An icy rush of panic clawed its way through Zaylee’s chest. Her nails dug into her palm until the sting grounded her. She clung to the thought that Sean had already smoothed things over with the Owen family’s eldest son. The truth would stay buried.

After all, in a family like that, where the men ruled, what real say could a woman possibly have?

It wouldn’t be long before she learned how disastrously wrong she was.

The bidding event began in full swing.

The host stepped up to the stage, guiding the room through the agenda with practiced ease.

Rylie’s sudden move had startled Beatrice and the others, leaving no chance for questions. All they wanted now was to hear their brand’s name on that coveted shortlist.

When the host started announcing the preliminary picks for shops in the outer section of Nexus Future, she leaned forward, her pulse drumming in her ears.

Her husband’s brand, Deleon Perfumes, had to be there.

Zaylee had sworn it would be.

The host’s voice carried crisply through the venue. “After preliminary qualification reviews and proposal pre-assessment, the following enterprises are eligible for this round of bidding — Crescent Finance, Emerald Enterprises, Silverstone Properties, Pinnacle Consulting Group.”

Name after name echoed in the hall, and hope began to drain from Beatrice’s and her husband Caleb’s faces. By the final announcement, her stomach had tightened into a knot.

Deleon Perfumes wasn’t there. Neither was Serene Spa. Every brand Zaylee had guaranteed a spot for had been left out.

“This can’t be happening! Why aren’t we included?” Caleb’s voice cracked as sweat prickled along his temples.

The other parents, who had clung to their own hopes, looked equally thrown off and bewildered. “What about us? Why didn’t they call our brands?”

Zaylee jerked upright, her skin pale, fingers pressing hard into her palms.

Impossible. Sean had promised her. He had said himself that he’d spoken with the Owen family. Although Kendrick and Deandre doubted it, everyone knew the Owen family’s business power rested with Felix. Sean had already talked it over with him, so how had this gone so wrong?

Beatrice grabbed Zaylee by the shoulders, shaking her hard. “Zaylee! Zaylee! They skipped us! You’re Mr. Morgan’s girlfriend, aren’t you? You know Miss Owen. You have to tell her they’ve made a mistake!”

Her grip tightened on Zaylee’s arm, the mix of fear and disappointment sharpening her tone. “Zaylee, listen to me! They missed our names! You’re Brad Morgan’s girlfriend, and you know Sean. Don’t you know Miss Owen? You have to tell her the staff messed up. Hurry!”

The shaking left Zaylee lightheaded, Beatrice’s nails digging so hard it felt like they might break the skin.

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