Evan recalled the first time he met Nicole, and a light flashed across his lifeless gaze.
Scene after scene, the things that happened between them, from the day he met her up till today, appeared in his mind. The more he recounted the events, the more puzzled he was.
What kind of person is she?
Evan could not figure her out.
As the night fell, he drove back to the Hillside Villa. A frown formed on his face as he watched the flickering bright neon lights from his car window that reminded him of the confusing string of unsolved questions.
When he returned home, Kyle and Juan were whispering to each other.
However, once they saw Evan, they immediately kept quiet.
“Daddy,” Juan called sweetly.
In contrast, Kyle ignored Evan as he was upset that he was banned from seeing his mother.
“Daddy, can we go out for dinner today?” Juan whined like a baby as he ran to Evan and tugged on his clothes.
Slightly stunned, Evan nodded and gently asked, “What do you want to eat?”
“I want to eat fish, and I heard there is a winery that cooks the best fish,” Juan replied.
Evan tenderly stroked Juan’s head. “You sure know how to pick the right places. Let’s go there then.”
Then, he drove the twins to the winery. As soon as they got off the car, Evan spotted a familiar figure.
What is she doing here?
She is not with her children, and from the looks of what her companions are wearing, she is probably here for a business meeting.
To transform Lane Corporation from a hopeless business to an operational one will require much effort. Who knew she would actually put in this much effort?
Didn’t she already take five hundred million from me? Yet this is the outcome?
“Daddy, let’s go in.”
The twins held their father’s hands tightly as they knew that he had spotted their mother, and they were worried that he would leave.
Since we are already here, I should go with the flow.
Evan did not read too much into the situation. Holding onto the twins’ hands, he headed in.
While choosing which private dining room to dine in, the twins took their time. After they saw Nicole entering room 604 with a few other people, they dragged Evan to the opposite room.
They thought that was the best place to monitor the situation in their mother’s private dining room.
Though Evan could tell what the twins were up to, he said nothing.
Soon, the waiter came in and politely asked for their orders.
Evan glanced at the menu then passed it to the twins. He asked, “What do both of you want to eat?”
They happily ordered a variety of dishes with fish.
“Daddy, tonight we are feasting on all types of fish.”
“Okay.” After Evan replied, he looked toward the opposite room and saw a few bottles of alcohol on their table.
The light in his eyes dimmed. Is she here to drink with them?
Why did she not ask Rocky to entertain them for her but came here alone?
Moments later, the people in that room started to open the bottles. A shady middle-aged man personally poured a glass and pushed it towards Nicole.
The transparent liquid sloshed around in the cup. Nicole’s pale face with slightly flushed cheeks made her look especially charming.
“Ms. Lane, let’s have a drink first,” The man requested.
Nicole was determined to close the deal, so she could not care less. Without much thought, she took the glass and downed it.
“You can really hold your liquor, Ms. Lane. Let me give you another toast then,” the man suggested.
Nicole hesitated to take the second glass but still finished it.
The man grinned, “How satisfying! I love discussing business with people who are a good sport. Come, let’s have a third glass…”
“Let’s discuss some business first. My company…” Nicole tried to interrupt but was stopped.
“Ms. Lane, you only had two glasses earlier, but you have to give a toast to each person present here. I’ll pour another glass for you.”
Nicole stammered, “I…I don’t have a high tolerance for alcohol. I think that’s quite enough for me.”
“How can we talk about our partnership when you are so insincere? You have to finish this glass to show your sincerity!”
Nicole looked at the glass of alcohol, then considered how much her company needed this partnership and the project. Worried that her chances to obtain this partnership would be affected, she forced the entire glass of drink down her throat.
Evan’s face darkened as he watched Nicole downed numerous glasses from the other room.
Isn’t she usually good at managing people?
Why is she allowing others to get her drunk without putting up a fight this time?
