After returning to his room, Charles Seymour sighed softly, a deep sense of heartache flashing in his eyes.

The method Sophie used was something she often employed at the company, but not on others, on herself.

Time and again, when she was about to give in, she’d use this method to quickly wake herself up.

Charles closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then exhaled heavily, repeating the process a few times, as if trying to release some of the oppressive feeling in his chest.

Fortunately, all of that was in the past. He wouldn’t deliberately guide, but he wouldn’t stop it either.

If one day Sophie remembers, then it can only be attributed to fate.

——

"James Reed!" Hayley Cole shouted angrily, her eyebrows arched as she called out his name fiercely.

Faced with the furious Hayley Cole, James Reed looked a bit surprised, staring at her confusedly and asking, "Miss Cole, did I do something wrong?"

"What do you think?" Hayley Cole said through gritted teeth, "You’ve been busy with the tender recently, haven’t you?"

"Miss Cole, your information is indeed accurate," James Reed replied with a smile. "I’ve been busy working on it with a friend from before."

"Are you confident?" Hayley Cole hinted at her question.

"My friend’s company’s product is quite good. I just have a bit of experience in bidding and tendering, and I’m offering some advice. Maybe we can win," James Reed said with a smile. "I have nothing else to do at the moment, just helping out a friend."

"Don’t you want to win the bid?" Hayley Cole pressed, her words becoming more straightforward.

"Of course I do," James Reed answered with a smile. "Actually, Miss Cole, I’m an ambitious man. But my ambition isn’t about how much money I make or what kind of life I live."

"What I desire is for my parents to be proud of me." When saying this, James Reed seemed a bit despondent, "As you know, my grandparents don’t acknowledge me. I just want them to see that I haven’t brought shame to my father."

"I am part of the Seymour Family, and I’m worthy of being a Seymour."

"In that case, you must win the bid!" Hayley Cole said anxiously.

James Reed, upon hearing this, just laughed, "Miss Cole, you must be joking. In the matter of bidding, no one can guarantee sure success."

"I’m just doing my best and leaving the rest to fate. If we don’t win, it just proves that I really have no ability. If my grandfather doesn’t recognize me... then he’s right," James Reed said with an elegant smile on his lips, yet the desolation in his expression felt like a knife, cutting into Hayley Cole’s heart.

"James, have you ever thought that I could help you?" Hayley Cole asked directly.

James Reed was clearly taken aback, then laughed again, "Miss Cole, I can’t let you make a mistake."

"How is it a mistake? There’s nothing wrong with your company, and regarding this tender, there’s an investigation involved!" Hayley Cole, being from the Cole Family, knew more or less about internal matters.

It’s not about any dark dealings, but there is room for maneuver.

When quality is assured, it’s normal to give preference to someone familiar.

"I can help you," Hayley Cole stated confidently.

"You..." James Reed was clearly shocked, seemingly not expecting Hayley Cole to say such a thing.