"Seven million dors for seventy percent of the shares." Ophelia stated firmly.


    In reality, seven million dors could buy two or threepanies like Christopher''s outright.


    Christopher stood there, his expression nk with shock. He couldn''t seem to process what he''d just heard.


    Ophelia didn''t have much experience in such negotiations. She misinterpreted his stunned look and thought perhaps she''d asked for too much. She pressed the card into his hand and quickly backpedaled. "Okay, how about sixty-five percent? That''s as low as I can go." Christopher finally snapped out of his trance. "What? No, that''s not what I mean... Look, you can have the wholepany if you want. Just let me keep working on this project..."


    Ophelia realized then that he truly was a tech visionary, born for scientific innovation. "Alright," she agreed. "Draw up the contract and let me know. If you need more funding, just say the word."


    Christopher stared at the bank card in his hand, overwhelmed with gratitude. He had never met Ophelia before, yet she had shown him such immense trust.


    After a moment of silence, Christopher looked up, his demeanor now one of renewed determination. "You can count on me, boss," he said firmly.


    They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet in a week to sign the contract.


    What Ophelia didn''t know was that those seven million dors hadn''t just saved Christopher''spany - they had also saved his gravely ill mother.


    In the future, even if Harry showed up again, he could never shake Ophelia''s ce in Christopher''s heart.


    The next afternoon, Christopher received a call from Harry while he was at the hospital looking after his mother. "Mr. Smith, I heard you''ve been having a tough timetely," Harry said. "If you need any help, I''m here for you."


    Harry had heard that Christopher''spany was on the brink of bankruptcy and his mother was in critical condition. Christopher was at his wit''s end. Harry had been biding his time, waiting to swoop in and buy thepany at rock-bottom prices. He''d also get to y the savior, earning Christopher''s loyalty to Hastings Group.


    This call, Harry thought, would be like offering a lifeline to a drowning man, and Christopher would be overwhelmed with gratitude.


    "Thank you, Mr. Hastings, but the issue has been resolved," Christopher replied.


    Harry frowned. ''Resolved? How is that possible? Who in the right mind would want such a mess of apany?'' Christopher wasn''t a fool. He knew all too well how big corporations like Harry''s operated. Their help was just pretty words masking their true interest - profit. They were simply waiting to lowball him and take advantage of his misfortune.


    In contrast, Christopher knew Ophelia was genuinely helping him, making him feel sincere and free from pretense.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "If there''s nothing else, I''m hanging up," Christopher said bluntly, ending the call.


    Harry stood dumbfounded, listening to the beep. He was shocked that Christopher dared to hang up on him.


    Immediately, Harry ordered his secretary to investigate who had beaten them to the punch. If it was some no-name smallpany, he figured he could easily outbid them with a bit more cash.


    ***


    48 Mon, Nov 11


    A weekter, Christopher slid a contract across the table to Ophelia in a café near the hospital. Without skipping a beat, Ophelia flipped to thest page and signed her name. Her swift, no-nonsense approach left Christopher stunned. 59%


    "Wait, hold on," Christopher said, his eyes wide. "Don''t you want jo, I don''t know, read it first?" He''d dealt with investors before, and they typically scrutinized contracts as if with a magnifying ss, haggling over fractions of a percentage. But Ophelia was the most efficient he''d ever encountered.


    "I trust you," Ophelia said simply. She knew Christopher''s character well enough. In her previous life, despite facing unfair treatment while working under Hastings Group, he had never betrayed anyone''s trust. That spoke volumes about his integrity.


    Before Christopher could even express his gratitude, Ophelia stood up. "Alright, that''s settled. Call me if anythinges up," she said briskly.


    Christopher scratched his head, puzzled. ''Doesn''t she want to ask about the ns for thepany''s future?'' he wondered.


    Even though Ophelia hadn''t asked, he''de prepared. "Just a sec, Miss Spencer. I''ve drafted this-"


    "Right," Ophelia cut him off, scooping up the papers as she rose. Take care of the tab. Call if anythinges up."


    With that, she spun on her heel and marched out, leaving Christopher feeling bewildered.


    As Ophelia neared the exit, she nearly mmed into Harry, who''d rushed over after hearing the news.


    They narrowly avoided a collision. Ophelia scowled, stepping back and brushing off her clothes as if contaminated.


    Recognition shed across Harry''s face. ''So it really is her. What''s she up to?"


    "Ophelia," Harry blurted, "I can''t believe it''s really you." It was clear he''d done his homework. Ophelia raised an eyebrow, unfazed. She hadn''t nned on hiding her identity anyway. He would have found out sooner orter. The café was bustling with peopleing and going. Standing in the doorway wasn''t the best ce for a conversation.


    Christopher, noticing the tension, stood up and gestured for them toe over and talk.


    Harry smiled politely, pushing his gold-rimmed sses up his nose. "What a coincidence, Mr. Smith. I never imagined my sister would be the one investing in yourpany."


    ''Sister?'' Christopher thought, ncing at Ophelia in confusion. The contempt in her eyes was palpable. Clearly, there was no love lost between these two. He finally realized why Ophelia was aware of his predicament.


    "Mr. Hastings, you got to be kidding me," Ophelia said coldly. "You''re a Hastings, but I''m a rk. I''d hardly call that a family connection."


    A flicker of embarrassment crossed Harry''s face, but he quickly recovered with a tolerant smile. "Ophelia, I know you''ve had a rough rtionship with the family and harbor resentment towards us. But we''re still blood rtives. Since we''re family, surely we can work things out..."


    "Blood rtives?" Ophelia scoffed. "Funny, I remember someone saying that real family is built on day-to-day bonds, not just DNA. If that''s the case, how can you im we''re family now?" Her words echoed what Harry had said when she first joined the Hastings family. "Don''t be ridiculous." Harry frowned. "The Hastings family has their eye on this project for investment. You shouldn''t meddle in this - it''s not some child''s y. Do you have any idea how much it costs to invest in a techpany? We''re talking at least 1.5 million dors. Where would you even get that kind of money?"


    Ophelia ignored him, her gaze fixed on the window, frequently checking the time on her phone.


    Harry pushed his sses up the bridge of his nose, concealing the dissatisfaction in his eyes. 14:48 Mon, Nov 11 wwt


    B


    59%


    "I apologize for this, Mr. Smith," he said smoothly. "Let me make you an offer. I admire your work, and given my sister''s connection to you, I''m willing to increase our buyout offer to two million dors for yourpany. Additionally, Hastings Group will offer you an annual sry of 200 thousand dors to manage this techpany specifically."


    "Heh... Ophelia couldn''t help but let out a coldugh. It all sounded so nice, delivered with just the right touch of condescension - perfectly in line with the Hastings'' way of doing business.


    Christopher nced at Ophelia. He had suspected she might be from some wealthy family, but their interactions made him doubt it. Even if she were part of the Hastings family, he''d be willing to work for them. All she had to do was say the word. "Think it over. I''m leaving," Ophelia said urgently, rising from her seat and exiting the café.