Chapter 6

"Hey there, can I get your name? And do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked, flashing Sophia a warm smile.

Sophia hesitated for a second before replying, "I don't have an appointment. My name's Sophia." She wasn't feeling too confident since Apex Global Enterprises was known to be tough to get into. Plus, she heard that John and Ava got kicked out by some janitors with brooms just yesterday. Thinking about it made her feel a bit embarrassed.

But when the receptionist heard her name, her eyes lit up. "Sophia? Sophia Brown, right?"

Sophia was taken aback by the receptionist's reaction. "Yes, that's me."

The receptionist looked pleased and said, "Right this way, please!"

She pressed the elevator button for Sophia and spoke to her very respectfully. "Ms. Adams is waiting for you upstairs. You can go straight in and knock on the door."

Sophia was shocked. She didn't expect the legendary Nora to be waiting for her in the office. She hadn't even made an appointment!

Even though she was surprised, she followed the receptionist's instructions, went upstairs, and walked to the office. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A gentle female voice called from inside.

Sophia opened the door and saw Nora sitting there with a smile. She had heard of Nora's reputation before. After all, being the top businesswoman in Silverlight City was quite impressive.

Sophia had always wanted to learn from Nora, but she never expected to meet her in person today. "Hello, Ms. Adams, I'm Sophia from the Brown Group. I'm here to discuss the Brown Group's proposal to undertake the exterior wall renovation of Golden Heights Residence." She said, taking out the contract and feeling a bit nervous. Compared to other partners, the Brown family didn't have much confidence.

What she didn't know was that Nora was actually even more nervous than she was. After all, Sophia was James's wife. If Nora offended Sophia, she might not be able to stay in Silverlight City anymore.

"Hello, Ms. Brown. I know why you're here. Actually, before you came, I looked into the Brown Group and know your main business." Nora said, taking out a drafted contract and handing it to Sophia. "This is the business we propose to collaborate on with the Brown Group. Please take a look."

Sophia had prepared a lot of arguments but didn't expect Nora to directly present the contract. She took the contract in disbelief and was stunned when she saw what was written on it.

She had originally expected to secure the mid-to-low-end business of Golden Heights Residence. But she didn't expect the contract to include Apex Global Enterprises' recently promoted high-end residential area business.

The renovation not only included exterior wall renovation but also considered their business development, including environmental protection and greening.

This project was way more than the Brown family had ever hoped for. If she signed this contract, the Brown family could rake in at least five hundred million dollars in profit. More importantly, if they did a good job, they could establish a long-term partnership with Apex Global Enterprises. That would definitely elevate the Brown family's status and position.

"Is this really for the Brown Group?" Sophia asked, almost in disbelief, like she was dreaming. She had only hoped to collaborate with Apex Global Enterprises, and now they were not only giving her the contract but also their high-end residential area project.

"That's right!" Nora confirmed with a slight smile. "This contract is specially prepared for you because our boss thinks highly of the Brown family."

Sophia was confused. "Your boss?" She didn't know the new boss of Apex Global Enterprises at all! She hesitated and asked, "May I ask who your new boss is?"

Nora smiled, "As the rumors say, our boss's name is James!"

Sophia instinctively thought of her husband, James, but quickly dismissed the idea. James had never shown any talent in the Brown family over the years. He couldn't be the new boss of Apex Global Enterprises.

Seeing Sophia's changing expression, Nora felt a bit nervous. After all, James had said not to reveal his identity. She only mentioned what was publicly known, so it should be fine.

Sophia said, "Okay, I understand!" After much hesitation, she decided to sign the contract. She needed this contract now. No matter who kindly gave her this contract, she would repay them in the future.

Seeing Sophia sign, Nora breathed a sigh of relief. "Hope we have a pleasant cooperation! If you have any questions, you can call me directly." She handed her business card to Sophia.

Sophia nodded and sincerely said, "Thank you!" Then she left the office with a copy of the contract. While waiting for the elevator, she pinched herself, afraid she was dreaming. But the clear pain made her realize that it was all real.

She didn't know that after she left, Nora immediately called James, "Mr. Smith, I've given Mrs. Smith the contract!"

Hearing this, James spoke with satisfaction, "Good job! Remember, Apex Global Enterprises only collaborates with Sophia! We only value Sophia, not the Brown family!"

Nora nodded. "Understood, Mr. Smith!"

After hanging up the phone, James smiled. This way, Sophia could go back and report!

Meanwhile, Sophia returned to the Brown Group with the contract. Mia was having a meeting with the Brown family members and the company's executives. When Sophia pushed the door open, everyone's eyes were on her.

Ava looked at Sophia with a mocking smile. "I heard you just went to Apex Global Enterprises. How did you come back so quickly? Were you kicked out?" She didn't give Sophia a chance to speak and continued, "Since you've lost, I won't be so heartless. As long as you divorce James, you can stay in the Brown family!" Her tone was full of condescension, and the people around nodded in agreement.

