The bidding event officially commenced. The host took the stage, and the proceedings moved forward systematically.
Mabel and her group, who had been momentarily startled by Cyrilla's outburst, didn't even have time to ask questions. Right now, their only focus was hearing their own businesses announced for Futura-Silicon!
When the host began reading the preliminary shortlist for the outer commercial spaces of the Futura-Silicon project, Mabel immediately perked up, her heart pounding. The "Delune Fragrance" store under her husband's name was supposed to be right there!
Cyrilla had sworn on her life that it was a done deal!
However, the host's crisp voice echoed through the venue:
"After a preliminary review of qualifications and proposals, the following enterprises have met the criteria to participate in this round of bidding: Summit Group, Harvest Properties, Langley Jewelers, Starlight Investments..."
One name after another was read aloud. The expressions on Mabel and her husband's faces shifted from eager anticipation to tense anxiety. When the very last name was announced and theirs was still missing, the group's faces completely drained of color.
Nothing! There was no Delune Fragrance, no luxury spa, no Lace & Belle. None of the businesses Cyrilla had guaranteed would secure a spot were on the list!
"Impossible! How could we not be on there?!" Mabel's husband cried out in a low voice, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead.
The other parents, their high hopes suddenly dashed, were in full-blown panic. "What about us?! How could they leave us out?!"
Cyrilla snapped to attention, her face turning ashen, her fingernails biting painfully into her skin.
Impossible! Zeke had promised! He personally said he had smoothed things over with the Lonsdale family! Even though Gordon and Hank didn't agree, the one holding the commercial reigns of the Lonsdale Group right now was Forrest. Zeke had worked it out with Forrest, so how could this be happening?!
Mabel violently shook Cyrilla by the shoulders, her voice shrill. "Cyrilla! Cyrilla! They missed us! Aren't you Mr. Shapiro's girlfriend?! You must know the Lonsdale heiress, right?! Go tell her right now! They made a mistake!"
Mabel couldn't care less about Cyrilla's horrifyingly pale face. Overwhelming disappointment and terror made her grip Cyrilla's arm like a drowning woman clinging to a life raft. Her voice distorted with hysteria:

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