Chapter 358 The Heart is Quite Ruthless
Before Sophia could ask anything else, she heard voices from Matilda's side. Matilda then whispered, "Mom, I'm in a meeting right now. Let's talk about this when I get back tomorrow."
The call was hastily ended, leaving Sophia's questions unasked and turning into sighs.
She placed her phone on the couch, her face full of worry.
"Mom, we haven't figured out the specifics yet, so don't worry too much," Katniss guessed the general situation but decided not to speculate before seeing Matilda and George.
"Whether we have figured it out or not, that marriage certificate is not fake. I saw it with my own eyes; it has a seal and the City Hall stamp! But what does it mean that George is seeing another woman while already married to her?" Sophia's face was very unpleasant, and she couldn't describe her feelings.
Katniss gently patted her back and didn't offer any more comfort, not knowing where to start.
Sophia rambled on, fearing that George was stringing Matilda along while dealing with Odette.
In the end, Odette didn't agree, not only disappointing Matilda's sincere efforts but also putting all the blame on her.
Wouldn't Matilda be the one who gets hurt?
"Mom, Matilda is already twenty-six years old. Whatever choices she makes, she has thought them through. After all, everyone experiences each age for the first time, and it's impossible to make the right choice every time. Besides trusting her, we should be her support. Don't you think?"
Katniss had been through that stage herself. Some things are clear to an observer but can't help the person involved.
Right now, Matilda and George are very much in love, and revealing everything would be useless.
After a long sigh, Sophia bent down to pick up Evie, "Fine, I won't interfere anymore. I'll just take good care of Evie."
Despite her words, Sophia's eyes couldn't help but redden.
After all, it's her own daughter. Who wouldn't want her to be happy?
In the evening, Katniss went to White Corporation.
Tonight, she would attend a banquet with Benjamin and Samuel.
Since it was a business invitation, the three of them were considered a unit.
"Mr. Forbes allowed you to come?" In the car, Benjamin smiled and said to Katniss, "Aren't you worried that Travis and Ivy will cause you trouble tonight?"
Katniss was studying White Corporation's recent shares and didn't look up, "I'm already here, isn't your question pointless?"
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, "I might be the most cowardly boss, letting you talk to me like this."
"Whether you're cowardly or not, your heart is quite ruthless," Katniss commented honestly.
As soon as she finished speaking, Samuel interjected, "Mr. White, I've already purchased a house in a newly developed suburban apartment complex. The house was handed over to the owner just three months ago, and the occupancy rate is less than ten percent. It's quiet and safe."
"Good, put the house in your name, and I'll reimburse you. Once things are settled, the house will be your reward for helping me," Benjamin was willing to spend a lot of money and trusted the people he used.
This way of interacting made both Samuel and Katniss feel comfortable.
Samuel didn't forget to joke, "Then I hope Mr. White finds a few more women and hands them all over to me."
Benjamin laughed and cursed him a couple of times, but the curve of his lips was slightly bitter and desolate.
"Now, Synergy Global Corporation holds a banquet for any slight movement to build connections," Katniss ignored their jokes and talked about business, "A lot of people are coming tonight. Who do you think they're really here for?"
Benjamin's expression became more serious.
Samuel was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "I guess they're here for the city government-business cooperation resort project."
"I also guess that they've almost secured the project through some means," Benjamin tapped his fingers on his leg twice and looked at Katniss, "So their invitation to you tonight might not be to cause trouble but simply to make you envious."
The car was very quiet, and Katniss rested her chin on her fingers, looking at the scenery flying by outside the window.
Ever since she knew Travis and Ivy invited her, she had been speculating about the banquet's real purpose.
"If it's really as you say, not just to annoy me but to warn everyone to be more cautious in future collaborations, Synergy Global Corporation still has influence."
It might be childish, but it could be effective.
To secure the city government-business project, they must have connections with the city's main leaders.
And if they can intervene in the city's government-business project, the main leaders of Velvet City must also respect them.
In this way, Synergy Global Corporation's dignity would be more widespread.
Who would go against politicians?
"But according to my investigation, neither Travis nor Ivy is familiar with people in politics, so there must be another hidden reason for them to secure the government-business project so easily."
Katniss turned back and exchanged glances with Benjamin and Samuel, "Let's probe tonight. We might have unexpected gains."
