Sober and beautiful, my husband and son begged for my forgiveness on their knees.

Ning Yao's pupils narrowed slightly, breaking the calmness on her face and revealing a hint of sharpness.

"If I remember correctly, President Lu was looking for cooperation with 'Shattered Star' not long ago. Even without this project, 'Shattered Star' still has other options."

Lu Jingmo stood up and slowly walked to her.

His finely crafted shirt accentuated his refined and aloof demeanor.

"That was before. After news of 'Shattered Star' ruining the Games spread, no one in Whale City would be willing to cooperate with you."

Ning Yao's hand on the armrest tightened silently. She had long heard that Lu Jingmo was known for his sharp eye and ruthless approach to business.

Now I've learned my lesson.

She relaxed her shoulders slightly, her clear eyes meeting his gaze again. "Mr. Lu, you can directly state your terms. What would it take for you to be willing to cooperate with 'Shattered Star'?"

Lu Jingmo had taken control of the conversation, his handsome features exuding composure and confidence.

"Two conditions."

"First, after the National Games are over, I want you to unconditionally follow my arrangements and cooperate with the Lu Group's new projects."

"Second, go to the hospital tonight to accompany Mingjin, but don't make him angry."

Ning Yao thought he would ask for a share of the profits, or that 'Shattered Star' would not earn a penny in this cooperation, but she did not expect his demands to be even more outrageous than those two.

They expect her to be an unconditional slave and a tireless, unpaid maid!

She had gone to great lengths to escape the cage, and he could simply ask her to willingly walk back in with a few words?

impossible!

“Mr. Lu, what you’re asking for isn’t a condition, it’s wishful thinking. I’m not an all-powerful work machine, nor am I your family’s 24/7 nanny. I can’t do what you’re saying.”

Lu Jingmo did not think his conditions were excessive; in fact, he believed he was considering her best interests.

If she can reach a cooperation agreement with the Lu Group after completing the sports meet, it will be a qualitative leap for both her and the company.

With the Lu Group as her backer, she can undertake almost any project in Whale City in the future.

He gave her such great convenience, and all he asked for was to spend time with his son.

She refused without hesitation!

"Ning Yao, you'd better think it over before you answer me."

Ning Yao slowly stood up. Although she was still a head shorter than Lu Jingmo, she stubbornly raised her face to meet his gaze.

"I've thought it through very clearly; you're the one who hasn't."

“‘Shattered Star’ is indeed insignificant now and cannot withstand the storms, but it still has the right to choose. The worst outcome is simply to start all over again.”

"I've always been a patient person. At worst, I'll just have to persevere a little longer and eventually reach my goal."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Lu Jingmo couldn't help but sneer, "So you're planning to use the same patience you had for scheming our marriage to do business with me?"

Ning Yao was taken aback. What was the connection between the two?

Lu Jingmo sat down casually to the side, his voice turning cold, "Then I advise you to sell 'Shattered Star' as soon as possible, lest you harm yourself and others."

These words were like a slap in the face to Ning Yao, making her feel ashamed and gradually calming her down.

She came fully prepared, determined to reach a cooperation agreement.

When did things start to get out of control? It seems like it was when Lu Jingmo said she couldn't accept defeat...

At that moment, she was like a cat with its fur standing on end, suddenly revealing her claws.

Lu Jingmo sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking at her like an outsider.

The atmosphere was stiff and cold.

He raised his hand to check the time; nine minutes had already passed.

"Let's stop here for today. I have a meeting to attend. You can leave now."

Ning Yao held her breath, turned around to face him, and said, "If President Lu wasn't joking just now, then I'll grant your request."

Inside the reception room, Zhong Yunche kept checking the time, the light from the watch face reflecting back onto his face, casting a frosty hue.

Just as he was about to lose his composure, Ning Yao returned.

"President Ning."

He made a gesture as if to reach out and grab her arm to ask what happened.

But the next second, Lu Jingmo followed Ning Yao in.

He frowned almost imperceptibly.

Lu Jingmo noticed his actions, his eyes flashing with cold light. "'Shattered Star' employees weren't trained in superior-subordinate relationships, is that why they're so unruly?"

Zhong Yunche knew he was being sarcastic, and his tone was slightly cold, "Isn't President Lu being a bit too nosy?"

Lu Jingmo scoffed coldly, his gaze pressing down on Ning Yao. "What do you think, President Ning?"

Ning Yao could already smell the tension in the air. She found it strange that Zhong Yunche, who wasn't usually so impulsive, was speaking so rudely as if he had some old grudge against Lu Jingmo.

"Manager Zhong, the cooperation between 'Shattered Star' and Lu's Group has been initially agreed upon. You will need to coordinate with Assistant Yang for the follow-up procedures. You can discuss the specific details later."

Zhong Yunche then agreed and added Yang Qian on WeChat.

Lu Jingmo escorted the two to the elevator lobby. When the elevator arrived, Ning Yao and Zhong Yunche stepped into it together.

Lu Jingmo suddenly felt that the sight of the two of them standing side by side was somewhat jarring.

He suddenly spoke up to remind Ning Yao, "Don't forget what you promised me, seven o'clock today."

Zhong Yunche's expression changed slightly, and he immediately looked at Ning Yao.

Ning Yao glanced at him indifferently, "Don't worry, I won't forget."

As the elevator doors closed, Lu Jingmo turned to Yang Qian and asked, "What are my plans for tonight?"

Yang Qian hadn't even processed the conversation between the BOSS and Ning Yao when he heard his question, so he immediately pulled up his memo.

"You have a private banquet with Mr. Wu at 8 PM tonight; he booked the time with you a month ago. At 10 PM, you also have a project discussion meeting with Mr. Sam from abroad..."

"Everything will be delayed by an hour."

Yang Qian looked up in surprise, his whole body surging with gossip.

The boss had arranged a private banquet with Ning Yao at 7 PM, but it was postponed to 8 PM. So, what about them...?

He quickly bit his lip, afraid that he would burst out laughing at any moment. His days of suffering were finally coming to an end!

In the car, Zhong Yunche asked about the cryptic conversation between Lu Jingmo and Ning Yao earlier, but fearing that Ning Yao would think he was meddling, he added, "President Ning, I'm not trying to pry into your privacy, I'm just worried about your personal safety."

Ning Yao chuckled softly, "Don't worry, I just promised him I'd go see the child. Besides, he's a respectable person in Whale City, he won't do anything to me."

Zhong Yunche was worried that she wouldn't tell him, but after hearing her explanation, the corners of his mouth finally curved into a smile. "That's good. If anything really happens, you can contact me anytime."

Ning Yao didn't take his words seriously and smiled faintly.

Zhong Yunche received no response from her, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened...

……

It was 6:50 p.m.

Ning Yao packed up the eight-treasure porridge and went downstairs on time. She saw an empty taxi parked on the side of the street. She walked over quickly and was about to open the car door when she heard someone honking the horn.

She glanced over instinctively and saw Yang Qian get out of the car, smile at her, and jog over to open the back door for her.

She saw Lu Jingmo sitting in the back seat through the windshield.

After hesitating for a moment, I walked over...