If Sebastian Hawthorne was taking her to see this project, it must mean he intended to bring the Croft family in on it.

Cecilia Croft followed Sebastian Hawthorne down the hallway and back to his suite, asking about the details of the project.

Sebastian Hawthorne didn’t say a word, simply walking toward the bedroom.

With her mind entirely on the project, Cecilia Croft followed him in.

It wasn’t until the man stopped in front of the wardrobe, turned to look at her, and spoke in a deep voice.

"Are you coming in to help me change?"

Cecilia Croft snapped back to reality, her face flushing as she hurriedly backed out of Sebastian Hawthorne’s room, closing the door behind her.

She waited quietly by the door, trying her best to calm down.

After all, this was just her own speculation.

’What if Sebastian Hawthorne doesn’t plan on bringing the Croft Group into this? Wouldn’t I have gotten excited for nothing?’

When Sebastian Hawthorne came out, dressed in a fresh set of clothes, he saw Cecilia Croft standing by his door, a pensive look on her face.

When she saw him emerge, Cecilia Croft looked up. He was wearing a black, casual sweatsuit, and her eyes flashed with emotion. At the same time, her heart gave an inexplicable pang.

The outfit made him look much younger, as if he were the same man from ten years ago.

Her breath caught. Hiding the stunned admiration in her eyes and remembering the project, she adopted a business-like tone.

"Mr. Hawthorne, shall we leave now?"

Sebastian Hawthorne nodded. "Mhm."

He clearly saw the glint of light that flashed through her bright, almond-shaped eyes.

But before he could fully grasp it, her expression had already shifted. Her eyes held an urgency she was trying to mask, not wanting to seem too obsequious.

"It’s a very small project. It won’t make much money."

Sebastian Hawthorne decided to warn her in advance, so she wouldn’t be disappointed when they arrived.

Cecilia Croft said softly, "In the current climate, as long as it can make money, it’s a good project."

"If the profits are too high and the investment too low, that’s when you need to be careful. If you’re not paying attention, there’s a trap waiting for you."

Sebastian Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t realize you had such insight into investments."

Cecilia Croft looked modest.

"I wouldn’t call it insight. It’s just that when you’re navigating blindly, you have to be extra cautious."

Sebastian Hawthorne replied coolly, "If you know you’re blind, then you should understand the importance of a good cane."

Cecilia Croft caught his hidden jab, and the smile on her face faltered.

But the thought that he was doing her the massive favor of showing her this project was enough to make her swallow her pride.

On the way to their destination, Cecilia Croft kept trying to subtly pry details about the project from him.

But the moment Sebastian Hawthorne got into the car, he closed his eyes to rest, showing no intention of revealing a thing.

Seeing his refusal to talk, Cecilia’s heart swelled with even greater anticipation.

’Could it be that this project...’

’...is a very rare opportunity?’

She grew even more curious.

Cecilia Croft looked out the window, her mind already racing.

’If I want to get in on this project, I have to get on Sebastian Hawthorne’s good side.’

’I probably shouldn’t say any more of the things he dislikes hearing lately.’

’Even if he’s sarcastic or mocks me, I’ll have to bear it.’

’A moment of patience brings a lifetime of prosperity.’

’And I am willing to be patient.’

When they reached their destination, the driver pulled over and stopped.

Cecilia Croft looked out the window curiously, then froze for a second.

’Isn’t this Karthus’s bustling gaming and electronics district?’

’Is Sebastian Hawthorne thinking about investing in a gaming project?’

Full of questions, Cecilia Croft got out of the car and followed Sebastian Hawthorne into a standalone commercial building that hadn’t opened yet.

Before entering, she raised her head to look at the sign above.

[Indoor Survival].

’It’s a place for gaming.’

These kinds of escape games had indeed become very popular lately.

They had chains all over the country.

And they were especially popular among young people.

’No wonder Sebastian Hawthorne said it wouldn’t make much money.’

For the Hawthorne Group, this truly wasn’t a big money-maker.

She had previously thought Sebastian Hawthorne was being modest, but now it seemed he was telling the truth.

However, any project that made money was a good project for the Croft Group.

Once the Croft Group fully divested from the real estate industry, investing in smaller projects like this would be a good option.

This establishment hadn’t opened yet, but there were already a few people waiting in the reception area.

Cecilia Croft followed closely by Sebastian Hawthorne’s side, secretly listening to the conversations of the people nearby.

It turned out they were all online influencers invited by the owner for a trial run. No wonder they were all so attractive.

They didn’t look very old, around nineteen or twenty.

They were all brimming with youthful energy.

A lot of influencers had shown up, and the staff was still handling registrations. It was probably because they weren’t officially open yet, but the place was clearly understaffed.

After Sebastian Hawthorne and Cecilia Croft walked in, a staff member wearing glasses came over and asked for their online handles.

He’d mistaken them for one of the influencers here for the trial.

Sebastian Hawthorne’s face darkened. He didn’t answer, but said in a cold voice,

"Get your manager over here."

Cecilia Croft pressed her lips together. The staff member’s question sent her thoughts down a different path. Her gaze landed on Sebastian Hawthorne as she wondered, ’If Sebastian were an online influencer, what kind would he be?’

’A looks-based influencer?’

’Or one of those "internet saints"? The kind who specializes in showing off his abs to bless his female followers.’

Her gaze drifted to Sebastian Hawthorne’s abs. ’With his assets,’ she mused, ’he could probably get a million followers without even trying.’

Sebastian Hawthorne, noticing her eyes roaming over his body, reached out and flicked her on the forehead.

He hadn’t held back, and Cecilia Croft immediately clutched her head.

"Mr. Hawthorne, what was that for?"

Sebastian Hawthorne: "You know perfectly well what you were just fantasizing about."

Cecilia Croft: "..."

’Damn it,’ she thought, ’are his eyes some kind of scanner? How did he guess my thoughts so easily?’

Just then, the manager arrived. Seeing Sebastian Hawthorne, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he hurried forward to greet him.

He then immediately started the game.

The influencers who had been waiting suddenly perked up with excitement.

Cecilia Croft reached out and tugged Sebastian Hawthorne’s sleeve, asking,

"Are we going to try it out, too?"

Sebastian Hawthorne nodded. "Mhm."

Interest sparked in Cecilia Croft’s eyes. As she followed the others inside, Sebastian Hawthorne was still at the door talking with the manager.

She glanced back at Sebastian, and someone bumped her arm.

She turned and saw a young man, about twenty years old, looking at her with a brilliant smile as he spoke.

"Miss, are you Mr. Hawthorne’s girlfriend?"

Without a second thought, Cecilia Croft denied it.

"No, I’m his subordinate."

The young man said, "Oh," then flashed a brilliant smile, revealing a pair of charming canine teeth.

Cecilia Croft smiled slightly and put some distance between them.

The young man maintained a respectful distance as well and spoke carefully.

"Miss, I’m a new blogger, and I don’t know any of the other influencers here to team up with. Could I maybe team up with you two? I’ve studied the walkthroughs for this place. I guarantee I can get us through to the end."

Without hesitating, Cecilia Croft waved him off. "Sorry, you should ask someone else."

’Sebastian probably wouldn’t like a stranger suddenly joining us. Besides, he already looked up the walkthroughs, which would just ruin the experience for us.’