Callum went quiet after hearing that , pondering over the words for a moment . The sting from the slap on his face was gone , but there was a heaviness in his chest . ( 55 +20 Free Coins He could feel it clearly now - Millie was starting to change . She was different from before . She seemed to be slowly slipping out of his control . Thinking about that , Callum gripped his glass even tighter . No , that can't be . I am Millie's first love . She loves me most . How could she possibly leave me for real ? She's just putting on a show , trying to force my hand with these dramatic tactics . Maybe Zane is right . I should crush Millie's spirit once and for all . She'll only realize how good she had it being my woman when she's lost everything . Today was the first round of selection for the Global Village project . The project was massive , covering nearly 1,500 acres in the Western District of Northspire . It was designed not just as a residential development with villas and apartments , but as a complete commercial ecosystem - it was almost like building a city within the city . According to the rules , Hunt Group would shortlist a handful of top design institutes first , then pick the final one to handle the project . Some trouble had cropped up with their Auremica partners , and Shannon had to leave on a weeklong business trip . That meant Millie was left in charge of the Global Village project alone . The Hunt Group headquarters in Northspire was inside the HM Tower . 1/3 21:26 Mon , Sep 29 Chapter 23 First Round of Selection +20 Free Coins . Construction on the tower started two years ago , and now it was the city's new landmark . The streamlined glass facade sparkled coldly in the sun , slicing through the city's skyline like a silver sword . It was a testament to Hunt Group's dominance in Northspire . Millie arrived in the luxurious lobby , checked in , and was quickly escorted up to the 17th - floor conference room . The elevator doors opened , and the 17th floor was already packed . Representatives from the top design firms all over the country had come . Everyone knew that winning the contract of Hunt Group's Global Village project meant huge profits and instant industry prestige . Quite a few financial journalists were on hand to cover the event as well . " Did you hear ? Crownspire's Golden Boy , Sebastian Hunt , came to Northspire recently . He's been super secretive , but someone still caught him on camera . " " This Global Village is Hunt Group's big project for the year . Sebastian's going to have the final say . " " I also heard that if any design firm really stands out in the selection , Hunt Group will let them partner up with one or two other firms . The project is just too big for one to handle . " The conference room buzzed with low murmurs and whispers . Every single face showed a mix of nerves and hope as they waited for the results . Millie took a seat , scanning the room casually . Then , she spotted Freya sitting with Nancy and Emma across from her . Freya caught her eye , too , and flashed a look of disdain . Her lips curled into a smug , moc . smile . She'd deliberately had Zane say those things in front of Callum that day . And sure enough , a few days later , Callum had messaged her directly . He said he'd already taken care of the first round of judging for her . Callum had wanted Freyalith Design Institute to win outright , but with Sebastian making the 2/3 21:26 Mon , Sep 29 A Chapter 23 First Round of Selection final call , no one could rig it . But that didn't matter . As long as Freyalith made the shortlist while " Luminaris Design Institute " -the industry leader - was eliminated , that would be enough to crush Millic . For Freya , that was a win . +20 Fred Coins She could push even harder after that , spread some dirt on Luminaris , ruin its reputation . Eventually , Millie would lose everything and go bankrupt . The thought made Freya even more smug as she looked at Millie . Millie ignored them . Truth be told , she had complete faith in her own design . Before bidding for the Hunt Group's Global Village project , she had already designed plenty of famous buildings overseas . In terms of credentials , experience , or design draft , she was sure no one could top her . With that level of skill , the Luminaris Design Institute she built had become an industry leader in just a few years . As for her , she'd already achieved real financial success through her work . Just then , the doors to the conference room swung open . The project director , Shane Carter , walked in , trailed by several staff members . Instantly , the chatter died . All eyes locked onto the front of the room . 18 Shawn , holding a folder , cleared his throat . " Thank you all for coming such a long way to the Global Village project's first selection round . Today , we'll pick five design firms as finalists " He finished , and the room erupted in applause . Journalists ' camera flashes strobed through the air , casting streaks of light . Shawn looked out at the room and pushed up his glasses , his eyes gleaming . " Freyalith Design Institute , first on the shortlist . " 3/3