Chapter 287

Chapter 287
Over the following days, George kept creating "chance encounters" with me and bringing gifts for Milly. I could see Milly was happy, but I told her more than once that Mommy and Daddy were completely separated, and Mommy couldn't be with Daddy anymore. If Daddy asked her to persuade Mommy to remarry, she shouldn't agree.

Milly looked at me very seriously and said, "Mommy, I know. I just want you to be happy, so I didn't agree when Daddy asked."

I thought Milly was just comforting me, but I didn't expect that on my birthday, George came. However, Milly didn't let him in. She looked at him very seriously and said, "Daddy, I know you really want to win Mommy back, but Mommy doesn't want to go back. Don't force her. If you want to see me, we can meet separately, but I'll tell Mommy first. I'll only see you if Mommy agrees. If Mommy doesn't agree, I can't see you."

George froze, hurt showing in his eyes. He looked at me standing behind Milly, opened his mouth as if to say something, but didn't utter a single word. He just patted Milly's head and said, "Okay, Daddy understands. Give this gift to Mommy."

Then he left. That was the last time I saw George in private.

Later I heard that the Smith Group's stock hit consecutive limit-downs because of the scandal, evaporating considerable market value. George handled the crisis with iron-fisted methods and stabilized the situation.

Sarah and Jack wanted to come back and called George crying, but he didn't answer. Later those two stopped making trouble, and the online news died down. What exactly happened between them, what agreement they reached, no one knew. I no longer cared either.

My life had turned to a brand new page.

Several months later, Aaron's satellite project core system successfully passed testing and went live, causing a huge sensation in the industry. Star Tech's name became famous overnight.

After the celebration banquet, I had a deep conversation with William.

"William, I want to start my own company," I looked at the brilliant night view outside the window, voicing the idea I'd kept in my heart for a long time.

William wasn't surprised, only asked gently, "Have you thought about what you want to do?"

I nodded, "My mom's old small travel company has been poorly managed these past few years and can barely hold on. I want to take it over and transform it. Not traditional tourism, but smart cultural tourism. Using our technology to do customized deep travel route planning, AR/VR scenic area tours, cultural heritage digitalization and preservation. I think it has potential."

William's eyes lit up, "Great idea, Grace. I support you. Funding, technology, connections—just ask anytime!"

Emily also nodded, "Grace, I support you too. When your company grows strong, take Star Tech even further."

With William and Emily's support, I felt even more confident. Soon, I officially took over Mom's company and completed the liquidation and transformation registration.

The new company was named Pathfinder Innovations Technology Company, symbolizing embarking on a new journey and using the light of technology to illuminate new possibilities in cultural tourism.

Just as I was intensively preparing the new company, another piece of good news came. Auntie's surgery was very successful, her post-operative recovery was good, and she'd be discharged soon. The heavy stone weighing on my heart finally fell.

On the day of Pathfinder Innovations Technology Company's grand opening ribbon-cutting, the autumn sky was clear and refreshing. I specially ordered dresses for Mom and Auntie, holding their hands as we stood together in the sunlight.

Mom's eyes brimmed with tears. Auntie, though still somewhat weak, wore a smile from the heart. The three of us together cut the red ribbon symbolizing a new beginning.

Below the stage, thunderous applause erupted. Old colleagues from Star Tech came. Academic seniors like Mr. Thomas came. Aaron and Harris Tech also sent representatives with flower baskets and congratulations. There were also many cooperation partners and media friends who came upon hearing the news.

I looked at everything before me, Mom and Auntie's gratified smiles, friends' sincere blessings, my heart filled with gratitude and strength. Finally, relying on myself, I'd held up a piece of sky for my family and found the path I truly wanted to walk.

At the reception after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, William and Emily walked over hand in hand. On Emily's ring finger, an exquisite diamond ring sparkled under the lights.

"Grace, let me formally introduce," William's face wore a somewhat shy yet happy smile, "my fiancée, Emily."

"Congratulations to you both," I was genuinely happy for them, stepping forward to hug them tightly.

