Lago


    shock.


    stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, Jessie and his department manager both turned pale, springing to their feet in


    ''How could it be Enrique? This bid was clearly theirs for the taking; it couldn''t be Enrique!*


    Apuse erupted in the room as the other bidders and the audience congratted the equally surprised Enrique. "Congrattions, Mr. Sullivan!"? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Congrats on winning the Southville development, Mr. Sullivan! Let''s coborate more in the future and make money together!"


    Enrique snapped back to reality, beaming with joy, his eyes nearly squinting into slits. "Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the congrattions. Let''smunicate and cooperate more in the future!"


    Finn slowly stood up, buttoning his jacket, and cast a cold nce at Lago, who was still frozen in shock. "Mr. Smith, it might be wise to be more cautious about unpredictable oues from now on." With that, he walked over to Enrique to congratte him.


    Jessie was crying uncontrobly, shaking Lago, who seemed paralyzed by shock. "Honey, say something! What''s going on?!"


    The manager''s expression was equally grim. If it weren''t for Lago putting everything he had on the line for this project, believing he could secure it and make a bigger profit in future contracts, I wouldn''t have turned down the olive branch from the otherpany. But now... I can''t believe I was blind enough to pick a useless fool!''


    "This can''t be happening! We agreed on thisst night-there''s no way!" Lago finally came to his senses. Suddenly remembering something, he rushed to the front desk, shouting, Mr. Joyce, you said-"


    Before Lago could finish, Arturo''s assistant yelled, "What are you doing? This isn''t the ce for your nonsense!"


    Lago snapped back to reality, realizing he almost let his anger get the better of him. But he still couldn''t ept it, ring intensely at Arturo. His eyes were bloodshot with rage. How could he ept this? He had borrowed over thirty million from loan sharks, and now that he lost the project, the daily interest was piling up-it meant all his hard work this year was for nothing!


    Arturo gestured for his colleagues to leave and stepped closer to Lago, trying tofort him. ''I know missing out on the bid hurts, but sometimes you just have to look ahead."


    Lago wasn''t ready to back down. "Mr. Joyce, you promised mest night!"


    Arturo lowered his voice, "This is an emergency. This morning, our city''s top leaders met with Sean, the president of Yonder Digital. Sean said they would support all smart projects in Southville for free, but only if they participated in this evaluation." He pointed to a room on the second floor, enclosed in champagne-colored ss. "That vote went to Enrique. Sometimes, you just have to ept it. Next time, III try to help you more."


    While saying this, Arturo pressed his palm down on Lago''s shoulder, applying a bit more pressure.


    Lago felt a sharp pain in his bones and sensed Arturo''s threat


    Arturo gave him onest intense look, waved his hand, and left the inner area.


    Lago couldn''t hold on any longer; his body went limp, and he copsed onto the floor....


    In the crowd, everyone was loud and boisterous, but Shakira paid them no mind. She was focused solely on Lago. She watched as he seemed so confident and cocky, then witnessed hisplete breakdown, like a shell of it person 08-24 Wed, Oct 23 GY


    The smile on Shakira''s lips only grew deeper, and soon, she everughed out loud. It had been a long time since she felt this happy.


    Shakira''s phone buzzed, and a message preview popped up.


    Sean: [Got it! Boss, you''re donating your entire year''s bonus to charity now!]


    Shakira replied: [No worries, I have other bonuses from differentpanies.]


    Scan:... Well, having money makes you special!]


    "Shakira!" Xanthe, who was so happy she was practically dancing suddenly remembered her and pulled her outside. "Hurry! Let''s go take a big group photo, then we can feast at the celebration banquet! My dad booked the most luxurious rotating restaurant in Crescentville. Let''s eat our fill!"


    Shakira struggled to keep up with Xanthe. Once they were outside, she spotted Cody and a few others nearby.


    Xanthe''s eyes twinkled mischievously as she pulled Shakira in a wide arc. "Wow, I can''t believe our family actually defeated the Nelson family from the top five wealthy families to win the bid! The Smiths were still bragging at the meeting, and now look-they''re totally embarrassed! How satisfying!" Shakira caught on to Xanthe''s intention and smirked slightly, choosing not to call her out.


    The Nelson family members red at them as they approached, their expressions growing cold. Yvette clenched her fists tightly.


    Xanthe shot Yvette a nce and raised her voice dramatically. "Hey, Shakira, did your mouth get some special magic? You said my dad''s business wouldnd good news, and look how quickly it came true! You really are our family''s great benefactor!" Enrique, hearing his daughter''s words, turned around and sincerely bowed to Shakira. He was overwhelmed with emotion, tears brimming in his eyes. "Xanthe is right! Ms. Nelson, you are truly our family''s treasure and good luck charm! If it weren''t for you encouraging Xanthe, I might have given up longago


    Enrique knew he hadgged behind others in the bidding and faced ridicule from Lago for his efforts. If it weren''t for his daughter''s support, he definitely would have quit.


    Shakira waved her hand, trying to decline, but Enrique and Xanthe nked her and pulled her to the center for a photo.


    The center spot has to be for Ms. Nelson!"


    Meanwhile, the Sullivan family was celebrating on the other side, while the Nelson family looked very gloomy. Selena was fuming at Enrique''s words calling Shakira a ''benefactor'' and ''good luck charm


    "What an ignorant fool! How can Shakira be considered a benefactor or good luck charm?" "She''s clearly a disaster-her involvement is what caused the Nelson family to lose the bid!'' Cody frowned, and Reba''s expression was equally.plicated. They didn''t say it out loud, but they were clearly frustrated watching the Sullivan family celebrate, wishing it were them who had won the bid


    Yvette''s voice was shaky, almost in tears as she could barely lift her head, fearing the disappointment in her family''s eyes. "I''m sorry, Dad, Mom, Grandma, Finn. It''s my fault. I never expected things would turn out like this. I feel like I let everyone


    down...


    Finn had decided two days earlier to abandon the project, so he ferpained calm. He suddenly said, "Actually, Enrique might be right. The reason they won the bid could very well be because of Shakira. We should have dropped out when Mitchell first suggested it." Yvette turned pale, feelingpletely alone without anyone tofort her.


    Cody was furious, "Then why didn''t she say something earlier? She''s turning her back on us!"


    Reba chimed in with herints. "Exactly! The Lopez family probably knew the inside scoop and chose not to bid. If Shakira had told us sooner, we wouldn''t have wasted our time here!"


    "She never considered that we might support our own people! The elderly woman was furious.


    Finn sighed, baffled by why the elders were being so unreasonable.


    Yvette listened as the discussion turned against Shakira, bitterness boiling inside her Shakira, what are you even worth? Her nails dug into her palm, and pain shot through her.