"What did you say?" Ricard slightly narrowed his eyes, unable to believe what he had just heard. Who exactly was this girl standing before him? How could she gamble with Alens' shares?
"I said if you win, I'll give you 2% of Alens' shares," Emma looked at Ricard, her gaze particularly intense.
Ricard swallowed hard, his ears suddenly turning red. For some reason, the girl in front of him had an inexplicable attraction.
"Are you serious?" Ricard quickly adjusted his stance, realizing that this gamble was highly advantageous for him.
Upon hearing that, Emma burst into laughter. Ricard's expression was indeed very adorable!
"Of course, I was joking!"
"You!" Ricard pointed at Emma's face. This was the first time he had ever been teased like this.
But you couldn't really blame the person in front of him; if anything, it was his own overconfidence. How could that woman possibly be related to the Alens Corporation? According to his investigation, the person behind Alens was still abroad.
"The 2% share of Alens was just a joke, but I'm one hundred percent sure that Alas will win!"
That's right, for now, she couldn't let Ricard know her true identity. She didn't intend to approach him as the head of Alens just yet. Besides, she wasn't foolish enough to gamble away 2%. The man in front of her was no ordinary person, and if anything went wrong, she wouldn't be able to handle the consequences!
Ricard looked at Emma, then glanced at the skinny horse, Alas. One word came to mind: No potential!
Emma checked her watch; it was exactly 4:59 PM. It was time!
A whistle blew, and the flag was decisively raised. The horses began to charge forward, dust flying everywhere.
Among the horses, a white one quickly took the lead. Its strides were strong, confident, and determined, as if it was born to win.
However, less than five minutes later, a miracle happened. The skinny black horse, Alas, which had been underestimated compared to the others, suddenly turned into a whirlwind. It began to accelerate at an astonishing pace, overtaking one horse after another in the herd.
At this moment, all eyes were on Alas. It was like a black storm sweeping everything in its path on the racecourse. The cheers and encouragement from the stands grew louder as Alas overtook the leading white horse. People couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the skinny black horse create such a miracle.
Alas kept running, never slowing down. It was like an unstoppable black tornado on the track, racing toward the finish line at an unbeatable speed.
In the stands, Ricard's face went from pale to dark. He kept looking between the skinny black horse and Emma, his expression one of disbelief.
How could that black horse possibly win?
"You, how…?" Ricard stammered.
"Didn't I just tell you? Your eye for horses is still lacking!" Emma's lips curled into a slight smile. She didn't say another word, putting on her glasses and hat before walking out of the stands.
"You!" Ricard shouted after her, wanting to call her back, but his sky-high ego wouldn't allow him to do so!
And just like that, Emma disappeared from his sight.
At the Lenozo Hotel.
Emma entered the bathroom and stripped off her sportswear. Cool water flowed over her body, the scent of shampoo and body wash filling the room.
About thirty minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom, grabbing a towel from the bed to dry her hair.
She sat down in front of the vanity, applying foundation, powder, and curling her lashes. A sharp, seductive face quickly appeared in the mirror. Emma smiled slightly, pleased with her appearance. Compared to Lucia's sweet and innocent beauty, she much preferred the sharpness of Emma. And she was no longer the foolish Lucia of the past!
Emma slipped into a strapless dress and then stepped out of the room.
Emma stood before the mirror, admiring herself one last time before leaving the room. The warm yellow light of the room cast a glow on the navy blue evening gown that hugged her slender figure, highlighting every delicate curve. The long dress grazed the floor, made of soft satin, with the neckline adorned with sparkling crystal beads like stars in the sky. Her lightly curled brown hair was styled in a high bun, with a few delicate curls falling gently on both sides of her face, adding a touch of softness to her refined but seductive features.
She adjusted her pearl earrings, the milky white pearls contrasting beautifully against her smooth skin. Her deep red lips seemed to be tinted with the very blood of roses.
Emma didn't have an invitation, but that didn't bother her. Confidence radiated from every step she took, as if she knew nothing could stand in her way. She had planned this evening for a long time, and now everything was falling into place just as she wanted.
The hotel hosting the party was a towering structure, standing out in the heart of the city with its modern and sophisticated architecture. The glass walls reflected the brilliant lights of the surrounding buildings, creating a dreamy, shimmering scene.
As she approached the entrance to the banquet hall, she noticed the security guards standing in a line, their faces stern and expressionless. One of them, a tall man with sharp eyes, stepped forward, intercepting her graceful stride.
"Good evening, Miss. Please present your invitation," he said in a polite but firm voice, his eyes never leaving Emma's face.
Emma smiled gently, without hesitation. "I'm afraid I left my invitation at home," she said, her voice soft and smooth, as if she were chatting with an old friend. "But I'm sure you understand that I can't miss such an important event. Could you be a bit flexible?"
The guard stared at her for a long moment, his eyes seemingly trying to peer into her soul. But Emma remained unfazed, her gaze calm and untroubled. This wasn't her first time in a situation like this, and she knew how to handle it.
"I'm sorry, but without an invitation, I can't let you in," he said, his voice still firm. "This is a strict policy of the hotel, and I hope you understand."
Emma chuckled softly, her eyes turning sharper. "Do you know who I am?" she asked, her voice full of implication. "I think it would be in your best interest to let me in. Otherwise, you might find yourself in trouble with your superiors."
"I'm sorry, Miss, but I can't make an exception. If you don't have an invitation, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave," he said, though his voice now carried a hint of hesitation.