Chapter 246: The Southwest Bridge Reopening Gala

Five days later, following the final updates from Norman and the latest intel from Kyle, Eric traveled back to his former hometown to attend the grand reopening ceremony for the Southwest Bridge. After pulling into the familiar parking lot of the building he used to know so well as his father’s old headquarters, he glanced over his left shoulder at Katie, who sat in the passenger seat wearing a stunning formal dress.

"Ready?" Eric asked.

"You know it. Ready for battle," Katie replied with a confident grin, adjusting her glasses.

"And why exactly are you tagging along?" Eric asked, checking his rearview mirror.

Sitting comfortably in the back was Chloe, her legs crossed at the knee. Dressed in a custom black blazer dress and high heels, she caught Eric’s eye in the mirror and flashed a knowing smile.

"Hmm... because I happen to know the owner of Woodward—the firm that bought out your dad’s old company—and I want to see what she actually wants with you. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on things so certain people don’t get too close to you," Chloe said, shooting a side-eye straight at Katie.

Sigh. "Fine... whatever. Let’s head inside," Eric surrendered, pushing his door open.

All three of them stepped out of the car. Eric walked toward the entrance with Katie linked into his left arm and Chloe linked into his right. Passing through the doors, they stepped straight into a massive ballroom arranged with rows of seating toward the back, circular VIP tables clustered right up front near the stage, and a wide raised platform featuring a backdrop stamped with the Southwest Bridge logo. Interestingly, the company had dropped Engineering and Logistics in favor of Construction and Development, though they had kept the historic name intact.

Eric scanned the room, spotting scores of corporate employees filling the standard chairs, board members seated near the front, and heavy-hitting investors and partners occupying the circular tables, while staff bustled around the perimeter. Along the side walls stretched long banquet tables piled high with food. A staff member guided Eric, Katie, and Chloe straight to a reserved circular table near the front.

Once seated, Eric looking sharp in a custom black suit, he began casting his eyes around the room. Naturally, most of the faces were complete strangers since he had never operated in this high-society corporate circle before.

"Well, well... if it isn’t Eric Reed from E.R Holdings and the owner of Elliot’s Production?"

A middle-aged man approached and greeted him. Eric stood up, shook the man’s hand, and offered a polite smile while frantically trying to place who he was.

"Um... and you are?" Eric asked cautiously.

"Ah, my apologies. I’m Hector Bennet, an automotive manufacturer and investor. Pleasure to meet you, Eric. Your father has been talking quite a bit about you lately," Hector introduced himself.

"Oh... you know my dad?" Eric asked, surprised.

"Of course I know your father, Martin Watts. I’m one of his regular golf buddies, along with Thomas, the man who acquired your father’s company," Hector explained.

"Ah... I see. Understood," Eric nodded.

"Well... I need to get back to my seat. We should sit down and talk business sometime; honestly, you’re impressive. At your age, my kids were still messing around in school," Hector said with a warm smile.

"Thanks, Mr. Bennet," Eric replied, managing a stiff smile.

"Alright, I’ll excuse myself," Hector said.

"Take care, sir," Eric replied.

As soon as Hector walked away, Eric sank back into his chair. Chloe immediately leaned in close, bringing her face right up to Eric’s ear so he could catch the faint trace of her perfume.

"Watch your back with that guy. He’s a slippery old wolf," Chloe whispered.

"Shh... don’t go judging people like that," Eric murmured back.

"Trust me, I know guys like him inside and out. Turns out your dad’s old circle of friends is an absolute den of vipers," Chloe muttered.

"Looks like the event is about to start," Katie whispered, leaning in close to Eric at his side.

"Oh... okay," Eric replied.

The ceremony kicked off as the MC stepped onto the stage to open the program, immediately delivering a welcoming address to the attentive audience seated around the room.

"Alright, please welcome our keynote speaker for tonight and our CEO... Ingrid Watson, along with our Chief Operating Officer... Derek Norton!"

The MC welcomed a woman who looked remarkably young, probably in her early twenties, dressed in a striking red and black blazer dress with high heels, flowing wavy blonde hair, striking green eyes, and wearing a gorgeous necklace and earrings as she raised her hand to wave with a bright, cheerful smile.

