Chapter 957 Is Jasmine Going to Divorce Ethan?
Silverlight City Project Meeting
All the shortlisted bidders had arrived for the meeting: the Cunningham family, the Raymond Group, the Powell family, Vincent... practically everyone was present.
This was the final consultation before the project would be officially awarded.
The Silverlight City project was of paramount importance. Whichever company secured it would enjoy stable growth for the next decade—it was essentially a guaranteed foundation for future success.
This was particularly crucial for joint ventures like the Cunningham family and the Powell family. Winning would mean breaking into the Silverlight City market definitively. With this project as their foundation, they'd hold a trump card for all future endeavors.
Only Edward and Jasmine were representing the Cunningham family at the meeting, with Jasmine serving as their official spokesperson.
Lily entered the conference room alongside Vincent, noticing Jasmine and Edward arriving together. She let out a mocking laugh. "I thought you were smarter than this... I expected you'd distance yourself from the Cunninghams at a time like this. How foolish of you."
"You call it foolishness, I call it humanity," Jasmine replied coolly. "Would it be better to abandon all decency like you have? Only someone who's barely human could think themselves so clever." Taking Edward's arm, she walked into the conference room.
Lily gritted her teeth in anger, taking a deep breath as she looked up at Vincent. "Look at her arrogance—acting like she was born superior. She seems to have forgotten that just a few years ago, she was thrown out by the Wilson family and spent five years being mistreated in prison."
Without Ethan, Jasmine would still be nobody! What right did she have to act so high and mighty?
Vincent raised an eyebrow, smiling. "You're letting her get to you already? If you were truly capable, you wouldn't show your emotions so plainly on your face."
Lily bit her lip, looking down. "I'm just angry... and you're not even defending me."
"What should I say? Jasmine is razor-sharp with her words. If I jumped in, I'd just be setting myself up as her next target," Vincent said flippantly as he walked toward the conference room.
He'd have to be insane to provoke Jasmine. She might appear fragile, but her capacity to wound was lethal. Did Lily really think Ethan was a fool who'd fall for a weak, worthless woman? If Jasmine truly unleashed her full force, Lily wouldn't stand a chance.
But as Jasmine had pointed out, she still retained her humanity. Lily, on the other hand, had sacrificed her basic decency in her desperate climb to escape her past.
"Ms. Taylor, Mr. Hamilton, you two are truly the cream of the crop among the younger generation. We look forward to many future collaborations," someone said, approaching them.
"We're all competing fairly for this project. You're too kind," Vincent responded with perfect poise.
Lily smiled proudly, throwing challenging glances at the now-ostracized Cunningham representatives.
No one dared associate with the Cunningham Group now. If they couldn't clear their name from the black market allegations, they would lose the Silverlight City market entirely. And the Raymond Group, through Ethan's marriage alliance, was clearly suffering by association.
"It seems the Murray family has suddenly collapsed," someone remarked, trying to ingratiate himself with Lily and Vincent. "A mysterious overseas investor has acquired the Murray Group and is reportedly withdrawing from the bidding. The details are unclear, but the Murray family is certainly out of the running. You two are now the frontrunners, and with your relationship blossoming, it seems like a win either way."
Vincent exchanged a meaningful glance with Lily as they both smiled, each harboring their own thoughts.
With the Cunninghams and Raymonds potentially out, only Vincent and the Powell family remained as serious contenders.
"Vincent, you'll let me have this project, won't you?" Lily whispered, affecting vulnerability.
Vincent's lips curled into a smile. "Of course... I'll definitely let..."
Lily hugged his arm gratefully. "Vincent, I knew you were the best."
If Vincent stepped aside, the Powell Corporation would secure the project without question.
"We've reviewed all the proposals," the project manager began, "and we're particularly impressed with the Raymond Group and Murray Group submissions..."
They had originally favored the Cunningham Group, but with their current controversy, that was no longer viable.
Lily smiled confidently. "The Murray Group has undergone sudden changes, with their chairman and CEO both imprisoned. The company has been acquired, and I hear the new president doesn't intend to continue with this bid."
The project manager smiled politely. "We haven't received any formal withdrawal notice from them yet."
Lily raised an eyebrow. It was only a matter of time.
"As for the Raymond Group," she continued, "given the Cunningham Group's alleged criminal connections, wouldn't their marriage alliance be problematic? Even if the Raymond Group wasn't involved, they'd still face public scrutiny. Don't you agree?" she asked the project manager pointedly.
The manager looked nervously at Ethan.
"Of course, if Mr. Douglas were willing to divorce his wife to demonstrate his commitment and prove his innocence..." Lily suggested with a smile, certain that Ethan would never leave Jasmine.
But without a divorce, he would remain tainted by association.
"Ms. Taylor, you're overstepping!" Ethan warned sternly.
Lily just smiled, clinging to Vincent's arm provocatively.
"Will Mr. Douglas divorce or not?"
"If he does, the Raymond Group would have a much better chance..."
The room filled with murmurs.
Ethan's expression darkened as he glared at Lily.
Jasmine glanced sideways at the smug Lily and laughed coldly. "Don't celebrate too early—reality has a way of disappointing the overconfident."
Rising to her feet, she looked at Ethan. "Mr. Douglas and I have decided to file for divorce tomorrow."
Edward sighed, looking at Jasmine, wanting to dissuade her but at a loss for words.
He knew Jasmine feared dragging Ethan down, yet still wanted to stand with the Cunningham family through their troubles.
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