Ava’s Birthday


    My hands trembled, and I remembered As asking why I didn’t understand his intentions. My


    emotions were a mess. If not for the people around me, I would’ve left to seek confirmation from As.


    If that was the case, I had misunderstood his intentions. I forcefully regainedposure. After all, I still


    struggled to adapt to As’s distant and cold attitude. I decided not to make excuses for myself and


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    chose to let go.


    No matter the circumstances, the path with him would never be easy,


    The following day, Ryan, Grayson, and I discussed our uing meeting with Atticus. I feared our


    actions might appear opportunistic. Ryan shook his head, stating we should protect our interests. It


    wouldn’t mean we were abandoning our principles.


    He said, “The reason Atticus didn’t approach anyone else isn’t because he had no other options or


    didn’t want to share the profits. It’s because we’re the most suitable for this deal. Of course, we don’t


    see all the


    reasons for this suitability yet.


    “Still, one thing is clear. Atticus is most interested in making a deal with us. Otherwise, he wouldn’t


    have promised to adhere to our conditions. Do you think he couldn’t find a trustworthy partner after all


    these


    years?”


    I agreed with Ryan’s analysis. I thought simrly then, but he exined it more clearly. The day after


    that, Ryan and I met with Atticus. True to our expectations, he was calm and straightforward in our


    discussion.


    Ryan got straight to the point. Atticus was also generous and agreed to split the costs evenly. However,


    he insisted we handle all the paperwork with the other party. Ryan was cautious and requested that


    Atticus sign an authorization agreement just in case.


    After some thought, we smoothly reached an agreement.


    When Atticus shook my hand, his tone showed a hint of teasing, “Ms. Chloe, this is the beginning of our


    cooperation. I hope it will be a pleasant one.”


    Soon after, we had lunch at the clubhouse and left in high spirits. When we entered the car, Ryan said,


    Anicus is a shrewd businessman. His hidden assets aren’t limited to Echelon Group.”


    dered Ryan’s words, indeed, it was a loss that Matthew hadn’t allied himself with Atticus. Still, the


    nt qualified. While he was somewhat intelligent, hecked foresight.


    wasnt wrong, but he should have aligned himself more closely with might not have bean interested in


    someone who had risen to power


    Next, we finalized all the paperwork, which we signed under Hartz Construction’s name. Tanum


    Corporation remained calm on the surface, and I was relieved. Hartz Construction had been registered


    in Sris and had been kept well hidden.


    That reminded me of As. The registration of Hartz Construction was primarily thanks to him.


    With Atticus’s unexpected contract as a foundation, Hartz Construction continued to grow. I passed


    most of the external affairs to Ryan, which allowed for more efficient development. That included


    negotiations


    with ATL Empire.


    I gradually withdrew from the forefront and focused more on my family. I had great confidence in Ryan


    and gave him ample room to operate.


    Soon, it was Ava’s birthday. She was excited, having grown one year older and disying more


    independence. Our friends and family were cooperative, as always. They had already chosen a


    restaurant and ordered a birthday cake two days before the celebration.


    Before the workday ended, I arrived at her kindergarten early to pick her up. I knew her too well. It must


    have felt like an eternity for her.


    When I went inside to pick her up, she was already waiting by the door. As soon as she saw me, she


    eximed joyfully and ran toward me.


    I


    I informed her teacher that we would be leaving early and was surprised when the teacher handed me


    a small gift. Looking at my daughter’s beaming face, I felt relieved. Every year at this time, Matthew


    had been the one organizing everything.


    This year was different. From now on, Ava’s life was missing her father. I didn’t know if Matthew would


    remember today.


    We walked hand in hand out of the ssroom toward the exit. Ava chirped away, telling me her friends


    had wished her a happy birthday. They even sang a birthday song at noon. She was overjoyed.


    She stopped as we left the gate and tightened her grip on my hand.