Chapter 70
Once Fawkes Enterprises became UME’s largest investor, crossing paths with Soren would be inevitable.
And that was the last thing she wanted.
Glenn’s lips curled into a small, determined smile. “Then just turn them down.”
His decisiveness caught Evangeline off guard. She’d always known Glenn as a workaholic, someone who rarely let personal matters interfere with business.
Fawkes Enterprises was one of the most prestigious firms in Serenity City. Their investment would have solved UME’s biggest obstacle almost overnight.
She’d expected Glenn to persuade her to accept the offer, not dismiss it so easily. Almost as if he could read her mind, Glenn continued, “Of course it would be great to have Fawkes Enterprises on board. But even if they don’t invest, with how hot the UME project is right now, raising funds won’t be a challenge. But you… you’re different.”
He glanced down at her, his eyes sincere. “UME survived because of technology. Without you, this company wouldn’t be here today.”
your
“If I had to choose between Soren’s money and you, I’d pick you every time. No question.”
If someone else had said this, she might have brushed it off as empty flattery. But this was Glenn.
Back when UME was just starting out, only she and Glenn truly understood the tech. She was the engineer, Glenn the algorithm wizard. They’d spend whole days arguing over a single feature, determined to make the robotics as perfect and precise as possible.
Outside work, they were friends. But when it came to technology, neither was willing to back down–not even an inch–if they had the slightest doubt.
In their world, “good enough” was never enough. There was always room for better.
Yet, just before Evangeline left UME, she’d created a near–flawless piece of technology. Not only did UME use it, but other companies scrambled to imitate it. Even now, after countless product upgrades and iterations, the core logic in UME’s tech was still built on Evangeline’s original design.
1/3
Chapter 70
She’d heard Glenn mention that more than once.
She knew Glenn’s words now were more admiration for her skill than anything else, but it still moved her deeply.
Her heart skipped, and a warm rush of gratitude welled up inside her.
After all these years, someone still believed in her–unwaveringly.
Evangeline nodded, her voice steady. “I won’t let you down this time.”
And she wouldn’t let herself down, either–not after everything she’d worked for.
Back at Fawkes Tower, Soren returned to his office only to hear from his assistant that UME had declined their investment proposal–again.
He’d half–expected it this time, so his reaction was calm, almost indifferent.
Gregory stood nearby, watching Soren’s inscrutable expression, unsure what to say. With the Fawkes family’s current influence, there wasn’t a company in Serenity City that would willingly refuse a partnership with them. Even those with special circumstances never dared offend Soren directly;
fost would rush to apologize
the moment they turned down an offer, hoping for another chance in the future.
But this was UME’s second rejection.
And this time, they hadn’t even bothered with an apology.
It was as if UME had taken Soren and Fawkes Enterprises‘ reputation and dragged it through the mud.
Still, Gregory knew Soren wouldn’t back down so easily.
Mr. Fawkes had always valued talent, sometimes to a fault.
If Soren hadn’t respected UME’s team, they’d never have gotten the chance to refuse him twice.
Sure enough, after a brief silence, Soren spoke. “Look into his schedule.”
is I a
He intended to handle this himself.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Gregory wasted no time. He quickly returned with the information. “Mr. Carlisle will be attending a charity gala in two days.”
He skimmed the guest list. “The Fawkes family was also invited, but this year’s gala
is hosted by the Lockridges.”
Soren’s eyes narrowed.
Gregory felt the tension, too.
The Lockridges–like the Fawkes family–were one of Serenity City’s four great families.
By rank, the four were: the Fawkes family, the Lockridges, the Carlisles, and the Whitmore family.
The Carlisles and the Whitmores were old blood, with deep roots but fading influence as the times changed. The Carlisles still held on, but the Whitmores had been in decline since Evangeline’s mother’s generation. After her mother’s death, the family faded from the city’s stage almost entirely.
Chapter 71
