Where he once deemed her plain and indifferent, a captivating allure now radiated from her.

The delectable cake, which he had once overlooked, seemed destined for another's consumption.

Harold hesitated to part from Rena, a characteristic flaw often attributed to men.

“We need to talk," he said, his voice soft but brimming with gravity. Rena, puzzled, momentarily struggled to process the situation.

With Darren's perceptive intervention, the awkward atmosphere compelled him to intervene, gently asserting, “Harold, Rena is not involved in company matters."

Harold's unwavering focus remained on Rena.

His words deliberate, Harold enunciated, "Mr. Gordon, I wish to converse with her privately.”

Darren faltered briefly, grappling with this unexpected predicament. Rena retreated to her room and donned a knitted coat before reappearing. In a hushed tone, she said, "All right, we can talk downstairs."

Descending the stairs, Rena's arm was suddenly seized by Harold.

“Do you like him?"

Harold's query left Rena momentarily befuddled. Though her longstanding affection for him was widely known, she had never acted on her feelings or professed them.

While her current companionship might not logically concern Harold, her entanglement with another had seemingly drawn his attention.

Attempting to extricate her arm, Rena faltered, met with an unexpectedly strong grip.

“Waylen is willing to invest a billion dollars into the Moore Group on the condition that Mr. Gordon joins the Fowler Group. Is this the stipulation you negotiated with him?"

Rena was stunned. Harold's wounded pride manifested as a sharp rebuke.

"Answer me." The hold on Rena's arm turned painful.

She blinked, her realization dawning that Harold's ego had been stung, prompting his unanticipated visit. But what was their relationship? And why was Harold treating her this way?

Rena, resolute, sought to clarify the situation.

"What about you, Harold? What are your intentions? You know I harbor feelings for you, yet you persistently keep me at arm's Length.”

Harold gazed into Rena's eyes. Two youthful souls, equally impassioned, exchanged tense breaths.

After a prolonged silence, Rena's voice grew husky.

“Before your inquiry, had you already considered accepting the investment?"