The once-a-week Financial Theory class for the postgraduate finance students was a lot to handle.
As an associate professor, Cordelia juggled between mentoring her postgraduate students and working on her research papers. It was a busy life.
One day, her female postgraduate student, Sally, informed her, "Ms. Haselwood, there's a basketball game this afternoon on the campus court. It's an interschool match involving all the universities in Birchwood. Would you like to come and watch?"
"Oh, I have a meeting scheduled this afternoon. But you guys go ahead," Cordelia replied politely.
"Well, Ms. Haselwood, I've saved a ticket for you. If you get back early, you can join us."
"Sure."
That afternoon, Empower Operations scheduled an investment meeting to discuss various investment policies and determine the direction and amount of investment in collaboration with the invested companies.
Cordelia didn't know with whom they were collaborating with, as Empower Operations hadn't provided her with the relevant documents yet.
She slipped into a crisp white blouse and a modest skirt and headed to the conference room of Empower Operations.
"Ms. Haselwood, our collaborative investment partner this time is Lumos Enterprises. Both parties attach great importance to this deal. We didn't inform you earlier due to confidentiality concerns. The documents are all on the table. You may want to look through them," said Peter, who was seated at the head of the conference table.
Cordelia was seated just one person away from Peter. Her mind was buzzing, and she didn't catch most of what he said. However, the words "Lumos Enterprises" stood out clearly.
She had left due to her disappointment in Ronan and her hopes that Callum would not encounter any more hardships. But the world turned out to be so small that Lumos Enterprises was to invest with Empower Operations.
She was curious about who from Lumos Enterprises was attending the meeting. However, she knew that asking such a question would seem inappropriate to Peter. So, she lowered her head and focused on the investment collaboration documents.
As she nervously leafed through the documents, the movement at the door caught her attention. Peter had risen from his seat in a hurry and was extending his hands in a handshake gesture.
"Mr. Emerson, welcome. Please have a seat," Peter said.
The meeting then proceeded to discuss the investment. Representatives from each department presented their slides, and everyone deliberated on the potential investments in various sectors. Emerson listened quietly, occasionally glancing at Cordelia.
The meeting ran all afternoon, but they didn't reach a final decision.
"Everyone has worked so hard on this comprehensive research. I'll report today's progress to Mr. Evans. Perhaps next time, we'll come together," Emerson said, casting a glance at Cordelia when mentioning Mr. Evans.
Cordelia kept her gaze fixed on the documents, but hearing Mr. Evans stirred up her emotions. She didn't want him to know anything about her, but the world was too small.
After the meeting, Emerson said, "Goodbye, Peter," and left.
Cordelia thought he might stop to chat with her, but he didn't. Perhaps he didn't want Peter to know about his prior acquaintance with Cordelia due to work relations, or perhaps there were other reasons.
Cordelia's mind was in turmoil. She didn't know what to do.
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