.


    She looked at the personal items she had brought back from her office, packed in a cardboard box. Inside was her custom-made mug with her favorite Marvel superhero design, a special souvenir from a comic con; her leather-bound notebook, filled with everything from project notes to random flashes of inspiration; and a few small sculptures she had picked up at MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, souvenirs from her trips to exhibitions¡ªeach one a reminder of her love for art.


    She had really left Nova Capital, decisively. Although it no longer fit her career plans, she still had a lot of sentimental attachment.


    As these thoughts ran through her mind, her heart felt unexpectedly heavy.


    Aiden Thompson sat beside her, pulling her close, his voice full of concern. ¡°Hey, babe, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Grace Li looked up at him, speaking softly. ¡°Just feeling a bit nostalgic, you know?¡±


    ¡°Missing the old days?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a little. But I¡¯ll bounce back. I always do. Remember when I graduated from junior high, high school, and college? I was a mess for weeks.¡±


    Aiden chuckled softly, pulling her even closer. ¡°That just means you¡¯ve got a big heart, babe.¡±


    Grace Li snuggled into his embrace. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I was a latchkey kid for a few years when I was younger. When I first started to understand things, my parents had to work long hours. They were gone for an entire year. Every time they left, I cried my eyes out. I don¡¯t remember all the details, but I¡¯ve always been scared of goodbyes.¡±


    Aiden took her hand, his voice warm and sincere. ¡°Grace, how about we make a promise? To always stick together, no matter what. What do you say?¡±


    Grace paused. A promise like that¡ªone for a lifetime¡ªwas a serious thing, a vow that would be tested over the years.


    She wasn¡¯t sure why, but deep down, she¡¯d always felt a little uncertain about such things.


    But still, she smiled softly and replied, ¡°Sure, babe. I¡¯d love that.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement as he asked, ¡°Tomorrow, we start this amazing new journey. How are you feeling, Grace?¡±


    ¡°Excited, but a little nervous. I can¡¯t stop thinking about all the possibilities and challenges ahead.¡± Grace Li smiled. ¡°What about you, Aiden?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just hyped! Can¡¯t wait to take on the world with you by my side.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re definitely cut out to be a boss. You¡¯ve got nerves of steel.¡±


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    Aiden¡¯s eyes twinkled with a playful gleam. ¡°Also, we don¡¯t have to wake up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we looking at office spaces?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but we can take it easy for a bit first. No need to rush into things.¡±


    Grace Li lifted her head from his shoulder. ¡°And then?¡±


    ¡°To celebrate the start of our new journey, how about we kick back tonight?¡± he whispered in her ear, his lips almost grazing her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine.


    Grace didn¡¯t respond immediately. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a shower first.¡±


    Aiden Thompson immediately scooped her up in his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Grace had never showered with Aiden before. Though they were very close, this was new territory for them.


    ¡°Absolutely! C¡¯mon, it''ll be fun.¡± Aiden carried her toward the bathroom. ¡°You said we need to save money. Showering together saves water, right?¡±


    **


    Grace Li and Aiden Thompson had already planned their next steps after leaving their jobs. They decided to first find a good office space, do some light renovations, and once the location was finalized, they would begin the company registration process. Afterward, they''d focus on raising funds and scouting for high-potential projects.


    They chose a location in a tech park near an industrial area. The park housed several innovative companies and had a strong entrepreneurial vibe. It was just a 30-minute drive from Grace Li¡¯s apartment on the Upper East Side and a little over half an hour to the busy downtown business district. Although it wasn¡¯t in the heart of the city¡¯s commercial zone, the location had good transportation links and nearby amenities, making it an excellent choice for a startup.


    The office they rented wasn¡¯t huge¡ªjust over sixty square meters¡ªand it was divided into two rooms. The larger room was set up as the workspace, furnished with office desks they had carefully sourced from a second-hand market. Each desk had its own unique character, marked by years of use but giving the office a charming, vintage vibe. The smaller room was converted into a meeting space for client interactions or project discussions. They added a simple conference table and comfy chairs, creating a professional yet cozy environment.


    Once the office was coming together, Grace Li brewed two cups of rich coffee, and she and Aiden Thompson stood by the large window, admiring the view.


    From here, they could see lush greenery and a sparkling lake, with the blue sky and white clouds reflecting off each other, creating a picturesque scene. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, almost like it was playing a melody to accompany their new journey. Grace Li had quickly decided on this spot because of the breathtaking view outside the window. The balance of peace and energy made her feel inspired, as though it was telling her that anything was possible here.


    Grace Li took a sip of her coffee, feeling a rush of excitement. "You know what? At this moment, I¡¯ve got so much I wanna say."


    Aiden Thompson glanced at her, his voice soft. "Lay it on me, what¡¯s going on?"


    Grace Li stretched out her hand, jokingly serious. "Honey, check it out. This is the empire I¡¯ve built for us."


    Aiden Thompson chuckled and leaned in closer to Grace Li. "Well then, should I offer myself up as your loyal subject?"


    With that, Aiden Thompson wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.


    Grace Li nearly spilled her coffee¡ªshe had kicked this off as a playful joke, but now she was feeling a little shy. "Hey, this is the office. Keep it PG-13."


    "There¡¯s no one else here, just us."


    "You¡­"


    Aiden Thompson¡¯s kiss landed gently on her lips. Grace Li, still holding her coffee, was pressed tightly against him. Trying to keep the coffee from spilling on the freshly vacuumed carpet was a challenge, and she had to balance carefully. She thought to herself, This is a lot harder than it looks.


    When Aiden finally let go, Grace Li was still catching her breath. "You¡¯re really pushing it these days."


    Aiden Thompson smiled, his lips still slightly moist. "Can you blame me? With this view and you by my side, I¡¯m on cloud nine."


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but laugh. She hadn¡¯t expected Aiden to be so into the playful moment. She cleared her throat and shifted back into business mode. "Alright, let¡¯s get down to business."


    "What¡¯s up?"


    "Well, we¡¯ve got the place looking pretty good, but we still need office supplies. There¡¯s a stationery store nearby. Let¡¯s go stock up."


    "Okay, let¡¯s roll."

 Chapter 81

    The two of them walked out hand in hand. The tech park covered a large area, with several office supply stores scattered around. Grace Li and Aiden Thompson walked into the one closest to their building. As soon as they entered, they bumped into someone.


    Grace Li paused for a moment. She recognized him immediately¡ªit was the entrepreneur working on smart wheelchairs, the one she had met at the tech exhibition.


    It had been a few months, and she couldn¡¯t quite remember his name, but he recognized her right away. ¡°Ms. Li! What are the chances of running into you here!¡± he said.


    Tom Wilson added, ¡°Your words at the exhibition really stuck with me. They gave me a huge boost. I¡¯ve been thinking about them a lot.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, ¡°I meant every word.¡±


    She had also passed his contact info to James Shun from the neighboring team, though she wasn''t sure if anything had come of it. ¡°By the way, I passed your info to my colleague. How did things go with him?¡±


    Tom Wilson smiled sheepishly, ¡°I had a chat with your Mr. Shun. He asked for a business plan, and I sent it over. But then... nothing. Guess our project just wasn¡¯t his thing.¡±


    Grace Li had been pretty optimistic about the project at the time. She hadn¡¯t expected James Shun to lose interest. ¡°So, where''s your company at now?¡±


    Tom Wilson sighed, ¡°Still grinding away, trying to drum up investment.¡±


    Grace Li felt a little sorry for him. She was glad he hadn¡¯t found an investor yet, though, since she was also on the lookout for promising projects.


    Grace Li said, ¡°Well, I¡¯ve struck out on my own and started a company. I¡¯m on the hunt for promising projects. If you¡¯re game, I¡¯d love to dig deeper into your company.¡±


    Tom Wilson¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Absolutely! That would be awesome.¡±


    They had been talking for a while when Aiden Thompson cut in, ¡°We¡¯ve been chatting away, but I still don¡¯t know your name, man.¡±


    Tom Wilson looked at Aiden, ¡°I¡¯m Tom Wilson. Here, let me give you my card.¡±


    Grace Li looked at the card and finally remembered his name.


    Aiden Thompson took the card. ¡°Sorry, my cards aren¡¯t ready yet. I¡¯m Thompson, Grace Li¡¯s boyfriend and business partner.¡±


    Tom Wilson looked at the two of them, a bit surprised to learn they were a couple. ¡°No kidding! Nice to meet you, Mr. Thompson.¡±


    Grace Li asked, ¡°By the way, Tom, what brings you to this neck of the woods?¡±


    ¡°My company¡¯s just around the corner.¡±


    ¡°What a small world! Our company¡¯s also in this science park. We¡¯ve been knee-deep in setting up the office these days.¡±


    ¡°Which building are you in?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in Building A8.¡±


    Tom Wilson smiled, ¡°We¡¯re in Building A3. Practically neighbors!¡±


    ¡°Then if you¡¯re free later, we¡¯ll swing by your place.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing! Anytime.¡±


    Grace Li was very interested in Tom Wilson¡¯s company. The next day, she and Aiden Thompson visited it.


    The distance between the two companies was only a five-minute walk.


    Tom Wilson¡¯s company was on the sixth floor. As soon as they entered, they noticed all the employees were working in wheelchairs. Even when going to the water cooler, they used their wheelchairs to move around.


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    Just as Tom had said before, their smart wheelchairs allowed precise small-range movement. If someone wanted to go to the water cooler, the wheelchair would automatically take them there.


    Tom Wilson smiled, ¡°This is all part of the product testing. We¡¯re all using the wheelchairs we developed, myself included.¡±


    To outsiders, it might seem unusual, but Grace Li really admired this approach. ¡°You¡¯ve really got the right idea. Trying it yourself is the best way to understand how to improve the product. That¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I thought. Anyway, shall we head to the conference room and grab a cup of joe?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    They entered the conference room, and Tom Wilson asked one of the employees to make coffee for them. He was a little shy, ¡°Ms. Li, I really appreciate you coming. To be honest, I¡¯m a tech guy through and through. Financing is a whole new ballgame for me, so I haven¡¯t really prepped a ton of materials. Just ask away if you¡¯ve got any questions.¡±


    Grace Li didn¡¯t mind that Tom wasn¡¯t well-versed in finance. When she was working as a financial advisor, she often met entrepreneurs who didn¡¯t know much about finances. That¡¯s why financial advisors existed. As for Tom, he was sincere and approachable. She was here to get a basic understanding, ¡°How about you give us the low-down on the company first?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Tom Wilson clasped his hands on the table and began, ¡°Our company specializes in R&D, production, and sales of human-assisted devices. Right now, we have a total of 27 employees. Nine of us are in this office in the science park, including me. Our factory was up and running this May, and we have 18 people there handling assembly and packaging. We outsource some of the parts.¡±


    While Tom Wilson spoke, Aiden Thompson typed notes on his laptop. Then he asked, ¡°What are your main sources of orders right now?¡±


    Tom Wilson said, ¡°At the moment, we¡¯re doing OEM for a few domestic medical device companies. They¡¯re keeping the lights on.¡±


    Aiden Thompson followed up, ¡°What¡¯s the order volume like? Is it pretty steady?¡±


    ¡°The order volume¡¯s around 6,000¨C7,000 units per month, with a value of about $900,000.¡±


    Grace Li was curious, ¡°Your wheelchairs are high-tech. Why is the average unit price so low?¡±


    Tom Wilson explained, ¡°The OEM orders aren¡¯t for the model I¡¯m focusing on now. The companies that requested OEM wanted my first-generation electric wheelchairs. They¡¯re not as advanced, so the price is lower.¡±


    Grace Li asked again, ¡°What¡¯s the price tag on the wheelchair you¡¯re currently developing?¡±


    ¡°The ex-factory price for a fully-loaded configuration is around $6,000.¡±


    With a price of $6,000, considering other costs, the retail price would likely be close to $10,000. This price was relatively high for typical American families.


    Tom Wilson added, ¡°I¡¯m always brainstorming ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.¡±


    After some more questions, they moved on to visit Tom Wilson¡¯s factory. The factory had 18 employees, with a manager in charge. There were two people in the warehouse handling incoming and outgoing shipments. With only two assembly lines, many auxiliary tools were used to help the workers easily assemble the wheelchairs.


    Because of her previous work, Grace Li had visited many factories, including high-tech ones. But this assembly line was clearly special.


    Tom Wilson explained that he had designed and customized the assembly line himself, which helped speed up production and reduce labor costs.


    Grace Li was once again impressed by his innovation, ¡°Did you take out a loan to build the factory?¡±


    Tom Wilson nodded, ¡°Yeah, I have several patents, so I managed to secure a loan from the bank.¡±


    Grace Li asked directly, ¡°How much was the loan?¡±


    ¡°$8 million.¡±


    ¡°Then how much have you paid back so far?¡±


    ¡°Only one-third.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Li, watch your step,¡± Tom Wilson reminded kindly.


    Grace Li hadn¡¯t noticed a wooden box filled with metal parts in front of her feet. She looked up and saw Tom turning to one of the workers.


    ¡°Hey, buddy, clean up these parts and store them properly. We don¡¯t want anyone getting hurt, right?¡±


    The worker scratched his head, ¡°You got it, boss.¡±


    While Aiden Thompson was taking pictures of the factory, he overheard their conversation and glanced back at Tom Wilson.


    The factory wasn¡¯t large, and half of it was a warehouse. As they walked around and came out, they ran into someone¡ªa bit overweight, with a beer belly. The person smiled when he saw them, ¡°Tom, are these the investors you¡¯ve been waiting for?¡±


    Tom Wilson replied, ¡°Yes. Let me introduce you. This is Ms. Li and Mr. Thompson from Chenyu Capital.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Li, Mr. Thompson, this is Jack Brown. He handles all business-related matters for us.¡±


    They shook hands, and Jack Brown said warmly, ¡°I was out hustling for business today and got back late. It¡¯s dinner time. How about I take you two out for a nice meal? My treat!¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled, ¡°Appreciate the offer, but we¡¯ve already got plans. Maybe next time.¡±


    ¡°No problem. There will be plenty of opportunities if we end up working together. Looking forward to it.¡±


    Jack Brown and Tom Wilson were quite different. Jack Brown had a strong business presence, clearly skilled in handling business, while Tom Wilson was more focused on the tech side.


    The two of them complemented each other well. Grace Li and Aiden Thompson exchanged a glance, both thinking this could be a very interesting project to invest in. Tom¡¯s innovative tech and Jack¡¯s business savvy might just be the perfect mix they were looking for.

 Chapter 82

    They were meeting with Anthony Miller today.


