Chapter 15
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Chapter 15
Soon, the three-day summit meeting came to an end.
The business presentation, which Axel gave his all to prepare for, was taken off the agenda completely.
Nonetheless, thanks to the connections he made previously and his efforts at hardselling, he managed to acquire a small portion of investments as a temporary solution to the company’s critical issues.
Even so, that did not help in making him feel relieved at all. The reason for this was because of Asher, his half-brother, who was born of a different mother.
At a sub-forum during the summit meeting, Asher won Cora’s public appreciation for his ” Research on Innovative Materials for Sustainable Architecture”. Because of that, his status within their family and the corporation shot up instantly.
As one of this summit meeting’s hosts, Jaeger Group finally acquired an opportunity to have dinner with people from Schmidt Group the day before they returned home. However, the dinner only lasted two hours.
Main courses were served in a private room on the top-most level of the hotel, which also
served as a landmark in Axeholt City.
Cautiously, Paul brought up an area with potential for a partnership with Schmidt Group. Hubert listened to him without giving anything away.
Seated diagonally across from Cora, Axel’s attempts to speak up were interrupted by Ella’s jokes and laughter. Meanwhile, Aaron peeled prawns and served food onto Cora’s plate silently.
As an experienced businessman, Axel could clearly perceive the hostility that the Welsh siblings, who had flown here out of nowhere, held toward him.
Aaron, in particular, was just like Asher. He definitely wanted to have more to do with Cora.
At the same time, Asher raised his glass. “Ms. Spade, regarding the issues brought up at the summit, I actually have some specific ideas on the utilization of eco-friendly architectural techniques.
“Could we perhaps exchange contacts so that I can present a detailed report to you online another day?”
Cora raised her glass back at Asher, her eyes twinkling. “Of course.
Chapter 15
Axel leapt to his feet. His sudden movement caused him to knock over a glass of red wine beside his hand with a loud clatter.
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A burgundy hue spread across the tablecloth as the waitstaff hurried forward to clean spill.
up
the
While everyone focused their attention on him, Axel walked up to Cora’s side slowly. She turned her eyes toward him, her gaze carrying an ambiguous glimmer of delight.
blue Axel took a deep breath, then got down on one knee. Right after that, he pulled out a navy velvet box from his suit’s inner pocket. He opened the box slowly, revealing the dazzle of a diamond within.
He lifted the ring as he looked straight up into Cora’s eyes. In a shaky voice, he said, “Cora, you decided to marry me that year when I had nothing. Do you remember? Back then, as I held your hands in mine, I swore to buy the biggest diamond for you in the future, so that I could propose to you once again.”
He took a deep breath and lifted the ring a little higher. He had an earnest expression on his face as he continued, “I messed up. Could you give me another chance so that I can keep my end of the promise?
“I know that I lied to you and wronged you before, but my love for you is true. Cora, for Nolan’s sake, could you give me another chance to love you right?”
While pin-drop silence filled the private room, a myriad of expressions came across everyone’s faces. Paul and Margaret, in particular, looked as pale as ghosts.
Ella gritted her teeth and inhaled sharply, breaking the silence before anyone did so.
At the same time, Cora revealed no emotions on her face. Instead, she took the ring from Axel and fiddled with it. The main gemstone was a diamond of at least eight carats. Its cut was perfect, and its clarity was top-notch.
she
If he had presented this ring to her personally on the day she returned from Auchendale, might have been so moved that she’d cry her eyes out. Then, she might actually spend another ten years giving her life for him and that “family” that didn’t exist.
Disbelief and glee twinkled in Axel’s eyes as he looked at the serious look on Cora’s face. He decided to keep the momentum going. “Cor-”
But Cora cut him off with a scoff. “It’s too late.”
With a flick of her finger, the diamond ring flew across the air, rolling a few times before finally coming to rest after hitting Axel’s shoe.
It was too late, so much so that the ring no longer represented a promise but an insult instead.
Chapter 15
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my
Ella clicked her tongue. “How dare you bring out a toy for pretend play to fool dear Cora? From the looks of it, the rumors about your company facing financial troubles might just be true. Am I right, Mr. Axel?”
Cora smiled, maintaining a neutral stance. Casually, she twirled a stray lock of hair that rested on her shoulder.
The moment she started doing so, she revealed the dazzling glint from the diamond earrings she was wearing. Its value had to be at least a million dollars.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry came from the other side of the door. “Axel!”
Louise barged into the room like a madwoman, her hair disheveled. A few bodyguards followed her into the room, looking helpless and too afraid to approach her.
