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
"Thank you, Sophie." Ethan said with a smile.Sophia's gaze shifted towards the package beside her, her curiosity reignited. She couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic bracelet that had caused such a stir. Her voice tinged with intrigue, she turned her attention back to Ethan and asked, "Ethan, can you tell me about the bracelet? How did you manage to acquire it? The price was $30 million due to the bid."Ethan's eyes flickered towards the package before meeting Sophia's gaze. He contemplated for a moment, his expression thoughtful, before finally deciding to say something."Well, Sophia, it's a bit of a long story," he began, his voice carrying a hint of mystery. "You see, I have connections in unexpected places. Sophia leaned forward, her curiosity growing stronger by the second. "Connections? What kind of connections?" she inquired, her voice filled with anticipation.Ethan leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Let's just say I've had
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
Sophia's brows furrowed as she found herself taken aback by Leo's sudden approach. She mustered a heavy frown and couldn't help but inquire with a hint of skepticism, "Who are you?"Leo, undeterred by her initial reaction, maintained his charming smile and replied, "I'm Leo Wood, the owner of this establishment."Sophia repeated his words, her voice laced with surprise: "The owner here?" She crossed her arms, still uncertain about Leo's intentions. When he extended his hand for a handshake, she hesitated, refraining from reciprocating the gesture. With a touch of aloofness, she introduced herself,"I'm Sophia Madison."Leo, undeterred by her reserved demeanor, couldn't help but offer his sincere admiration, his voice filled with genuine compliments."You're truly exquisite, Sophia. I must say, I've never encountered someone as stunning as you."Sophia, maintaining her composure despite the flattering words, graciously acknowledged his compliment. "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Wo
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
Elora was taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw Ethan by the door. She stammered, "Brother-in-law, you're here? How long have you been standing there?"Ethan replied, "I've been here for a while, and I heard everything you guys were talking about."Elora lowered her head and asked, "You mean you heard even the discussion about Aureus?"Ethan let out a sigh and responded, "Yes, I did."Elora nodded and said, "Sister didn't want you to know, but since you do, I'm going to plead on her behalf."Thud!"Suddenly, Elora fell to her knees, surprising Ethan. He quickly reached out and lifted her back to her feet, saying,"Why are you kneeling for such a matter? I hate it."Elora nodded, her eyes filled with sincerity. "I'm sorry, brother-in-law. I just wanted to help."Ethan reassured her, "It's okay. Now that I know, I'll make a call and get everything fixed."Elora couldn't contain her relief and gratitude. "Really? You'll do it?"Ethan smiled and said, "Why not? I love Soph
"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
Ethan, understanding the situation and finding it amusing, gently pulled Sophia's hands away from her ears and reassured her, "It's alright, Sophie. I don't hate you. It was just unfortunate timing. Let's forget about it and join your family for dinner."At the family dinner, the atmosphere was warm and filled with the delicious aroma of the meal. As everyone settled in and began enjoying their food, Sophia's mom cleared her throat, signaling that she had something to say. All eyes turned to her, including Ethan, who wore a gentle smile.With a motherly glint in her eyes, Sophia's mom addressed Ethan, her voice filled with curiosity and anticipation. "Ethan, dear, I wanted to ask you something. When do you plan on marrying Sophia?" The question hung in the air, causing Sophia to choke on her food in surprise.Reacting quickly, Ethan sprang into action, rushing to Sophia's side with a glass of water. He gently supported her, soothing her coughing until she regained her composure. Sop