    The last time Grace Li had seen Anthony Miller was during her car accident. Aiden Thompson and Anthony happened to be passing by, and they only got a quick introduction¡ªso quick, they didn¡¯t even get a chance to exchange contact info.


    It wasn¡¯t until later that Grace realized the "loaded but kinda clueless" friend Aiden had mentioned before was actually him.


    Now that their firm, Verve Capital, was up and running, they were in urgent need of bringing in limited partners (LPs). And Anthony Miller was at the top of their target list. So Aiden figured it was the perfect time to introduce Grace and get on Anthony¡¯s good side.


    Aiden was behind the wheel of his sleek Tesla Model S, Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift playing in the background. Grace sat in the passenger seat, still mulling over Tom Wilson¡¯s project.


    "Aiden, what''s your take on Mr. Wilson''s intelligent wheelchair project?" she asked.


    "The project''s got some real promise, but the guy... I don¡¯t know, something about him rubs me the wrong way."


    Did Aiden pick up on something? Grace raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Wilson seems like a really stand-up guy. Why do you feel that way?"


    "Because my girlfriend thinks he''s awesome."


    Grace burst out laughing. "Oh, come on! You¡¯re totally being a jealous boyfriend right now, aren¡¯t you?"


    Aiden let out a dramatic sigh. "Yeah, I know. I¡¯m the jealous boyfriend. Sue me."


    The truth was, Aiden just didn¡¯t like the way Tom Wilson looked at Grace. There was a certain spark in his eyes¡ªthe kind that slipped out when someone had a thing for someone else. Even from a purely professional standpoint, Aiden couldn¡¯t help but be a little hostile toward the guy.


    Grace, thinking he was just messing around, nodded seriously. "Well, no matter how great he is, he doesn¡¯t even come close to you, Aiden."


    Aiden¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile, and he reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.


    Anthony Miller had arrived early. The moment he spotted Grace Li, he lit up like he was greeting an old friend. Spreading his arms wide, he strode toward her with a big grin.


    "Ms. Li, hey! Long time no see! You remember me, right?"


    Grace smiled. "Of course! Last time was so rushed¡ªwe didn¡¯t even get a chance to talk properly."


    Anthony Miller grinned and clapped Aiden Thompson on the shoulder. ¡°You know my last name¡¯s Miller, right? So, I bet Aiden¡¯s told you all about our wild high school days.¡±


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    Grace Li smiled politely. ¡°Yeah, Aiden said you¡¯re one of his closest friends. He always speaks about you with a lot of fondness.¡±


    Hearing that, Anthony puffed up like a proud peacock. ¡°Damn right! Aiden and I go way back. We were practically brothers in high school. Man, those were the days.¡±


    Grace chuckled. ¡°Oh? Sounds like there are some good stories.¡±


    Anthony¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, you have no idea! Back in high school, there was this rich kid¡ªthought he owned the place. Always picking on the underclassmen, acting like he ran the school. We weren¡¯t about to let that slide.¡±


    ¡°So what did you do?¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say we put him in his place. But the guy had connections¡ªhe got a few of his jock buddies to try and rough us up. Can you believe that?¡±


    ¡°There were three of us, and six of them. It was like a scene from a movie. But Aiden¡ªman, he was a total beast! Took on three guys by himself. I was just standing there like, ¡®Holy crap, this dude¡¯s a legend.¡¯¡±


    Aiden rolled his eyes. ¡°Dude, seriously? Bringing this up in front of my girlfriend? You¡¯re really pushing it.¡±


    ¡°Come on, these were our glory days! I tell this story to everyone I know.¡±


    Grace leaned in, clearly entertained. ¡°So, what happened next? Did you guys win?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Aiden led the charge, and those guys ran off with their tails between their legs.¡±


    Grace was intrigued. She¡¯d gone to a pretty strict, competitive high school where fights were rare. It was hard to imagine Aiden¡ªwho always seemed so refined¡ªhaving this kind of rebellious past.


    ¡°Did the school punish you guys?¡± she asked.


    Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Anthony, enough. You¡¯re making it sound worse than it was.¡±


    Grace gave Aiden her best puppy-dog eyes. ¡°Please, I really wanna know the rest.¡±


    Aiden sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later, okay?¡±


    Grace huffed. ¡°Ugh, fine. Guess I¡¯ll have to wait for the full scoop.¡±


    She watched the two friends banter and noticed how different they were. Anthony was loud and outgoing, while Aiden was more reserved. But picturing them in high school, she could see them being part of the cool crowd, full of reckless confidence.


    Anthony smirked. ¡°Oh, and did Aiden tell you? He was voted the hottest guy in school. On Valentine¡¯s Day, his desk would be covered in chocolates and love notes. It was like something straight out of a teen movie.¡±


    Grace took a sip of her drink. ¡°Dating was that common in your high school?¡±


    Anthony shrugged. ¡°Are you kidding? High school¡¯s all about figuring things out¡ªdating, hanging out, all that fun stuff. It¡¯s a rite of passage.¡±


    Grace thought back to her own strict high school, where dating was practically banned. ¡°So¡­ how many girlfriends did Aiden have?¡±


    Anthony¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Take a wild guess.¡±


    Grace squinted at him. ¡°Three?¡±


    Anthony burst out laughing. Aiden, who had been quietly listening, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why three?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ were there more?¡±


    Anthony leaned in. ¡°Oh yeah. Off the top of my head? At least six.¡±


    Grace nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Six? That¡¯s about one every six months. Pretty smooth, Mr. Thompson.¡±


    Anthony watched Grace closely. ¡°You¡¯re not even a little jealous?¡±


    Grace shrugged. ¡°Why would I be? He¡¯s charming and good-looking. It makes sense he dated around. What matters is who he is now.¡±


    Aiden reached over and squeezed her hand. ¡°See? She gets me.¡±


    Anthony groaned. ¡°Ugh, you two are laying it on thick. I¡¯m totally third-wheeling here.¡±


    Aiden smirked. ¡°You¡¯re just salty because you¡¯re single.¡±


    ¡°Am not! ¡­Okay, maybe a little. Whatever. Enough with the mushy stuff. How about some tennis after dinner? I need to show off my skills.¡±


    Grace bit her lip. ¡°I¡¯m not great at tennis. I played a couple of times at work events, but I kinda sucked.¡±


    Anthony waved a hand. ¡°No worries! Just come hang out and watch us crush it. It''ll be fun.¡±


    Grace nodded, relieved she wouldn¡¯t have to play. But secretly, she was looking forward to watching Aiden and Anthony in action.

 Chapter 83

    Just as they were about to head inside, they ran into some familiar faces¡ªDaniel Chou and his wife, Mia Wen.


    Anthony Miller¡¯s face lit up the moment he spotted them. He spread his arms wide and called out with enthusiasm, ¡°Hey, Danny! What are the odds? Fancy running into you here!¡±


    Daniel grinned, flashing his white teeth. ¡°Anthony, man! It¡¯s been forever! What brings you out to this side of town?¡±


    As they exchanged greetings, Mia¡¯s gaze landed on Aiden Thompson for a brief moment before shifting to Grace Li. Her mind started racing¡ªwho was this woman? And why was she standing so close to Aiden?


    Never one to hold back, Mia turned to Anthony with a playful smirk. ¡°Anthony, aren¡¯t you gonna introduce us to your friend?¡±


    Anthony grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. ¡°Oh, come on, it¡¯s obvious! This is Aiden¡¯s girlfriend, Grace Li.¡±


    Grace didn¡¯t react when Daniel mentioned that they had been college classmates. Once upon a time, she might have had a tiny crush on him, but those days were long gone¡ªnow, he didn¡¯t stir even the faintest ripple in her heart.


    Keeping things warm and polite, Grace offered Mia a friendly smile. ¡°You must be Mia. Wow, you look amazing! It¡¯s great to finally meet you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, hon.¡± Mia flicked back her perfectly styled waves, though there was a subtle sharpness in her tone. It was her first time meeting Grace, yet she already felt an inexplicable hostility toward her. ¡°Gotta say, I always thought Aiden had impossible standards. Turns out, he¡¯s just like the rest of us.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s lips curved into a slow, amused smirk. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. My standards aren¡¯t that high. So if I don¡¯t give someone the time of day, well¡­ there¡¯s usually a good reason for that.¡±


    Mia¡¯s eyes widened slightly, her face stiffening. She knew exactly who Aiden was referring to, but she couldn¡¯t blow up here¡ªthat would be admitting defeat.


    Grace picked up on the unspoken tension. There was definitely some history here. She glanced at Aiden, curiosity sparking in her mind¡ªwhat was his connection to Daniel¡¯s wife?


    As if sensing her silent question, Aiden casually reached for her hand, giving it a light squeeze before turning to Anthony. ¡°Grace and I are gonna head in. See you in a bit.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, guys. I¡¯ll catch up with you later.¡±


    As they walked into the tennis court, Grace couldn''t hold back any longer. She leaned in, lowering her voice. ¡°You know her, don¡¯t you? What¡¯s the story?¡±


    Aiden let out a small scoff, his expression laced with mild exasperation. ¡°One of those girls in high school who just didn¡¯t get the hint.¡±


    Grace immediately put two and two together and couldn¡¯t help but laugh. So that¡¯s what his little jab was about.


    Behind them, Mia watched their easy chemistry, her jealousy simmering. She quickly composed herself and flashed a charming smile at Anthony. ¡°Hey, since we¡¯re all here, why don¡¯t we do doubles? Could be fun!¡±


    Anthony, always up for a good time, perked up. ¡°Now that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about! Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    Originally, Anthony had been the one suggesting a tennis game, but now that Daniel and Mia were here, he suddenly felt like the odd one out. With four people, they had the perfect doubles setup, which left him with no choice but to shrug and play the referee. ¡°Guess that makes me the ref. Y¡¯all have fun!¡±


    Grace hesitated, glancing at her racket. She wasn¡¯t exactly confident in her skills. With a sheepish smile, she turned to Anthony. ¡°Mr. Miller, I think you and Aiden would make a great team. I¡¯m still figuring this whole tennis thing out, so maybe I¡¯ll just watch and cheer.¡±


    Mia¡¯s eyes gleamed, though she kept her expression sweet and innocent. ¡°Oh, come on! It¡¯s mixed doubles¡ªwe need a girl on our team. And it¡¯s all just for fun, right? No pressure!¡±


    Anthony chuckled, trying to keep things light. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s all chill. No one¡¯s keeping score.¡±


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    Aiden glanced at Grace and gave her an encouraging smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, babe. It¡¯s easy. I¡¯ll be right there with you, and I¡¯ll walk you through it.¡±


    Not wanting to ruin the mood, Grace hesitated before nodding. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give it a shot. Just¡­ don¡¯t expect too much.¡±


    Before the game started, Aiden stepped behind her and adjusted her grip on the racket, guiding her hands with ease. ¡°Like this. Keep your wrist firm, and use your shoulder to swing¡ªthat¡¯s where the power comes from.¡±


    Mia sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. ¡°Guys, seriously? How long is this gonna take? We don¡¯t have all day.¡±


    Aiden didn¡¯t even acknowledge her. Keeping his voice low and steady, he murmured to Grace, ¡°Ignore her. She just likes to make a scene. Don¡¯t let her get in your head.¡±


    Grace smirked, eyes flashing with determination. ¡°Trust me. I¡¯ve dealt with worse.¡±


    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Alright. Just stay loose and focus on the ball. If you can reach it, go for it. If not, don¡¯t sweat it¡ªI¡¯ve got you covered.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    After the serve, Grace Li gripped her racket tightly, bent her knees slightly, and locked her eyes on the net, holding the defensive stance Aiden Thompson had taught her. Her heart was pounding¡ªpart nerves, part excitement. This was her first time playing tennis in a setting like this.


    The ball zipped back and forth over the net in a rally, but strangely, it kept dodging Grace. Every time she raised her racket, ready to hit, the ball seemed to have a mind of its own and veered toward Aiden instead. Five minutes in, and she hadn''t even touched it once.


    Mia Wen had played in school tournaments before¡ªshe was a natural athlete. She and Daniel Chou moved in sync, dashing across the court and landing powerful shots that had the small crowd cheering. On the other side, Aiden was basically carrying the team.


    Grace started feeling like a liability. But every time she looked at Aiden, he gave her an encouraging glance, as if to say, "Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re doing great."


    Mia, however, didn¡¯t seem to appreciate Aiden¡¯s patience. The jealousy burning inside her only grew stronger. Spotting an opportunity, she leaped into the air, her body forming a perfect arc, and swung her racket with full force. The ball shot across the court like a missile, heading straight for Grace.


    Grace¡¯s breath caught. Instinctively, she swung her racket, but the ball was too fast. Before she could react¡ª


    Wham!


    The ball smacked her right in the forehead.


    Mia burst out laughing, her face smug. "You''ve got to be kidding me! Some people can''t even catch a ball. What a joke!"


    Daniel winced from across the net. "Grace, are you okay? That looked rough."


    Grace rubbed her forehead, blinking away the sting, and forced a smile. "I¡¯m good. Just a little stunned."


    Mia shot Daniel a glare and pinched his arm, muttering, "Mind your own business."


    Aiden rushed to Grace¡¯s side, gently cupping her face as he examined her forehead. "Hey, you okay? Let me see."


    "It¡¯s not too bad. I¡¯m okay."


    Aiden¡¯s brows furrowed, and before she could protest, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of this."


    "No way." Grace clenched her teeth, remembering Mia¡¯s smug face. Her eyes hardened with determination. "I¡¯m not letting her get away with this. I¡¯ll show her I¡¯m not some pushover."


    Aiden sighed, half amused, half impressed. "Alright, but be careful. I got your back."


    The next rally, Grace was a different person. She was laser-focused, her grip firm, her feet constantly moving. No more waiting around¡ªshe was taking charge.


    Mia, thinking she could humiliate Grace again, sent another aggressive shot her way. But this time, Grace was ready. She tracked the ball, took a deep breath, and swung hard. The ball shot across the court like lightning, landing just inside Mia¡¯s side.


    The crowd erupted in cheers.


    Mia¡¯s eyes widened. Panicked, she scrambled to return the shot but lost her footing. With a yelp, she tripped and crashed onto the court with a heavy thud.


    The crowd gasped.


    Mia groaned, clutching her scraped hands and knees, her face twisting in pain.


    Daniel rushed over, helping her up. "Mia, are you okay? Can you stand?"


    Mia¡¯s face was pale, but she still snapped, "Of course I¡¯m not okay! It hurts like hell! Why didn¡¯t you help me?"


    Daniel sighed, clearly irritated. "I was right here. You should be more careful."


    Grace watched the exchange, finally understanding just how one-sided their relationship was.


