A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 226: Are you with him now (4)_1

With just a few hours left, Shen Jing tried to rest with her eyes closed but couldn’t fall asleep.

She got up and left at nine-thirty.

Upon opening the door, she found Sun Qiyan wasn’t at the hotel; only the bodyguard they had hired was standing outside, waiting for her.

"Boss Sun stepped out for a bit."

Shen Jing didn’t wait for Sun Qiyan; she packed her things, had breakfast, and left.

The summit was being held at the New York Building. It was scheduled to last for four days. Today was just the beginning. Banks from all countries, economic organizations, Western and American investment banks, Asian investment banks, large trade corporations, and leaders of various countries’ policy initiatives all gathered. Discussion revolved around the financial conference, a new order.

New International Financial Order.

Looking at the Philip Statue at the entrance of the venue, she entered, and security checks followed one after another. The reporters’ cameras were disassembled for inspection; even the smallest holes were not overlooked. There were even armed personnel performing a secondary screening.

Just a second ago, Shen Jing was feeling sorry for the poor reporters. Now, her hair was pinned with a metal hairclip, which was indifferently confiscated by security personnel. "No metal or sharp objects are allowed."

The sparkling rhinestones on her phone case were also pried off by security personnel before it was handed back to her.

"Please go to the front to verify the authenticity of your invitation."

Shen Jing didn’t respond. Why is there a lane over there with no inspections?

However, seeing that even the richest man from a neighboring country was being inspected, Shen Jing felt much better. In a place like this, not everyone gets an exception.

She took a step, then looked back. She saw Mr. Min, the tycoon, and his wife entering, with bodyguards closely escorting them. A mature and profound man, his wife beautiful and delicate.

At that moment, Shen Jing felt unbalanced again. Suffering from public displays of affection.

Pocketing her invitation, Shen Jing stepped up the stairs. She wasn’t able to see the highest-ranking leaders in the front-row seats—the ironwood seats surrounding the podium, with the flags of the representatives from various countries placed in front.

Perhaps only representatives of various governments could sit in those places.

Shen Jing chose to sit in the back row.

The spacious conference hall was nearly a thousand square meters. The huge dome overhead was a spire, with magnificent crystal chandeliers casting dazzling light that reflected on the marble and porcelain stone floor, showcasing its art, culture, and luxury.

Fortunately, before the conference began, she saw Blaire. Blaire was delighted to see her, and after a moment, he sat next to her, and they conversed in hushed tones.

"My student has indeed achieved quite a lot. It’s a surprise we meet again at the summit after just a few months."

Shen Jing distinctly smelled medicinal ointment; he must have fallen while riding. She didn’t point it out. "Congratulations on winning first place in horseback riding, Teacher."

Blaire shared a bond with her from climbing the Great Wall together and had been her direct instructor.

At that moment, the blonde leader was giving a speech on stage.

"Therefore, changes must be made to meet the needs of current international financial relations and establish a reasonable and appropriate new international financial organization..."

After the applause, Blaire asked softly, "Don’t you know President Zhou? Why don’t you go greet him?"

It occurred to her that as the president of Credit Group United Bank, Zhou Luchen would definitely be at such an event.

Later, she learned from her conversation with Blaire that Zhou Luchen was presiding over the summit as President Zhou. Yet, by the time the first session was nearly over, she hadn’t seen this President Zhou.

"What is he to Mr. Blaire?" Shen Jing counter-asked.

When Mr. Blaire mentioned Zhou Luchen, his words carried a hint of admiration. "A very good friend, and the most excellent partner."

Zhou Luchen’s circle of friends was quite extensive, ranging from peers his own age to elderly financial titans.

When those on stage mentioned ’President Zhou,’ Shen Jing’s heart sank, but she still couldn’t see Zhou Luchen in person anywhere.

Is he too busy? He probably doesn’t have time to come. But wasn’t he also in Switzerland for the last EMEAP?

Shen Jing even glanced at the front-row main seats. Because of the angle and distance, she couldn’t make out anyone clearly.

It wasn’t until Mr. Blaire was invited onstage to speak in detail about the regulatory analysis of FTAA investment rules. How could they not invite him? This white-haired man, nearly sixty, still held a dominant position on Wall Street. A cunning capitalist. In situations like this, the powerful operated based on sequential game theory.

Just as she was thinking this, a representative from the Asian bloc, seated at the front-row roundtable near the podium, stood up, gathered their documents, and left. As they moved, Shen Jing’s line of sight cleared, and she finally saw the man sitting beside where the representative had been.

Ironwood chairs matched the ironwood desks.

Zhou Luchen sat perfectly straight yet at ease, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit. Fine, silver-rimmed glasses rested on his high-bridged nose. With a slight inclination of his head, his long fingers guided a pen across a document, exuding an air of composed dignity.

Even from a distance, she recognized him at a glance.

Someone placed a laptop in front of him, submitting data. The person leaned in to speak with him.

During the discussion, the man lightly adjusted the desk microphone and addressed the speaker on stage. His American English was flawless, his tone dignified and poised.

"Research on the non-equity expansion model of service TNCs based on the utilization of resources in host countries..."

His voice was low, magnetic, slowly filling every corner of the hall. He was speaking about the equity expansion of multinational corporations.

Suddenly, the hall fell silent.

Undoubtedly, his aura was too powerful to be ignored, even though the hall was filled with renowned dignitaries.

When he stopped speaking, a representative from a major multinational corporation continued.

Such an occasion, a reunion after seven months. Had it been three years since their breakup? It seemed like it... And in just three years, he had transformed from the once-philandering Second Young Master of the Zhou Family to the President of United Bank, and now to the Chairman of the World Trade and Economic Cooperation Council. He could go even higher, even further.

Shen Jing sat in her seat, looking up at him over there, feeling hopelessly left behind.

He never looked in her direction. Perhaps President Zhou didn’t even know she was also at the summit.

It didn’t matter to her. Shen Jing unscrewed the cap of her water bottle and took a drink.

Then she stopped looking at him.