So he enjoyed putting on a show, did he? Well, just wait. He'd have that guy eating out of his hand in no time. Today, he needed to perfectly execute the task Eugene had assigned him. His promotion and salary increase depended on it. "The sincerity of Cosmos Group is certainly something to look forward to," Chloe remarked with a faint smile, reaching out to pick up the contract. "Wait just a moment," Monique interjected, stepping forward. "What's really going on here? The designated window for cooperation negotiations has closed. What's the meaning of this sudden disruption by Cosmos Group now?" Monique scanned the room, raising her voice so everyone could hear. "If I recall correctly, Chloe already has an existing cooperative relationship with Cosmos Group, doesn't she?" Her words triggered a wave of realization among those present. It was true—back when Chloe served as the exclusive designer for LOVELESS, she had collaborated with LOVE, a subsidiary under the Cosmos Group umbrella. Both entities had utilized her designs, meaning a professional relationship was already established. For Cosmos Group to make a move now, at this precise moment—it certainly seemed suspicious. Prompted by Monique's reminder, the shareholders began murmuring among themselves. "I'd nearly forgotten. Chloe's had ties with Cosmos Group all along. Is it possible they're deliberately stepping in now to help her save face regarding the partnership issue?" one shareholder speculated aloud. "Appearing at the last second to rescue the situation. But what's the actual capital commitment in this contract? There's no way to know." "Could this just be a fabricated contract, designed to make everyone believe Lewis Group's funding issues are solved?" "Lawrence was the Chief Agent of Cosmos Group's headquarters three years ago, but everything is under Mr. Meader's direct control now. With Mr. Meader absent, who actually has the authority to make decisions? It's been three years. Does Lawrence still hold any real sway within Cosmos Group? Or does he even have the qualifications anymore?" "Ms. Lewis, your connection to Cosmos Group is no secret. If you genuinely intended to involve Cosmos Group, you could have simply asked Mr. Voss to sign a cooperation agreement. We might have even accepted a few hundred million in investment," Ernesto declared, his voice rising as he glanced around the room, a clear note of mockery in his tone. "Bringing Lawrence here to play a part in this charade is just inappropriate. The man is in his seventies—shouldn't he be at home enjoying retirement rather than running around like this?"What if something happens to him while he's here? Could you take that responsibility?" A wave of uneasy laughter rippled through the room at Ernesto's remarks. Arthur looked at Chloe, unable to hold back. "Chloe, why are you insisting on this? There's a significant difference between the Capaville branch of Cosmos Group and its global headquarters. If this reaches Cosmos Group's international leadership and becomes public, Lewis Group's reputation..." He trailed off, frowning and shaking his head. "You think Lewis Group will become a laughingstock?" Chloe cut in abruptly. Arthur was taken aback. "That's not what I meant—" "Your meaning is irrelevant. What matters is what happens next. I'll show everyone that since I said I would turn Lewis Group around, I can deliver." Chloe glanced coolly at Arthur, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Lewis Group can partner with anyone—except Myers Group." With that, she picked up the document and opened it in full view of everyone. "Chloe, this farce has gone on long enough. It's time to stop performing with your hired help. Do you even understand what 'turning the company around' entails?" Monique strode forward, intent on stopping what she saw as a stalling tactic. The negotiation window had closed. If Chloe hadn't secured a partner, it proved her inability to lead Lewis Group forward. As a shareholder, Monique was determined to see her removed. She moved to snatch the contract from Chloe's hands, but her sharp eyes caught an eye-catching string of numbers on the open page. "This..." Monique blinked, unable to believe what she was seeing. So many zeros. Just how much money was this? "Cosmos Group Headquarters formally enters into a strategic partnership with Lewis Group," Monique read aloud, almost involuntarily. "Cosmos Group invests fifty... billion..." A stunned silence fell over the room. "What?" No one could believe what they had just heard. Fifty?Billion? Had she really said billion, not million? Even five billion would have been astounding—Chloe's requirement had been a one-billion cooperation. But this was on a completely different scale.