"This gift is too precious. Please ask Mr. Fredrick to take it back," she messaged Shawn.

Shawn replied quickly in his usual professional tone, "Mr. Fredrick says that once a gift has been given, there's no reason to take it back."

Ariana frowned as she read the message. She couldn't help but wonder why Holden was so obstinate.

Although she was still not reconciled, she couldn't urge Shawn further. So, she asked directly, "Could you please provide me with Mr.

Fredrick's contact information? I'd like to talk to him directly."

After several minutes without any response, Ariana put her phone aside.

However, a message notification soon arrived.

"Mr. Fredrick is usually quite busy. Miss Edwards, if there is any problem, you can discuss with me. I can help convey the message to Mr. Fredrick."

Upon reading this message, Ariana was somewhat speechless. In the past, she could easily discuss directly with Holden, but now she had to go through intermediaries. After five years, it seemed Holden had grown loftier.

However, Ariana did not express these thoughts. The Fredrick family was important and influential. It was therefore completely natural for them to have a certain level of pride. She ultimately didn't respond to Shawn's message. Instead, she put aside her phone and continued with her tasks.

On the other side, in his office, Holden closed the document in his hands and swiveled his chair to face Shawn. With an impassive face, he asked, id she accept it?"

Shawn nodded and replied, "She probably did. She hasn't replied to my last message."

"Good," Holden said with a faint nod. He added in a calm tone, “Keep an eye on the energy cooperation project. I need you to choose a suitable time to meet with her again."

Shawn nodded. He checked his schedule and said seriously, "I returned her proposal yesterday, asking her to make some revisions. Once those are done and approved by me, we can schedule a meeting."

Holden nodded. He had himself reviewed Ariana's cooperation proposal and found it generally well done, with only a few minor corrections to be made. Ariana's cooperation proposal had a slight advantage over those of some established domestic companies.

After a brief contemplative silence, Holden suddenly asked Shawn,

“What's your impression of her?"

Shawn pondered for a moment before saying calmly, "She looks somewhat familiar. I feel like I've seen her somewhere before, perhaps in a magazine or news article."

As he spoke, he furrowed his brows as if trying to recall where he had met Ariana before. He had the feeling he had indeed seen her face in the news, though it seemed to have been a long time ago.

However, when he thought about it carefully, he wasn't so sure anymore.