Right beside her, stepping up to accompany her, was a young man around twenty-six years old, wearing an expensive-looking navy blue suit and a gleaming wristwatch that he made sure to show off by lifting his arm. He was handsome, with smooth skin, slicked-back hair, and a cunning, arrogant, yet sharp look behind a pair of glasses. He carried a laptop tucked under his arm.

When Ingrid stepped up to the front, she glanced across the front-row round tables. As her eyes locked onto Eric, a sweet smile flashed across her face for a split second, though it instantly chilled when she noticed Chloe and Katie seated on either side of him.

Meanwhile, Derek set up his laptop and hooked it up to the projector. Once the PowerPoint presentation flashed onto the screen, Derek looked out at the guests, flashing a polished, handsome smile.

But the moment his eyes landed on Eric, who was lounging comfortably and chatting cheerfully with Chloe and Katie flanking him, his expression twisted. His jaw clenched and his brows drew tightly together.

He didn’t even try to hide the raw hostility radiating off him toward Eric. When Eric turned his head to look at the stage after feeling the heavy gaze, Derek instantly snapped his head away to look in another direction.

With that, Ingrid stepped up to the microphone to open the presentation, explaining why the company kept its historic name, the shift in their business model, their core objectives, upcoming projects and programs, and their operational framework covering domestic projects and supplier pipelines. Everything followed the slide deck managed by Derek.

Throughout the presentation, it was painfully obvious that Ingrid kept stealing secret glances at Eric, who sat right in front of the stage. Naturally, Chloe caught on. She slid in closer against Eric, wrapped her arm around him, and whispered,

"Babe, why does she keep looking over at us? Do you know her from somewhere?" Chloe asked.

"Hmm... I don’t know her at all. Today’s my first time seeing her," Eric answered.

"Does she recognize me from CJR or something? But that doesn’t make sense, the face of CJR is Bryan, not me," Chloe muttered back.

"Who knows... just ignore her. You know why we’re really here, right?" Eric prompted.

"Yep... of course I do," Chloe replied.

"It’s not just fans, looks like someone’s got a personal grudge against us, too," Katie chimed in, slipping her arm through Eric’s other side and pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

Eric and Chloe followed her gaze toward Derek, who had stepped up beside Ingrid to take over the presentation and explain the company’s transparent operational systems and core strengths. Derek’s eyes locked onto their table, blazing with undisguised venom even as he maintained a cold, calculated smile.

True to form, the instant Eric stared back at him, Derek smoothly pivoted his head away, flashing a sweet, polite grin to the rest of the room.

"What is his deal? He’s looking at us like we’re his mortal enemies. Have we ever crossed paths with that guy before?" Chloe muttered, annoyed as she watched Derek.

"I don’t think so. I’m seeing that guy for the very first time today. Has he ever hit on you or Katie?" Eric wondered aloud.

"Ha... absolutely not," Chloe snapped back.

"I’ve never laid eyes on him either, but this is getting interesting. It seems like he already knows who we are even though this is our first time here and there’s no way he pulled that from the guest reservation list," Katie murmured, adjusting her glasses as a cunning smile began to spread across her lips.

"Yep... both of their names already popped up in Detective Norman and Mr. Kyle’s investigations, so we can just confront them about it right after this... Norman’s got everything prepped, right?" Eric asked.

"Of course... he’s already coordinated with the local authorities here, and they’re fully on standby. So... let’s finally put an end to this whole stalker and defamation mess tonight," Katie replied, turning to look at Eric with a playful wink.

"I’m totally ready to slap a hostile takeover on Woodward, hehehe," Chloe chimed in.

"Hey... our target isn’t Woodward. I know that firm used to be your corporate rival, but hey... don’t go getting carried away," Eric scolded, gently tapping Chloe on the head.

"Hehe... sorry... my bad," Chloe giggled, flashing an unapologetic smile.

"Please try not to get all lovey-dovey right now, the presentation is still going," Katie whispered under her breath.

After that, the three of them kept busy exchanging quiet words without making a sound, completely oblivious to the fact that Ingrid, who had now taken a seat in one of the chairs on stage, was watching them with intense focus behind a calm exterior.

"Eric actually showed up. I’m thrilled, but why on earth did he bring along a member of The Empress and some gorgeous woman who clearly isn’t just anybody? It’s seriously making me jealous," she muttered silently to herself.