    Stepping forward, she kept her tone polite but firm. "Mia, are you alright? Need any help?"


    Mia gritted her teeth, forcing composure. "I¡¯m fine. Just a little fall. No big deal."


    "Glad to hear it." Grace dusted off her racket. "I think we¡¯ll call it a day. Take care of yourself."


    Mia was in too much pain to argue. She just waved them off. "Yeah, whatever. Go ahead."


    Later, in the car, Grace slumped in the passenger seat, massaging her sore arm. "My arm¡¯s gonna be dead tomorrow. I¡¯m so out of shape."


    Aiden chuckled. "You really need to start working out more. We both do."


    Grace shot him a skeptical look. "But you don¡¯t work out much either, do you? And yet you¡¯ve still got abs and pecs. How¡¯s that fair?"


    "I used to be a total gym rat. I hit the gym almost every day."


    Grace frowned, thinking it over. "So¡­ you stopped going after we got together?"


    "More or less."


    She raised an eyebrow. "So what you¡¯re saying is, dating me ruined your gains?"


    Aiden grinned. "Pretty much. But do you know why I stopped?"


    "Because I¡¯m a bad influence?"


    "Nah." He glanced at her, his smile turning softer. "It¡¯s because we don¡¯t get that much time alone. I didn¡¯t want to waste any of it at the gym."


    Grace¡¯s heart melted a little. "In that case¡­ let¡¯s work out together."


    Aiden smirked. "Oh? What kind of workout are we talking about?"


    Recognizing the mischief in his tone, Grace cut him off before he could go any further. "Running and actual exercise. Thanks."


    Aiden kept his eyes on the road, but the grin on his face never faded.

 Chapter 84

    Grace Li was tapping her fingers, carefully calculating her schedule. They were in the early stages of their startup, and various tasks were flooding in like a tidal wave¡ªthere was hardly any time to spare.


    ¡°Hey, you know what? How about we toss a treadmill in the office? We can talk shop while we¡¯re walking. It¡¯s like killing two birds with one stone, right?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good to me. The office is pretty spacious, and we''ve got plenty of room to spare.¡±


    When they first rented the office, they figured it could fit around twelve or thirteen people working together. Now, there was still some empty space, so it made sense to add some fitness equipment.


    After getting home, Grace dove into the internet, carefully picking out two treadmills she liked. Then, like she¡¯d struck gold, she pulled Aiden Thompson onto the couch, her eyes lighting up as she said, ¡°Check this out! Which one of these two do you think is the better pick? They both look awesome!¡±


    Aiden Thompson glanced at the pictures on her phone and shrugged indifferently. ¡°I¡¯m good with either. Just go with the one that floats your boat, babe.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m crazy about both! It¡¯s like choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream. It¡¯s torture!¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s just splurge and get both. One for each of us. Problem solved in a jiffy!¡±


    Grace playfully tapped his arm, pretending to be serious. ¡°Remember, we¡¯re trying to save money here. We can only afford one.¡±


    ¡°Let me dig a little deeper.¡± Aiden Thompson took her phone and started comparing the specs of the two treadmills. Just as he was about to give his final verdict, a new message popped up at the top of the screen. It was from Daniel Chou.


    ¡°It''s from Daniel Chou,¡± Aiden said, handing her back the phone.


    Grace instinctively glanced at him before opening the message and replying in front of him: Yes.


    Daniel Chou: ¡°Grace Li, I heard you left Nova Capital.¡±


    Aiden Thompson raised an eyebrow and looked over at her.


    Grace Li: ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Daniel Chou: ¡°That''s awesome! If you need any help, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out. I¡¯ll do whatever I can to help you.¡±


    Grace Li: ¡°Thanks.¡±


    After the conversation with Daniel Chou wrapped up, Grace Li glanced over at Aiden Thompson. He was absorbed in his own phone.


    She showed him the chat history. ¡°Wanna take a look?¡±


    Aiden Thompson casually shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not sweating it.¡±


    So Aiden Thompson didn¡¯t care at all. It seemed like Grace was just overthinking things.


    Grace Li put her phone away. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Aiden Thompson then asked, ¡°You know why I¡¯m not worried?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯ve seen his true colors. With your strength and determination, there¡¯s no way you¡¯d still have any soft spot for a guy like that. So, no need to worry.¡±


    Grace Li nodded. ¡°That¡¯s a spot-on analysis.¡±


    **


    Grace Li and Aiden Thompson had a crazy-busy schedule during the startup phase. They were always on the move, shuttling around the city, meeting clients in trendy Manhattan coffee shops, and networking at various business events. In the evenings, they¡¯d hunker down in their Brooklyn office, poring over spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations or brainstorming their next big move.


    When they were boss and employee, Aiden Thompson had already gotten a good handle on Grace Li¡¯s work style, and he¡¯d always been a huge fan. Now that they were business partners, they clicked even better. Their ideas often came together seamlessly, making them a dynamic duo.


    At first, Grace Li worried that being a couple on top of being business partners might lead to some fireworks during the startup grind. But to her surprise, they worked together as smoothly as a well-tuned symphony. Even when Aiden Thompson disagreed with her, he¡¯d always voice his opinions in a laid-back, respectful way with a bit of humor thrown in.


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    The only time they had a bit of a spat was when Grace Li had been out pounding the pavement all day in the sweltering New York summer heat. She came back to the office completely wiped out and had a heatstroke. The next day, she still wanted to meet with a potential investor she¡¯d been chasing for weeks. Aiden Thompson put his foot down, insisting that she stay home and recover. Grace Li was dead-set on going because she knew how crucial this meeting was. They had a short-lived argument, but in the end, Grace Li caved.


    That day, Aiden Thompson stayed home with her, doting on her like a pro. He whipped up some refreshing homemade smoothies, applied cold aloe vera gel to her sunburned skin, and even streamed some of her favorite Netflix shows to help her unwind.


    While scouting for new projects, Aiden Thompson and Grace Li also dedicated a ton of time and energy to Everjoy Technology. With the aging population becoming a hot-button issue in the United States, the number of elderly people was skyrocketing, and there was a growing shortage of young labor. Smart wheelchairs that could bring convenience to the elderly and those with mobility issues had huge untapped potential in the American market.


    Aiden Thompson and Grace Li conducted in-depth market research and industry analysis. They dug deep into every corner of Everjoy Technology, from its state-of-the-art R&D facilities to its streamlined production processes. After careful deliberation, they decided to invest.


    However, the funds they had raised so far, including their own two-million-dollar investment and Anthony Miller''s five-million-dollar contribution, were still light years away from the amount Grace Li wanted to invest.


    Her plan was to catapult Everjoy''s smart wheelchair into a household name not only in the United States but globally. To build a brand of such magnitude, a boatload of capital was needed for high-profile marketing campaigns, continuous R&D upgrades, and aggressive expansion of production capacity.


    So, their next focus would be on raising the necessary funds for Everjoy Technology.


    During her years at Nova Capital, Grace Li had built up an extensive network within the industry. She¡¯d also invested in numerous companies, some of which had blossomed into successful enterprises, now invaluable resources for her.


    There was a major venture-capital conference happening in New York today, and Grace Li and Aiden Thompson decided to attend. Many familiar faces were present, including reps from Grace Li''s former employer, Nova Capital.


    At the entrance check-in area, Grace Li bumped into James Shun.


    James Shun greeted her with a megawatt smile. ¡°Grace Li, long time no see! How¡¯s life treating you? Still living the dream?¡±


    Grace Li returned the smile. ¡°Long time no see. I''m doing great, thanks. Just chasing after new opportunities. How about you?¡±


    Although James Shun was from a different team, they had interacted quite a bit as colleagues. He was pretty shocked when Grace Li left Nova Capital. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be at Nova Capital for the long haul. One day, you were there, and the next, poof! You were gone! What a mind-blower!¡±


    Grace Li smiled faintly. ¡°I had some new adventures on my mind, so I had to spread my wings.¡±


    James Shun¡¯s eyes flicked to Aiden Thompson. ¡°I bet those adventures have something to do with Aiden, right? Let me tell you, after you two left, the office was like a rumor mill. Everyone was gossiping about you guys.¡±


    Grace Li had already heard from Olivia and the others that the reaction among their former colleagues had been off the charts, especially from the young girls who had a major crush on Aiden Thompson.


    There were all sorts of wild rumors. Some said Grace Li had pulled some strings to get Aiden Thompson to date her. Others speculated that Aiden Thompson had unresolved mommy issues and was drawn to older women like a moth to a flame.


    After chatting with James Shun for a bit, Grace Li and Aiden Thompson made their way to their seats. Since the event was full of industry bigwigs, the odds of running into more familiar faces were pretty high.


    Olivia spotted Grace Li and her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. She rushed over, practically bouncing with excitement. ¡°Boss! Aiden! Oh my gosh, I was just thinking about how awesome it would be if we ran into you two today. And here you are! This is the best thing ever!¡±


    Grace Li asked, ¡°Are you here solo?¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Olivia replied with a grin.


    Mike also walked over, giving them a friendly wave. ¡°Hey, guys! Fancy seeing you here.¡±


    Grace Li looked at Mike and noticed that Scarlet Harris was right beside him. They had come together.


    Olivia said, ¡°The others had some urgent gigs today, so just the three of us made it.¡±


    Scarlet Harris took a quick glance at Aiden Thompson and Grace Li. A flash of something like annoyance or disappointment crossed her face. She turned to Mike and Olivia. ¡°Guys, let¡¯s find our seats. The event¡¯s about to kick off.¡±


    Olivia sensed that Scarlet Harris was in a funk. As she walked away, she turned back and mouthed, ¡°Let¡¯s grab some grub later.¡±


    Grace Li nodded and gave her a thumbs-up.


    Today''s venture-capital conference mainly featured several industry bigwigs sharing their latest technological breakthroughs and investment insights. There were also representatives from the venture-capital industry giving keynote speeches.


    Surprisingly, the representative from the venture-capital industry turned out to be Daniel Chou.


    While Daniel Chou was giving his speech, Grace Li looked down at her phone for a moment. At the same time, Aiden Thompson''s phone started vibrating. He took it out and saw that the caller ID was ¡°Vera Thompson.¡±


    It was his sister.


    Aiden Thompson declined the call and instead sent a text message.


    Aiden Thompson: I¡¯m at the conference. Can¡¯t talk now. What¡¯s up?


    Vera Thompson: I¡¯m in New York. Let¡¯s catch up.


    Aiden Thompson: When?


    Vera Thompson: How about dinner? You free?


    Aiden Thompson: Sure.


    Vera Thompson: I¡¯m not familiar with the joints here. You pick a place and send me the deets. I¡¯ll head over.


    Aiden Thompson: Okay.


    After the conversation, Aiden Thompson leaned over and whispered in Grace Li¡¯s ear, ¡°I have a dinner thing tonight. After the conference, you can drive back first.¡±


    Grace Li showed him her phone, indicating the chat with Olivia. ¡°Olivia asked me to dinner.¡±


    Aiden Thompson nodded. ¡°Alright. Have fun, and text me when you get home.¡±

 Chapter 85

    After dinner, Vera Thompson had to head back to Los Angeles, so she left early.


    Aiden Thompson checked the time¡ªit was only 8 PM. He sent Grace Li a message.


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Grace, are you home yet?¡±


    Grace Li: ¡°I¡¯m still out with Olivia. We haven¡¯t eaten yet.¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Why so late?¡±


    Grace Li: ¡°We¡¯re in the mood for hot pot, so we picked this super popular place. We¡¯ve been waiting for an hour, just sat down and ordered. You should come join us later!¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Where are you?¡±


    Grace Li sent him the address, and Aiden Thompson saw the hot pot place wasn¡¯t far from him.


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°I¡¯ll come meet you guys.¡±


    Grace Li: ¡°I¡¯ll order more food then.¡±


    Aiden Thompson: ¡°Nah, I¡¯ve already eaten.¡±


    When Aiden Thompson arrived, Grace Li and Olivia had just started eating.


    ¡°Aiden!¡± Olivia quickly corrected herself, ¡°Wait, Mr.Thompson, you can order whatever you want, this meal¡¯s on me!¡±


    Aiden Thompson sat down next to Grace Li. ¡°I¡¯ve already eaten.¡±


    Olivia said, ¡°Well, you¡¯ve gotta at least eat something, or else people will think we¡¯re not feeding you. In the U.S., you can¡¯t let employees think their boss is slacking off¡ªHR complaints are just around the corner!¡±


    Grace Li replied, ¡°If anyone¡¯s slacking off, it¡¯s him slacking off. He¡¯s been the one cooking lately.¡±


    Olivia looked at her, wide-eyed. ¡°Really? Thompson can cook?¡±


    Aiden Thompson shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s just cooking, not that big a deal.¡±


    Olivia called him out, ¡°But last year, when we had the team BBQ, you had no clue how much seasoning to put on the meat.¡±


    Grace Li couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud, remembering the incident.


    Aiden Thompson glanced at Grace Li and teasingly asked, ¡°Is that true?¡±


    Grace Li nodded, ¡°Yep, Mike was grilling, and he asked you to help with the seasoning. You ended up dumping a huge handful, and Mike¡¯s face went pale.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Mike had to slather a ton of ketchup on it to save it. That¡¯s when it didn¡¯t taste so bad,¡± Grace Li added with a grin.


    After laughing, Grace Li quickly defended Aiden Thompson, ¡°But he¡¯s actually a great cook now. It¡¯s like he¡¯s a pro chef.¡±


    Olivia raised her eyebrows. ¡°Now you¡¯ve got me curious. When can I come over to try it?¡±


    ¡°Anytime,¡± Grace Li said with a smile.


    It had been three months since Grace Li left Nova Capital. They had been so busy during this time that she hadn¡¯t had much time to catch up with old colleagues.


    She said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you invite the rest of the team too?¡±


    At the mention of the team, Olivia¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Boss, our team¡¯s not the same anymore.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°George left last month.¡±


    Grace Li hadn¡¯t heard the news, but she wasn¡¯t too surprised. ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Olivia bit her lip, her eyes reflecting some sadness. ¡°I feel like after you left, the team vibe really changed. Even though Mike¡¯s a good leader, he¡¯s always taking orders from Scarlet. It¡¯s like she¡¯s the real boss. She¡¯s always adding extra work and making assignments in a totally unfair way. We¡¯ve brought it up a few times, but she doesn¡¯t care. When things go wrong, it¡¯s always our fault, and she¡¯s never held accountable. It¡¯s been so frustrating lately, I¡¯m thinking of quitting at the end of the month. I just can¡¯t take it anymore.¡±


    This was something Grace Li had expected. They had pushed Mike into the leadership role simply because he was easier to manage. As the Investment Director, Mike didn¡¯t really run things; he was still under Scarlet Harris''s thumb.


