### Chapter 89 Despite the tension in the air, Charlie remained undeterred, offering Avery the courtesy of time. As they settled at their table, an array of delicious dishes adorned the surface, and the atmosphere lightened. Avery, feeling the weight of her thoughts, withdrew her phone and began scrolling through the latest headlines. Charlie, lifting his glass of rich red wine, broke the silence with a casual inquiry, “Avery, are there any issues with our collaboration?” The question snagged Avery's attention, and she momentarily glanced up from her screen. “Your proposal is solid, but there are still a few discrepancies from our end,” she replied, her tone relaxed yet measured. Charlie's laughter rang out, brightening the mood around them. “Discrepancies? Tell me, maybe I can assist.” Avery waved her hand dismissively. “No need, I can manage this myself.” Her internal struggle was more complex than she let on. Although the management at Tate Industries was eager to welcome investment from Trust Capital, Avery felt an unshakeable caution stemming from deeper emotional convictions. She had agreed to meet Charlie not only out of professional necessity but also to gauge the man behind the cold, business-like façade. Yet, his connection to Chelsea loomed large in her mind—a constant reminder that some prejudices were difficult to shake off. She weighed the potential gains against the risks of failure. Only when she felt equipped to face the worst-case scenario would she entertain the idea of agreement. Before long, the hands of the clock ticked away, and soon, the grand exhibition awaited them at 2 p.m. Together, they entered the bustling exhibition hall, claiming seats in the cherry-pick of the front row. After a brief wait laced with anticipation, the host took to the stage, engaging the crowd with a warm welcome. “Today, we have a special guest among us—a mysterious figure who has made an intriguing request for our robot, Lucy!” With a flourish, the curtains parted, and Lucy made her entrance. She was a sight to behold—a humanoid robot, standing at roughly 1.5 meters, adorned with flowing brown hair and dressed in a vibrant blue and white uniform. As the host continued, “Let’s discover if Lucy can fulfill the request of our mysterious guest!” applause erupted from the audience, filling the venue with excitement. Lucy’s artificial gaze scanned the crowd, and she promptly descended the stage, capturing the attention of everyone present. Curiosity bubbled in the air as whispers circulated about the identity of the enigmatic guest and the nature of their request. As Lucy approached the first row, Avery couldn’t help but be captivated. The level of realism was astounding—this robot moved, spoke, and acted almost like a real person. It was a testament to the breathtaking advancements in technology. Just as Avery marveled at the marvel of science, Lucy halted right in front of her. Concerned, Avery instinctively reached out and poked Lucy's arm, unsure if there was a glitch in her programming. In response, Lucy stretched out her robotic hand and chirped playfully, “Pretty lady, would you like to come with me?” Avery blinked in astonishment, her cheeks flushing as laughter erupted from the audience around her. “Lucy, where are you taking me?” she stammered. “There’s a handsome man who wants to date you! He’s so dashing! Come, see him!” Lucy proclaimed, her voice echoing with an innocence that made it difficult to refuse. Avery, regaining her composure, pointed playfully at Charlie. “Well, there’s a handsome man sitting right next to me.” With a quick glance at Charlie, Lucy dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. “Oh no, he pales in comparison! Trust me when I say, you simply *must* see this other guy! I’m sure you’ll want to marry him once you do!” The audience roared with laughter, relishing the ridiculousness of the moment. Seeing Avery caught in the whimsical standoff, the host interjected with a teasing grin, “Come on, miss! Why not go and meet the dashing fellow with Lucy? After the event, we’ve got some delightful gifts lined up for you!” Caught between playfulness and the expectations of the event, Avery felt the pressure building. Ignoring Lucy could be easier in a different circumstance, but turning her back on the organizer was a different matter entirely. With a resigned chuckle, she stood up, deciding to follow Lucy backstage. As she crossed the threshold into the backstage area, her heart raced as she encountered a familiar face waiting there—a sense of thrill mixed with apprehension washed over her. Little did she know, this meeting would lead to unexpected revelations and a turning point in her life.