Joanna Sherman’s expression was cool, but she nodded. "Of course."

She took the pen and lowered her head to sign.

The admiration in the man’s eyes was impossible to hide. "I never expected Miss Sherman to be even more beautiful in person. And to think that Cathan’s foremost rocket pioneer would be such a stunning beauty."

Although Lead Aerospace was the first company in Cathan to launch a rocket, rumor had it that their lead was recruited from overseas, which made Joanna Sherman the nation’s number one rocket pioneer in the public eye.

Others also crowded around, showering Joanna Sherman with praise. "So talented and gorgeous—it’s unreal. She’s simply in a league of her own."

"You probably couldn’t find a more exceptional woman than Miss Sherman in all of Cathan."

"..."

Sophia Shaw found the client Levin Sawyer had introduced her to. He was Felix Fletcher, the young heir to Orient Minerals Inc.

Young as he was, he had already taken charge of several major projects. He flipped through the proposal Sophia had given him and asked a few questions.

Sophia had an excellent memory, and having helped out at her uncle’s company before, she answered his questions with ease.

Felix Fletcher was very satisfied. "Alright. Let’s discuss this in detail after the event."

Sophia’s expression relaxed, and her eyes immediately lit up. "Okay."

Felix Fletcher’s willingness to discuss this further must mean he’s very interested in Uncle’s proposal.

Afraid that any delay might jeopardize the deal, Sophia decided to step out and call Yancy Shaw. She had just turned around when she heard Felix Fletcher exclaim, "No way! Is there a female rider competing today?"

At his words, Sophia turned to look at the arena.

Behind the long starting gate, horses neighed restlessly. And there, amidst a sea of male riders, was a cascade of long, flowing brown hair!

Joanna Sherman!

She wore a deep blue riding habit, one foot in the stirrup, her posture deft and agile.

It was an absolutely captivating sight.

Sophia had been wondering why the incredibly busy Vincent Grant would waste his precious time watching a horse race. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Now, it all made sense.

In this world, only Joanna Sherman could ever distract him.

BANG!

Following the gunshot, the electronic gates flew open, and the horses surged out.

The riders leaned low over their horses’ backs, guiding their mounts to clear one fence after another at incredible speed.

After the second jump, Joanna Sherman caught up to the male rider in the lead, instantly captivating the entire crowd.

Felix Fletcher’s gaze was locked on Joanna Sherman, a passionate fire burning in his eyes. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists. "Incredible! So beautiful and so badass!"

Sophia silently pursed her lips.

Joanna Sherman always knew how to show her best side to the world, burying the ugliest parts of herself so deep no one could find them.

Back when she used to bully me, she would get her own hands dirty in the beginning. But later, she started using her followers to torment me, leaving not a single trace of her involvement.

The perfect goddess! It was no wonder Felix Fletcher was so mesmerized.

Sophia couldn’t help but wonder: with Joanna Sherman spending all her time on things like this, did she have any energy left to study rocketry?

Not wanting to watch any longer, Sophia walked to a quiet spot outside and updated Yancy Shaw on the situation.

Yancy Shaw was thrilled to hear that things with Felix Fletcher were promising. "I’ll head over now, but it will take at least three hours..."

Sophia thought for a moment. "Send me all the important documents. If you really can’t make it in time, I’ll talk to him."

Yancy Shaw knew Sophia had a great memory and wasn’t worried she would bungle the pitch, so he sent her all the information.

By the time she finished the call, the horse race was already over.

As Sophia walked past the paddock, she saw Joanna Sherman dismounting, using Vincent Grant’s steadying hand.

As she landed, Vincent placed a hand lightly on her waist to steady her, the two of them ending up in a near embrace.

Her waist was slender and soft, his hand long and strong. The scene was one of indescribable, intimate beauty.

"Mr. Grant’s horse is injured." Someone beside her said in a low voice. Sophia recognized him; it was Vincent Grant’s horse trainer.

Seeing the trainer, Sophia finally recognized the horse Joanna Sherman had been riding: it was Vincent Grant’s favorite thoroughbred!