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    Scarlet Harris didn¡¯t have much experience, and she was struggling to manage the team or keep track of projects.


    ¡°What are you planning to do after you leave?¡± Grace Li asked.


    Olivia shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ll take a break first, then start looking for a new job.¡±


    Grace Li said, ¡°Actually, Aiden and I¡¯s company is just the two of us right now. We¡¯re planning to hire a couple of people by the end of the year to help out. But since we¡¯re still getting started, I¡¯m worried no one will want to join.¡±


    Olivia¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°Do you think I could be one of them?¡±


    ¡°If you''re down, we''d be happy to have you.¡± Grace Li had been very frugal with Aiden Thompson these days, so she knew how tough their situation was. Hiring someone meant they would all be in for the grind. ¡°But just so you know, we¡¯re still tight on funds. The salary might not be as much as at Nova Capital, and it¡¯s gonna be tough. The only promise I can make is that if the projects succeed and we exit, there¡¯ll be a share for everyone.¡±


    Olivia shrugged. ¡°No worries, salary¡¯s not a big deal for me. I¡¯ve got a few properties in New York, so I¡¯m pretty comfortable. I don¡¯t need to support my parents either.¡±


    Aiden Thompson chimed in with a grin, ¡°You sure know how to brag without even trying.¡±


    Olivia laughed. ¡°But it¡¯s the truth!¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°If you''re game, we''d be happy to have you.¡±


    Olivia¡¯s face lit up, and she picked up her glass. ¡°Bosses, please take care of me from now on.¡±


    Aiden Thompson and Grace Li clinked their glasses with hers.


    One of the projects Grace Li had invested in was a self-heating food company that had become quite successful. The founder, Matthew White, trusted her immensely and had kept in touch with her over the years. Whenever he made major decisions, he would always consult her first.


    This time, Grace Li had scheduled a meeting with him at his company.


    Matthew took them on a tour of the factory, wanting to show off the scale of things now. ¡°You remember last year when I asked if we should expand into pre-made meals or other quick foods, right? You said pre-made meals had more potential, though with more risk. Well, look around¡ªthis whole area¡¯s now all pre-made food production. We¡¯re launching in June, and the orders are coming in faster than we can handle. We¡¯re short on staff big time.¡±


    Grace Li smiled, glad to hear how well his business was doing. ¡°That¡¯s great to hear.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame you¡¯re not at Nova Capital anymore.¡±


    Grace Li chuckled. ¡°I may have left Nova Capital, but we can still keep working together, right?¡±


    Matthew laughed heartily. ¡°Working with you, I¡¯m never worried. How about we grab a seat in the lounge and have a chat? I¡¯ll brew some coffee.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    Matthew led them to the lounge, which was inside the office building. Even though they were surrounded by industrial zones, the lounge was done up in a minimalist American style¡ªcozy and relaxing, the quietest corner in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.


    Matthew brewed the coffee himself, doing it with a smooth, practiced hand. As he worked, he said, ¡°Grace Li, honestly, I¡¯m not surprised you went into business for yourself. I¡¯ve always admired your vision and skills.¡±


    Grace Li modestly replied, ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Matthew.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be modest,¡± he said, grinning. ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for years. If I didn¡¯t trust you, I wouldn¡¯t be asking for your opinion on every decision I make.¡±


    He set the coffee in front of Grace Li and handed a cup to Aiden Thompson.


    Matthew took a good look at Aiden Thompson. When Grace Li had first introduced him, she mentioned he was her partner, but the guy looked pretty young. ¡°Your partner¡¯s pretty young, huh? I get that youth brings energy, but in the investment world, experience is still what counts. Can you tell me what makes him stand out?¡±


    Aiden Thompson answered politely, ¡°I graduated with an MBA from Oxford, and during my time there, I participated in multiple investment projects, gaining hands-on experience. I also have a sharp sense of market trends and unique insights into investment strategies.¡±


    Grace Li added, ¡°Mr. Thompson is also my partner. Though he¡¯s young, he¡¯s really impressive in terms of his professional abilities and innovative thinking. Honestly, there are times I feel like I¡¯m not keeping up with him.¡±


    Matthew was surprised to learn about their relationship. ¡°Wow, you two are more than just business partners. These days, young folks have it all¡ªgood looks and great skills. Us older guys are struggling to keep up with the times!¡±


    Aiden Thompson smiled faintly. ¡°You¡¯re just saying that, Matthew.¡±


    Matthew topped off their coffee. ¡°Grace Li, about that smart wheelchair project you sent me. Could you walk me through it?¡±


    Grace Li pulled out a folder from her bag and handed it to Matthew. ¡°Here¡¯s the info I prepared. It¡¯s hard to present a full PPT here, so I printed everything out.¡±


    Matthew took the materials, looking satisfied. ¡°You¡¯re always so thorough with your work.¡±


    Grace Li then pulled out a printed version of the PPT and began explaining. ¡°We all know that elderly people and those with limited mobility face challenges with getting around. This smart wheelchair is designed to address these issues. While there are some products on the market already, their market share is still relatively small compared to regular wheelchairs. The limitations of regular wheelchairs are obvious¡ªthey require assistance. In a world where the aging population is growing, more and more elderly people need help, but younger generations are busier than ever, and don¡¯t have the time to help. So having a smart wheelchair could really save them the trouble of needing constant help from others¡­¡±


    Grace Li gave a concise presentation, taking about half an hour, and then answered Matthew¡¯s questions.


    ¡°The production costs for this smart wheelchair aren¡¯t low, and the price isn¡¯t exactly competitive. A lot of regular families couldn¡¯t afford it.¡±


    Grace Li nodded. ¡°We did a lot of market research on that. According to the results, 95% of people with mobility issues want a smart wheelchair to avoid relying on others for assistance. The reason many people still use regular wheelchairs is that 40% are concerned about the cost, and 60% think that most smart wheelchairs on the market are overhyped, offering little actual value. They think it¡¯s a waste of money. But our wheelchair from Hengyue Technology offers a more practical and user-friendly experience¡­¡±


    After over three hours of discussion, Matthew was clearly convinced. ¡°Grace Li, you really do have an eye for this. This project seems promising. But here¡¯s the thing: I just put a big chunk of cash into pre-made food production equipment earlier this year, so money¡¯s a little tight right now. I¡¯ll have to think it over.¡±


    ¡°Of course, no rush. Thank you, Matthew.¡±

 Chapter 86

    After leaving Matthew''s company, Grace Li was absolutely wiped out, but they still had to hit up a finance industry seminar.


    Grace Li leaned back in the car''s backseat, closing her eyes for a moment. ¡°Do you think Matthew''s going to invest in the project?¡±


    ¡°Very likely, he trusts you a lot.¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°That''s because I helped him out before. When I worked on his project, I really put a lot of effort into it. He''s a cautious guy. Even though he says he trusts me, he still tends to test me and question things.¡±


    ¡°Being cautious in business isn''t a bad thing.¡±


    The seminar was at a well-known private club, one Grace Li used to come to often, though she hadn''t been here much lately.


    The last time she was here was last December when John Lewis had chased her down and grilled her about her relationship with Daniel Chou. Thinking back on that moment still made her cringe. Luckily, Aiden Thompson had shown up just in time and helped her out.


    Returning here, Grace Li felt a bit nostalgic. ¡°You remember the last time we were here? I got grilled, and you saved me.¡±


    ¡°Of course I remember. Hopefully, today we won''t run into any annoying people.¡±


    By ¡°annoying people,¡± he was naturally referring to John Lewis.


    Grace Li definitely didn''t want to see him again.


    ¡°Back then, in front of everyone, you said you were my boyfriend. I never expected that we''d actually end up together.¡±


    Aiden Thompson took her hand. ¡°Do you think maybe I already wanted to be your boyfriend, and that''s why I said it in the first place?¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Aiden Thompson said. ¡°I''ve gotta thank Daniel Chou¡ªhe didn''t see your value, so I got the chance.¡±


    Grace Li smiled and walked into the club with him.


    A big part of why they were here today was to promote Hengyue Technology in the investment world, hoping to get more industry peers involved.


    Grace Li found a table where many familiar faces were sitting. She and Aiden Thompson quickly became the center of attention.


    ¡°Grace Li, is this your boyfriend? He''s really handsome!¡±


    Grace Li nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Aren''t you going to introduce him?¡±


    Aiden Thompson spoke up. ¡°Let me introduce myself. I''m Aiden Thompson, Grace Li''s boyfriend and also her partner.¡±


    ¡°Partner? You two started a company?¡±


    Grace Li nodded. ¡°Yeah, we''re just getting started. Hope we''ll have your support moving forward.¡±


    ¡°You''ve started a company? Shouldn''t it be you looking out for us?¡±


    Grace Li took the opportunity to bring up the smart wheelchair project. ¡°Hey, have you guys ever thought about a product that could really improve the lives of elderly people and those with limited mobility? I''ve recently been looking into an amazing smart wheelchair project. If anyone''s interested, let''s chat.¡±


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    ¡°What''s the project? Tell us more.¡±


    Grace Li began explaining the project, and since some people at the table were interested in AI, the conversation quickly heated up.


    After more than an hour at the seminar, Grace Li was totally wiped out. She''d been pitching the project all day, and her throat was starting to hurt.


    When they left the club and walked toward the nearby open-air parking lot, a Tesla pulled up beside them. The window rolled down, and a handsome man in the driver''s seat looked at them with a smile. ¡°I thought I was seeing things for a sec. Didn''t expect to bump into you here.¡±


    Aiden Thompson saw the guy in the car, did a double take, then smiled and said, ¡°Jonny, when did you get back?¡±


    ¡°Just got back. Didn¡¯t expect to bump into you here.¡±


    Aiden Thompson asked, ¡°Are you back for work or something?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m planning to expand into the US market, so I¡¯ll be sticking around here for a while.¡±


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°If you¡¯re free, we should grab coffee sometime.¡±


    Jonny hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°Sorry, something came up. I¡¯ll hit you up later, and we¡¯ll catch up then.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    After exchanging a few words, Jonny drove off.


    Grace Li glanced at the car he was driving, a Tesla Model S, and asked curiously, ¡°Was that guy also your classmate?¡±


    Aiden Thompson replied, ¡°Nah, he¡¯s a few years older than me. I met him when I was interning at a venture capital firm in the UK. My firm invested in his project, and we got along pretty well, so we became friends.¡±


    Grace Li nodded. ¡°What does he do?¡±


    ¡°He works in AI.¡±


    ¡°How come he started his company in the UK?¡±


    ¡°His partner¡¯s from the UK, and they started the company together.¡± Aiden Thompson continued as they walked, ¡°Their company¡¯s been growing fast. In just five years, it¡¯s gone from nothing to a $10 billion company.¡±


    **


    As usual, Grace Li and Aiden Thompson arrived at the office early. Grace Li tidied up her desk, which was one of only four in the office, each separated by partitions. Yesterday, she had taken a photo and sent it to Olivia, asking which desk she liked. Olivia chose the one closest to Grace Li.


    Aiden Thompson was messing around with their new coffee machine. Both of them loved coffee, and to save money from buying it every day, they decided to get a coffee machine. He was working the machine like a pro, even adding a little cinnamon powder to the froth¡ªa trick he''d learned from a friend who used to be a barista in Seattle.


    Once Grace Li finished tidying up, she followed the smell of coffee over to Aiden Thompson, who was busy frothing the milk.


    ¡°Didn''t know you were this good at it.¡±


    ¡°I''m no expert, but it''s definitely drinkable. During my time in Seattle, I picked up a few tricks from some baristas,¡± Aiden Thompson said, expertly pouring the frothed milk into the espresso and casually making a design on top. The latte was ready.


    Aiden Thompson handed the coffee to Grace Li. ¡°Try it.¡±


    Grace Li glanced at the casual latte art and chuckled, ¡°Are you testing me?¡±


    Aiden Thompson took a sip first, then handed it over. ¡°I''ve already tested it.¡±


    Grace Li took the cup and sipped from the spot where Aiden Thompson had drunk, then commented, ¡°Not bad. You could definitely sell this.¡±


    ¡°Well, if we have some free time, maybe we could make a little side money. Maybe we could even set up a stall at the weekend farmer''s market. I bet we''d get a good crowd.¡±


    Grace Li grinned, ¡°You''d definitely sell a ton. With your good looks and coffee skills, you''d have all the young professionals coming back every day for a cup.¡±


    ¡°Pretty confident, huh?¡±


    ¡°A handsome barista like you? Even if the coffee was bad, I''d still buy one just for the eye candy.¡±


    Aiden Thompson chuckled softly. ¡°Guess I made it too sweet, huh? Now you''re all sweet too.¡±


    ¡°Hello!¡± A voice called from the door.


    Grace Li turned to see Olivia walking in with a bunch of bags.


    ¡°Boss, I''m here!¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°I''ve got your desk all set up. If anything''s missing, just let me know.¡±


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Olivia said with a grin.


    Grace Li pointed to the coffee machine. ¡°We just got a new one. Aiden''s making coffee, come try it.¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡± Olivia set her bags down and walked over. She saw Grace Li holding the cup. ¡°This is Aiden''s work, right?¡±


    ¡°Yep, fresh out of the machine.¡±


    Aiden Thompson made another cup and handed it to Olivia.


    After tasting it, Olivia gave a thumbs up. ¡°Delicious! Didn''t know Aiden had these skills. Looks like we''re gonna have some good coffee in the office from now on!¡±


    After the coffee break, Grace Li caught Olivia up on the projects they were working on and gave her a few tasks. The workload wasn''t too heavy yet, but as more projects came in, things were bound to get busier.

 Chapter 87

    Just after Grace Li finished talking to Olivia about work, someone barged in, shouting loudly, ¡°Guys, you can''t just leave me hanging! I''m dying to work with you! Nova Capital is such a snooze without you guys!¡±


    Everyone looked up, and standing in the doorway was Ryan, dressed in a plaid suit, looking like he was there to give them a hard time.


    Grace Li asked, ¡°Ryan, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I was meeting with a project partner, and I thought I''d drop by. Actually, I just miss you guys. The office is so boring without you,¡± Ryan said with a grin.


