Chapter 139

Alice kept a polite, composed smile on her face as she walked up to Lydia Moore and extended her hand. "Miss Moore, long time no see." Lydia stayed slouched on the couch, not bothering to stand. She gave a lazy glance at the single-seat chair nearby. That deliberate display? Screamed "lady of the house" vibes—like she was marking her territory at GrandVerse. But did she really have any standing here? Alice let that thought pass with a small smile, sat gracefully in the armchair, and opened the folder she'd brought along. "Did you come over to talk about the investment proposal I sent your company yesterday?" Lydia hummed a short "Yeah" and tossed the file right back. "You wrote this proposal, right?" With her fingers propped lightly against her temple, Lydia gave a thin smile. "Renewable energy’s all the rage now. Our company’s been in the game for years. Yet you suddenly pull out funding? Trying to look down on me?" "Investment halt was Mr. Hawthorne’s decision." Lydia scoffed, rollin