Freya carefully recalled what she knew about the Fenton Group. They were involved in a wide range of businesses with their focus mainly on large department stores, real estate, venture capital, and more.

While Lawson Group was involved in similar fields, Bruce had cultivated a rotten reputation while they nearly faced bankruptcy over and over again.

None of the company's previous suppliers wanted to work with Lawson Group.

After Freya took over Lawson Group, she switched the focus to the medical and clothing design industries. Obviously, the development direction was different from that of the Fenton Group. It was somewhat unusual for Lance to suddenly approach her.

"I'm really sorry. The Lawson Group and the Fenton Group have different focuses. It seems there is no opportunity for cooperation," Freya politely said in refusal.

Lance had expected her to refuse long ago and gave a cold smile.

"I hear that Lawson Group is starting to focus on fashion design. Coincidentally, the department store under the Fenton Group is prepared to establish its own clothing brand. Your company can help design a lineup that would become an exclusive brand for the Fentons. If Lawson Group's designs could perfectly align with the Fentons' family's philosophy, you can name whatever you want for the contract."

"Secure a big ticket project with the Fenton Group, and Lawson Group's reputation would soar high. It is a win-win situation. Are you sure you don't want this chance?"

In order to understand Freya, Lance spent a lot of effort investigating her.

Of course, Lance was very familiar with Freya's life in the past.

In fact, the Fenton Group only focused on real estate investment and invited major brands to their department stores, never thinking of establishing their own brand.

However, for Freya, he was willing to expand his business and even consider creating a brand for her.

"There are so many fashion design companies around. Why did you choose Lawson Group?" Freya was a little puzzled.

Larren Corporation was a famous fashion design company who was actually considered one of the big three leaders in the city along the Austin Corporation and the Fenton Group. Lance would easily have approached the Larren Corporation, yet he wanted to work with a new company like the Lawson Group.

It was not that Freya lacked the confidence, but she felt like Lance's intentions were not pure.

She also knew that it would help the company grow a lot if they had a project with the Fenton Group.

Perhaps it was because the person in charge was Lance that she was cautiously reconsidering the offer.

On the one hand, there were Lance's motives. On the other hand, there was Bradley.

She did not want him to misunderstand the nature of her relationship with Lance.

"I focus more on long-term benefits as well as my partners. The seemingly simple statement from Lance contained a lot of information for her.

Long-term benefits referred to how he wanted her to cure him as well during this collaboration.

As for being partners?

There was a lot hiding behind that term, and she dared not casually guess at what he meant.

"You don't have to rush to answer me. I'll give you time to consider the offer." Lance knew her concerns and did not pressure her. The perfect balance of pressure was the actual secret to easily winning other people over.

Over the years, he has risen to become CEO of Fenton Group not just because of the tricks he had up his sleeves, but also because of his intelligence.

Of course, he also won the hearts of those around him.

Freya was different from the typical woman. There were too many factors she had to consider. Pushing her too hard will not be beneficial.

What he needed to do now was to get close to her and slowly earn her trust.

It would take time, but he could wait,

The two of them chatted for a while, but Freya perceptively noticed that more and more people were looking their way.

She felt uneasy and decided to stop the conversation, afraid of any potential misunderstandings.

Sensing her worries, Lance did not press further.

"I'll attend to my clients and talk to you later."

"Alright."

Freya felt relieved when Lance walked away. She went to the buffet table to get some fruit to eat.

She really did not enjoy these kinds of events as she found them dull and boring.

If she had not agreed to meet Michael, she would not have been here at all.

At the thought of Michael, she started scanning the area. In an instant, she spotted Lance.

It was really strange.

Michael said he would be wearing a navy-blue suit while standing in the most conspicuous spots in the crowd.

However, every time she looked up, all she saw was Lance.

More importantly, Lance was also wearing a navy-blue suit.

The coincidence was too great.

Freya pulled out her phone, ready to contact Michael. Just then, she was surprised to spot Lola.

Lola actually came.

She was wearing a champagne-colored fishtail evening gown with a low-cut front that accentuated her extremely enchanting figure.

Standing next to her was Diana.

Freya glanced around and did not see Walter anywhere.

It figured.

With how shady Lola's relation was to Walter, she would not dare to appear near him.

Freya did not want to deal with her, so she messaged Michael.

Poppy: I can meet you now. Where are you?

There was still no reply.

Freya thought he might be busy, so she put away her phone and prepared to go outside for some fresh air.

At that moment, several figures suddenly stood in her way. Freya looked up and nearly crashed into the unfamiliar women.

There were three of them.

The tallest woman in the middle was very haughty while dressed in a sensual dress. With a glass of red wine in hand, the woman arrogantly looked down her nose at Freya.

"Who are you to Lance?"

Freya narrowed her eyes, realizing that the woman was an admirer of Lance.

Were they here to cause trouble?

She ignored them and leisurely enjoyed one of the grapes on her place, treating the women as if they were invisible to her.

"Hey, I'm talking to you. Are you mute?"

Her silence made Sharon Turner's face twist in malice before she reached out to grab Freya's grapes and casually tossed them to the ground.

Freya slowly looked up with ice in her once clear and beautiful eyes.

She hated noisy people, especially shameless scoundrels.

"Pick them up for me!" Her voice was as cold as ice.

Sharon tauntingly smirked before lifting a heel and stomping on the grapes, making sure to crush every one of them. The air was soon filled with the sweet yet sour aroma of grapes.

After crushing them under her foot, she stretched her slender leg out on the couch.

"Clean it up."

Freya glanced at the grape juice on Sharon's high heels and frowned before grabbing a glass of red wine and pouring it on the foot before her.

"Ah! You b*tch!"

Sharon screamed as she glared at Freya with her face twisted in an ugly look as she loudly shouted, "Do you know who I am? How dare you pour red wine on me! You have a death wish!"

"You asked me to clean it for you. It'll be easily washed if I rinsed it."

Freya took a tissue and elegantly dabbed away the drops of red wine on her fingers. Her eyes remain frigid as she did not think of Sharon as a threat at all.

"You..." Sharon was so angry at being bullied that she was scowling. Then, she raised a hand to hit Freya.

However, before she could even move her hand, Freya grabbed it with ease.

"There are so many people watching. You might not care about your dignity, but I do." Freya then flung her hand away.

As Sharon was wearing high heels, she staggered backward and fell flat on her back, looking just like a fool.

"Sharon, this woman is too rude."

"Yes. She doesn't even take you seriously. You cannot let her go unscathed."

"That's right. How dare she seduce Lance. You must ruin her pretty face to punish her,"

Sharon's two companions instantly started talking with fervor.