Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 441

At her mother's urging, Bianca opened the country's largest news media platform on her phone. The live broadcast was the top story. The first thing she heard was Ron Archer's voice, clear and unequivocal.

"The news report that circulated this morning was false. I have no plans to partner with Ascendancy Group. Of course," he added, ever the diplomat, "Ascendancy is an excellent company with mature technology and a strong market presence. They are a benchmark in the industry."

The public clarification was a direct slap in the face. Anyone with a modicum of business sense would see that the morning's news had been a calculated PR stunt. Bianca had orchestrated it, confident that Ron would see Ascendancy Group as his best and only option. She had thought of it as extending an olive branch. She never imagined he would not only refuse it but publicly set it on fire. Her face, already pale, turned ashen. She could already imagine the mockery online.

Henry noticed her distress immediately. "Bianca, what's wrong?"

She couldn't find the words. Her expression hardened. "I'm so sorry, Henry, but we'll have to reschedule."

"It's fine. Go take care of what you need to," he said with gentle understanding. "I'll get the check."

Bianca gave him a grateful nod and hurried out, leaving Henry to stare after her, his eyes filled with worry.

She and Yvonne arrived home at roughly the same time, both their social engagements having ended in disaster. Forrest was just sitting down to dinner. "I thought you two weren't eating at home tonight?" he asked, confused. "The housekeeper only prepared enough for me."

Yvonne threw her designer handbag onto a chair. "How can you eat at a time like this? I'm too furious to be hungry! A crisis is unfolding, and you can't even be bothered to show a little concern for your daughter!"

"What happened?" Forrest asked, his brow furrowed.

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