Chapter 82

Aria exhaled heavily and shook her head, “Thank you, Mr. Keal, but my answer remains the same.”

James Keal stared at her for several seconds before he shook his head slightly and walked away without another word.

Only then did Chloe release a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. Then she glanced around to see if anyone had seen them.

When she saw everyone was busy finding a seat or too nervous to care about anyone else, she scurried to her seat as wel.

Soon, the program began. Elliot came to the podium again.

“After more than 24 hours of evaluating the proposals of the candidates whose names were on the list yesterday, the company has come to a conclusion on who the finalists are.”

“Not only were the proposals read through and vetted by someone other than the Chairman, that person will also be the one announcing who the winners of this year are.”

Almost immediately, a ripple went through the crowd as they began murmuring amongst themselves.

“Not the Chairman? Don’t tel