We Are Not Getting Remarried: Show Yourself Out

As if he'd encountered an extraterrestrial, Jimmy was utterly dumbfounded, repeatedly clicking his tongue in disbelief as he observed Gareth's unexpectedly gentle demeanor.

This was an entirely novel side of Gareth that Jimmy had never witnessed before.

With the official commencement of the bidding, the competition now featured a roster of five companies.

Elisa had conducted her preliminary evaluation, which conclusively identified Z Tech Corp as the sole formidable contender.

True to prediction, after the initial round of presentations, the remaining three companies were politely and temporarily excused from the proceedings.

The second set of presentations rolled in. This time, Bella assumed the lead presenter role and had to take the stage herself.

"Relax," Elisa turned to look at Bella, who was wiping her sweaty palms.

Bella responded with a bashful smile. It wasn't so much that she was nervous, but this was her first time in the spotlight.

"We've rehearsed this presentation many times – it's foolproof! And the concessions we're putting on the table are super tempting. Just present it like you always do. You've got it in the bag!" Elisa spoke while making a supportive gesture.

Bella nodded earnestly, waiting for the other company to wrap up before stepping forward with a notebook.

The meeting table stretched oblong, its center a hollow expanse. Bella confidently took her place right at its heart to deliver her presentation.

Coincidentally, Elisa and Gareth were seated directly across from her. However, she was clueless whether Gareth had planned it or was a coincidence.

Throughout the presentation, their eyes met intermittently.

Without exchanging glances, Elisa could feel a subtle, lingering gaze fixed on her.

She didn't go out of her way to evade it or react in any particular manner, as his gaze didn't elicit any discomfort or unease within her.

Bella's presentation drew close, leaving Jimmy genuinely impressed by what he'd just witnessed.

Also, Bella's name caught his ear. With Gareth seated next to him, he naturally put two and two together to figure out her identity.

With both the sister and the wife in the mix, the outcome of the bid felt like a no-brainer.

As he was about to lock in his decision, Z Tech Corp surprised everyone by altering their conditions, introducing a one percent concession.

This instantly intrigued Jimmy.

It was apparent that Z Tech Corp was determined to win, their smug glances directed at Elisa's team.

One percent marked their most significant concession yet, hinting that their motivation wasn't purely financial but a quest for recognition and reputation enhancement.

So, if Elisa's team intended to secure the project, they'd need to put forth an even more enticing concession.

The amount remained substantial even with an additional 0.1 percent offer for a five-billion-dollar project.

The demand for cash payment was the deal-breaker.

Most companies simply didn't have such hefty liquid capital at their disposal.

Elisa's firm did, though it only amounted to around six billion. But betting their entire capital on this project was a double-edged sword; any financial issues in their other projects could easily spell bankruptcy.