Veronica didn't answer the question. She had asked herself the same thing countless times in the past.

But reality had taught her one unchangeable truth: the world operated on inherent unfairness.

This understanding had settled into her bones long ago, rendering such questions pointless.

Back then, powerless and voiceless, she could only accept what came her way.

But now—things were different.

Both she and Dario were well-versed in the city's smart traffic initiative. It represented a solid business opportunity, no doubt.

However, with DataPulse's meteoric rise in reputation and their plates already full with premium projects, neither she nor Dario had initially considered bidding. Their resources were stretched thin as it was.

Yet circumstances had changed dramatically.

After ending her call, Veronica immersed herself online, diving deep into the project specifications.

The initiative aimed to revolutionize congested urban roadways through advanced AI algorithms, seamlessly integrating traffic surveillance, signal coordination networks, and various other technological modules.

For most companies, these technical requirements would present formidable challenges requiring extensive planning and resources. But for Veronica? They were mere puzzles waiting to be solved.

As for Stellar's autonomous vehicle development...

She remained quiet, lost in thought for several minutes, before finally rising from her chair and making her way to Dario's office.

After she laid out her thoughts, Dario's lips curved into a knowing smile. "So it's the city transportation contract. The Crystal family thinks they've got it locked down with their mysterious backers, do they?"

He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with determination. "We might not have planned to throw our hat in the ring before, but if the Crystal are bidding, it would be a disservice to ourselves not to compete!"

He paused, his expression softening. "If this is what you want to pursue, I'll back you completely. But it won't be easy on you."

Veronica met his gaze unflinchingly. "Difficulty has never deterred me."

She then steered the conversation toward Stellar's autonomous vehicle initiative.

When she finished explaining, Dario raised an eyebrow. "You've already formulated a strategy?"

"I have," Veronica confirmed with a nod. "Whether it's engine optimization or the complex AI systems governing vehicle operations, I can provide all the technical expertise. You just need to secure a partnership."

Dario had been brooding all afternoon since learning about the Crystal family's connection to Cullen.

Now, hearing Veronica's proposition, his mood visibly lifted.

He slammed his palm enthusiastically on his desk. "Consider it done! I'll handle that end."

Taking on two additional major projects—especially with one being a long-term city contract—would undoubtedly disrupt DataPulse's carefully laid plans.

Yet Dario didn't hesitate to give his full support.

Veronica recognized his motivation went beyond business—he was standing up for her. The realization filled her chest with warmth.

"Thank you, Dario," she said softly.

He responded with a gentle pat on her head. "No thanks necessary. If we pull this off, I stand to profit handsomely too. And despite what some might think, I've still got plenty of fight left in me."

Once Veronica committed herself to a project, she pursued excellence relentlessly.

That very night, she began drafting a comprehensive bidding proposal for the city traffic initiative.

While the technical specifications and performance benchmarks posed little challenge to her expertise, the looming submission deadline created immense time pressure.

She worked through the night without rest, fingers flying across her keyboard.

The following day, she had originally scheduled a visit to Dennis Group with Dario, but decided against it.

Instead, she asked him to contact her digitally if anything significant arose.

Experience had taught her that even under normal circumstances, Dennis Group's engineers struggled to match her pace and technical understanding.

Her physical presence would only result in wasted hours waiting for them to process concepts she grasped intuitively.

With two critical projects now demanding her attention simultaneously, every minute counted.

Time was a luxury she could no longer afford to squander.