    Olivia scoffed, ¡°I don''t think you''re just here to ¡®check in.''¡±


    Ryan put on a sad face. ¡°Well, I''m here to complain. You guys left so quietly without telling me! It''s been torture without you! It feels like I''m counting the seconds at Nova Capital.¡±


    Olivia said, ¡°Everyone has their own path. People have different plans, how could we bring you along?¡±


    ¡°I don''t care! You guys left, and now I can''t stay at Nova Capital any longer. I want to work here! Please, hire me, I''ll give it my all!¡±


    Olivia replied, ¡°But we''re not hiring right now.¡±


    Ryan walked over to Aiden Thompson, looking pitiful. ¡°Aiden, uh, I mean, Mr. Thompson, just think about it. When you first joined Nova Capital last year, who was there, working overtime, teaching you the ropes, taking care of you? And who, for six months, kept your little secret so you and the boss could date in peace... I''m your hero!¡±


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°About the secret part, that''s the only true thing you said. The rest, I don''t remember agreeing with. I remember all those late nights at work¡ªthanks to you.¡±


    Ryan put his hand on his chest, feigning hurt. ¡°I''m crushed. Now that you''re climbing the corporate ladder, you''ve totally forgotten everything I did for you. I did it all to help you level up, and look at you now¡ªso successful.¡±


    Olivia chimed in, ¡°I just remember you always throwing the tough stuff at Mr. Thompson. Every time something hard came up, you''d be the first to pass it to him.¡±


    Ryan awkwardly denied it, ¡°That''s not true! I was just trying to help him level up. I''ve been betting on you all along, Thompson.¡±


    As they bickered, the office suddenly felt like it was full of a hundred people.


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°Well, thanks to your ¡®help,'' I spent all those late nights. I actually thought you were my ¡®work nightmare.''¡±


    Ryan innocently pursed his lips and blinked. ¡°So you''re mad at me now? Fine, forget I was ever here. I''ll just leave, heartbroken.¡±


    With that, he dramatically turned to leave, but then looked back. ¡°You''re really not gonna hire me? Just one more shot? I really want in.¡±


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    Grace Li sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Is the show over? Once it''s done, let''s sit down and talk salary and work hours.¡±


    Ryan''s eyes lit up at that, and he rushed over to Grace Li with a big grin. ¡°You''re the best, boss. I knew you wouldn''t leave me hanging!¡±


    Ryan hadn''t officially left Nova Capital yet, but after discussing salary and work hours with Grace Li, he left.


    Not long after he left, someone knocked on the door. Aiden Thompson heard it and looked over.


    Grace Li suddenly remembered¡ªit was the man they had met outside the club that day.


    Aiden Thompson stood up to greet him. ¡°Jonny, good morning.¡±


    Jonny shook his hand. ¡°So, this is your new company? It''s got potential.¡±


    ¡°Yep, we''re just starting out, a bit small right now. But we''re aiming big.¡±


    Jonny looked around. ¡°It''s already looking pretty good. When Steven and I started, we were working out of a tiny garage. Conditions were way worse than this. We were just a couple of kids with a crazy idea, working out of a tiny garage. But we stuck with it, and you will too.¡±


    Aiden Thompson said, ¡°Let me introduce you to someone important.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Aiden Thompson led Jonny over to Grace Li. ¡°Jonny, this is my partner, and also my significant other, Grace Li.¡±


    Grace Li politely shook Jonny''s hand and greeted him, ¡°Jonny, it''s nice to meet you.¡±


    Jonny smiled warmly. ¡°Hello, Miss Li. Sorry we didn''t get a chance to properly introduce ourselves the other day. Things were a bit rushed.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Grace Li replied.


    Aiden Thompson gave Jonny a quick tour of the office, though there wasn''t much to see. Afterward, they decided to go to a nearby outdoor caf¨¦ to catch up.


    As soon as they left, Olivia¡¯s gossip radar went off. ¡°Oh my god, you won¡¯t believe what I heard! Aiden knows Jonny!¡±


    Grace Li, curious, asked, ¡°You know him too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s one of the founders of Meco. Their office is in the same building as Nova Capital, so the office has been buzzing about him. The women can¡¯t stop talking about how hot and talented he is.¡±


    Grace Li knew the atmosphere at Nova Capital all too well, especially how everyone loved gossiping about industry elites, especially the good-looking ones. Aiden Thompson had been the talk of the office when he first started there.


    Olivia asked, ¡°Boss, how did Aiden meet Jonny?¡±


    ¡°He was interning at a VC firm in the UK, and their firm invested in Meco.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so cool, wow! Meco¡¯s a unicorn now. The VC that backed them must have made a fortune. If we could land a project like that, we¡¯d be golden.¡±


    ¡°Fingers crossed Hengyue Technology becomes a unicorn too.¡±


    Olivia nodded vigorously. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can! We¡¯re busting our butts, and the project is solid.¡±


    ¡°Oh, by the way, I¡¯ve got more gossip for you.¡±


    Grace Li smiled. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about Jonny, of course.¡± Olivia leaned in closer and said mysteriously, ¡°He¡¯s from New York. Apparently, his family used to be super rich. His dad was a big deal, but then the family business went under, and his dad ended up owing a ton of money. He eventually took his own life.¡±


    Grace Li suddenly remembered something. ¡°I think I remember that. It made the news, right? I had just graduated a little over a year ago.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one. The entrepreneur who killed himself was his dad.¡± Olivia continued, ¡°And then, someone, a rich woman, paid off the $50 million his dad owed, but no one knows who she is. The office has been buzzing with all kinds of rumors about it.¡±


    After hearing that, Grace Li gave Olivia a strange look. ¡°You know all that?¡±


    Olivia grinned. ¡°You know where I heard it from?¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Scarlet Harris. She¡¯s in that world, so she knows all the juicy details.¡±


    Grace Li wasn¡¯t surprised. Scarlet Harris was part of New York¡¯s wealthy elite, so it made sense that she¡¯d be in the know about these kinds of secrets. But Grace Li couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Jonny and Aiden seemed oddly alike.


    Aiden Thompson and Jonny arrived at a nearby outdoor caf¨¦. The place was pretty lively, lots of energy. There was a guitarist playing live music, and people were swaying to the beat. A few people were out on the lawn tossing a frisbee. Many women couldn¡¯t help but glance over at them. Two tall, handsome guys in sharp suits¡ªboth over six feet tall¡ªwere bound to turn heads.


    They grabbed a spot under an umbrella and ordered coffee.

 Chapter 88

    "How long have you been back in town?" Aiden Thompson asked, leaning slightly forward, showing his focus on the conversation.


    Jonny crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair. "Just under two months. Been busy prepping for our new branch." He lightly shook his coffee cup in his hand.


    "Is the prep almost done?" Aiden Thompson picked up his coffee, took a small sip, and kept his gaze on Jonny''s face.


    "Almost there. We''re ahead of schedule," Jonny replied with a smile, his eyes sparkling with confidence. "You know, our team''s pretty good at what they do."


    Jonny then asked, "What about you? I thought you were from LA. How''d you end up in New York?" He tilted his head slightly, looking curious.


    Aiden Thompson shrugged and spread his hands. "Long story, but basically, I''m here to build something in New York now."


    Jonny laughed and gave Aiden Thompson a friendly pat on the shoulder. "If you need anything, just let me know. Don''t be shy."


    "Alright," Aiden Thompson put his coffee cup down and sat up straighter. "Speaking of which, I''ve been looking at this smart wheelchair project. If you''re interested, we could potentially team up on it."


    Mentioning the wheelchair, Jonny instinctively glanced down at his legs. A fleeting shadow of sadness crossed his face as he remembered some unpleasant memories. Six years ago, he had spent half a year in a wheelchair.


    Aiden Thompson noticed Jonny''s silence and gently tapped his fingers on the table, nudging him. "Jonny?"


    Jonny snapped out of his thoughts, offering an awkward smile. "Sorry, just got lost in thought for a second." He then added, "Sounds interesting. Mind sharing the details?"


    "Sure." Just as Aiden Thompson was about to speak, two girls wearing cropped tops and stylish makeup walked up.


    One of them chirped, "Hi, guys, there''s no more seating anywhere else. Mind if we sit here?" As she spoke, she flipped her hair.


    Jonny politely responded, "Sorry, we''re talking business, and it''s not really a good spot for others to join." He smiled apologetically.


    "Alright then," the girls seemed a bit disappointed, but one of them didn''t give up. She pulled out her phone, winked at Aiden Thompson, and said, "Could I add you on Instagram ? I''d love to stay in touch."


    Aiden Thompson smiled and politely declined, "Sorry, my girlfriend''s a little protective."


    The two girls quickly looked a little awkward, gave a nervous smile, and walked off.


    Jonny looked at Aiden Thompson, knowing he had said that to politely turn them down. But he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Your girlfriend doesn''t seem like the protective type."


    Aiden Thompson shrugged and said seriously, "Exactly because she''s not controlling, I have to be disciplined."


    Jonny leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"


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    "She doesn''t really keep tabs on me, but if I ever messed up, she wouldn''t hesitate to dump me," Aiden Thompson crossed his arms, his tone matter-of-fact.


    Jonny chuckled softly, "Oh, come on! You''re scared of getting dumped?"


    Aiden Thompson replied with a sincere tone, "That''s because I care about her, you know?" His eyes showed deep affection.


    Jonny took a sip of his coffee, commenting, "She seems like she''s a bit older than you." He took another sip of his coffee.


    "Yeah, she''s a few years older. But when you meet someone who''s the right fit, age doesn''t matter," Aiden Thompson said, his eyes drifting to the distance, as if imagining a future with her.


    Jonny took another sip of his coffee, "Finding someone who''s the right fit. I''m a little jealous," he sighed softly.


    "You will too," Aiden Thompson encouraged, patting Jonny on the arm.


    "I don''t think I have the same kind of luck as you," Jonny said, his face showing a faint smile.


    **


    The atmosphere in the CEO''s office at Hengyue Technology was tense. Jack Brown sat in the chair across from Tom Wilson''s desk, leaning forward with his hands gesturing as he spoke urgently: "Tom, listen up, you''ve got to hear this! Brooks from Sunny Medical has promised me that if we sell them the patent for the smart wheelchair, they''ll give us $8 million, or $5 million for a 10-year licensing deal. This is a golden opportunity!"


    Tom Wilson didn''t hesitate for a second. "I already told you, right? Verve Capital signed an agreement with us, and the contract clearly says that the smart wheelchair patent is exclusive to Hengyue. It can''t be used for anything else, and it can''t be resold."


    "Tom, come on, you''re being way too rigid about this," Jack Brown frowned, clearly frustrated. "Sunny Medical is offering us real money. This is a no-brainer, man. We can still take the $5 million and just license it to them. Heck, even Li over at Verve might go for it. Why can''t you just talk to them and work something out?"


    Tom Wilson patiently explained, "Before we signed the agreement, Li and I worked together to come up with Hengyue''s development plan. Everyone signed off on it, and there''s no going back now. Plus, I''m not about to sell off my patent just like that. I''ve made up my mind."


    Jack Brown scoffed, "What''s your deal? Those two at Verve Capital¡ªone''s a woman and the other''s a rookie with less than three years of experience¡ªwhat kind of solid business plan can they come up with? I kept quiet before because they''re the ones putting money in us. But now there''s a much better deal on the table, and you won''t even consider it? If we took that $8 million, you could pay off the bank loan. And selling the patent wouldn''t affect our operations. We''d still have orders coming in, and you could keep pushing R&D, releasing new products. Isn''t that a good deal?"


    Tom Wilson rubbed his temples. He came from a tech background and had always respected Jack Brown for the help he provided when the company was starting out. It was also Jack Brown who landed the two key clients for the company, so he usually listened to Jack when they disagreed on business matters. But this time, he had his limits.


    In the past three months, through extensive market research and industry analysis, Grace Li had worked with him to create a development plan for the future. She even promised to help raise $30 million to build Hengyue''s own smart wheelchair brand. He couldn''t just back out of that now.


    "Tom, I get where you''re coming from, but you''ve got to consider the company''s reality," Jack Brown softened his tone, trying to persuade him.


    "Jack, I understand, but I really can''t do this," Tom Wilson''s voice was firm. "Li may be young, but her expertise and market insight are top-notch. Her past investment cases prove that. I really believe working with her will take Hengyue to the next level."


    "You''re really something, you know that?" Jack Brown shook his head in disbelief. "You''re a piece of work."


    Just then, there was a knock on the door. The office clerk opened the door a crack and reported, "Mr. Wilson, the people from Verve Capital are here."


    "Alright, I''ll be right there."


    Tom Wilson stood up, straightened his clothes, and looked at Jack Brown. "Jack, this is where we draw the line. I''m not budging on this."


    With that, he walked out of the office and headed to the conference room to meet the Verve Capital team.


    Earlier, Grace had told him on the phone that one of the founders of Meco also wanted to invest in this project, but they needed further discussions and information.


    So, today, besides Grace Li and Aiden Thompson, there was also someone named Jonny Dawson.

 Chapter 89

    Tom Wilson first led the group to the showroom to showcase the wheelchair he had designed. Jonny Dawson immediately sat in and tried it out for himself.


    After giving it a try, he complimented, "This is really a great wheelchair. The features are impressive."


    "Thank you, Mr. Dawson. Compared to Meco''s smart products, we still have a lot to learn," Tom Wilson humbly replied.


    "Mr. Wilson, you''re being too modest," Jonny Dawson said. "By the way, who''s in charge of R&D at your company?"


    Tom Wilson smiled and answered, "I''m currently in charge of R&D. I come from a technical background."


    Jonny Dawson was a bit surprised. "Just you alone?"


    "For now, yes. But we plan to expand our R&D team soon."


    Jonny Dawson suggested, "How about we sit down somewhere and talk more?"


    "Sure."


    Both Jonny Dawson and Tom Wilson were really familiar with AI, so their conversation flowed smoothly and professionally. Grace Li, sitting off to the side, didn''t fully catch all the technical jargon.


    After the meeting, the group went to a restaurant for dinner. As they entered the private dining room, everyone took their seats. Grace Li handed the menu to Jonny Dawson, saying, "Mr. Dawson, please take a look and let me know what you''d like. Does anyone have any specific preferences? Feel free to suggest something."


    Jonny Dawson waved his hand. "You can go ahead and order. I''m not picky."


    Grace Li asked, "Do you have any preferences for food?"


    "I usually go for something light."


    "Got it." Grace Li flipped through the menu, chatting with everyone as she placed the order.


    Jonny Dawson and Aiden Thompson started chatting and seemed to be really into their conversation.


    The dishes arrived one by one. During the meal, everyone chatted casually, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.


    Grace Li really liked these kinds of dinner gatherings. There was no forced drinking, no flattery¡ªjust people sitting together, discussing a project or relevant topics in the field. She learned a lot from it.


