Marrying the Man in the Dark

Chapter 1199 Lighthearted Banter

Lucy swiveled her head from side to side in refusal. "You're still the Gray Group's CEO at the end of the day. How can I ask you to help me with such trivialities?"

"No one really acknowledges me as the CEO, anyway. That title is just a façade."

A wry chuckle escaped Colin's lips as he continued, "Furthermore, contributing to this project alongside you gives me something to concentrate on. It's a welcome change from the monotony."

"Forcing me to face those two stern faces back in the company daily would send me over the edge!"

Lucy's brow furrowed in thought, her eyes narrowing slightly before she responded, "Suit yourself."

As scheduled, Violet's birthday party took place three days later.

The Yatesville Starlight Hotel shimmered with opulence, its lavish furnishings complemented by dazzling lighting that bathed the venue in a celestial glow.

Before Lucy arrived that afternoon, she preemptively swallowed a handful of painkillers to alleviate the discomfort gnawing at her stomach.

Standing in the heart of the hotel venue, Lucy was fully engrossed in coordinating logistics with the walkie-talkie pressed to her ear.

Standing in the periphery of the venue, Mandy stood beside Colin, a furrow on her brow. "Did she truly declare she won't be involved anymore after this project?"

her gaze with a solemn nod. "That's precisely what she conveyed

replied softly, exhaling a

harbored reservations about Lucy taking

celebration. Yet, despite her misgivings, Lucy remained

from a distance, silently hoping that Lucy's plans would unfold without a

deep breath, Mandy retrieved her phone for the third occasion, dialing Cherise's number with a

without Mandy seeing Cherise. According to Damien, Cherise had been battling illness, isolating herself in her room

deliberate disconnection. "Ugh, just in the world is happening?!"

a tone of helplessness, "They're both insistent on not granting me

set before him, smiled as he glanced

shuts herself away in her room all day, and hasn't seen anyone," Mandy sighed wearily. "But I suspect it's more about her rift with

to the extent that she's unable to answer a phone call? Seems more

Colin continued to fasten balloons to the wall.

roll her eyes, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

men, placing a higher premium

different," Colin remarked

with a faint smile, he continued,

more assertiveness than