He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 681

The news of Julian Croft and Zachary Bishop—Scarlett's brother—injecting billions in capital into their new venture was quickly finalized.

In the days that followed, Scarlett and Julian worked around the clock. They were busy recruiting top talent, scouting office locations, negotiating deals, and meeting with potential partners.

Every day was a blur of running from one side of the city to the other. Their schedules were packed so tight they barely had time to grab a coffee.

This nonstop hustle felt eerily reminiscent of her old life with Yardley. Yet, despite the identical exhaustion, Scarlett's emotional experience couldn't have been more different.

Back when she ran around with her ex-husband, she was always trailing a step behind him.

Pitching proposals, fetching water, or playing the perfect buffer to block drinks for him at corporate dinners.

She had taken herself, a rightful co-founder, and reduced herself into a glorified, invisible assistant.

During those years, she felt the bone-deep exhaustion of a pack mule, but never a single ounce of accomplishment.

She had poured out her heart to Yardley several times about her depression and disappointment, but he had always brushed it off, genuinely unable to see what the problem was.

At first, it felt wrong to Scarlett, but eventually, she grew numb to it, even internalizing the disrespect.

There was even a period where she severely doubted herself, truly believing she just wasn't cut out for public business dealings.

But now, the feeling was entirely the opposite.

No matter what room they walked into, Julian made a point to formally introduce her as the founder.

Whenever a conversation reached a critical turning point, he would seamlessly pass the floor to her, letting her deliver the detailed pitches and closing statements.

He never used exaggerated praise, but his actions constantly sent a clear, unmistakable signal:

She was an equal. She was valued. She was recognized.

Scarlett had been a little nervous at first, but she quickly found her footing.

The confidence that had been buried deep in her bones quietly roared back to life.

However, the news of Croft Group's staggering financial backing inevitably sent shockwaves through the real estate industry.

With the Bay City Real Estate Association's biennial presidential election approaching, Scarlett received a formal invitation to attend as the CEO of Croft Group.

The association's previous president had been Yardley. However, due to the recent avalanche of scandals surrounding his company, he had been forced to resign.

Because of this, the upcoming election was fraught with underlying tension and shifting alliances.

On the day of the election.

Scarlett headed straight to the Bay City International Convention Center.

She deliberately wore a sharply tailored black skirt suit, her long hair pinned up in an elegant updo that highlighted her luminous, slender neckline.

The moment she entered the hall, she spotted Yardley already sitting in the front row.