These two closest friends of mine had finally come together. How wonderful.

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a text from an unknown number, containing only one simple word: [Congratulations.]

No signature. But looking at that string of numbers, I somehow knew who it was. George.

I'd heard that after sending Sarah and Jack away, he became even more silent and taciturn, throwing all his energy into work. Under his iron-fisted reorganization, the Smith Group gradually recovered its vitality and even expanded into new fields. Only, by his side, no female companion ever appeared again.

We were like two lines that briefly intersected then quickly diverged, rushing forward in our respective directions, never to cross paths again. This congratulatory text was probably his final and only farewell and reconciliation with what was between us.

I put away my phone without replying. Everything past had long since scattered like clouds and smoke. My future was in my own hands.

"Grace!" Emily excitedly tugged at me, pointing toward the entrance, "Look, Mr. Harris is here!"

I looked up and indeed saw Mark in a sharp suit, making his way through the crowd toward me. His face wore a gentle smile, and he held a beautifully wrapped gift box in his hands.

"Ms. Brown, congratulations on your grand opening," he handed me the gift box, his gaze sincere.

"Mr. Harris, you're too kind. Your presence here is already the greatest honor," I quickly accepted it, thanking him.

Mark smiled, his gaze sweeping across the lively venue before returning to my face, his tone casual yet carrying a hint of seriousness, "Not just to congratulate. Ms. Brown's new company focuses on smart cultural tourism, and there are many areas where we can cooperate with Harris Tech's technology layout in immersive experiences and digital twins. I wonder if I have the honor of becoming Pathfinder Innovations Technology Company's first strategic investor?"

I was flattered. Mark wanted to invest in my new company? This was incredibly fortunate.

"Mr. Harris, our company is just starting out, the scale is still small, I'm afraid..."

"What I value is the direction and the person at the helm," Mark interrupted me, looking at me with deep eyes, "I believe in your ability and vision. The investment is settled. Let our people work out the specific details."

He paused, looking into my eyes, suddenly asking a question that caught me off guard, "Also, I wonder if you'd be willing to give me a chance?"

"A chance?" I didn't react immediately.

"A chance to pursue you," Mark's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached my ears.

His gaze was frank and focused, carrying a rare tenderness and anticipation.

I froze. The surroundings seemed to quiet for a moment. I could feel Emily desperately pinching William's arm, and sense many curious gazes turning toward us.

Mark wanted to pursue me?

I looked at him. He was handsome, powerful, with a deep background. He'd extended a helping hand when I was most difficult, and given unreserved support at the start of my entrepreneurship. Between us, there was the wonderful fate of that rainy day, that umbrella from our student days, and the understanding and appreciation built through later work.

He was wonderful. Almost impeccable.

But my heart, after going through a catastrophe, had just been repaired, just found its own rhythm and direction. It was filled to the brim with career, family, and friends, just learning to beat for itself. For now, I wasn't ready to let it flutter for another person again, to bear unknown risks again.

I looked at Mark's expectant eyes, feeling no panic or shyness in my heart, only a clear calm. I gave him a friendly smile, my tone relaxed with a hint of teasing, "Mr. Harris, right now, I just want to focus on growing my company, being Milly's mom, and being the protagonist of my own life."

I looked into Mark's eyes and said seriously, "As for romance, let's leave it to fate. If you're willing to wait, willing to try, then, good luck."

Mark paused, then the expression on his face changed from anticipation to understanding. Then slowly, a relaxed smile bloomed. In that smile was appreciation, respect, and a hint of interest as if meeting a worthy opponent.

"Alright," he nodded, raising his champagne glass toward me, "Then I'll do my best."

I also smiled and raised my glass, lightly clinking with his.

I'd thought Mark would get angry and withdraw his investment, but unexpectedly he didn't hold it against me at all and genuinely wanted to pursue me. What I said was also true. I didn't want to date right now, but I didn't want to speak too harshly either, which was why I refused that way.

The road ahead was still long, but I knew that whether alone or with a possible companion, I would walk with firm steps and bright eyes. Because I was already my own harbor, my own light.