At that moment Laughter, small and sharp, echoed around the table. Sha froze, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"She's still... seeking investors, isn't she?" Darren continued. "Not exactly new information."
Sha remained standing, swallowing her pride.
She couldn't believe this was their plan from the beginning trying to humiliate her, right in front of Valentina.
She looked over at Valentina for just a moment—silent but supportive. And then she sat down slowly, saying nothing, though her eyes spoke volumes.
At that moment Sha's fingers curled into fists beneath the table, her face tense as she looked at Avery. The words had cut deep—too deep. Her voice trembled for a second, but she steadied it.
"Is that supposed to be an insult?" she asked, lifting her chin.
"Since when did needing investment become a crime? Are you trying to say none of your families ever needed help before? Or is it that you've forgotten what it feels like to start from scratch?"
