However, before we reached Atticus, I spotted Maddox talking to an older man. I squeezed Ryan's arm and said, "That man is Maddox O'Connell. Let me say hi to him first."

I went over to him with a smile, and he recognized me immediately. "Good evening, Ms. Chloe."

"It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir." I maintained a respectful demeanor. "I haven't had the chance to thank you for what you did that evening."

Calling him “sir” instead of Mr. Maddox was a deliberate move on my part.

"Don't mention it," he replied. "Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Mercer Cole."

Only then did I realize the person he was speaking to was Atticus's father.

"Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Chloe from Tanum Corporation.”

Mercer gave Maddox a puzzled look, surprised that he’d introduce someone like me to him. However, he soon laughed. "Oh, Tanum Corporation? You're that young lady who founded it, huh?"

I smiled. "I'm surprised that you’ve heard of us. We’re nobodies here."

Mercer seemed to be in his 60s, bu