?Chapter 422:


    Jade spread the files across the table—electronics procurements, EV battery contracts, venture capital proposals. Every deal was clean, legal, and lucrative.


    Ernst reached for the top folder. A CEO like him would never ignore potential profit, no matter how many orders hispany already had.


    Even Ethan flipped through some documents with interest. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the pages. Two proposals seemed promising.


    Jade masked her satisfaction. She knew Ethan would consider working with her in legal business deals. After all, he owed her for saving him before.


    Brenna could hear the soft murmur of Ethan and the others’ conversation through her earpiece, the words clear, but the specifics of their “business” remained unclear. The vague references hinted strongly at something illegal. She took out her phone and checked it. Her satellite phone’s signal remained strong.


    Brenna weighed her options and decided to observe the situation for a while. She recognized the challenges of reporting the uwful business from international waters—response times could be dyed.


    And if Jade’s people discovered her little tricks, everyone on this yacht would be in danger.


    Her eyes surveyed the scene, counting at least thirty armed guards. She wouldn’t be able to take them on even with her gun.


    Confrontation was not an option.


    Brenna took over one side of the grill, and the other three women gathered opposite her.


    Sabine was pleased with herself, the enticing smell adding to her sense of satisfaction as she convinced herself she had surpassed Brenna in grilling the food.


    She mocked Brenna, “Where’s that confidence now? You imed expertise with cooking the tuna. But you’ve turned it into trash. Even a roadside vendor could do better than you.”


    Brenna wore a faint smile, ignoring her.


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    Seeing that, Sabine let out a snort.


    The moment was interrupted as Jade emerged with Ethan and the others. She was walking alongside Ethan, a victorious grin spread across her face. Ethan, wearing a smile, exchanged words with Jade, even shaking hands with her.


    “To a prosperous coboration!” Jade eximed. “And remember, I helped youst time. You owe me a meal for that.”


    “Of course,” Ethan responded graciously.


    Brenna observed them with a blend of curiosity and doubt. Hadn’t Jade been talking about some sort of shady dealings earlier? Why had Ethan agreed to work with her?


    Catching Brenna’s gaze, Jade misread it, thinking Brenna was jealous. She tightened her hold on Ethan’s hand with a smug smile, intending to upset Brenna.


    Brenna maintained a calm expression as she turned her focus to the skewers. Ethan felt a sharp twinge in his chest as he noticed Brenna’s reaction and immediately withdrew his hand.


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