Chapter 3 How Could You Help An Outsider

Derek's voice came out cold and detached. "Causing a scene in front of the guests is inappropriate."

Aileen was caught off guard; she hadn't expected Derek to defend her.

Rosalie clenched her jaw. "Derek, how can you side with an outsider?"

"Isn't she our sister, adopted by our parents?" Derek shot a glance at Aileen, his eyes showing a flicker of something she couldn't quite read. "Or am I mistaken?"

Aileen instinctively averted her eyes, but she still felt the intensity of his gaze, her body growing tense.

Memories of those chaotic moments in the suite flashed through her mind, making her heartbeat quicken.

The guests were left speechless, and Rosalie didn't dare to argue further.

Gretchen said thoughtfully, "You're right. We are all family. There's no need for this drama. Rosalie, apologize to Aileen."

Rosalie ground her teeth but grudgingly gave an apology.

With the issue resolved, the crowd began to scatter.

However, Aileen's attention remained fixed on Derek.

If he intended to pretend nothing had happened, she'd be sure to give him subtle reminders now and then.

Without hesitation, Aileen approached Derek with a smile. "Derek, thank you."

Her smile was clearly intended to curry favor with him, and anyone watching could easily guess her true motives.

Derek gave her a quick glance but remained silent.

Rosalie chuckled at this interaction.

Aileen merely lowered her gaze a bit, showing no emotion, seemingly accustomed to such treatment.

"Well then, Derek, I'll be heading off." With that, Aileen turned and walked away.

Behind her, Derek's brow furrowed slightly as he watched her retreating figure, deep in thought.

He noted that Aileen didn't just have eyes like that person—her silhouette was strikingly similar as well.

Before he could ponder this further, Gretchen approached. "Derek, you're already twenty-five. Now that you're back, it's time to think about settling down. There are many suitable young women here today. Take a look."

Derek was jolted back to the present, adjusted his cuff, and responded evenly, "As you wish, Grandma. I'm going to meet with some business associates."

Gretchen seemed to want to continue the conversation but restrained herself, letting him leave as she turned to join the younger guests.

After Aileen had left, she attempted to slip away to the backyard for a moment of solitude but was stopped by Derek's assistant.

He handed her a business card. "Mr. Jefferson suggested you prepare your proposal and present it to him."

Aileen was slightly taken aback as she examined the card.

Was Derek extending an olive branch?

She quickly accepted the card, nodded, and expressed her thanks.

Once the assistant had departed, Aileen returned to her hotel room and took out her phone to call her business partner, Ramona Reynolds.

"Regarding the Genesis Plaza project, we should start working on the proposal to enter the bidding."

On the other end, Ramona sounded surprised. "What? I haven't even contacted anyone at Genesis Group yet. Weren't we disqualified previously?"

Aileen pursed her lips. "I've handled it."

"Wow, that's impressive!" Ramona couldn't hide her amazement. "How did you manage that? I thought we had decided not to pursue that project anymore."

Aileen brushed it off. "Don't worry about it. I'll be back at the office soon. Call everyone together for a meeting."

After ending the call, Aileen returned to the office, gathered her team, and started to compile the necessary documents to draft the proposal.

Just as they were establishing a preliminary plan, Aileen's phone rang.

The caller ID showed a photo of her biological mother, Laura Bradley.

Aileen stopped typing and looked down for a moment before picking up the phone.

"Mom, what's going on?"

"Alex needs surgery, and the hospital is asking for the payment upfront. We need about a million."