The atmosphere chilled visibly, tension thickening in the air like gunpowder waiting for a spark.

Everyone at the table fell silent.

It was at this precise moment that Austin decided to speak up.

"Since Valentin believes this is Summit Technologies' responsibility, there's no point in continuing this discussion," he said coldly.

"If Summit Technologies Group can't maintain basic business ethics,perhaps this opportunity should go to someone more suitable."

The implication that Judith was the "more suitable" candidate couldn't have been clearer.

Judith beamed with delight. "After all, fairness matters most. Whether Ms.Hawthorne selects me or not. I'll give this product exchange conference my absolute best!"

Her attitude appeared sincere and earnest, not only diffusing the tension but winning admiration from everyone present.

"Such a delicate young lady with such a sharp mind-truly remarkable."

"Well, she's an elite with international education. She has the credentials and the insight. Naturally, she outshines certain people who can't hold their own in this arena."

"Forgive my poor judgment. I almost mistook Ms. Brooks for a mere accessory Mr. Raymond brought along. I had no idea her academic background was so impressive."

"Anyone Mr. Raymond associates with must be exceptional. Besides, she's the Brooks family heiress, isn't she?"

Ella listened to these thinly veiled jabs and condescending remarks without reacting.

She maintained her composure, refusing to take the bait.

She knew Judith had graduated from a prestigious overseas institution and carried the weight of the Brooks family name.

A gilded education and aristocratic background could certainly elevate a project's perceived value.

But Ella wanted the project to succeed on its own merits rather than external factors.

However,when these comments began targeting people close to her, like Daron, Ella's patience evaporated.

Austin swept his gaze over to Ella, who remained calm and collected.

His voice turned frigid. "Ella, you're not welcome here."

If anyone ranked highest in status at this gathering, it was undoubtedly Austin.

His cold, arrogant expression seemed to declare: He made the rules of this world.

He could create them, and he could destroy them.

Even if he was being unjust.

Ella considered her options and decided there was no point remaining at

the dinner any longer.

If this gathering was about networking and social status rather than the quality of the products being evaluated, what purpose did the product exchange conference even serve?

She believed that a product should earn approval based on its merits.

But this dinner seemed to have abandoned that principle entirely.

She stood up, preparing to leave.

"Let's go," She said simply.

Though surprised, Daron followed her lead without question.

For some inexplicable reason, he felt confident that following Ella's judgment was the right choice.

Daron, suddenly driven by principle, bowed briefly to Tessa before departing with Ella.

The group led by Austin seemed pleased by their departure. They hadn't wanted Ella there to begin with, so her exit only improved their mood.

Only Austin's expression shifted slightly.

Had pressuring Ella to bow down not worked this time?

When had she become so stubborn?

Austin hadn't nctually intended to drive her away.

But seeing her thriving without him, developing an oven deeper partnership with Daron-it triggered something unpleasant within him.

Judith, sitting closest to Austin, could sense his mood.

He leaned back in his chair, his expression as cold as if he'd just emerged from a freezer.

Ice seemed to crystallize across his features.

Judith didn't dare speak, even growing more careful about how she ate.

Tessa unexpectedly broke the silence. "Does anyone have the Prometheus Project proposal? I'd like to take a look."

This question made Austin raise his eyes.

Judith's gaze gradually hardened as her hands clenched at her sides.Anger began climbing up from the depths of her heart.

"That garbage project won't ever see market release," Valentin couldn't resist adding another dig at Summit Technologies.

Tessa shot him a piercing look.

"I'm on the committee. The final decision is mine to make. Whatever dispute you have with Summit Technologies has nothing to do with the project itself," She said firmly.

"Though you and Summit are currently competitors, since the Prometheus Project is also being presented at the product exchange conference, I need to make an impartial assessment. I can't be suspected of any favoritism or conflicts of interest."

"I hope everyone understands."

Her approuch combined firmness with diplomacy.

Valentin couldn't formulate a response.

He could only obediently hand over the Prometheus Project proposal to Tessa.

She didn't rush to review it, simply placing it beside her while continuing to dine pleasantly with everyone.

Judith glanced at Austin's expressionless face, then back at Tessa.

Seeing that Tessa didn't even bother looking at the proposal, Judith felt reassured.

She secretly concluded that Tessa's earlier words were just a smokescreen to protect her own project.

In reality, the only project likely to receive approval was Blue Lantern.

Otherwise,why would Tessa treat her so courteously?

She also took comfort in the fact that Tessa had dismissed Ella completely.

And with Austin backing her, Judith felt doubly secure.

With these reassurances, her frustrationlargely dissipated.

"Ms. Hawthorne, I specially ordered this dish for you. Knowing you prefer lighter flavors. I asked the kitchen to prepare it in your hometown style.I hope it suits your taste." Judith said warmly.

Tessa nodded with a smile, but didn't eat the dish.

Judith wasn't particularly concerned by this.

With so many project representatives present, all trying to impress Tessa

with food and drinks, she understood that Tessa couldn't possibly attend to everything at once.

By the time Ella arrived home, evening had fallen. Daron, concerned about the Prometheus Project presentation at the product exchange conference,had returned to the office.

He hadn't reproached Ella for leaving the dinner early. Instead,he seemed to understand her position completely.

This reassured Ella considerably. Her approach to work had always been methodical and grounded.

So she maintained her forward-looking perspective. It wasn't time to panic yet; the final judgment hadn't been rendered. They shouldn't allow temporary setbacks to define them.

She turned on the lights and hung her coat and purse on the rack.

Sarah wasn't home tonight.

Ella felt a dull ache in her abdomen and realized her period had arrived.

She hurried to the bathroom to change and took a hot bath before preparing for bed.

Normally, her periods weren't painful.

But since the miscarriage, she experienced cramps for the first time. Cold sweat beaded on her skin as the pain intensified.

Lying in bed with the covers pulled up, Ella found even breathing painful.

After tossing and turning, she let out a sharp breath, biting her lip as wayes oof cramping surged through her abdomen.

Ella reached for her phone, intending to call Sarah in her disoriented state.

She stared at a number, not checking if it was actually Sarah's,and pressed dial.

When the call connected, she heard a familiar masculine voice.

Austin's volce?

His number?

Ella pressed her lips together in confusion. Hadn't she blocked him?

How did she still have his number?

She sat up, checking her phone, and discovered it was Austin's work number.

He maintained two phones-one personal, one for business.