    Halfway through the meal, Aiden Thompson''s phone rang. He gripped it tightly, his knuckles turning white from the tension. His voice was full of urgency as he said, "Excuse me," then quickly stepped out of the room to take the call.


    It was his sister, Vera Thompson. Her voice trembled slightly on the phone, "Aiden, Dad had a sudden heart attack and was rushed to the hospital unconscious. They immediately took him to the ER, and the doctors are doing everything they can. They''re still monitoring his condition."


    Aiden Thompson''s heart sank. A sudden heart attack usually happens after a big shock. "What happened? Why did he have a heart attack?"


    "At the board meeting this morning,Elijah Porter and Henry Morgan proposed holding a shareholders'' meeting to re-elect the board. According to the company rules, they need to notify all shareholders in advance and explain why. Their proposal didn''t follow the proper procedure, and it really upset Dad. He argued with them for a bit, got really angry, and then had a heart attack."


    "How''s he doing now?"


    Vera Thompson said, "He''s still in the ER. The doctors are doing everything they can, but his condition is still critical."


    Rex Thompson had had a sudden heart attack and was unconscious, and now there were people in the company scheming against them. As the man of the family, Aiden couldn''t just sit back and do nothing. "I''m on my way back now."


    Aiden Thompson returned to the private dining room. First, he apologized, "Sorry, everyone. I have to leave¡ªthere''s an emergency."


    Jonny Dawson said, "It''s okay. Go take care of it."


    Aiden Thompson looked at Grace Li, "Grace, could you step out for a second?"


    Grace Li stood up and followed him outside. She noticed his serious expression. "Aiden, what''s wrong?"


    Aiden Thompson said, "My dad had a sudden heart attack and was hospitalized unconscious. I need to get back to LA right away. I don''t know how long I''ll be gone, but I''ll come back as soon as I can."


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    Grace Li said, "It doesn''t matter how long you''re gone. Don''t worry about the company. I''ve got it. Just go take care of your dad."


    Aiden Thompson reached out and hugged her. "Thank you."


    "Go quickly. Do you want to take my car?"


    "I''ll grab a taxi."


    "All right. Take care."


    **


    When Aiden Thompson rushed back to the luxurious estate in Los Angeles, his father, Rex Thompson, had already been rushed to the ICU at a nearby top private hospital.


    Outside the ICU, a few anxious faces were gathered. Bob, the long-time chauffeur, was dressed in a perfectly pressed uniform, having faithfully served the Thompson family for years. David Smith, the company''s executive vice president, a veteran who had worked side by side with Rex since the early days of the business, stood there, looking worried.


    Bob spotted Aiden immediately and quickly walked up to him. "Aiden, you''re finally here," he said with a nod.


    Aiden hurried toward him, his face showing obvious concern. "Bob, has my dad woken up yet?"


    "Not yet."


    When Mabel Thompson saw Aiden, her eyes lit up. She quickly stood up, her heels clicking sharply on the floor as she rushed toward him. "Aiden, my baby, you''re back."


    Aiden softly said, "Mom."


    "If your dad wakes up and sees you, he''ll be so happy," she said, her voice filled with relief.


    "Yeah."


    Aiden looked through the glass at his father, Rex, lying in the bed inside the ICU. The last time they''d spoken was six months ago, at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan. They had a huge falling out over the future direction of the family business and Aiden''s refusal to marry with the Porter family. Their argument had ended badly. Now, Rex was lying in a hospital bed, his hair graying, an oxygen tube in his nose, and the heart monitor showing his weak heartbeat.


    "What did the doctors say?" Aiden asked, his voice tight.


    Vera Thompson sighed. "His blood pressure shot up from stress, causing a severe heart attack. He''s through the worst of it, but his oxygen levels are still low, and he''s still in a coma."


    "Got it."


    Rex''s life was hanging by a thread today, but father and son still hadn''t made amends. Mabel, deeply worried, took Aiden''s hand. "Sweetheart, if your dad wakes up, talk to him more. Tell him you care, don''t be so stubborn. Whatever he says, just listen. Don''t fight him anymore, okay?"


    "I know, Mom."


    "You two are just too hard-headed. Every time you argue, neither of you will back down," Mabel said, a slight catch in her voice. "But I know your dad has always cared about you. He checks on you from time to time. He''s just too proud to show it, but he really does care. Please, don''t hold it against him."


    Aiden understood his mother''s intentions. She wanted peace between him and his father. He replied, "Mom, I''m not holding anything against him."


    "That''s good. We need to stick together now. Your dad and I are getting older. We really can''t handle any more stress," Mabel said, her voice soft but full of concern.


    "Yeah." Aiden gently patted his mom''s shoulder, offering her comfort.


    Aiden then turned to Vera. "Sis, what''s the situation at the company?"


    Vera frowned, her face serious. "The Porter family and the Morgan family have joined forces. They''re pushing hard for a shareholders'' meeting to re-elect the board. They''re saying Dad''s too old and sick to keep running things."


    "Porter and Dad have been partners for years. Now they''ve teamed up with the Morgan family to push him out. Looks like they don''t care about any of that history anymore," Aiden said, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "The Porter family has one daughter, Emily. She''s marrying Henry, the heir to the Morgan family. The Morgan family has always had an eye on our company, and now they''re hoping Henry will take over as CEO," Vera explained.


    At that moment, David walked up. His hair was mostly gray now, and as Rex''s most trusted person, he had a key role in the company. " Aiden, I know you''ve been upset about your dad pushing you into that marriage with the Porter family, but it wasn''t what he wanted. He did it out of necessity. Over the years, the Morgan family''s been buying up shares quietly. Your dad''s been keeping a close eye on it. If you had married with the Porter family, the company would have stayed in your hands. But now, with both families coming together, their combined shares have surpassed your dad''s. If this shareholders'' meeting happens, we''re in serious trouble."


    "Has the meeting been set yet?" Aiden asked, his tone more urgent.


    David shook his head. "Not yet, but the board is talking about it urgently. Henry and the Porters are set on it. I don''t think we can stop them."


    "Also, rumors are going around, inside and outside the company, that you''ve cut ties with your father and there''s no one to take over. Aiden, this may be personal, but your dad has spent his whole life on this company. He''s almost at retirement age, but he''s still fighting. As his son, you should try to understand him more," David said, with a sympathetic tone.


    Aiden, though reluctant to take over the family business, wasn''t going to let anyone undermine his father''s hard work. "I''ll go to the company tomorrow. Once I''m there, those rumors will die down."


    David breathed a sigh of relief. "If your dad hears that, he''ll be really relieved."


    It wasn''t until 10 PM that Rex finally started to stir. The doctors and nurses in the ICU immediately surrounded him, using advanced medical equipment to run a full check-up and make sure his vitals were stable.


    Through the glass window, Rex saw the people outside, and the one who stood out the most was his son, the one who''d once been so rebellious.


    "Doctor¡­"


    The doctor hurried over, speaking respectfully. "Mr. Thompson, what can I do for you?"


    "Let them in."


    The doctor hesitated. "This is the ICU, and usually, we don''t let family members in freely. But since your condition seems stable, we can allow two family members in for a visit. However, we can''t let it go longer than ten minutes."


    "Alright."


    The doctor stepped out of the ICU to inform the family they could come in.


    Mabel walked into the ICU, and when she saw Rex was awake, tears sprang to her eyes. "You''re finally awake! You scared the life out of me."


    "Look at you, your eyes are all puffed up like walnuts."


    Hearing him joke, Mabel laughed through her tears. "You really scared me, you old fool."


    "I''m alright now. As long as I''m awake."


    "Yeah."


    Rex''s eyes shifted to Aiden.


    Aiden stepped closer, softly calling out, "Dad."


    That single word, "Dad," was something Rex hadn''t heard in over a year. Their father-son relationship had been strained for so long. Aiden had been tough on the outside, but Rex had always worried about his son, wondering when the rebellious kid would grow up and understand what his father was trying to do.


    Now, lying in the hospital bed, Rex felt a sense of relief. His son had finally come back.

 Chapter 90

    Rex Thompson looked at Mabel Thompson with a hint of doubt and asked, "Did he come back on his own? No one convinced him to?"


    "Of course, he''s your son! You''re sick, and he rushed back the moment he found out. What do you expect?" Mabel replied, smiling with trust in their son.


    "Hmph," Rex grunted, pretending to be unimpressed. "I think he¡¯s just back for the show, nothing more."


    "Come on, stop acting like the strict dad. He¡¯s back, so relax a little. Don¡¯t be so hard on him," Mabel said, gently patting Rex¡¯s shoulder.


    "Hmph," Rex grunted again, but his expression softened slightly.


    Then he turned to Vera Thompson, his face turning serious. "What¡¯s going on with the company? What¡¯s the situation now?"


    Vera walked over to the bedside, her brows furrowed as she softly said, "Dad, just focus on getting better. We¡¯ll handle the company."


    "This company is my life''s work. How can I not worry about it?" Rex¡¯s voice grew more intense. "I¡¯ve known Elijah Porter for years, and I can¡¯t believe he¡¯d stab me in the back like this, teaming up with the Morgan family to take me down."


    "Dad, please, don¡¯t get so worked up. It¡¯s bad for your health," Vera quickly tried to calm him. "Get well first, then we¡¯ll handle the company stuff."


    "The Morgan family has always had their eyes on our company," Rex said, his tone sharp. "Now they¡¯ve teamed up with Porter, probably to grab control at the shareholder meeting. I can¡¯t let them get away with this!" He clenched his fists, his eyes full of determination.


    At this point, Aiden Thompson, who had been quietly standing to the side, spoke up. "Dad, just leave it to me. I¡¯ll head back to the office tomorrow and check on things."


    Rex looked at Aiden, feeling some relief, but still couldn¡¯t help but make a sarcastic comment. "You¡¯ve only been out in the real world for a couple of years. You really think you can handle those sly old foxes at the office?"


    Aiden was used to his father¡¯s sharp tongue and calmly shot back, "So, do you want me to go or not?"


    Rex was momentarily stumped, about to snap back, but Mabel quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, Aiden, your dad just woke up. You two don¡¯t need to bicker right now."


    Rex took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He recalled how his outburst at the board meeting had triggered his illness, and he felt regretful. He softened his tone and seriously advised, "When you get back to the office, if you¡¯re unsure about anything, ask your sister. David¡¯s got plenty of experience too, so you can rely on his advice. The office is in a fragile state right now, so be careful and don¡¯t trust just anyone."


    "Got it, I¡¯ll be careful," Aiden nodded.


    Just then, a doctor in a white coat entered, politely reminding, "Mr. Thompson, your condition is still weak. Visiting hours are limited to ten minutes."


    After hearing this, Rex turned to the others. "It¡¯s getting late. You should head home and rest. I¡¯ve got a nurse here, I¡¯ll be fine."


    Mabel explained, "Your dad just doesn¡¯t want you two to be tired for work tomorrow. Go home and get some rest. I¡¯ll stay here with him."


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    Vera quickly said, "Mom, I¡¯ll stay. You go home and rest."


    Rex waved his hand, signaling them to leave. "The nurses here are professionals. They¡¯ll take good care of me. Just listen to me, go home now."


    Mabel reluctantly agreed and turned to the siblings. "Alright, you two head out now."


    Aiden didn¡¯t say anything more, turning to leave the room, and Vera followed him out. "Straight home?" she asked.


    "Yeah," Aiden replied.


    Aiden got into Vera¡¯s car and sat in the front passenger seat. The car fell into a quiet, comfortable silence as the siblings both got lost in their own thoughts.


    After a while, Aiden¡¯s phone rang. It was Grace Li calling.


    He pressed the answer button, and Grace¡¯s gentle voice came through the speaker. "Aiden, how¡¯s your dad doing?"


    Grace''s voice instantly relaxed Aiden, who had been feeling tense. "He¡¯s out of danger now," he replied.


    "That¡¯s good to hear. You¡¯ve finally made it home, so make sure to spend some time with him," Grace said with concern.


    "Yeah, I will." Aiden had originally planned to come home just to check on his dad, but after learning about the crisis facing the family business, he decided to stay and deal with it. "Grace, I might be staying in LA a bit longer. Can you handle things at the company for me?"


    "No problem, Ryan will be coming in a couple of days. I¡¯ve got it covered, so you can focus on taking care of family matters," Grace responded cheerfully.


    "Make sure you stay in touch with Jonny Dawson. If anything comes up, let me know right away," Aiden said, a bit worried.


    "Got it. Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s late, so you should get some rest."


    "Alright, goodnight."


    After hanging up, Vera couldn¡¯t help but ask, "That¡¯s Grace Li, right?"


    Aiden nodded. "Yeah."


    "I¡¯m really curious¡ªwhat¡¯s she like? I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s got you, my usually serious brother, all turned around." Vera teased with a laugh.


    Aiden rested one hand on the window, a soft expression on his face as he said, "She¡¯s really amazing. Independent, strong, and so kind-hearted. Most importantly, we click on every level. When I¡¯m with her, I feel totally at ease¡ªlike I can forget about all my worries."


    Vera had never heard Aiden speak so highly of anyone, so she pressed on, "Is she pretty?"


    "In my eyes, she¡¯s the most beautiful woman in the world," Aiden answered without hesitation.


    Vera couldn¡¯t help but laugh. "I honestly thought you¡¯d be single forever! Never thought I¡¯d see the day you got caught up in love."


    Aiden didn¡¯t deny it. He hadn¡¯t expected to fall so deep into love either. He used to not understand couples who were madly in love until he met Grace. Then, he finally understood that feeling of soul-deep connection.


    Vera asked again, "One more question, a little personal... What does her family do?"


    Aiden frowned slightly but still explained patiently, "Her family background doesn¡¯t mean much. She¡¯s incredibly capable and has built her career entirely on her own hard work."


    "I really respect people who¡¯ve made it on their own. You¡¯ve got me curious now; I can¡¯t wait to meet her." Vera added, "But you know Dad¡¯s not easy to please. He¡¯s going to have high standards for your future wife. You might want to hold off on mentioning her to him for now¡ªfind the right time to bring it up."


    Aiden silently nodded, agreeing with her.


    Back at the house, which he hadn¡¯t seen in over a year, Aiden looked around the empty, quiet villa and felt an unexpected wave of loneliness. The housekeeper, hearing the noise, hurried out. When she saw Aiden, her eyes lit up with surprise. "Young Master Aiden, you¡¯re finally back!"


    Her eyes welled up a bit, and she quickly ran upstairs to get his room ready, making the bed for him. The room had been kept spotless, and she soon finished tidying up.


    It was already past 1 AM. After a shower, Aiden sat down on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window in his room, gazing out at the night sky, wide awake.


