The room fell into a tense silence as the auctioneer's anger reverberated, casting a shadow over Maxwell 's failed attempt to follow through with the purchase. All eyes were fixed on the disgruntled bidder, awaiting his response, while whispers continued to circulate, casting doubts."Did you hear that? Maxwell couldn't make the payment!""Seems like he was all talk and no substance.""I knew it! He was just trying to show off.""He's embarrassed now, isn't he?""I can't believe he wasted everyone's time!""Maybe he was bluffing from the beginning.""Looks like his wallet couldn't match his ego."Everyone kept saying what they thought. Maxwell was embarrassed every second as the people kept blurting out words.Elora looked at Maxwell with a mischievous glint in her eyes and couldn't resist mocking him in his moment of embarrassment. She stepped closer, her voice dripping with sarcasm."Well, well, Maxwell ," She taunted, her tone filled with amusement. "You were acting like the god of

The cab smoothly navigated through the bustling streets of the city, carrying Ethan and Sophia towards the highly recommended Australian restaurant. Along the way, they enjoyed glimpses of the vibrant cityscape, adorned with towering buildings and a lively atmosphere.As they arrived at their destination, the cab pulled up in front of a charming, modern establishment. The restaurant's exterior boasted a sleek design, with large glass windows that allowed natural light to filter into the dining area. A tastefully crafted sign adorned the entrance, displaying the name of the restaurant in elegant lettering.Upon entering, Ethan and Sophia were greeted by an inviting ambiance that exuded a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe. Soft lighting casts a warm glow over the space, accentuating the tasteful décor and carefully selected furnishings. The interior was a blend of contemporary aesthetics and subtle Australian influences, with nods to the country's natural beauty and cultural heritage.A f

Ethan's brow furrowed with concern. He leaned forward, giving her his full attention. "Please, Sophia, tell me what's been bothering you. I'm here to listen and support you."Sophia took a deep breath, her voice filled with sincerity. "Ethan, I've developed deep…Ring!" Just then, as Ethan and Sophia were engrossed in their conversation, Ethan's phone abruptly started ringing, interrupting their chat. He reached for his phone and noticed that it was a call from Lily, his ex-wife, on his secret number. His brows furrowed with surprise and a hint of apprehension.Ethan cleared his throat, feeling a mixture of curiosity and concern. He looked at Sophia apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, Sophia. I need to take this call. It's from someone I know."Sophia's expression softened, understanding the gravity of the situation. She nodded and replied, "Of course, take your time. I'll be right here." Even though her tone sounded normal she was a little bit disappointed.Ethan excused himself fr

Ethan, who didn't quite understand Sophia's intentions, furrowed his brow and responded, "We are friends, but you want us to become more than friends? Hmm, you mean best friends?"Sophia was taken aback, realizing that Ethan hadn't grasped what she was trying to convey. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to explain further, but ultimately forced a smile and replied, "Yes, best friends, Ethan. That's what I meant."Sensing that something was amiss, Ethan reached out and took Sophia's hand. He chuckled softly and said, "Are you sighing because of this, Sophia? Don't worry, I'll always be there for you."Sophia felt a surge of emotions welling up inside her, and a tear escaped from her eye. She was taken aback by her own reaction.Concerned, Ethan looked at her with surprise and asked, "What's wrong, Sophie? Did I do something wrong? Say something wrong?"Sophia shook her head and managed to compose herself. She replied, "No, Ethan, you didn't do anything wrong. Your wor

"I wanted to have cooperation with Aureus, but no matter how hard I try, it's not working out." She saidEthan pretends to be shocked and asks, "Aureus Group of Conglomerates?"Sophia nods and says yes.Ethan asked, "Hmm, what kind of cooperation?"Sophia replied, "I wanted to have a distribution partnership with them. I envisioned my megastore boutique becoming an authorized distributor for Aureus Group's products or brands. This partnership would have allowed my boutique to offer a wider range of products to our customers while benefiting from the established reputation and customer base of Aureus Group."Ethan nodded in understanding and said, "That's a fantastic idea, Sophia. You would have been able to offer premium products to your customers and boost the reputation of your store. It's a shame it didn't work out."Sophia sighed and said, "I tried speaking to the manager myself, but nothing seemed to work. I was starting to lose hope."Ethan pulled her closer and said reassuringl