Shawn regarded her with narrowed eyes and after a while, he asked, “Why are you asking?”
Knowing that he had read her mind, Estelle let out a huff before explaining, “It’s Kris—I just saw her enter the Management Department next door. Word has it that Stark Group is trying to secure the Elsinore Garden Project from the government, so I’m wondering if that might have anything to do with her coming here.” She paused before she continued speaking. “But something doesn’t feel right. I distinctly remember Myra saying that she’s in charge of the project, so what is Kris doing here in City Hall? It’s not as if she’s so kind as to lend Myra a helping hand.”
Upon hearing that, Shawn raised a brow and his eyes darkened. “I can’t speak for others, but I would never pull strings for anybody unless…”
“Unless what?” Estelle’s eyes glimmered with hope.
He gazed at her with dark amusement in his eyes. He curled his finger, beckoning her over to him.
She grew wary almost instantly. The last time he looked like this, he had been up to something wicked and the thought of it made her stomach flip.
Still, Estelle could not keep her curiosity at bay. She wanted to know what could make Shawn abandon his integrity, although she reminded herself that she had seen plenty of his less-than-virtuous side.
With caution, she began to make her way toward the man behind the desk.
An unreadable look flashed in Shawn’s eyes when he saw that she was approaching him. He wanted to laugh, but his expression remained indifferent, as though he was unfazed by his own amusement.
When Estelle finally stood before him, she asked hesitantly, “Well, what’s the exception—ahhh!”
She broke off in a yelp of surprise when the man reached out and pulled her into his arms without any warning.
Myra was slated to have dinner at the Zion Club with Thomas Hughes from the City Hall Management Department. It was one of the few discreet places in which they could discuss confidential work matters.
After making sure that they had everything they needed, Tilly entered the elevator with Myra.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, an arm stretched in to hold them open and Kris walked in.
“You don’t mind if I share the elevator, do you?” she asked with a smile on her face. When her gaze fell on Myra, her smile widened even more.
Myra did not bother answering. Seeing that Tilly was on her side, she did not speak to Kris either.
Kris raised a brow and her eyes gleamed with what appeared to be scorn as she pressed the button to close the elevator doors.
The other employees in the company had not gotten off from work yet, so it was just the three of them in the silent confines of the elevator.
When they arrived at the basement carpark, Kris turned to address Myra with a small smile. “Good luck with getting the Elsinore Garden Project tonight, Sis.”
With that, she turned to make her way toward her car.
Myra frowned as she watched her leave.
Tilly, on the other hand, tugged on her arm and said, “Ignore her, Myra. She’s just being crazy.”
Myra nodded and the both of them headed over to the car.
To Myra’s surprise, Thomas and the other employees from the Management Department were already in the private room by the time she and Tilly arrived. Dinner had been ordered as well, causing her to be slightly embarrassed as the Stark Group had meant to pick up the tab tonight.
“Mr. Hughes, gentlemen—my apologies for being late this evening.”
To be fair, Myra and Tilly had arrived half an hour before the agreed time, but she was not about to make that point.
There were four City Hall employees who joined them this evening—one of whom was Thomas, who sat at the head of the table. He was a somewhat portly man who looked to be in his forties, and with his suit jacket discarded to one side, Myra could see the beginnings of a beer belly stretching beneath his shirt. He was nonetheless jovial and there was an affable appeal to him.
Upon hearing her apology, he broke into a kind smile and waved the both of them over. “Please don’t apologize. We came much earlier than expected. Take a seat, ladies. I’m sure the both of you must be hungry after driving all the way here.”
As he said that, he patted the two vacant seats next to him.
Myra and Tilly approached him and courteously took their seats.
“What would you like to drink? I’m guessing that the both of you don’t take alcohol, so how about if I get you ladies orange juice instead?”
He looked at them in askance, his gentlemanly behavior putting Myra at ease. She glanced around the room and saw that everyone else was having red wine. She and Tilly would seem awfully out of place if they were to get orange juice and she certainly did not want him to think the Stark Group was being ingenuine in any way.
With that in mind, she turned to give Tilly a meaningful look. Tilly immediately understood the gesture and addressed Thomas with a polite smile. “Mr. Hughes, we have no problem with drinking a glass of wine or two. It would be rude of us not to have a drink with you, seeing as you’ve taken the time to join us this evening.”
Tilly sounded like a natural-born diplomat. She made no indication that the both of them would drink with him till the end of the night, but having a glass of wine or two would be more than enough for them to show their sincerity. As Myra watched Tilly, she could not help but feel a sense of pride over how much and how quickly the latter had grown.
When he heard that, Thomas’ smile grew warmer and he turned to say to the waiter at the door, “Two glasses of red wine, please, but not too much of it—the ladies are only having wine out of courtesy.”
His three subordinates also chimed in, “It’s no longer a culture to drink alcohol during dinners like this. The both of you shouldn’t drink much if you can’t stomach them.”
Upon hearing that, Myra and Tilly exchanged a smile. From the looks of it, there was a good chance of them securing the Elsinore Garden Project.
Soon, both parties dived into earnest discussion on the details of the project. Thomas made it known that he was pleased with the Stark Group’s tender proposal for the Elsinore Garden Project and he did not hold back on his praises for the company either.
He may have a mild disposition, but he was a good sport when it came to drinking as well. After downing several glasses of red wine, he and his subordinates were beginning to flush.
“I have high regards for you, Miss Stark. I was most impressed with your company’s tender proposal for the Elsinore Garden Project. I look forward to seeing your work.”
There was still quite a lot of wine left in the glass before Myra and thankfully, no one had forced her to down her drink. Whenever someone made a toast, they had only asked her to take a sip out of courtesy. She did not dare to push her limits, seeing as she was a lightweight and Tilly was no expert when it came to holding her drinks either.
Myra was surprised to hear what Thomas had said, but she was pleased all the same. However, before she could say anything, the man clapped a hand on her shoulder and gave it a couple of encouraging pats. She bristled, unsure as to whether he had done it deliberately.
She stiffened, but he dropped his hand just as quickly and raised his glass once more. Then, he went back to clinking glasses with his subordinates.
Thomas turned and chuckled when he saw the dazed look on Myra’s face. He was clearly inebriated. Abruptly, he said to her, “I was wondering if you could pour me a glass, Miss Stark.”
Myra saw the flush on his face and she considered the possibility that he may not have meant to clap a hand on her shoulder. Regaining her composure, she grabbed the bottle of wine and poured out a glass for him while answering plaintively, “Of course.”
The wine had only just been poured into the glass when Thomas clasped his hand over hers. In a drunken voice, he slurred, “Do be considerate with me, Miss Stark. I’m afraid I might pass out if you keep pouring the wine for me.”
His pinky finger caressed the back of her hand and she knew there was nothing accidental about it.
A disgusted Myra drew back her hand. She stood up abruptly, but the alcohol got the better of her and she swayed slightly on her feet. It took a while before the fog in her mind cleared up. She turned to glare at Thomas, who was regarding her with a bewildered gaze as he asked, “What’s wrong, Miss Stark?”