Mia frowned. "I heard that Mr. Anderson came to see you yesterday, saying he could help our Brown family collaborate with Apex Global Enterprises!"

Her eyes lit up as she continued, "As long as you marry Mr. Anderson, the Brown family still has a chance to work with Apex Global Enterprises!" Ava chimed in, "Exactly! We're thinking of you, so don't be stubborn!"

Sophia didn't say much in response to their words but directly took out the contract.

Ava, who had been waiting for Sophia to back down, didn't expect her to pull out a contract. She immediately let out a sneer, "What, are you trying to compromise with us?" The people around also looked expectant. In their view, as long as they could collaborate with Apex Global Enterprises, they could earn enough profit. It would be much better than marrying someone like James!

"No, this is the contract I signed with Apex Global Enterprises!" Sophia said, her voice a bit hoarse.

Hearing this, Ava goggled in disbelief. "How is that possible?"

She picked up the contract in front of her and examined it carefully. The terms were clearly written, and it had the official seal of Apex Global Enterprises.

Ava naturally couldn't believe the contract was real. She continued, "It must be fake! I can't believe you would stoop so low as to forge Apex Global Enterprises' seal!" After all, the Brown family would be lucky enough to secure a mid-to-low-end residential project, but this contract was for Apex Global Enterprises' latest high-end residential project. High-end residential areas were typically inhabited by influential people. If the Brown family was handling it, their status would rise significantly.

"I didn't!" Sophia said. She didn't want to argue too much, but she didn't expect them to accuse her of forging the seal. That was a crime!

"Stop pretending. I know the Brown family's capabilities! Apex Global Enterprises would never give us this project!" Ava confidently addressed the people around her. "My fiancé John may have temporarily ended his collaboration with Apex Global Enterprises, but he knows all about their projects."

She paused, then continued with a sneer, "Even the Williams family didn't have the qualifications to touch this project!" That was the truth!

Hearing this, Mia had a grim expression on her face.

At this moment, James, who had received the news, entered the conference room. Seeing the atmosphere inside, he frowned slightly. Didn't he instruct Nora to collaborate with the Brown family? Given the Brown family's nature, they should be overjoyed by now. Why was it so serious?

James immediately sensed something was wrong.

Seeing James enter, Ava spoke coldly, "How dare you come to the Brown Group?" Her tone was filled with disdain as she continued, "Your wife is trying to fool us with a fake contract! We know Sophia's character well. Did you come up with this idea?" 

As she finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to James.

Sophia gritted her teeth and shouted, "The contract is real. You can verify it if you don't believe me!" She looked at Ava seriously and continued, "A fake contract would be useless. I'm not that stupid!"

Hearing this, Ava laughed, "Who knows what tricks you might pull behind our backs?"

Seeing Sophia being mocked, James couldn't hold back any longer. "You can just call Apex Global Enterprises and find out!"

Hearing this, Ava sneered, "Do you think Apex Global Enterprises is that easy to contact?" She had a point.

James' expression changed slightly, then he spoke, "I remember Apex Global Enterprises will announce their partners!" As he said this, he secretly sent a text to Nora.

Ava's gaze turned cold, and she said, "We never hear about this. Where did you get this information? You must be deceiving us!" She refused to believe Sophia could secure such an impressive contract.

James smiled, "Why don't you check your phone and see for yourself?" Hearing this, the people around instinctively took out their phones, and indeed, they saw that Apex Global Enterprises had announced their partners. They even considerately listed the contact persons' names. The Brown Group was ranked quite high, and Sophia's name stood out prominently.

Seeing this, Ava staggered and muttered, "How is this possible?"

How could a company as powerful as Apex Global Enterprises entrust such an important project to the Brown family?

But with Apex Global Enterprises' announcement, it seemed confirmed. The contract was real. Realizing this, Ava reluctantly put down the contract and spoke unwillingly, "So what if you got the contract? You're still staying in the Brown family, aren't you?" She intensified her tone and continued, "Now that you've secured the collaboration with Apex Global Enterprises, you better do a good job! If you mess up and they terminate the contract, you'll still have to leave the Brown family!"

Seeing Ava's condescending attitude, James gave a cold smile, "Well, I remember someone made a bet with me, saying if she lost, she would kneel and slap herself!" Hearing this, Ava's face turned ugly. She hadn't expected Sophia to actually secure the contract when she made that bet.

She smiled, "This bet doesn't count! We're family; there's no need to hurt our relationship over this!" She thought Mia would help her out and prevent her from losing face.

But James said, "If you don't honor the bet, well, that's fine! But we made this vow before the Lord! And Mrs. Brown is the Lord's most faithful believer. If the Lord finds out his believer doesn't take him seriously, do you think he will be angry and punish her?" He had anticipated Ava might break the bet, so he had deliberately made the vow before the Lord. Ava might not care, but Mia, who had long been a devout believer, would never allow anyone to violate her faith.

Sure enough, before Ava could speak, Mia's face turned grim.

But Ava didn't notice and said, "If the Lord punishes his believers over such trivial matters, then he isn't that trustworthy!"