?


    Sydney smiled politely.


    "I wouldn''t say ''pressured'', but I do feel a little nervous."


    Sydney had the experience of having dinner with leaders of majorpanies and even of the city.


    Christopher somehow felt different from them all.


    She could tell at one nce what kind of people the rest of them were, and even see through their preferences and such.


    However, she couldn''t figure Christopher Jackson out. Each time she looked into his eyes, she would feel slightly nervous, as though he was capable of melting her into a puddle anytime.


    Having lived through half her life, Sydney wasn''t a naive youngdy who thought that Christopher had feelings for her. Yet, in the depths of her heart, she could sense something wrong with the look in his eyes.


    "Why do you feel nervous? Do you think I''ll be fierce to you, or raise some unreasonable request?" Christopher asked.


    He spoke calmly and politely, with a graceful poise befitting of a true gentleman.


    Sydney said, "Mr. Jackson, I naturally must be cautious walking by your side."


    Christopher lowered his head. After a moment''s silence, he said, "You don''t need to stand on ceremony with me, or be so cautious around me. Just treat me like you would anyone else. Don''t worry, I won''t pick on you or make things difficult for you, or even force you to do something you don''t want to do. It''s just lunch. If you really feel pressured, we can always leave."


    Every word was spoken with such grace and pose.


    Sydney naturally wouldn''t allow herself to leave at this juncture just because of some nerves.


    "Mr. Jackson, thank you so much for saying all that. I do find it an honor to be able to have a meal with you," she said.


    "Don''t be so formal with me. It''s not that big an honor, really. As the president of a bank, I''m sure things are not easy with all the work you''re busy with day in, day out. It is, in fact, an honor for me to have lunch with you. I actually have to seek your advice on finance-rted issues, since you''re clearly a professional in this field."


    Sydney seldom saw such humility


    and grace from men of


    Christopher''s status and infl


    Men of his status and influence often behaved proudly and


    arrogantly. For any of them to have either humility or grace was rare toe by.


    Yet, Christopher had both.


    Sydney smiled warmly at him.


    "Mr. Jackson, I can''t say that I''m good enough for you to seek advice from, but just feel free to ask me if you have any questions, and I''


    I


    share with you everything I know."


    "Is everything you know limited to your profession or other matters? Can I really ask you anything?"


    "Other matters..." Sydney answered him after pondering for a moment. "I can try answering you..."


    "Why didn''t you rest wellst night?" Christopher cut her off, and shot her a question immediately. Sydney sat stunned at his question.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Christopher repeated his question patiently. "Why didn''t you rest wellst night?"


    Sydney rubbed her cheeks and said, "I was really busyst night and didn''t sleep well. Do I look very sickly?"


    "No, you still look very pretty."


    Christopher''s gaze rested on her face. It looked as though he was trying to see through her.


    Sydney ced her hands on her knees and looked up at him, trying to calm herself down. "Mr. Jackson, I..."


    Just then, a phone rang. It was Sydney''s phone.


    She felt as though the call saved her.


    Sydney nced at her phone screen, and her brows furrowed.


    Fortunately, she could use this call as an excuse to leave the room for a while. She looked up at Christopher, and said, "Pardon me, let me take this call."