Chapter 215 The Bidding Begins

Chapter 215 The Bidding Begins

After John finished speaking, he didn't forget to shoot Charles a provocative glance.

Charles couldn't be bothered to respond. He just picked up some of Olivia's favorite dishes for her.

This meal truly felt like a warm family gathering.

Gone were the previous barriers and cautiousness, replaced only by mutual care and acceptance.

After dinner, Charles and Olivia helped clear the dishes.

John rolled up his sleeves to help, too, but Indigo laughingly shooed him out of the kitchen.

"Alright, alright, stop making a mess. Go watch TV with your dad!"

In the kitchen, Olivia said quietly to Charles.

"Thank you, Charles."

Charles was rinsing plates, the water rushing noisily. He didn't look up.

"For what?"

"For being willing to become part of my family."

Olivia looked at his profile.

"I know my family situation is a bit complicated..."

Charles turned off the faucet, turned around, and lightly flicked her forehead with his wet hand, his eyes showing a mix of helplessness and indulgence.

"Silly."

"What's complicated about it?"

Olivia covered her forehead, watching his matter-of-fact expression. Her heart felt like it had been soaked in warm spring water—warm and soft.

After cleaning up, they prepared to head home.

Before leaving, Indigo stuffed a large thermal container into Olivia's hands.

"This is chicken soup I made, plus a few dishes you love. Take it home, put it in the fridge, and just heat it up tomorrow."

"No matter how busy work gets, remember to eat, okay?"

"I know, Mom!"

Olivia hugged the thermal container, feeling like a spoiled child.

Theo also stood at the door, reminding.

"Drive carefully."

John put his arm around his dad's shoulder and waved at Charles and Olivia.

"Go on, go on! Enjoy your couple time! I've got Mom and Dad covered!"

At the elevator, John was still hanging onto the doorframe, poking his head out, calling to Charles in a lowered voice, unwilling to give up.

"Hey! You really won't call me your older brother?"

Charles pressed the elevator button, not even bothering to give him a glance.

The elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off John's playful voice.

On the way home, Olivia leaned against the car window, watching the flowing neon lights outside, a faint smile constantly on her lips.

"What are you smiling about?"

Charles asked.

"Nothing," Olivia turned to look at him, "I just feel... It's really nice to have a family."

"Having Mom, Dad, John... and you."

Charles freed one hand and gripped hers tightly.

Yes, it really was nice to have a family.

No matter what that family looked like—complicated or simple.

As long as there was love, connection, and the strength of mutual support, it was the warmest and most solid harbor in the world.

And together, they were making this harbor better and better.

The day of the final bidding meeting for Harmony City's "New Cultural Landmark" had finally arrived.

The venue was set in the top-floor hall of the City Planning Exhibition Center.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the sea sparkled in the afternoon sunlight, along with the city's undulating skyline.

The venue was brightly lit and filled with well-dressed people.

Nearly all of Harmony City's top architectural design firms and real estate giants had gathered.

Even the air seemed filled with silent tension.

Charles and Olivia appeared together.

Charles wore his perfectly tailored dark haute couture suit as always, with a calm presence and stern features.

But if you looked closely, you could see the barely noticeable soft glow in his eyes when he looked at the person beside him.

Olivia had chosen a moon-white modified mandarin collar suit dress—both sharp and elegant. Her long hair was pinned up, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

She wore light makeup, her eyes bright and determined, naturally radiant.

Their appearance immediately drew everyone's attention—the handsome man and elegant woman standing side by side..



They didn't look like they were here for a brutal bidding competition, but more like a celebrity couple walking the red carpet.

"Look, Mr. Charles Green and Mrs. Olivia Green!"

"What a perfect match, so pleasing to the eye!"

"I heard this time it's the Green Group and Olivia's studio bidding together? And Olivia herself is the chief designer?"

"That's bold, entrusting such an important project to such a young designer..."

"Don't forget she just won a beautiful comeback. Her real skills are right there!"

Murmurs rose quietly—some admiring, some envious, some skeptical.

But Olivia seemed not to hear.

She held her head slightly high, her arm naturally linked with Charles's, walking calmly toward their seats.

Charles kept his eyes straight ahead the whole time, only slightly turning his body when she needed to adjust her skirt, naturally blocking any potential obstacles. Their coordination was so seamless it seemed rehearsed a thousand times.

The bidding meeting officially began.

One competitor after another took the stage, presenting their grand, futuristic, or extremely luxurious design proposals.

The judges and audience below reacted variously, but overall remained unmoved.

Finally, the host announced "the Green Group & Olivia's Studio Joint Venture."

Charles stood up first. He adjusted his suit button, then extended his hand to Olivia.

Olivia placed her hand in his palm and rose gracefully with his help.

They exchanged a smile, that moment of eye contact full of unspoken trust and encouragement.

Together, they walked onto the stage.

The spotlight focused on them.

Charles handled the opening and overall introduction.

Standing before the microphone, his voice was deep and powerful, carrying a natural sense of control. In just a few words, he clearly articulated the joint venture's advantages and the guarantees of its resources.

He didn't embellish much.

But every sentence carried substantial weight, making it impossible to ignore the strength behind the Green Group's golden reputation.

When he introduced "Next, our project's chief designer, my wife, Olivia, will explain our core design concept, 'The Memory Weaver of Harmony City.'"

He turned to the side, gesturing "please" to Olivia, his eyes showing complete trust and pride.

At that moment, there was a slight stir in the audience.

Though there had been rumors, having Charles personally confirm Olivia's identity as "chief designer" and his wife at such a formal occasion still created quite an impact.

Olivia took a deep breath and walked to the center stage.

She took the laser pointer Charles quietly handed her. Her fingertips were slightly cool, but her eyes were exceptionally calm.

The huge LED screen behind her lit up, but instead of immediately showing complex renderings, it first played a carefully produced short film.