Reborn From Oblivion

Nathalie's transformation and that determined glint in her eyes made Benjamin a bit uneasy.

Cameron leaned in, asking, "So, what's the bet?"

Jaime chuckled, "Ashley, if you lose to Ashley, you'll be left with nothing. What do you have to wager against me?"

With a confident stride, Nathalie walked over to Benjamin's table and sat down gracefully. She declared, "My dad wouldn't make a bet with the main house unless he knew he could win. So don't worry, I'm not losing. Name your stakes-money or life, I'm game."

Her fearless, wild spirit was downright captivating.

Cameron, feeling a bit rattled, lit a cigarette, the smoke swirling up and blurring his view. He suddenly found Nathalie harder to read.

"The wager I'm after, I'm worried you won't be willing to part with," Cameron said, almost whispering.

Nathalie's bright face darkened instantly, like a storm brewing, "Cameron, what you want is right here." She pointed to her head, "If you've got the nerve, come and get it."

Across from her, the faces of the three men shifted dramatically.

They all knew Cameron was after Nathan's secret sauce for Maple Company's success. But was Nathalie really offering that?

If she had truly absorbed Nathan's business smarts, she'd become an upgraded Nathalie. How formidable would that be? They'd have to rethink their game plan.

The room fell silent; even the air seemed to stop moving.

Three pairs of eyes locked onto Nathalie...

Cameron suddenly laughed.

If Nathalie wasn't giving up the goods, maybe he needed to change tactics.

His gaze shifted to Dominick and Ford. "Nathalie, who are these guys?"

wel.n

Before Nathalie could even start, Dominick, the smooth-talking diplomat, jumped in, "Mr. Dawson, you musthave forgotten. I'm Dominick, former Director of Business at Maple Enterprises. The acquisition of Dawson International, that was all me."

Cameron raised an eyebrow, "Oh, right. I thought that was Nathan's doing."

With a grin that could cut, Dominick

shot back, "Mr. Dawson, you're

ung folks. Such a minor

thing doesn't need our president's personal touch."

He just brushed off the acquisition of Dawson International like it was nothing.

Cameron was both ticked and impressed.

Dominick was no ordinary player.

Even if Nathalie was new to the game, with such strong allies, they couldn't afford to underestimate her.

"Nathalie, and this handsome guy who doesn't seem too sharp-who's he?" Benjamin, echoing Cameron's suspicion, eyed Nathalie's crew warily.noveldrama

Ford flashed a goofy grin at Benjamin, really playing up the not-so-smart act.

Dominick had to step in, "He might not look it, but if you match wits with him, you'll feel like a fool in seconds. Thisis Ford, Maple Enterprises' Director of Cyber Security

Benjamin nearly choked on his tea.

A hacker?

What kind of genius do you have to be to handle cyber security for Maple Enterprises?

Back in the day, Maple was surrounded by enemies, every hacker in the city wanted to crack their code. Yet no one succeeded.

Who'd have thought the guy guarding that fortress was this seemingly simple- minded fellow right here?