Chapter 257 Competing with the Howard Group
I flipped through the invitation in my hand, a confident grin spreading across my face.
"Of course, how could we miss out on such an interesting event? It's time for the elite of Wind City to know that the Cooper Group isn't some obscure little company anymore," I said.
Theo nodded slightly. "Got it. I'll start prepping everything right away, from the itinerary to your outfit. I'll make sure you have nothing to worry about at the party."
With that, he turned and quickly walked away.
Since Hayden's funeral, I'd only seen Edward once. Edward had been MIA for so long, but I was sure he wouldn't miss such an important party. It was the perfect chance to gauge the current state of the Howard Group.
The party arrived as scheduled. I wore the high-waisted, loose-fitting dress Theo had carefully picked out for me. It ensured comfort for my abdomen while cleverly concealing the slight bulge.
For convenience, I swapped my heels for a pair of comfy sneakers before heading to the venue.
As soon as I stepped into the bustling hall, the lively scene unfolded before my eyes.
Just as I expected, this party was indeed a stage for the business elite to compete discreetly. Here, the subtleties of relationships were on full display. Those with close ties toasted and drank heartily together, while the unwelcome ones were inevitably shunned and excluded by other groups.
At that moment, I deeply understood the hardships Mia had endured while managing the Cooper Group.
To my surprise, despite searching the crowd, I couldn't find Edward. Instead, Anne appeared alone.
Perhaps it was precisely because she arrived alone that I started to notice something unusual.
Anne, petite and sweet-looking, wore a little cocktail dress that made her appear even younger and cuter, but it was completely out of place in such a formal setting.
What shocked me even more was that Anne stayed close to Nicholas the entire time. The affectionate look in Nicholas's eyes as he gazed at her piqued my curiosity, and I began to pay close attention to their every move.
Thanks to the connections I had built in the business world, I attracted quite a bit of attention.
As soon as I entered, several familiar business leaders warmly greeted me and started conversations. "Ms. Cooper, I heard the Cooper Group has made remarkable progress on its projects recently. Impressive!" one business leader said with a smile.
I responded politely, sharing the Cooper Group's development prospects, and we had a pleasant conversation.
Several other business leaders who had previously shown interest in collaborating also gathered around, discussing potential partnerships.
Throughout the evening, many people offered me drinks. Though I politely declined due to my condition, their enthusiasm and respect made me feel genuinely welcomed.
However, as the party dragged on, the prolonged socializing began to wear me out. I decided to step out of the hall for a moment to find a quiet corner to rest.
Just as I stepped out, Anne appeared, blocking my path with a smug look on her face.
"Well, Diana, I didn't expect you to show up here so determinedly despite being pregnant. Seems like you'll stop at nothing for your failing company," she said.I was taken aback and couldn't quite grasp why Anne had suddenly turned so hostile.
I stared at her calmly and replied, "Why can't I attend the party if you can? I have an invitation, so I'm fully justified in being here."
Anne threw her head back and let out a sharp, harsh laugh. With a glance of disdain, she arrogantly declared, "Take a look around. This party is for the elite. The Cooper Group is merely a small player, and you'll always be at the bottom of the ladder here."
She covered her mouth and giggled triumphantly.
Clearly, Anne had no clue about the current business landscape.
The small company she referred to was now a leading force in Wind City, even capable of rivaling the Howard Group. I couldn't help but wonder why Edward hadn't shown up during such a critical time when the Howard Group was in turmoil. His presence would have commanded respect from everyone here.
Thinking of this, I stared directly into Anne's eyes and coldly asked, "Where's Edward?"
Anne's eyes darted around, and a sly smile appeared on her face. She said mockingly, "Missing him, are you? I've hidden him away, but I'll never tell you where. With Aria gone, you're the only enemy I have left."
Her words sent a chill down my spine.
Rumor had it that Edward's mental state had deteriorated significantly after Hayden's death, and his behavior had become increasingly erratic. Given his current condition, I couldn't help but worry about his safety, especially with someone as malicious as Anne.
Sensing my concern, Anne let out a loud, piercing laugh that made my skin crawl.
"Diana, I can't believe you still care so much about Edward. Dad begged you to remarry him, but you stubbornly refused. If you had agreed, the Howard Group would have supported you, and you wouldn't have to work so hard while pregnant," she said, winking at me slyly, her eyes full of calculation.
At that moment, from a concealed and unnoticed corner, a pair of eyes silently took in everything happening around them.
I was tired of getting tangled up with her, thinking to myself: Edward's matters were their own business, and they had nothing to do with me. As for the hardships I faced in running the Cooper Group, it wasn't something she could casually comment on. With that in mind, I decided not to waste any more time on Anne and turned on my heels, striding away with purpose.
I returned to the lively area of the party.
The business leaders were toasting and laughing, and I navigated the crowd with a glass of juice in hand. Everyone knew I represented the Cooper Group, and given my pregnancy, no one pressured me to drink.
Watching these businesspeople, I couldn't help but find it amusing. I remembered how Mia had fought to keep the Cooper Group afloat, constantly facing exclusion and suppression, which made her journey exceedingly challenging.
However, my situation was now much more manageable. I recognized that Nicholas's gift of shares and the Griffin Group's proactive collaboration were key factors in this change.
People were always so pragmatic, accustomed to currying favor with the powerful. Perhaps this was one of the ruthless yet real tactics in the world of capital, where everything was so cold and so true.
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