<b>Chapter 265 </b>


    Bianca glided back into the hall, her makeup wless and her poise restored, a polished smile once again lighting up her face.


    She had barely taken her seat when Henry messaged her to say he’d ordered champagne to


    celebrate.


    She replied, “That’s too extravagant. There’s no need for all that.”


    Henry shot back, “I’m not that broke college kid anymore. You don’t have to save money on my


    ount.”


    His message made herugh. “Well, whose fault is it for hiding it from me back then?”


    He answered, “If I hadn’t, how would I have known my senior was such a kind soul?”


    Bianca grinned, slipped her phone into her purse, and turned her attention fully to the bidding results.


    Across the table, Carman asked Noreen, “Are you nervous?”


    “A bit,” Noreen admitted, “but I believe in you.”


    She hadplete faith in their proposal. Carman focused on the technical innovation and R&D, while Noreen led fundraising, resource integration, and business strategy–making sure the project had everything it needed to seed.


    Each yed to their strengths, working together seamlessly, and their efficiency pushed the project forward at record speed.


    The otherpanies at the event didn’t hold out much hope; most were there just to be seen. After all, who in Rivercrest City could trulypete with the Aurelion Group?


    Some had already begun cozying up to Seth and Bianca, hoping to get a foot in the door–even a small slice of the project would be worthwhile.


    As for Noreen’s team, no one paid them any mind.


    Bianca allowed herself a smug smile.


    She’d stumbled once before–losing to Noreen in the SkyMind versus InnoCore bid due to a momentarypse–and it had stung. But Seth hadn’t given up on her. He’d handed her an even bigger project, a chance to prove herself all over again.


    So what if Noreen had won, just that once?


    It was luck, pure and simple. And luck didn’t always pick the same side.


    Bianca, chin lifted in quiet arrogance, turned to Yvonne beside her and whispered, “When is my father getting here?”


    Yvonne reassured her, “He’s on his way. He should arrive right as the results are announced. He wouldn’t miss a day like this.”


    With everyone important to her firmly in her corner, Bianca felt utterly secure.


    <b>15:07 </b>


    At eleven thirty, the staff took the stage to announce the results.


    Meanwhile, Lillian waited by the entrance for a courier to deliver the flowers she’d ordered, wanting to congratte Bianca the moment the results were out.


    Just then, she spotted a man approaching with a massive bouquet of sunflowers.


    “That’s odd,” she murmured. “I didn’t order sunflowers. Did the florist mess up?”


    Before she could sort out her confusion, the man with the bouquet drew close. When Lillian saw his face, she was utterly speechless.


    He didn’t spare her a nce, heading straight into the event hall.


    Lillian fumbled for her phone and messaged Bianca in a rush.


    “Cousin! I just saw Dn walk into the award ceremony with a huge bouquet of sunflowers!”


    But Bianca, focused on the announcement, didn’t see the message.


    The staff member stepped up to the microphone and read out the results.


    A triumphant smile was already ying across Bianca’s lips. But when the name “Winrich” was announced, her expression froze.


    A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.


    Padgett Novak, who had been following the bid closely, wasted no time in congratting Noreen. Soon, others joined in–offering their congrattions, swapping contact information, and hoping for a chance to coborate. <fn8f61> Follow current nov?ls on find?novel</fn8f61>


    Noreen weed them all with politeposure.


    Compared to the buzz around Noreen’s table, Yvonne looked visibly upset.


    At that moment, Forrest Lowell called, asking for the results.