The two men's brains were almost fried by her, not as quick as hers combined.
Samuel looked at Benjamin, "Mr. White, did you understand?"
"Understood," Benjamin adjusted his suit and turned his head, "But I'm not telling you."
Neither of them understood, but neither asked more questions, leaving it all to Katniss.
Outside the hotel, a banner congratulating a wedding anniversary was hung.
A red carpet was laid from the hotel entrance to the street. After the car stopped, Katniss and the others got out and strode into the hotel.
The lobby was crowded, with people toasting and smiling.
Groups of three or five gathered occasionally, whispering about something.
Among the crowd, Katniss immediately spotted Ryan, standing in the far corner, nodding at her.
He then pressed the Bluetooth earpiece in his ear and quietly reported to Tristan, "Ms. Grey has arrived."
"Ensure her safety," Tristan said while keeping an eye on Evie and the situation.
Maintaining the call, Tristan could hear everything within 10 feet of Ryan.
In the quiet room, it seemed noisy. Tristan also wore a Bluetooth earpiece; otherwise, Evie might be scared by the sudden noise.
At the banquet, Katniss and Benjamin's arrival didn't cause the expected crowd to surround them.
This confirmed Katniss's suspicion that Travis's tactic was effective.
However, the official announcement of the project winner was still half a month away, so today was just an informal acknowledgment.
Even so, Travis walked out with the main leaders of Velvet City and the neighboring city, smiling the brightest and even walking ahead of the leaders, his momentum visibly high.
In contrast, the two main leaders, trailing slightly behind, had forced smiles and only nodded slightly to the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Valentin from Velvet City and Aubrey from the neighboring city."
The two leaders waved briefly to the crowd and then lowered their heads.
Both had bodyguards behind them, watching for anyone taking photos.
The crowd wasn't foolish and greeted them respectfully, with many flattering and ingratiating tones.
"I'm very pleased that Valentin and Aubrey could attend my and my wife's wedding anniversary. Let me introduce the rising stars of White Corporation."
Travis eagerly pulled White Corporation into the mix, "Mr. White, Ms. Grey, Aubrey, these young talents are the hope of Velvet City's business community. What do you think, Valentin ?"
He asked Valentin with a smile.
Valentin 's eyes flickered, then he vaguely said, "I'm not very familiar with the business world, but as far as I know, Synergy Global Corporation has been stable for a long time."
This implied that Synergy Global Corporation was much stronger than White Corporation.
"Valentin , you're too kind. The younger generation is formidable. I must work hard and hope for more cooperation opportunities in the future. We're of similar age and should support each other..."
The rest was a bunch of flattery.
Katniss couldn't listen anymore and quietly slipped out of the crowd.
Her guess was spot on; she was invited to be mocked. With those two leaders backing him, Travis was fearless.
Even if people could see Valentin and Aubrey's reluctance, Travis must have his ways to make them comply.
In the future, any project Synergy Global Corporation wanted to involve in would make everyone cautious.
She found a quiet corner to sit. Every business enterprise had its dirt.
The political world was the same, and only certain things could hold politicians' fatal weaknesses.
But with Travis's abilities, how could he have evidence that made both leaders so wary?
She remembered Adelaide mentioning that Sam's father was a big shot, and her brows furrowed.
Just then, a phone appeared in front of her.
"Ms. Grey, Mr. Forbes said if you're bored at the banquet, you could chat with him."
Ryan was helpless. The phone had already dialed a video call, and Tristan answered, but it was Evie on the other end.
"I'll watch for you, you chat," Ryan stood behind her, ensuring no one saw Evie on the phone.
The phone's volume was low, and Evie's voice could only be heard close to the ear.
Occasionally, Tristan's hand would appear, taking the phone away from Evie's mouth.
"Tristan, aren't you bored!" Katniss scolded softly.
The banquet had just started; she couldn't spend hours holding the phone.
"Evie, Mommy doesn't love you anymore and doesn't want to talk to you," Tristan provocatively said, "She might want to see Daddy."
The phone returned to Tristan's hand, his eyes squinting and lips smiling, making Katniss laugh.
This scene was captured by two men with blonde hair and blue eyes on the third-floor railing, continuously taking photos with their phones.
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