If I hadn’t just seen his intimidating and authoritative demeanor, I would never have guessed that this man, just a second ago, was as decisive as a god of war. "Mr. Carter, you’re too kind. I’m the one interrupting your work." I instinctively used a more formal tone again, having once more realized the immense gap between us. Secretary Harris came in with me, walked up to the desk, and swiftly gathered the scattered documents, organized them, and then turned to leave. I turned a blind eye, pretending to know nothing. "Miss Miller, have you finished designing my clothes?" Daniel Carter took the initiative to ask, pulling me back from my daydreams. I was startled, the words stuck in my throat, unable to come out. Daniel Carter noticed my unease and remained patient: "Is it my mother who pressured you?" "No, no!" I hurriedly denied, so anxious that my tongue tied. I hadn’t brought the design drafts at all, nor was I here to discuss making clothes. Now, there’s no other way but to be honest. "Mr. Carter, I’m sorry, I lied to you. I didn’t come today to talk about clothes." In the end, I confessed, feeling extremely guilty after speaking. Daniel Carter, however, remained calm and amiable, waving his hand towards the sofa in the reception area, "If there’s something, let’s sit down and talk." I turned and walked toward the sofa, taking a seat. He went over to the tea area, poured some tea, and brought it over himself, "Miss Miller, feel free to speak." I looked at his slender fingers holding the teacup placed in front of me, my mind buzzing, and I suddenly turned to him: "Mr. Carter, actually, I have something to ask for your help with." "I said, there’s no need to use formalities with me." "Oh..." I was too nervous, swallowed a bit, "I’d like to... uh, borrow money from you." Finally saying it, I clasped my hands tightly together, waiting for his refusal, maybe even his mockery. "Have you encountered some difficulties recently?" "How much do you need?" I was taken aback, suddenly raising my eyes to look at him, "Mr. Carter, you’re willing to lend me money?" Daniel Carter smiled softly, leaning back in relaxation. He was handsome, with an excellent aura, and his every move carried a charming allure. I, too, gradually relaxed a bit. "It’s just lending money, not a life debt," he humorously replied. I smiled, secretly delighted, but when I thought of the amount I needed to borrow, I felt a bit timid. "If possible, I’d like to borrow... fifty million." I stretched out a hand, indicating a number. He said nothing, and I suddenly grew nervous again. Surely fifty million is too much, and it scared him. "The difficulty you’re facing, can it be solved with money?" he asked curiously. I suddenly understood, he saw me asking for such a large sum and was worried if I’d encountered some special difficulty. "Yes, it can be solved with money." "Alright, when do you need it?" "Give me an account number, I’ll have William transfer it to you later." He replied easily, as if I were borrowing merely five hundred bucks. I was overwhelmingly grateful. "Thank you, Mr. Carter, truly thank you so much." I was overjoyed, repeatedly expressing my thanks, then suddenly remembered something, hurriedly turned to grab a folder, and took out a document from it. "Mr. Carter, this is the loan contract. Fifty million... I might need five years to pay it back, with an interest rate three points higher than the bank’s. If I don’t pay both principal and interest within five years, you have the right to deal with my company." Afraid he wouldn’t believe me, I took out another document, "This is information related to my company. Rest assured, my company’s market value exceeds fifty million, so you won’t lose out. In fact, I considered selling the company to raise funds, but time was too tight. If you’re worried about default, we can have the agreement notarized after signing." Last night, after making up my mind, I thought of all the details overnight. To show sincerity, I was willing to use my company as collateral. Passing the documents over, Daniel Carter didn’t even glance at them, but gently pushed them back. "No need, I’m lending you the money, no company collateral is required, nor notarization. You can repay me slowly when you have the funds." I was so shocked my mouth was half-open, eyes wide open, only after a while did I unbelievingly ask: "You trust me so much? What if I... default?" He smiled elegantly, "So far, I haven’t encountered anyone daring to default on me — is Miss Miller planning to set this precedent?" I was stunned, then suddenly realized. I was really panicked and confused! How could I forget, he is Daniel Carter! Who dares to owe him money and not repay? Unless they don’t want to stay in Fallhaven. "No, no, I wouldn’t dare..." I flushed red, retracting those documents, and assured once more, "I will definitely repay as soon as possible." Check latest chapters at novel★fire.net Just as the words fell, William knocked and entered again. "Chairman Carter, Chief Grant is here." I knew he had other matters to attend to, quickly stood up to say goodbye: "Mr. Carter, thank you. I’ll leave you now." Daniel Carter stood up, looked at me as usual, warm and gentle, "Clothes are not urgent, you deal with your personal matters first." "Okay, thank you." Once again, I was overwhelmingly grateful. As I left the armory, my bank card chimed. Fifty million had actually been credited! In an instant, my favorable impression of Daniel Carter surged to overwhelming levels. Especially compared to someone like Adrian Gordon... The auction was held in Winstel, which took two hours to drive from Fallhaven. I worked overtime to complete a set of garments for Mrs. Carter, slept less than five hours, and got up to head to Winstel. In the past, attending auctions was always with Adrian Gordon. I didn’t have to worry, just watch the excitement and gain knowledge. But today I went alone, so I had to be extra vigilant. Finding my seat, I relaxed slightly, exhaustion sweeping over me. Just as I was dozing off, a staff member passed by and then moved the sofa chair from the aisle on the other side. I was slightly puzzled, as I was wondering, out of the corner of my eye, I saw several more people approaching from behind. A familiar voice made my ears twitch, instinctively turning back, and as expected, saw a "familiar face". Adrian Gordon and Sophie Miller. Sophie was sitting in a wheelchair, looking even more emaciated, and Adrian was pushing her. Though not too surprised to see them, knowing that Sophie was so ill she couldn’t walk and still came this far, I couldn’t help but feel shocked. As I turned my head, Sophie saw me too. She gave a slight smile, her voice surprised, "Sister? What a coincidence, you’re here for the auction too." I curled my lips slightly, replied airily, "Sophie, are you not afraid of risking your life to snatch away what I love?" "Sister, what do you mean by that?" Sophie frowned, looking pitiful, then raised her head to look at the man behind her pushing the wheelchair, "Brother Adrian, did my sister misunderstand something?" Adrian Gordon stared at me, immediately explaining, "Lily, you’ve misunderstood Sophie, she’s not here to compete with you for the bracelet." "Bracelet?" Sophie asked confusedly, "What bracelet? How do you know?" Adrian Gordon said nothing, simply assisting the staff in settling Sophie, and then sat down. I looked away, unwilling to pay any more attention to the two. Yet a sense of worry began to emerge in my heart. Originally, with a hundred million in hand, I was eighty percent sure I could buy back that bracelet. But with Sophie’s presence, the uncertainty suddenly increased...