Chapter 95

"Change the rules? Is that a joke to himn? Well. what's his plan?"

Charles glanced away from the video, raising an eyebrow with interest.

Daniel stayed quiet but didn't stop Charles from asking.

The middle-aged man understood Daniel's intent; he wanted to know the details,too.

So. he explained the specifics of the rule changes Emily had proposed.

Daniel's first thought was that it had to be Emily's idea!

"Agree to it!" He said firmly.

"Got it. I'll pass the message right away."

The middle-aged man respectfully left after receiving the order.

The room was once again just the two of them.

Charles raised an eyebrow, "Daniel, I didn't know you could be so lenient with a junior. You must think highly of this, James!"

As a close friend. Charles knew very well how principled Daniel was.

Changing the rules on a whim was nothing short of indulgence.

Daniel's expression remained indifferent.

Someone like James didn't deserve his indulgence.

At that moment. James, who was waiting in the hallway outside, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

The season was turning to fall.

Could it be that everything was starting to cool down?

Just then, his phone rang.

He received the confirmation about the rule changes.

James hung up and walked into the room. head held high. feeling quite pleased with himself. He was eager to tell Emily that he had resolved the issue with just one phone call.

But before he could speak. the announcement came over the loudspeaker.

The new rules were directly announced.

Initially, there were quite a few complaints about the sudden rule change.but once people heard the new rules. which were evenmore exciting,most of them changed their attitudes.

The few who still had objections were drowned out by the majority.

"With the new rules, there's a twenty-minute prep time. Perfect timing,I had a contract drafted. When it arrives, Mr. Smith and Bianca, make sure to sign it!"

Emily spoke with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Her smile was faint, but her presence was impossible to ignore.

James looked at Emily, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity.

It was as if he had truly lost Emily.

This thought made James inexplicably anxious.

He even forgot to ask what.they were supposed to sign.

Bianca noticed James's lack of reaction and shook his arm. He was still staring at Emily, unmoving.

Frustrated. Bianca had to ask. "Emily, what are we supposed to sign? We're just playing around. why take it so seriously?"

Emily ignored Bianca.

She checked the time and asked Byron to find out when the printed documents would arrive.

Byron sent a message and quickly received a reply.

"They'll be here in five minutes."

Emily nodded.

She looked up to speak to James, but met his complex gaze.

"Don't look at me like that. We talked aboout the stakes for the competition.If we lose. we'll give up five percent of the Reyes Group's shares. But if you lose, Mr. Smith, what will you offer? Five percent of Ascend Global Group's shares?"

"That's impossible! Five percent of the Reyes Group's shares can't compare to five percent of Ascend Global Group's shares!" Bianca blurted out.

She was going to marry James, so Ascend Global Group's shares would be hers in the future. How could she give them to Emily?

Emily looked at Bianca with a faint smile. "You seem so anxious. Anyone would think Ascend Global Group's shares are already yours. Even if you're marrying James and will inherit the shares, that's not now. You should

keep your intentions hidden."

"Emily, you're getting it all wrong about me and James. I'm just standing up for him. Can you stop with the baseless accusations?"

Bianca's eyes flickered with guilt as she tried to explain.

James's expression stiffened.

For a moment, he felt guilty and couldn't meet Emily's eyes.

Did she know?

Impossible!

What happened between him and Bianca that night was an accident. He hadn't told anyone. and Bianca. being kind-hearted. had promised not to let Emily know.

So. Emily was just guessing as usual.

Realizing this. James regained his composure and responded, "Fine, five percent of Ascend Global Group's shares,"

Their conversation caught the attention of their social circle, and soon everyone knew about the stakes.

Some curious onlookers couldn't help but gather to see what was happening. When they heard about the stakes, they gasped.

Although Ascend Global Group might not be as large as the Smith Group.its shares were incredibly valuable due to the Smith Group's backing. No one expected the stakes to be this high.

Many people shared the news in their group chats.

Even though their bets weren't as large, they were still significant for ordinary people.

Soon,the contract was delivered.

Emily and Byron signed without hesitation.

No one questioned why Emily needed to sign. She was just a companion;how could she make decisions for the Reyes Group?

But at that moment, everyone was focused on the five percent of Ascend Global Group's shares in James's hands and didn't notice this detail.

Bianca, in her haste. also signed her name. following Emily's lead.

"Participants. take your positions. The race is about to start."

The announcement came again.

Emily followed Byron to change into her racing suit.

She tied her ponytail high, and her tall figure fit perfectly into a small-sized men's racing suit.

The fitted suit accentuated her curves, and combined with her confident aura, she looked both fierce and cool.

Bianca had thought that Emily, deciding at the last minute, wouldn't have a proper outfit and would end up looking ridiculous.

But when Emily appeared, all eyes were on her.

James couldn't help but watch Emily. who looked both heroic and feminine.

He finally realized something.

She had grown up. Matured!

In ways he hadn't noticed, she had quietly become a real woman.

"James, the host is urging us to start. Let's get in the car."

Bianca noticed James's gaze and glared at Emily with venomous eyes.

Emily mnust have done this on purpose.

Did she think she could seduce James this way? No way.

James could only be hers.

She quickly reminded James. pulling his attention back.

With the sound of a gunshot. the race began.

Besides their two cars. several others were also in the race.

But as the race started, it was James and Byron's cars that sped off side by side.

Byron knew the likely outcome but still gave it his all.

The more he tried, the more nervous he became.

At the first turn, his nervousness caused him to make a mistake, and James pulled ahead.

"James, you're amazing! You left Byron behind so quickly. You're definitely going to win."

Bianca praised him enthusiastically.

James smirked, glancing at Byron struggling to keep up in the rearview mirror.

His car's performance was excellent, and his skills were top-notch. With a steady mindset, he maintained his lead over Byron.

Byron, seeing the gap widen.grew more anxious and prone to mistakes.

"Damn it!" He couldn't help but curse.