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    The meetingsted around one and a half hours. Leaders of the city, officials overseeing key industries, and executives of the finance industry were gathered in the meeting room.


    After the meeting ended, Christopher stood around the hall chatting with some people.


    "Mr. Jackson, do you want to join us for lunch?"


    Christopher saw Sydney approaching him from a distance, and said, "You guys go ahead first."


    After a while, Sydney stood before Christopher with a bag in her arms.


    Christopher surveyed her from head to toe.


    "Why do you look so listless? Did you not rest well?"


    He noticed her looking distracted during the meeting.


    Sydney shot him a weak smile. "I slept a littleterst night. Mr. Jackson, I learned a lot from what you shared at the meeting just now."


    At the very least, he didn''t just spout politically correct clichés.


    Many leaders seem to say much, but in fact say nothing at all. They are usually unable to articte themselves without a script.


    Christopher was a man of few words, but the few words he spoke were always useful. He was also capable of speaking his mind without a script, regardless of the scenario.


    "They''re getting together for lunch," Christopher said. "Do you want to join them?"


    Sydney turned him down with a smile. "I won''t."


    "In that case, I won''t either."


    Sydney was stunned to hear his response. "Why not?"


    "It''s just going to be an excessive disy of boot licking that I''m tired of. I just want to enjoy my lunch in peace and quiet. Do you have any rmendations for a good restaurant nearby?"


    He sounded genuine, given the serious look on his face.


    After pondering for a moment, Sydney asked, "What kind of cuisine do you want?"


    "Local," Christopher said. "I''m not used to other kinds of cuisine."


    "There is a local restaurant nearby that''s not bad."


    Sydney pulled out a name card from her bag. "It''s this ce. Their dishes are very unique, and you can''t find them elsewhere."


    Christopher took the name card from her and nced at it. "It''s not too far from here. Let''s head there together."


    Sydney asked with a smile, "Are you asking me to have lunch with you?"


    Christopher nodded. "Yes. Are you free?"


    Sydney didn''t know how to respond to the sudden invitation. Had it been anyone else, she would have rejected the other party outright, but this was Christopher.


    "Coincidentally, I''d like to ask you


    some finance-rted questions private Christopher said; he


    Pounded very rxed, as if it were


    just a casual invitation.


    Sydney would have rejected an order, given her rebellious streak. Christopher, however, asked very courteously, which in turn made it harder for her to reject him.


    Sydney''s hesitation made Christopher add, "It''s fine if you don''t want to. I just want to treat you to lunch, that''s all. I don''t mean anything else."


    "Mr. Jackson, I don''t think you mean anything else. I just find it an honor that you want to have lunch with me. Of course, I want to."


    Christopher looked calm and unperturbed throughout as he said solemnly, "Let''s go, then."


    He didn''t appear ted at Sydney epting his invitation.


    l


    The two of them got into the car, and soon arrived at the restaurant Sydney rmended. This restaurant operated on a reservation-only basis. Even lining up for a month wouldn''t guarantee a table at the restaurant.


    Given Christopher''s status, he asked his assistant to make a call.


    Very soon, the restaurant arranged a very quiet and secluded private room for him.


    After Sydney and Christopher entered the private room and took their seats, a waiter came and handed two sets of menus to them.


    Christopher flipped through the


    you''ve probably been here for


    menu, and said, "President Harper,


    Are they ahy dishes you''d


    rmend? I''m getting


    overwhelmed by all the choices here."


    "Of course. What kind of food do you like?"


    "I''m not picky," Christopher said as he closed the menu. "I''ll eat anything you order."


    "Sure."Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sydney decisively ordered a few dishes.


    After taking their order, the waiter left with the menus. Silence ensued while they waited for their food.


    Sydney didn''t know what to say at that moment.


    Christopher was the first to speak. "You look a little ufortable. Do you feel pressured sitting next to me?"