A project worth tens of billions, its importance needless to say, she certainly wouldn’t step in lightly.

After all, in this area, Kris Cooper is the expert.

"I understand." Sally Dalton nodded, then changed the topic, "Are those peach blossoms over there?"

"Yes... and that’s a pear tree, they’re all real fruit trees."

"Does that mean there will be pears to eat in autumn?"

"Yeah!" Vera Wave pointed to a grape trellis not far away, "Today’s grapes look quite good, when they’re ripe, you all should come over and try them."

"Sure. Nathan Leafcastle used to come here often, right?"

"Yeah, when we were little, we even climbed over the walls here together..."

Vera Wave began recounting their childhood stories, and Sally Dalton found them amusing, occasionally laughing out loud.

At noon, Vera Wave invited her to stay for lunch. Sally Dalton was gentle and Grandma Wave liked her very much. The three of them chatted amiably while eating.

When Sally Dalton was leaving, Grandma Wave personally saw her off, holding her hand and insisting that she and Nathan Leafcastle come over for a meal sometime.

...

...

In the Ashton top-floor conference room, Kris Cooper was in a meeting with several company executives discussing the Jade River project.

"...In short, no matter how much manpower and resources are invested, we must secure this project. Over the years, we have been developing in the residence industry, and now, the real estate industry is in a semi-saturated state, with the growth trend slowing down. The Jade River project is our chance for transformation. If we do it well, it means we can not only work on residences but also on bridges, high-speed rail, and canals... Ashton will be invincible!"

"Good!" Kris Cooper folded the notebook in front of him and leaned back in his chair, "That’s all for today. By next Monday, I want each of you to come up with a plan based on your department’s situation."

Everyone got up and left the conference room. Kris Cooper raised his hand and gently pinched the bridge of his nose.

These past few days have been busy with the Jade River project, and he hadn’t slept much for several days.

Ashton is indeed flourishing now, but that doesn’t mean he can just rest on his laurels. The rapid expansion of the real estate industry in recent years has reached a tipping point.

If Ashton wants to remain undefeated, it must find a more promising breakthrough point.

The Jade River project, including river channel renovation, relocation, bridge, and road construction, is just the opportunity Ashton needs.

A project worth tens of billions, it’s naturally caught the eye of countless consortiums. Ashton has many competitors this time, and Kris Cooper doesn’t dare to be careless in the slightest.

"Mr. President!" Tommy Taylor pushed open the door and came in, placing a cowhide envelope in front of him, "Just received this."

Kris Cooper took the envelope, stretched out his hand, and pulled out a stack of photos from inside.

The first photo showed Nathan Leafcastle getting out of a car, then walking into a restaurant. The subsequent photos showed him shaking hands with a middle-aged white man.

"Is that... Mr. Smith from Finnish Investments?"

"Yes, that’s him!" Tommy Taylor smiled slightly, "It seems, as you anticipated, Barker is planning to team up with Smith to compete with us."

Kris Cooper stuffed the photos back into the envelope, "Anyway, there are so many competitors, one more doesn’t matter."

He stood up tall, casually handing the photos back to Tommy Taylor.

"Instruct them to be cautious and not to alert the enemy."