There was no further response as the car window slowly rolled back up.
After the vehicle drove away, Michael glanced back at Daniel, teasing, "Well, isn't that uncharacteristically kind of you? A random act of kindness?"
"Mr. Williams, don't tell me you're interested in her?" he joked.
It was meant as a lighthearted remark; Michael didn't expect Daniel to respond since he knew Daniel usually had no interest in such matters.
To his surprise, Daniel chuckled softly and lazily lifted his eyelids. "Mind your own business."
Anna wasn't able to get her project back after all. The person who replaced her as the lead for the "Aurora Sapphire" inspection was Prestige Minerals' newly promoted inspector, Lisa.
Prestige Minerals immediately initiated the second round of sapphire inspections, aiming to complete and deliver to the client by the end of the year.
The matter was settled. Though Anna felt upset, she wasn't one to dwell on things. After some self-adjustment, she gradually put it aside and continued to focus on her life and work.
With the help of her friend Emily, Anna took on some independent gemstone appraisal projects and small jewelry exhibitions. Though the income wasn't high, it was enough to maintain her livelihood.
One day, in her shared apartment.
"Look at you, taking on these small gigs every day, earning peanuts, yet you're so cheerful. I really don't understand what makes you so happy," her friend Jessica said, shaking her head in bewilderment.
"What do you know? Anna's being optimistic. Not everyone is like you—driving luxury cars and still complaining all the time," another friend, Sarah, retorted.
"I like it this way," Jessica didn't argue, simply blowing on her freshly manicured nails. Just then, her phone rang. She grabbed her new Chanel bag and happily headed out the door.
She walked with a brisk, confident stride, clearly pleased with herself.
"Guess she's snagged some big-shot?" Rachel chuckled, walking over with a cup of water. She took a sip and handed another cup to Anna.
"I heard it's some wealthy guy named Charles. He's quite generous—gave her a bag worth tens of thousands."
"Guys like that treat women like playthings; can you really rely on them?" Rachel scoffed.
"Just having some fun; who's taking it seriously?" Sarah clinked her glass lightly against Rachel's, smiling. "Jessica probably isn't serious about it either."
"Exactly. Finding a steady supporter beats running around mining sites. You can earn money easily without having to please anyone," Sarah added with a snicker.
"In this society, who doesn't have to please someone?" Rachel smiled faintly.
Sarah laughed along. Indeed, even top-tier gemstone appraisers, when facing real capital power, were just slightly higher-end professionals who still had to cater to investors.
Anna didn't participate in their discussion.
She understood well that everyone has their own choices. As long as they don't harm others, there's nothing to criticize.
She got along well with everyone in the shared apartment, but ultimately, social relationships after college were like floating duckweed—it's normal for them to disperse at any time, and she didn't take it too seriously.
However, if others extended an olive branch, she wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate kindness.
Jessica had introduced her to some small gemstone appraisal jobs. Even though Jessica herself wasn't interested in them, Anna was still grateful.
"There's a new gig—gemstone presentations at a jewelry expo. The pay is good. Interested?" On that Saturday, Jessica texted her.
After sending the message, she added, "Don't worry; it's a legitimate expo. I know you don't like shortcuts, and I wouldn't lead you astray."
"Sure thing." Anna quickly replied, grateful.
On the day of the expo, Jessica insisted on taking her to get a new hairstyle and helped her pick out an appropriate outfit. "Look at you. You're so pretty; how come you never dress up?"
"No money," Anna replied honestly with a smile.
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Isn't there a saying that even if a woman has only a thousand dollars left, she'll spend eight hundred on clothes? Are you even a woman?"
Anna just chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly.
After doing her makeup, Jessica stared at her for a moment, seeming somewhat dazed as she studied her intently.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Anna felt a bit uneasy under her gaze.
"Let's go," Jessica said without further explanation.
They got into Jessica's BMW, and she hummed along to songs as they drove. While waiting at a red light, Jessica tapped her fingers lightly on the steering wheel. Suddenly, she turned and asked, "Honestly, have you ever thought about taking a shortcut?"
Anna smiled, pretending not to understand. "Every shortcut comes with a price. I'm not brave enough to gamble."
Jessica laughed too and didn't press the issue. "To each their own," she thought, not wanting to force her views.
Jessica took Anna to a high-end jewelry club nestled deep within a stylish urban neighborhood. Entry was by invitation only.
They walked down a long corridor ending at an ornate wooden door. Pushing it open, Anna was immediately enveloped by an atmosphere of luxury. A subtle scent of sandalwood filled the air. The décor was exquisite; even the casually hung lampshades were inlaid with tortoiseshell, and the carved pillars were made of finely crafted rosewood. The entire space exuded elegance and nobility.