    Having been away for over a year, returning to this familiar yet strange place brought back a flood of memories.


    When he left, he thought his dad was tyrannical and unreasonable. The two of them could never communicate. But seeing his father lying weakly in the hospital bed today, his heart softened, and those childhood memories started coming back.


    When he was young, Rex had been strict, but his love for Aiden was clear. He¡¯d proudly show off Aiden¡¯s grades to his friends, take him to baseball games on weekends, and sit by his bed, taking care of him whenever he was sick.


    Even after Aiden went abroad for school, every time his mother called, Rex would always chime in from the side. His tone was still as stiff as ever, but Aiden could hear the longing in his words.


    After all, they were father and son. No matter how many conflicts they¡¯d had in the past, the bond of blood was something that couldn¡¯t be broken.

 Chapter 91

    The next day, as usual, Bob, the seasoned driver, drove Aiden to the office in the black Cadillac.


    Silverstone Group is located in the heart of a bustling business district on the East Coast, a publicly listed company with immense influence in finance, technology, and other industries. The company was worth billions of dollars and consistently held a leading position in the market. The competition here was fierce, and the company''s market value was a key indicator of its strength, constantly under close scrutiny from both the financial world and the media.


    When news of Rex''s heart attack hit the media, it quickly became the hot topic among financial outlets. As the market opened this morning, Silverstone Group''s stock price plummeted sharply, like a rollercoaster ride. The American financial market is a finely tuned, sensitive instrument¡ªany shifts in top leadership, especially health-related news, could stir up the stock market like a butterfly effect.


    Aiden had just stepped into the company building when David, the Executive Vice President, was already waiting for him. He quickly walked up with a professional smile, extending his hand to warmly greet Aiden. "Aiden Thompson, welcome back!"


    As they walked toward the elevator, David continued to brief him. "Aiden, this morning, Rex sent instructions from the hospital, and an internal notice was sent out. During his hospitalization, you''ll be stepping in as Acting Chairman."


    Aiden''s lips curved into a wry smile, a little amused by the irony. Yesterday, Rex had dismissed him as a clueless young hothead, and today, he was handing him the responsibility of acting chairman. Aiden was no stranger to this kind of thing.


    When Aiden reached the top floor, as soon as the elevator doors opened, he bumped into Henry Morgan. Henry was the only son of Caleb Morgan, who was the third-largest shareholder before his death. After Caleb''s death last year, the assets were smoothly passed on to Henry, making him the third-largest shareholder of Silverstone Group.


    When Henry saw Aiden, a fake smile immediately spread across his face, the kind that was easy to see through. "Aiden, long time no see!"


    Standing nearly six and a half feet tall, Aiden towered over Henry, who was barely above five foot eight, and spoke in a casual tone, almost indifferent. "Long time no see. How''ve you been?"


    "Not bad." Henry tilted his head back, his smile tinged with sarcasm. "But there''s been a rumor going around that you and your dad have severed ties. Is that true?"


    Aiden raised an eyebrow and responded without hesitation, "You believe such a ridiculous rumor? Seems like you should focus on more valuable information."


    "You''ve been gone for over a year. People can''t help but wonder," Henry shrugged and continued.


    "My relationship with my father is much stronger than you think," Aiden said firmly, his eyes radiating unshakable confidence.


    "Is Rex feeling better?" Henry quickly shifted the subject, feigning concern. "Yesterday, I just mentioned the idea of calling a shareholders'' meeting to re-elect the board, and he passed out from getting so worked up. You know, older folks are more fragile. It might be time for him to step down and let someone else take over. I proposed the board renewal for the company''s long-term growth. I''m sure you''ll understand."


    Aiden didn''t flinch. He answered calmly, "Silverstone Group has always respected shareholder rights. Every shareholder has the legal right to make proposals. Even if some suggestions are unreasonable, we''ll evaluate them carefully. If this is the shareholders'' will, then let''s proceed with the meeting according to the proper procedure."


    Henry''s smile grew slightly, a glint of quiet triumph in his eyes. "That''s the spirit. I hear you''re the Acting Chairman now. It''s probably for the best. With Rex''s health, he can''t keep handling things like this. The company could really use some fresh energy, a younger, more forward-thinking leader. Maybe that will open up new opportunities."


    Aiden slipped his hands into his pockets, already tired of this conversation. "I''ve got a lot to do. Excuse me," he said as he turned and walked towards his office.


    Just as he took a few steps, Troy, Rex''s special assistant, hurried up to meet him. Troy, in his forties, wearing black-rimmed glasses and appearing well-mannered, had been with Rex for many years and was one of his most trusted people. He knew everything about the company.


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    "Aiden Thompson, good morning! Rex asked me to make sure I assist you in every way possible." Troy''s tone was respectful but slightly formal.


    Aiden couldn''t help but think to himself how his father was still worrying about the company even while lying in a hospital bed. He really couldn''t let go.


    "I need the financial statements for the past year, along with detailed business data, including market research reports, project progress data, and the like. The more detailed, the better," Aiden said, outlining his request clearly.


    Troy quickly nodded. "Sure, Aiden Thompson, I''ll get that ready and send it to you in half an hour."


    Aiden then added, "Before the data arrives, give me a quick verbal update on any major company developments¡ªimportant partnerships, personnel changes, and any shareholder activity."


    Since he had just returned, Aiden wasn''t yet familiar with the recent events, so these reports would help him get up to speed on the company''s operations and any potential issues.


    Aiden walked into the meeting room, chose a seat by the window, and took his laptop out of his briefcase to get to work.


    Troy looked puzzled and asked, "Aiden Thompson, are you planning to hold a meeting here? Do you need me to arrange anything?"


    "Not for now. I''m just going to familiarize myself with the company''s data and current situation," Aiden replied.


    "Well, Aiden Thompson," Troy explained a bit hesitantly, "meeting rooms are usually reserved in advance. Several departments have already booked the rooms for this morning. Actually, there''s another office next door to Vera''s, it''s always been empty and is really quiet. If you''d prefer, you can work there for now."


    "Sounds good, I''ll take that office," Aiden said readily.


    When Aiden entered the office, he noticed that although it hadn''t been used in a while, it was spotless. A set of brand-new office supplies was neatly arranged on the desk. He knew right away this was likely set up by his father specifically for him. Despite the conflicts and arguments they''d had, his father''s expectations for him had never wavered.


    After Aiden Thompson made a beeline for his office, almost as if he were shutting himself off from the outside world. His mind was completely focused on the documents David had handed him. Having been away from the company¡¯s daily operations for over a year, he was starting to feel out of touch with the company¡¯s current state. In the fast-paced American business world, markets can change in the blink of an eye. Making decisions without fully understanding the company could be a huge risk, and one wrong move could lead to a major crisis.


    During his time at Nova Capital, Aiden had worked with Grace Li on many due diligence projects. Analyzing a company¡¯s operations based on business documents and financial statements had become second nature to him. With Rex hospitalized due to his heart attack and unable to return to the company in the short term to take charge, Aiden knew he had to step up and keep the company running smoothly, or else it could easily fall into disarray.


    Just then, there was a polite knock at the door. Aiden responded, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Vera Thompson walked in. She had visited their father at the hospital earlier and had just returned to the office when she heard from Troy that Aiden was holed up in his office, buried in paperwork.


    Aiden briefly looked up, gave her a quick glance, and asked casually, ¡°How¡¯s Dad?¡±


    ¡°His mental state is much better. The doctor said if his vitals are stable this afternoon, they¡¯ll move him to a regular ward,¡± Vera replied.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Aiden said briefly, quickly returning his attention to the documents.


    Vera glanced at the mountain of papers on his desk and asked, slightly surprised, ¡°Are you really going to spend the whole day just looking through these?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I want to get a general understanding of the company¡¯s situation first.¡±


    Vera then suggested, ¡°Although the company already issued an internal notice saying you''re acting chairman, I think it¡¯s still important to call a meeting with the senior management¡ªat least let them know who to report to if anything comes up.¡±


    Aiden didn¡¯t look up from the papers and responded, ¡°You¡¯re more familiar with the company than I am. You take the lead, and I¡¯ll back you up.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re the acting chairman.¡±


    Aiden looked up at her seriously and said, ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m the right person for this role. All I can do is help you as much as I can.¡±


    Vera frowned, walked over to his desk, and crossed her arms, speaking quickly. ¡°Aiden, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking. I¡¯ve already told Dad that I¡¯m not cut out for running the company, and I don¡¯t have the skills for it either. Eventually, it¡¯ll all fall on you. If you really don¡¯t want to take it over, then let them take it. We can just step back and be ordinary shareholders, getting some dividends every year.¡±


    Aiden rubbed his forehead, quietly thinking how, while other families were fighting tooth and nail over inheritance, his own family didn¡¯t have anyone willing to take the reins. It was really a headache.


    ¡°If Dad hears you say that, it¡¯ll definitely make him sick again,¡± Aiden said helplessly.


    ¡°So, just focus on being the acting chairman. If you have any questions, just ask me,¡± Vera said patiently.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Besides, I know you. You¡¯d rather be building a business with your girlfriend. I¡¯m not going to try to convince you anymore. You have to weigh the pros and cons yourself.¡±


    Vera turned to leave, but Aiden called after her, ¡°Sis, can you arrange that high-level meeting for me?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Vera glanced at her designer watch and said, ¡°It¡¯s almost noon. What time do you want to schedule it?¡±


    Aiden looked at the materials on his desk and replied, ¡°Four o¡¯clock this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

 Chapter 92

    At exactly 4:00 PM, Aiden Thompson walked into the meeting room with a calm and confident stride. The attendees were all senior executives at the company, dressed in well-tailored suits, their every movement exuding professionalism and confidence.


    David, the Executive Vice President, stood up first and addressed the room in a professional tone: ¡°As I¡¯m sure everyone knows, Mr. Rex Thompson has been hospitalized due to a sudden heart attack and will need some time to recover. As a result, he has appointed Aiden Thompson as the Acting Chairman during his recovery. We¡¯ve called this meeting to officially introduce our Acting Chairman. From now on, if anyone encounters any issues, you can communicate directly with Aiden Thompson.¡±


    At this point, Garth, the Marketing Director, leaned forward slightly, hands clasped on the table, with a tone that was both skeptical and challenging: ¡°David, as I understand it, Aiden Thompson has been away from the company for over a year. Now, he¡¯s suddenly back and expected to take on the Chairman¡¯s duties. No offense, but I think even the receptionist is probably more familiar with the current operations than he is.¡±


    Just as David was about to respond, Aiden smiled and raised his hand, signaling to speak first: ¡°Garth, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve been away for a year. But rest assured, before making any decisions, I will conduct a thorough and in-depth review of everything. I also sincerely hope to receive your full support and oversight in the work ahead.¡± Aiden¡¯s response was polite yet confident, showing great professionalism.


    Garth, clearly trying to challenge him, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and pressed further: ¡°Well, in that case, I have a tough question for you. Regarding the complaint from TechGen, they¡¯ve reported that the new batch of refrigerators they produced has a high-temperature resistance issue, and they suspect that the chips we provided are defective. The customer is pressing for full compensation. What do you think, Mr. Aiden Thompson?¡±


    Aiden knew full well that TechGen was adamant that the problem was with the chips and was demanding full compensation from the get-go. According to the usual complaint handling process, Garth, being an experienced Marketing Director, should have known exactly how to handle it. By bringing this issue up in front of the senior team, he was clearly trying to make Aiden look bad in front of the others and undermine his authority as Acting Chairman. Yesterday, Rex had warned him that many people in the company had been secretly swayed by Henry Morgan, and it seemed that Garth was likely one of them.


    However, what Garth didn¡¯t know was that Aiden had spent the entire day locked in his office, having a quick lunch at his desk, specifically to get up to speed with the company¡¯s latest developments¡ªthis complaint from TechGen included.


    Aiden took a slow sip of coffee from the cup on the table, then answered in a calm and clear manner: ¡°I¡¯ve already reviewed the situation in detail today. As of now, this complaint lacks solid testing reports to back it up. TechGen is primarily focused on the appliance industry, and their expertise in chip technology is clearly not on the same level as Silverstone¡¯s. So, my suggestion is to form a dedicated TechGen Complaint Response Team, pulling one senior member from the R&D, Quality Control, and Production departments. This team¡¯s task will be to investigate the entire production process of the chip in question, as well as every detail in the assembly process on the customer¡¯s end. Additionally, we will conduct a comprehensive internal test of the chips in question to ensure all performance indicators meet the required standards. Once internal testing is complete and results are confirmed, we will engage a respected third-party testing agency, such as Intertek or SGS, to perform more rigorous performance tests and provide a legally valid test report. Once we have the report, we can then proceed with a rational and objective compensation discussion with TechGen¡¯s representatives based on the findings.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s answer was logical, fluent, and seamless¡ªhe made it sound as though he had been deeply involved in the issue all along, not just stepping in today.


    Garth was left speechless, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face as he reluctantly nodded, agreeing to arrange things according to Aiden¡¯s suggestion.


    Aiden glanced around the room and smiled. ¡°Any other questions?¡±


    At this moment, Amy, the Sales Director, raised her hand slightly. After being given permission, she spoke up: ¡°Mr. Aiden Thompson, have you been following the stock price today?¡±


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°Clearly, after the news of Mr. Rex Thompson¡¯s health issues came out, the market reacted, causing the stock price to drop. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible, or it could damage investor confidence,¡± Amy said, her voice tinged with concern.


    Aiden remained calm and composed as he responded in a steady tone: ¡°Amy, I understand your concern. While there has been some market fluctuation, it¡¯s still within the normal range for market movements. We will form a dedicated financial analysis team to closely monitor the market and prepare a detailed company performance report to disclose to investors at the right time. This will help stabilize market confidence. Please trust that we have the ability to handle these challenges.¡±


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    At 9:00 PM, the office building was still brightly lit. Aiden Thompson wrapped up a long day at work and hurried out of the office.


    Rex Thompson had been moved from the ICU to a regular ward, and family members were allowed to visit at any time. Yesterday, Mabel Thompson had stayed up all night outside the ICU, keeping vigil the entire night. Today, she was physically exhausted and had gone home to rest. In American family culture, when one person becomes overly tired, the others step in to help them recover their strength.


