Chapter 7

Hearing Ava's words, Mia, who already looked pretty ticked off, snapped, "Ava! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Ava was taken aback that Mia would defend James and froze for a moment.

Mia pressed on, "Stick to the bet!"

Mia wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with, and her words made Ava's face twist in anger. There were at least twenty people around, and this was at the Brown Group. If she knelt to James here, who knew what kind of gossip would spread? After all, James had always been the underdog in the Brown family.

She tried to protest, "Grandma..."

But Mia's stern voice cut her off, "Kneel!"

Hearing this, Ava immediately dropped to her knees in front of James.

James's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, and he said, "Ava, I hope you won't make bets so casually in the future! We're family, so it's no big deal that you kneel to me. But if you embarrass yourself outside, you might be the one kicked out of the Brown family!" James said this on purpose, and it stung Ava. She gritted her teeth, slapped herself twice, and then stood up, fuming.

Seeing Ava fulfill the bet, James turned to Mia and said, "Mrs. Brown, since Sophia got this contract, it shows her capability. Shouldn't her position in the company be reconsidered?" 

Mia had said that whoever got the contract would become the general manager of the company, but now, directly giving the general manager position to Sophia made her a bit reluctant. After all, she had never liked Sophia over the years. But since Sophia was now the hero, she didn't outright reject the idea and said, "I'll discuss it later. You and Sophia go and rest for now." Mia rarely showed them a kind expression, though her gaze was still cold. 

James smiled, "We're not tired. We can stay and listen to whatever is being discussed!" He intensified his tone and continued, "After all, Sophia will be representing the Brown family in cooperation with Apex Global Enterprises. There's nothing she shouldn't hear!" Everyone's expressions changed at this. No one wanted Sophia to rise.

If James had some power, they might accept it, but James was just a guy who only knew how to cook and clean every day! Ava felt something was off as she looked at James.

Yesterday, she could sense that Sophia hadn't planned to take on this task. It was James who encouraged her and even made a bet with her.

In the end, Sophia decided to go to Apex Global Enterprises.

It was as if James had predicted the outcome, making her look so foolish. But how could a man who relied on women every day have such abilities?

Now it was Ava's turn to be puzzled!

At this moment, Mason, standing nearby, suddenly spoke with a smile, "Don't think we don't know. The reason you got this contract is mostly because Andrew helped you behind the scenes!" 

Everyone looked at James with knowing smirks, as if James had been cheated on. James's face darkened, but before he could speak, Sophia explained, "I didn't! The reason I got the contract this time is that the chairman of Apex Global Enterprises thinks highly of our family!" Sophia paused and continued, "Mr. Anderson did come to our house yesterday, but I refused his help!" With that, she looked at James and said, "Don't worry, I would never betray you!"

This was to prevent James from getting the wrong idea. But James knew Sophia well enough to trust she wouldn't cheat on him during their marriage.

Hearing Sophia's explanation, everyone still looked skeptical. In their eyes, a girl like Sophia couldn't have secured the cooperation without relying on a man.

James saw the distrust in everyone's eyes.

He looked at Sophia and smiled, "I definitely believe you! Besides, Andrew doesn't have the chops to pull this off!"

Hearing this, Mason sneered, "So now you're saying Mr. Anderson can't do it but a useless man can?"

James smiled calmly and said, "If the Anderson family really had the ability, why didn't they secure a contract for themselves?"

Hearing this, everyone instinctively took out the list of collaborations announced by Apex Global Enterprises and looked it over carefully.

The Williams family, who had been kicked out, wasn't on the list, and neither was the Anderson family, whom they thought highly of.

Mason, who had been confident, now looked a bit embarrassed. "Maybe Mr. Anderson wanted to keep a low profile and didn't want to be publicized?"

Hearing Mason's somewhat forced words, James smiled, "Really?"

Was Mason really that dumb?

The contract the Brown family secured was one of the main projects of Apex Global Enterprises. If the Anderson family really had the ability, such a good project wouldn't have fallen into the Brown family's hands.

It was clear Mason was just making excuses for himself.

Facing James's question, Mason felt less confident and chose to remain silent.

Sophia, seeing James's calm demeanor, felt a bit suspicious again.

Even she hadn't thought of this point when she was refuting.

At this moment, she couldn't help but recall her previous suspicion that James might be the new owner of Apex Global Enterprises, but she quickly dismissed the thought. 

Mason, unable to argue, turned his gaze to Mia, the one who made the final decision. She looked at them and then spoke, "This time, Sophia secured the contract. Regardless of the reason, she indeed has credit, and this cannot be denied!" She looked at Sophia and suddenly asked, "You said the chairman of Apex Global Enterprises thinks highly of you, so you met the chairman?" Sophia didn't expect Mia to spring this on her.

