Olivia glanced at her documents.
"Three commercial properties and two development projects have been included in the final agreement."
Richard stepped forward.
"That's impossible. Those properties are still under negotiation."
Olivia remained professional.
"The agreement was signed yesterday afternoon."
Richard looked toward Edward.
"Mr. Whitmore, I wasn't informed that the acquisition had been finalized."
Edward's expression became serious.
"Your company received the official notification through its legal department."
Richard shook his head.
"I haven't approved anything."
Olivia calmly opened another page.
"The transaction was completed through the investment group holding the majority of the outstanding debt on those properties. Your company agreed to the relevant restructuring conditions several months ago."
Richard's face turned pale.
Daniel looked at him.
"Richard, I believe this is something you should discuss with your legal team."
Vanessa suddenly stepped between them.
"Wait a minute. What does this have to do with Daniel?"
Edward looked at her.
"Daniel's company is the primary technology and investment partner in the redevelopment."
Vanessa's voice became quieter.
"So he owns part of the project?"
Daniel answered.
"Our company is responsible for the redevelopment strategy and operational management."
She looked at Richard.
Then at Daniel.
Then at the documents in Olivia's hands.
Everything she had believed about the evening had suddenly collapsed.
She had spent the entire night trying to make Daniel feel small.
But she had never understood how much of the room's future depended on him.
Richard pulled Vanessa aside.
"What have you done?"
She stared at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Why were you insulting him?"
"I was only joking."
"That didn't look like a joke."
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"I didn't know who he was."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"Exactly. You didn't know who he was, so you decided he was beneath you."
She had no answer.
Daniel noticed the tension but did not interfere.
He had no interest in humiliating anyone.
He had come to the party to celebrate a business achievement, not to settle an old personal disagreement.
However, the past had a way of returning when people least expected it.
And Vanessa's past with Daniel was far more complicated than anyone at the rooftop knew.
Six years earlier, before Daniel's company became successful, he and Vanessa had been engaged.
They had met at a university business competition.
Daniel was studying business administration while working part-time to support himself.
Vanessa was studying communications and dreamed of becoming a wealthy entrepreneur.
At first, they were happy together.
Daniel admired her ambition.
Vanessa admired his intelligence.
They talked about building a future, traveling the world, and eventually owning a beautiful home.
Daniel believed he had found someone who would stand beside him through difficult times.
But when his first business venture failed, everything changed.
The company lost its funding.
Daniel accumulated debt.
He began working longer hours and had less time for expensive dinners and weekend trips.
Vanessa gradually became distant.
She started spending time with wealthier friends.
She complained that Daniel was holding her back.
One evening, she told him she could no longer imagine building a future with someone who struggled to pay his bills.
Daniel tried to explain that his situation was temporary.
He asked her to give him another year.
She refused.
Instead, she ended their engagement.
She left his apartment with the gifts he had purchased for her and told him that love could not replace financial security.
Daniel had been devastated.
But he never begged her to return.
He simply wished her well.
A few months later, Vanessa began dating Richard Hayes.
Richard was older, wealthy, and already established in the property business.
Vanessa believed she had finally chosen the right path.
Meanwhile, Daniel rebuilt his business from almost nothing.
He never told Vanessa about his progress.
He never tried to make her jealous.
And he never contacted her again.
Until tonight.
Back on the rooftop, Edward placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder.
"Are you ready to make the announcement?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."