Anthony gazed at Ella with concern. "F'll need to evaluate your business partner's qualifications. I don't want you to be taken advantage of or deceived."

Ella actually trusted Jason completely, but Anthony clearly wouldn't be satisfied without conducting his own assessment.

She decided not to argue the point further.

Anthony didn't press the matter, and Ella began interviewing the remaining candidates.

After finishing, she went looking for Jason.

Jason was taking a break downstairs when he spotted Ella. He immediately turned and started walking away.

Seeing this, Ella sprinted toward him and blocked his path.

"Jason. I apologize for what I said earlier. Can we please try to work together more harmoniously?" She pleaded.

Jason gave her a cold glance and replied. "Are you collaborating with them purely for business reasons?"

Ella looked completely confused but nodded. "Of course. We need to build extensive connections in the early stages. How else can we stand against Raymond Group?"

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, then looked at Ella. "Fine,I'm being ridiculous. I won't hold it against you."

"Really?" Ella asked. looking up at him in disbelief.

Jason nodded with a flat,"Yes."

Seeing that Jason had dropped the subject, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"So are we good now?" She asked.

Jason awkwardly mumbled his agreement.

She playfully patted Jason's shoulder and pulled him into a side hug.

The sudden closeness made Jason noticeably tense.

"Don't worry. In my heart, you'll always be my best business partner. No one can replace your position." Ella said, believing Jason's mood had been caused by fears she might find other business partners.

Jason uncomfortably extracted himself from hergrasp.

Ella was startled by his abrupt reaction and looked at him questioningly."What? I was just going for a friendly shoulder bump. Why such a strong reaction?"

He remained silent, his expression hardening as he sternly admonished her.

"You can't act this way with anyone, not even me."

Ella touched her nose bridge awkwardly and let out a small "Fine."

That evening. Ella headed to Golden Fork Bistro for her appointment with Derek.

Golden Fork Bistro was known as a romantic hotspot for couples.

Upon arriving. Ella was surprised to encounter Austin and Judith.

"Ella?" A voice called out.

She paused,turning to see Paul standing there.

Paul?

Why was it that wherever Austin and Judith appeared. Paul seemed to materialize as well?

Was Paul some essential component in their relationship?

She mentally rolled her eyws at the thought.

"You'reatready diwored from Austin, yet you're still stalking him? No matter how desperasely you cling to him, Austin will never love you," Paul said.

"Besides, your methods for saving your marriage are so pathetic. You'd be better off recreating your college stunt-standing outside the men's dorm with hear-shaped roses declaring youar love to Auatin in front of the entire school. At least then. Austm migha spare a glance at your puthetic self-pity show.

Paul centainly knew how to cus straight to the heart.

After Ella's college roommate learned about her crush on Austin,she suggested that Eula confess her feelings publicly.

The dramatic plan backfired spectacularly when Austin rejected her In front of everyone.saying he would not like her in any case.

Later, Ella discovered her roommate had deliberately given her bad advice to humiliate her. all to impress Paul.

After being backstabbed by her roommate. Ells had a huge fight with her.

and their friendship ended.

The incident also resulted in Ella receiving a formal reprimand from the university.

Thinking back on those events, Ella felt strangely calm now.

She lifted her chin with quiet confidence. "You're right. At least back then,

I loved him with genuine sincerity. But that's all over now."

"Paul, you don't need to project your paranoia onto me. I'm not trying to rekindle anything with Austin." Ella stepped closer to Paul as she spoke.

Paul stared coldly at Ella, waiting to see what she would do.

Ella walked past Paul and looked directly at Austin.

For some reason, Judith clutched Austin's arm more tightly.

"Ella, don't be upset with Paul. He doesn't mean what he says," Judith said sweetly.

Ella approached Austin with composed determination and spoke clearly."Years ago at Lincoln Tech, Austin said he'd rather love me in any case.Well, I'd like to make it clear-from now on, I would never love you again.Austin!"

The declaration landed with undeniable finality.

Paul stared at Ella in disbelief.

He thought she'd lost her mind.

How dare she speak to Austin like that?

Austin's expression remained cold, his gaze briefly scanning Ella without revealing any particular emotion.

He seemed completely indifferent to whether Ella loved him or not.

His lack of reaction didn't affect Ella in the slightest.

She turned to Paul with a mocking smile. "Paul, next time you snap at me,I'd suggest getting your head examined. Not every woman's world revolves around Austin. I'm here for business purposes."

With that,Ella walked away in her high heels.

PauI shouted after her, "You've been fired from Quantum Tech-what company would dare hire you now?"

After yelling at Ella, he turned to Austin and approached. "Isn't Ella acting strangely since the divorce? It's like her personality completely changed."

"Paul, how is this any of my concern?" Austin replied coolly.

Hearing Austin's complete disinterest in Ella, Paul brightened considerably."You're right-Ella is history! You've finally gotten rid of that nuisance.Her name probably irritates you just hearing it. Let's forget about her and go eat."

Judith was delighted by Austin's reaction and hugged his arm more tightly,speaking in her soft, delicate voice. "Austin, the Blue Lantern Project has officially launched. I heard that the supposedly outdated Prometheus Project will also be at the product exchange conference. Do you think you could introduce me to the judges? I want Blue Lantern to gain worldwide recognition."

"Judith. I'd love to get in on this, too! Take me with you!" Paul exclaimed,hearing about Judith's elite project.

Perhaps associating with Judith's work could help him gain valuable experience and improve his abilities. Then his father might stop constantly berating him as a brainless Playboy.

He could finally hold his head high at home and escape his family's constraints.

Judith smiled graciously. "Of course."

"You're the best, Judith!" Paul said eagerly, genuinely appreciative of Judith.

Judith didn't mind-another person bidding for her project would only increase her chances of success.

At least she'd have more support at the product exchange conference.

"I've already arranged everything. Just make sure Blue Lantern performs flawlessly, and there shouldn't be any problems with the exchange conference."