After hesitating for a moment, she answered, "Ms. Adams had already prepared the contract when I arrived there. It was Ms. Adams who told me that the chairman thought highly of me! I didn't meet the chairman of Apex Global Enterprises!" Hearing this, Mia put on a serious face and the room fell into silence.

Then, Mia spoke up, "In that case, why don't we throw a banquet to celebrate our successful cooperation with Apex Global Enterprises? It'll show everyone that the Brown family is now tied to Apex Global Enterprises and prove to those who doubted us that the Brown family is on the rise!"

No one objected to this. After all, many people would throw such a banquet, and it was also a chance to showcase the Brown family's strength.

But Mia's next words made people hesitate. She said, "Since Sophia was able to secure this contract and is favored by the chairman of Apex Global Enterprises, she should be able to invite the chairman to the banquet!"

Everyone's expressions changed at this.

Sophia's face turned sour as she spoke. "The chairman rarely appears at Apex Global Enterprises. I'm afraid I can't do it!"

Mia smiled, "It's okay if you can't do it. Ms. Adams' presence would be just as good! After all, Ms. Adams is basically running Apex Global Enterprises now. As long as she comes, no one will dare to look down on the Brown family!"

Sophia paused for a moment, then agreed. "Then I'll prepare some gifts and visit Ms. Adams!"

Hearing this, Mia nodded in satisfaction, and everyone started to calculate in their minds. If they could have connections with Ms. Adams, they would surely be held in high regard.

At this moment, Ava suddenly spoke up, "I think someone better not go to Apex Global Enterprises to find Ms. Adams! When John and I went before, we made a huge fool of ourselves!" She deliberately gave a mocking smile and continued, "Embarrassing ourselves is one thing, but losing the hard-won cooperation would be disastrous!"

Hearing this, Mia lowered her eyes in hesitation.

Sophia, who was already unsure, now looked even more troubled after hearing Ava mention this.

After all, the news that John and Ava were chased out by janitors when they went to Apex Global Enterprises wasn't a secret in their circle.

Just as Sophia didn't know how to respond, James suddenly spoke, "Why go through the trouble of visiting? Honey, just call Ms. Adams and invite her directly!"

Hearing this, Sophia hesitated.

Ava's expression became even more disdainful. "A phone call? Do you think Ms. Adams is a stray cat or dog you can summon with a wave?"

Everyone around showed agreement with this.

But James coldly smiled, "Why not give it a try? Just because you can't do it doesn't mean my wife can't!" With that, he looked at Sophia with encouraging eyes.

Sophia, who was initially anxious, hesitated. Yesterday, when she didn't dare to seek cooperation with Apex Global Enterprises, it was James who encouraged her, and that led to her success today.

No matter what, James wouldn't harm her.

Thinking of this, Sophia nodded and took out her phone. "Then I'll give it a try!"

With that, she dialed Nora's number, and the call was quickly answered. Nora's gentle voice came through the phone. "Ms. Brown? What can I do for you?"

If everyone listened carefully, they would notice a hint of respect in her tone.

Sophia didn't notice and hesitated before speaking, "The Brown family is hosting a banquet to celebrate our cooperation with Apex Global Enterprises. I'm wondering if the chairman could honor us with his presence?"

Nora seemed surprised by the request. After a moment of hesitation, she smiled and said, "I can't make that decision! I'll call the chairman and ask, then get back to you!"

Hearing Nora agree so easily, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief.

The call was soon ended, and everyone's eager eyes were on her. Sophia took a deep breath and said, "Ms. Adams said she would call the chairman and ask."

Hearing this, no one seemed surprised.

But just as Sophia finished speaking, a phone rang in the room. Everyone quickly looked around, only to see James calmly take out his phone.

He said, "Sorry, it's my alarm! The supermarket is having a sale!"

Hearing this, everyone showed disdain, and only Sophia looked at James with a suspicious expression. She had previously suspected that James might be the chairman of Apex Global Enterprises. Now the phone rang so coincidentally.

But hearing James say it was a sale at the supermarket, she dismissed her unrealistic thoughts.

James hung up the phone and sent a message to Nora: [Agree to her.] The next second, Sophia's phone rang, and everyone's eyes were now on Sophia.

Seeing that the call was from Nora, Sophia looked anxious.

She took the phone and walked to the side while answering.

Nora's voice came through. "Ms. Brown, I just called the chairman, and he agreed!"

Hearing this, Sophia felt no doubt about James' identity. She intuited that Nora had talked to the chairman face-to-face rather than via a text message.

"Great! Thank you!" She said politely and hung up the phone. Since she hadn't been gone long, when she returned, Ava spoke up, "Done so quickly? Did she refuse you?" She continued with a disdainful tone, "Even if you visit Ms. Adams in person, you would get kicked out of her house, let alone a phone call which just shows your disrespect. They might reconsider cooperating with the Brown family now!"

At this moment, Mia felt Sophia was being too casual.