Below the stage sat a crowd of well-dressed celebrities. Some clinked glasses and chatted, while others quietly enjoyed the performance. Dustin found an empty seat and sat down, sipping juice as he watched the show.

"Yo, Rhys! Didn't think you'd actually sneak in here!"

A discordant voice shattered Dustin's peace. He glanced over to see Chris and Dahlia with their secretary.

"Hmph, what an unlucky day. Why are you everywhere?" Lyra huffed.

Dahlia glared at Dustin and silently took a front-row seat.

"Hey, the charity auction's starting soon. Can you even afford to participate? Why are you sitting here?" Chris sneered.

"Who says I can't sit here because I can't afford it?" Dustin retorted.

"That's the rule! How can a sucker like you sit with us?" Chris said contemptuously.

"Are you deaf? Get up now!" Lyra kicked Dustin's chair.

"What happens if I don't?" Dustin asked.

"I'll call the guards to kick you out!" Lyra threatened.

"Go ahead and try," Dustin replied calmly.

"Fine, you asked for it! Don't blame me when you get humiliated!" Lyra started to call for the guards, but Dahlia stopped her.

"Cut it out. Let him be."

"But…" Lyra frowned.

"Mind your own business," Dahlia said.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky." Lyra glared at Dustin and then her phone rang. After answering, her expression froze, her arrogance replaced by horror.

"What's wrong?" Dahlia asked, sensing something was amiss.

"Ms. Nicholson… it's… it's bad!" Lyra blurted nervously. "I just received a tip that the Harmon family wants to remove the Jackson Group from the candidate list!"

"What?" Dahlia's face fell. "Are you sure the tip is reliable?"

"It should be. My friend overheard it at work!"

"How could this happen?" Dahlia was distraught. She had invested significant time, money, and favors to get the Jackson Group on the list. She assumed securing a meeting with the "Steel Lady" would guarantee the partnership. The last-minute removal was incomprehensible.

"Ms. Nicholson, what do we do now? If we're removed, all our hard work will be for nothing!" Lyra lamented.

"Let me think…" Dahlia frowned, lost in thought. A partnership with the Harmon family meant increased social status and profits. The Jackson Group, while rapidly growing, lacked a solid foundation; the Harmon partnership would provide that. Dahlia was so close to success, and now it was gone.

Just then, a Harmon family manager approached Dustin. "Mr. Rhys, the Iron Lady wants you to review these documents and make the final decision."

Dustin received a folder containing information about Dahlia and the Jackson Group. Natasha was indirectly giving him the power to remove them from the candidate list.

"What the hell is she planning?" Dustin thought, feeling uncertain. He knew Natasha was doing this deliberately.

After considering it, Dustin chose not to remove them. Despite their divorce, their relationship wasn't so acrimonious that it demanded revenge. They had been married for three years, and he genuinely hoped Dahlia would succeed.

"Mr. Rhys, are you sure about your decision?" the manager asked, aware of Natasha's dislike for Dahlia.

"Yes," Dustin nodded.

"Okay. We'll do as you say." The manager left. He felt Dustin had missed a prime opportunity to gain favor with Ms. Harmon. Meanwhile, Dahlia and Lyra remained unaware of the situation. Their status wouldn't allow them to influence the Harmon family's decision.

Chris cleared his throat. "Dahlia, if you're worried about the candidate list, I might be able to help."

"Really?" Lyra exclaimed. "Mr. Nolan, how?"

"My father has connections with Old Mr. Harmon. If he requests it, the Harmon family will likely act."

"That's awesome!" Lyra was excited.

"It's no problem. I'll call him now." Chris called his father, David, who agreed perfunctorily to help. Chris then took credit for solving the problem.

"My father agreed to help. Don't worry. It'll be over soon," Chris said.

"Great! Mr. Nolan, thanks to you, we can rest assured." Lyra sighed in relief. Dahlia also thanked him.

Chris looked provocatively at Dustin, who ignored him. Then, Dahlia received a call from the Harmon Group's general manager.

"Hello, Ms. Nicholson? I have good news. Top management has appointed you as the Harmon family's partner."

This cleaned-up version improves grammar, punctuation, and flow, while maintaining the original narrative. I have also removed the asterisks around potentially sensitive words, as their context is clear.