"This place is impressive—quite tasteful," remarked a jeweler named Mr. Johnson as he entered a private room, admiring the surroundings.
"What would a high school dropout know about 'taste'?" scoffed another man, Nathan Brooks, a second-generation heir in the jewelry industry. A cigarette dangled behind his ear, and his gaze was contemptuous.
"Oh, so you know? Enlighten me, then," Mr. Johnson retorted, unwilling to back down. The two seemed well-acquainted, playfully bantering as they continued deeper into the room.
"Don't mind them; they're always like that," someone whispered to Anna.
She looked up to see it was Jessica's boyfriend, Michael Carter. He was one of the shareholders of Prestige Minerals. Though it was their first meeting, he spoke to her casually.
Anna wasn't used to interacting with these wealthy elites and could only smile awkwardly.
After chatting for a bit, Michael noticed she wasn't very talkative—either feigning ignorance or not engaging—which only piqued his interest further. His gaze involuntarily lingered on her.
"You're quite unique," he said with a curious look in his eyes.
Anna's beauty was natural and effortless. Even though she wasn't wearing expensive clothes, her distinctive grace was undeniable. Her face was gentle and serene, but the resilience and independence in her eyes made her both beautiful and strong.
He finally understood the meaning of "beauty unaware of itself." It was as if her mere existence was a captivating allure.
"What made you decide to take on this gig? Aren't you a gemstone inspector?" Michael couldn't help but ask, eager to know more about her.
Anna gave a weak smile. "There aren't any major inspection projects available right now."
Just as she felt the conversation growing awkward, a commotion erupted in the back courtyard—it seemed a dispute had broken out.
Anna and Michael exchanged glances and headed toward the disturbance.
A group of four or five well-dressed individuals—clearly notable figures in the jewelry world—were involved. Nathan Brooks was clutching a piece of blue and white porcelain, shouting at the people opposite him. "I want this piece! What's the deal? If you can't afford it, stop blocking others from buying!"
His words were exceedingly rude. Everyone present was a person of stature in the industry, and the surrounding onlookers began to watch the unfolding conflict with interest.
From the opposing group, a man in a casual suit stepped forward, sneering, "Young man, watch your tone. This is New York City."
Nathan was taken aback, clearly sensing that the other party was no ordinary person. But he wasn't one to back down easily, so the atmosphere grew tense.
At that moment, the club owner, Mr. Smith, hurried over to defuse the situation. Surprisingly, he didn't try to persuade the man in the casual suit but instead approached someone standing quietly in the corner, whispering a few words.
Soon, Mr. Smith introduced that individual to Nathan, whose expression changed multiple times upon learning his identity.
"You're the son of Robert Brooks?" the man finally spoke. His voice was deep and commanding, carrying an undeniable authority.
As he spoke, those standing in his way instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path for him.
Anna saw his face—a face both stern and powerful, with an aura of inherent superiority. Even though his demeanor was calm and his gaze gentle, there was an unfathomable coldness in his dark eyes.
For a moment, Nathan felt utterly exposed, overwhelmed by the man's imposing gaze. Yet he stubbornly retorted, "I don't know you!"
His friends' faces had already paled, but the man remained composed, his expression unchanged. He offered a faint smile before turning to leave with his entourage.
A potential conflict dissolved effortlessly.
"Sorry you had to see that," Jessica said. She had to leave the club early due to an unexpected matter, so Michael offered to drive Anna home.
Feeling it would be impolite to refuse, Anna nodded with a vague smile.
"Your name is Anna, right?" As they reached a corner, Michael suddenly stopped and asked.
She nodded, a hint of wariness creeping in. She wasn't sure what he wanted to say.
His gaze lingered on her, causing a sense of unease. An inexplicable foreboding flashed through her mind.
Eager to leave, Anna's anxiety was evident. Michael noticed her reaction and smirked slyly. "Why are you avoiding me? I haven't even said anything yet."
She was no fool and remained on guard.
Her nervousness made her eyes even more expressive. The mix of coolness and vulnerability only added to her allure. Michael's heart skipped a beat. Unable to resist, he reached out to twirl a strand of her hair by her ear, attempting to get closer.
Just then, a teasing voice sounded from above. "You two, isn't this a bit much for a public place? If you're keen on performing, you might want to consider whether the audience is enjoying the show."
Anna looked up to see a group of people standing by a second-floor window. Among them was Eric Thompson, who had been beside the man in the casual suit earlier. He was a friend of Daniel Williams.
Daniel stood among them, his expression indifferent, seemingly uninterested in the scene below.
Being observed by his calm, dark eyes made Anna feel inexplicably flustered, as if she had been caught doing something inappropriate in front of everyone.
Her face flushed instantly, filled with helplessness and frustration. But she didn't dare react and could only hurry away amidst the murmurs and chuckles.