Vincent had gone to great lengths to acquire the horse, and it was incredibly precious to him.

Once, she had brought Cedric Grant to the stables and had merely stroked the horse’s coat. When Vincent found out, he fired the groom on the spot.

After that, the new groom wouldn’t allow her within three meters of the horse.

A horse she wasn’t even allowed to touch, yet Vincent had casually lent it to Joanna Sherman for a race...

Sophia gave a bitter smile. Even though she knew Vincent paid her no mind, the stark contrast still hit her like a physical blow.

Even a dog would be shown some dignity after six years. In Vincent’s heart, she was worth less than a dog!

Not wanting to dwell on it, Sophia quickly steadied her breathing and walked away without looking back.

"Why is she still lingering here?" Justin Hughes saw her retreating figure, his face twisting in disgust. "It never ends. What a jinx!"

Vincent was off to the side, taking a call. Joanna Sherman’s cool gaze flickered over Sophia for a second before she looked away.

Seeing her reaction, Justin Hughes knew she thought nothing of Sophia and let out a disdainful scoff.

"Go help Vincent with the horse," Joanna Sherman said, nodding in his direction. The horse was injured, so it couldn’t walk. It had to be trailered back.

"Right!" As if he’d received a royal command, Justin Hughes immediately sprang into action.

Joanna Sherman’s gaze fell on Sophia again. When she saw Sophia stop in front of Felix Fletcher, her eyes darkened, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths.

A moment later, she took out her phone.

After the race, Sophia and Felix Fletcher talked for a while in a conference room at a nearby hotel. Felix was deeply impressed by Sophia’s professionalism, and Yancy Shaw’s proposal was indeed flawless.

Felix Fletcher was very satisfied and willing to sign the contract.

The timing was perfect, as Yancy Shaw had just arrived.

Sophia went to meet him. His expression softened the moment he saw Sophia. "Thank goodness for you, Faye. This hotel is a complete maze; I never would have found my way."

Sophia linked her arm through his. "Let’s hurry upstairs, Uncle."

The snow-white, ostentatious car pulled up beside them. The person who stepped out made both of their expressions darken.

"Why is she here?" Yancy Shaw’s chest tightened, his breathing quickening.

Sophia also hadn’t expected to run into Yvonne Sherman here.

When Yvonne Sherman exited the car, she made a point of having an assistant help her out, looking for all the world like an ancient empress on an imperial tour.

The arrogant, dismissive way she glanced up was identical to Joanna Sherman’s!

"I don’t know." Sophia shook her head.

The sight of Yvonne Sherman made Yancy Shaw unable to control the flood of memories of the humiliation his sister had endured. He took a step forward, ready to confront her.

Sophia, the calmer of the two, grabbed his arm. "Uncle, the contract is what’s important!"

Only then did Yancy Shaw manage to suppress his hatred and retreat. His body was rigid as he followed her inside, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

Back then, Yvonne Sherman and that man had shamelessly leeched off her mother’s blood, sweat, and tears, using the money her mother earned to fund their lavish lifestyle and raise their own daughter.

But when the truth came out, they twisted the story, painting her mother as the homewrecker. They announced to the world that they were the real true loves, separated only by a misunderstanding her mother had schemed to create.

To this day, the world still saw her mother as the shameless homewrecker!

Their hatred was so intense it felt as if their chests would burst. They wished they could just kill those scum.

But no matter how much they hated them, they had to bow to reality. Signing the contract to save the company—and the livelihoods of all its dedicated employees—was the most important thing right now.

When Sophia led Yancy Shaw back to the small conference room, it was empty. The chair where Felix Fletcher had been sitting was vacant.

Sophia hurriedly called Felix Fletcher. "Mr. Fletcher, where are you?"

"Miss Shaw, I’m sorry, something came up suddenly, and I have to go out. Let’s talk about the contract later."

Before he even finished speaking, a woman’s voice could be heard through the receiver.

"Mr. Fletcher, be careful."

The voice was cloyingly sweet and artificial.

It was Yvonne Sherman!