    In the hospital room, the nurse was on duty. Aiden gently pushed open the door and walked in. Rex, lying in the bed, lifted his eyelids slightly, looking at Aiden with concern and curiosity. ¡°Hey, son, how was your day at the office? Did those sneaky guys try to throw any roadblocks in your way?¡±


    Aiden pulled up a chair next to the bed, sitting down calmly. ¡°It was fine. Everything¡¯s under control.¡±


    Rex raised an eyebrow. ¡°Even if you can¡¯t control everything, you still have to carry the weight. This whole mess started because of you.¡±


    Aiden tilted his head, confused. ¡°How did I become the villain here?¡±


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t turned down the Porter family¡¯s marriage proposal last year and pissed off old Porter, do you think he would¡¯ve turned against us? He¡¯s the second-largest shareholder, and without him, there¡¯s no way Henry Morgan would be so bold as to go up against me.¡± In American business culture, family businesses often use marriage alliances to strengthen their partnerships, and when those fall apart, it can have a ripple effect.


    Aiden knew that his father had been upset about the marriage refusal, and it was because of that issue that the relationship between the Thompsons and the Porters had soured, leading to Elijah Porterjoining forces with Henry Morgan to target them. Given that Rex had just suffered a heart attack and was still weak, Aiden bit back his frustration. He didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation, as it always ended in an argument. He glanced at the fruit basket on the table and asked gently, ¡°Dad, want me to peel an apple or peel an orange for you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have an appetite,¡± Rex replied, his tone still firm and stubborn.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll eat it.¡± Aiden smiled and picked up an orange, skillfully peeling it. He had never been interested in fruit, but Grace loved it. They often sat together on the sunny balcony, chatting and sharing fruit. Over time, Aiden had picked up the habit.


    Rex glanced at him and asked, ¡°The company¡¯s stock price dropped a lot today, right?¡±


    Aiden replied slowly, ¡°It¡¯s fine, it didn¡¯t hit the limit down.¡±


    Rex exhaled heavily through his nose, clearly displeased. ¡°You¡¯re happy it didn¡¯t hit the limit down?¡±


    ¡°At least it shows the company¡¯s situation is still under control.¡±


    Rex¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°When the stock price drops, be careful of someone trying to do a hostile takeover.¡±


    Aiden put a slice of orange in his mouth and confidently said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already got a professional legal and financial team keeping an eye on it. If anyone tries anything underhanded and crosses the legal line, we¡¯ll send them straight to jail.¡±


    Rex looked at Aiden and, seeing his calm demeanor, knew he was prepared. He had always recognized Aiden¡¯s abilities, or else he wouldn¡¯t have invested heavily in the AgroTech project.


    ¡°Also, find some time to apologize to old Porter.¡± Rex¡¯s tone was firm, not open to debate.


    Aiden looked at him in confusion. ¡°Apologize for what?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d already arranged a marriage alliance, and Miss Porter has had feelings for you for years. But you just disappeared without a trace. How do you think that makes them feel?¡±


    After finishing the orange, Aiden took a tissue and calmly wiped his hands. ¡°I never agreed to the marriage.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad, let¡¯s not talk about this right now. I don¡¯t want to upset you again.¡± Aiden quickly interrupted. ¡°But I¡¯ll go see Elijah Porte rand have a good talk with him.¡±


    ¡°Even though he¡¯s close to the Morgan family now, he¡¯s been my old friend for many years. When you go, be polite and know your boundaries.¡±


    ¡°I know, Dad.¡±


    ¡°And next Friday, there¡¯s a charity dinner hosted by the East Coast Business Association and the New York Chamber of Commerce. Well-known business leaders from all industries will attend. It¡¯s a great opportunity to network. You¡¯ll come with me, and I¡¯ll introduce you as my successor.¡±


    Aiden sighed, speaking softly, ¡°At least ask me what I think about it first.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You don¡¯t want to go?¡±


    ¡°There are plenty of talented managers out there, and there are many potential leaders in the company. Why does it have to be me to take over?¡±


    Hearing this, Rex¡¯s emotions flared, and he suddenly clutched his chest, his breath becoming shallow. ¡°You... are you trying to kill me?¡±


    Aiden was startled, quickly pressing the emergency button by the bed. He stood up and placed both hands firmly on his father¡¯s shoulders, anxiously saying, ¡°Dad, I didn¡¯t mean to upset you. Please calm down!¡±


    The doctor quickly rushed into the room and carefully checked Rex. After confirming that there was no major issue, the doctor gave Aiden a reproachful look, as if judging him for being unfilial, and said, ¡°Mr. Thompson, your father¡¯s health is still very fragile. Please avoid any further stress, and take better care of him.¡±


    Aiden felt helpless. He had been as careful as possible but could only respond, ¡°Okay, Doctor. I understand, thank you.¡±


    Once the doctor left, Aiden gave Rex some warm water, tucked him in more carefully, and finally relented. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go with you to the dinner. You can arrange it however you want, okay?¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Rex snorted and said proudly, ¡°Just don¡¯t say I¡¯m forcing you later.¡±


    Aiden gave a helpless smile and sighed. ¡°No, I¡¯m doing this willingly.¡±


    Aiden knew he shouldn¡¯t stay in the room any longer. Their differences in opinion made it difficult to have a pleasant conversation. Instead of staying here as an emotional trigger for his father, he decided it was better to leave.


    As he walked out of the room, he ran into Vera Thompson. She must¡¯ve come to the hospital while he was inside, and her face wore a mischievous smile. She teased, ¡°Looks like you couldn¡¯t resist Dad¡¯s pressure, huh? He¡¯s got you wrapped around his finger.¡± The tone was clearly mocking.


    Aiden noticed she was already in comfortable loungewear, so he guessed she had gone home and changed. ¡°Sis, you take care of Dad. I¡¯m heading out now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, take care,¡± Vera waved, watching Aiden leave.

 Chapter 93

    On his first day at work, Ryan hummed a little tune as he cheerfully walked into the office. What caught his eye was a perfectly neat desk, with brand-new stationery neatly arranged and the surface so shiny it almost reflected his image. It was clear someone had put thought into preparing everything for him.


    But Aiden Thompson was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Hey, boss, isn¡¯t Aiden here?¡± Ryan asked, looking around the office, clearly puzzled.


    Olivia immediately put down the file she was holding and, with a hint of teasing in her tone, corrected him, ¡°Ryan, don¡¯t forget. You need to call him ¡®Mr. Thompson¡¯ now. A little respect goes a long way in the workplace.¡±


    ¡°Right, right. My bad, Mr. Thompson,¡± Ryan scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.


    Grace Li looked up from her computer and patiently explained, ¡°His father¡¯s sick and in the hospital. He took some time off to go home and take care of things.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Ryan thought for a moment, then curiously asked, ¡°Mr. Thompson¡¯s family is on the East Coast, right? I heard they¡¯ve got quite a bit of influence over there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right,¡± Grace Li replied briefly.


    Ryan¡¯s curiosity grew even more, and he lowered his voice as if sharing a secret, ¡°Do you think his relationship with his family is a bit... off? I mean, he barely went home over the holidays when he was with Nova Capital. I thought most Americans love spending holidays with their families?¡±


    Grace Li shook her head slightly and said with a touch of helplessness, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. He doesn¡¯t really talk about his family.¡±


    ¡°No way? You guys have been dating for almost a year, and he still won¡¯t open up to you?¡± Ryan¡¯s eyes went wide, clearly in disbelief.


    Olivia, picking up a folder from the desk, gently tapped Ryan on the head, ¡°You need to stop sticking your nose into other people¡¯s business. People have their privacy, let¡¯s not go digging around.¡±


    Ryan pouted, muttering, ¡°I¡¯m just trying to be nice, but it seems like it¡¯s taken the wrong way.¡±


    Grace Li smiled warmly, ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯m not dying to know. If he wants to talk, he¡¯ll talk when he¡¯s ready.¡±


    Olivia and Ryan exchanged a look, silently agreeing to drop the topic.


    Just then, there was a light knock on the door. The three of them turned to look, and in walked Jack Martin, dressed in business-casual attire, with a warm smile on his face. ¡°Hey, everyone, hope I¡¯m not interrupting anything?¡±


    Olivia stood up enthusiastically to greet him, ¡°Of course not, Jack! Come on in, welcome!¡±


    Jack Martin held up a coffee cup tray with a few steaming cups of coffee. ¡°I passed by that coffee shop you all always talk about this morning, so I grabbed some coffee for everyone to help wake you up.¡±


    ¡°Oh wow, that¡¯s awesome, Jack! You¡¯re a lifesaver!¡± Olivia¡¯s eyes lit up, eagerly grabbing a cup.


    Grace Li also smiled and thanked him, ¡°Thank you so much, Jack. You really didn¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, just a few cups of coffee. No big deal,¡± Jack Martin said, turning to Grace Li, ¡°Ms. Li, if you¡¯re free, I¡¯d like to chat with you about something.¡±


    Grace Li immediately understood, making a graceful gesture toward the meeting room. ¡°Of course, let¡¯s go talk in the meeting room.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    As they walked into the meeting room, Jack Martin instinctively glanced around and, noticing Aiden wasn¡¯t there, casually asked, ¡°Mr. Thompson still hasn¡¯t come back to work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he probably won¡¯t be back for a while. His father¡¯s condition needs his attention for a bit longer.¡±


    ¡°Well, that means the workload¡¯s on you for now. You¡¯ve got your hands full,¡± Jack said, with a sympathetic tone.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. With Olivia and Ryan helping out, it¡¯s not too bad,¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Teamwork is everything,¡± Jack said, pulling an elegantly designed invitation from his briefcase. ¡°This is an invitation to a charity dinner hosted by the East Coast Business Association and the New York Chamber of Commerce. I got two invitations. I¡¯ve been wanting to expand my network and meet more people in the industry, but I get a bit nervous at these social events. I was hoping you, being the social pro that you are, might want to join me?¡±


    Grace Li took the invitation, looking it over. It wasn¡¯t surprising that Jack, a rising star in the tech world with several patents to his name, had received such an invite, especially since he had recently joined the New York Chamber of Commerce. She knew he was brilliant in his field but a little shy in social situations. Still, it was clear he was eager to improve and get involved in such events to build his social skills.


    Grace Li herself had been thinking of using such events to expand her own network and open up more opportunities in her career. So, without hesitation, she agreed, ¡°Sure, I¡¯d be happy to go with you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much! You really saved me,¡± Jack said, visibly relieved.


    Grace Li smiled and responded, ¡°No problem, I should thank you for giving me this opportunity. I¡¯ve been wanting to get into these high-end events.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ll pick you up the night of the dinner.¡±


    ¡°Looking forward to it.¡±


    **


    When Aiden Thompson was a kid, every Thanksgiving and Christmas, he''d go with his parents to the Porters'' house. The two families had been close for generations, so these holidays were a big deal¡ªtime for turkey, pumpkin pie, and catching up on the past year¡¯s life and business stories. The adults would chat about everything going on, while the kids ran around, laughing and playing, making it a lively, fun time. It wasn¡¯t just socializing; it was about keeping that family connection strong.


    But as Aiden got older, he started to lose interest in these gatherings. On the one hand, he wanted more independence and didn¡¯t want to be stuck at family events his parents set up. On the other, Emily Porter¡¯s feelings for him made him uncomfortable. He knew he didn¡¯t feel the same way about her, but he didn¡¯t want to hurt her, so he kept his distance.


    Elijah Porter didn¡¯t have Emily until he was forty, and as a result, he spoiled her a lot. This made Emily a little bit of a brat. By the time Elijah was in his sixties, he had stepped away from the business world, living off his wealth and dividends from his many investments. These days, he spent his time collecting art, playing golf with friends, or sipping expensive coffee made by a pro barista, enjoying his well-earned retirement.


    Aiden was sitting in the living room of Elijah¡¯s home, surrounded by priceless art pieces from all over the world. These weren¡¯t just symbols of wealth¡ªthey were a testament to Elijah¡¯s taste and experience. When Elijah saw Aiden walk in, his smile faded, replaced by a cold, disapproving look. ¡°You walked out on us last year, and now you show up like nothing happened?¡± Elijah¡¯s voice was full of irritation.


    Aiden had expected this. He took a deep breath and said sincerely, ¡°Mr. Porter, I was young and rash. I didn¡¯t think things through, and I made a lot of mistakes. I hope you won¡¯t hold that against me.¡±


    Elijah Porter let out a short laugh. ¡°So, now you regret it?¡±


    Aiden gave a small, humble smile. ¡°Everyone makes mistakes. But what¡¯s done is done. No amount of regret is going to change the past.¡±


    ¡°You think you can just sweep it under the rug with ¡®I was young and stupid¡¯? Do you have any idea how much gossip Emily had to deal with after you left? You embarrassed her in front of everyone, and you still don¡¯t regret it? Then why are you here now?¡± Elijah¡¯s voice was sharp with anger, the protective father in him coming out.


    Aiden apologized again, this time more seriously. ¡°Mr. Porter, I messed up. I didn¡¯t think about Emily¡¯s feelings or our family¡¯s relationship, and I apologize to both you and her for my rash actions.¡±


    Elijah Porter stayed cold. ¡°Apologies don¡¯t fix anything. You hurt her, and that¡¯s something she¡¯ll carry with her.¡± He was firm on this¡ªhis daughter¡¯s feelings mattered above all else.


    ¡°I get it,¡± Aiden said, lowering his head slightly. He then shifted the conversation. ¡°I screwed up, but our families have been close for years. My dad and I don¡¯t want to see this drive a wedge between us. I¡¯m here today to try to make things right and figure out how we can repair our relationship.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve always treated you like family, but now you¡¯re acting like we don¡¯t matter?¡± Elijah¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°Emily¡¯s going to marry Henry Morgan now. We¡¯re family with the Morgans, not you.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re the major shareholder in the company,¡± Aiden pointed out. ¡°Do you really think Henry Morgan can run the business?¡±


    ¡°Whether he can or not, we¡¯ll see. But since he¡¯s marrying my daughter, he¡¯s basically part of the family. I only have one daughter, and everything I¡¯ve built is for her. If you don¡¯t want it, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll leave it to someone else. What¡¯s the issue with that?¡±


    Aiden listened carefully and found himself agreeing with Elijah¡¯s point. He only had one daughter, and as he got older, it made sense for him to leave everything to her. The long-standing friendship between their families seemed less important now in light of his daughter¡¯s future.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a point, Mr. Porter,¡± Aiden said with genuine understanding. ¡°I get it.¡±


    Elijah Porter glanced at him, then took a sip of his coffee. ¡°Well, since you understand, just do what you need to do.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Aiden nodded. ¡°But even though your family¡¯s joining up with the Morgans, we¡¯ve shared so many years of friendship. I hope you¡¯ll take that into consideration and not hold this against me.¡±


    Elijah Porter didn¡¯t soften much but his tone had calmed a bit. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to hold against you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mr. Porter,¡± Aiden said, standing up. ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to say. I won¡¯t take up any more of your time.¡±