Mo Ling, whose face was already grim, grew even more somber upon hearing Song Qiao's taunt.
"Hmph, I was careless this time, but don't get too smug too soon."
She snorted coldly, defiantly saying to Song Qiao.
"Tch, you gambled, you lose. Boss Mo, you're not planning to welch, are you?"
At this moment, Ye Zhiwei had also recovered from her shock. The weakening momentum she had previously felt now surged again.
"I, I would never."
Mo Ling's face flushed as she was cornered, momentarily unable to speak.
She had intended to leave in disgrace, but she hadn't expected Ye Zhiwei to directly start provoking her.
"Boss Mo, with so many bosses witnessing this, let's sign the contract here and now."
After speaking, Song Qiao directly took the contract from Ye Zhiwei's hand and tossed it in front of Mo Ling.
"Fine, I'll sign it."
Mo Ling stomped her foot hard and, under everyone's watchful eyes, resentfully signed the contract.
Her face was a mask of red and white, and a hint of despair flickered in her eyes.
The Glorious Group, built up over so many years, had now lost most of its profits due to her gamble.
Thinking about it now, it was truly like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet.
"Boss Mo, if you're ever out of a job in the future, you can come work for my company. We're short on cleaning staff."
Song Qiao glanced at her and said casually.
"You, you scoundrel."
Mo Ling threw down the signed contract and left the resort without looking back.
"Sister, brother-in-law is indeed amazing. With just one move, he possesses such strength."
Xia Xueqing watched from the side, wide-eyed, and couldn't help but click her tongue as she praised Song Qiao.
"It was just luck. Nine out of ten gambles are losses. It's certainly not a proper way to do things."
Xia Yuqing rolled her eyes at her excited sister and lectured her.
"If your brother-in-law were truly that capable, he wouldn't have gone bankrupt before. You probably shouldn't follow his example."
Just as Xia Xueqing was about to say something, the previously noisy environment suddenly fell silent.
Not far away, a middle-aged man, followed by two secretaries, strode in with authority.
The newcomer was none other than the initiator of this gathering, Secretary Gao.
"Haha, thank you all for giving me, Gao, some face and coming here to support me."
Secretary Gao greeted the onlookers as he walked.
"This is my daughter, Gao Mengmeng, and it also happens to be her birthday today."
After greeting everyone, Secretary Gao introduced a young woman, who looked to be around twenty, to the crowd.
"Miss Wang is dignified and elegant, a true lady."
Everyone stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Many who had received prior notice produced their pre-prepared gifts.
Xia Yuqing frowned at the sight. She had intended to offer her congratulations, but now that everyone else had brought gifts, and she hadn't received any prior notice, she felt too embarrassed to approach.
The opportunity to curry favor with Secretary Gao had slipped through her fingers.
This made her feel immense regret.
"This Song Qiao, with his status, how could he not have known in advance? He didn't even prepare something beforehand."
Later, Xia Yuqing saw him sitting on the periphery, idly chatting with Guo Jun, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Miss Gao, this is a birthday gift I specially customized for you. I hope you like it."
Just then, Xia Haibin, a well-known wealthy businessman in the area, pushed his way into the inner circle.
He then, as if presenting a treasure, took out a luxurious gift box from his embrace, opened it, and presented it to Gao Mengmeng.
"Blue crystal necklace?"
"My, my, Boss Xia, you're truly generous."
"Yes, this one alone must be worth at least two to three hundred thousand."
The people around exclaimed in surprise upon seeing it, and then cautiously began to comment.
"What are you saying? As long as Mengmeng likes it, I wouldn't hesitate to spend twice the price."
Xia Haibin said, as he handed the crystal necklace over, his face full of flattery towards Gao Mengmeng.
"Uncle Xia, thank you for your gift."
Gao Mengmeng didn't seem as happy as expected. She simply offered a polite acknowledgement before accepting the gift.
Hearing Gao Mengmeng's address to him, Xia Haibin's face suddenly turned awkward.
"Mengmeng, as long as you like it, but I have a small suggestion."
"I'm only in my early thirties, and we're only about ten years apart. You should call me Brother Xia."
"Calling me Uncle Xia makes me sound old."
Upon hearing this, all the onlookers couldn't help but laugh.
It was obvious to everyone that Xia Haibin had long been infatuated with the Secretary's daughter.
Now, seeing him spend a large sum of money only to be put in an awkward position, many felt a sense of schadenfreude.
"Uncle Xia, how can that be? You and my father used to collaborate, and you were equals back then. If I call you Brother Xia now, wouldn't that disrupt the generational order?"
"My father would say I'm not sensible."
Gao Mengmeng understood his intentions perfectly but pretended not to.
"I say, Young Master Guo, your niece is quite something."
Song Qiao, who was observing from the side, couldn't help but praise after seeing her expertly deflect his advances in just a few words.
"Heh, everyone in their Gao family is a prodigy."
Guo Shao chuckled and joked with Song Qiao in a low voice.
Before long, a dance party began in the resort's reception hall.
Although Song Qiao and Guo Jun disliked such occasions, they couldn't appear too out of place since everyone else was entering.
"Mengmeng, would I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?"
Xia Haibin, who had just been subtly rebuffed, was still persistent.
As the music started, he struck an elegant pose and invited her.
In his mind, since she had accepted his necklace worth two to three hundred thousand, she would at least give him some face.
Gao Mengmeng frowned upon hearing this, her dislike for Xia Haibin growing.
"This greasy old man, he's so clueless about boundaries."
"Wasn't my meaning clear enough? Why is he bothering me again?"
"That necklace was just a ploy to appease my father, he really thinks too highly of himself."
With this thought, her eyes shifted, and she looked towards Song Qiao and Guo Jun.
Guo Jun had told her about Song Qiao's exploits several times, so she was not unfamiliar with him, and indeed, she had developed a strong interest in him.
"Mr. Song, would you be interested in dancing with me?"
She called out loudly, completely ignoring Xia Haibin. Then, she leaped down from the stage and walked directly towards Song Qiao.