The Determining Meal


    I figured someone like Mnie wouldn’t understand the situation’s deeperyers. It would be pointless,


    even if I asked her.


    “All right, who told me doesn’t matter, Mrs. Mnie. That’s not something you would know


    anyway.


    If you


    rant to keep s


    something a secret, you shouldn’t tell anyone else about it. Leave and tell your brother!


    appreciate his efforts. He should focus on securing his alliances better.”


    I didn’t want to waste any more time and turned to leave. After some much–needed sleep, my mind felt


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    sharper.


    “Stop right there, Chloe! If you dare seduce Matthew again, you’ll get it from me!” she shouted at my


    back,


    unwilling to let it go.


    “Don’t worry! I have no interest in your crap!” I replied loudly, waving without looking back while walking


    into the elevator.


    Mnie was still cursing at me from a distance as the elevator doors closed.


    Meanwhile, I felt foolish and ashamed for even liking someone like Matthew. He was just a rat in the


    gutter who had some good days but now thought he was the king of the jungle. It seemed I couldn’t


    ignore that cunning scumbag.


    I thought Lauren was right in saying Matthew was disgusting.


    I understood Mnie entirely. She wasn’t just angry about me getting the contract but was more upset


    that Matthew had “helped” me. I was a thorn in her side.


    I held the pen As had gifted me as I sat in my office. I casually wrote his name on a piece of paper as


    I wondered how he was doing. Ste had told me he would return today, but I didn’t know whether or


    not


    he had arrived yet.


    I felt tempted to call him as I held my phone. However, I resisted the urge and was about to put down


    my phone when it rang. To my surprise, it was Damian on the other end. After some thought, I


    answered,”


    Hello, Mr. Damian.”


    “Ms. Chloe!” Damian sounded genuinely delighted. “We’re finally starting the project! I hope this is the


    beginning of a sessful partnership.”


    omiled faintly, knowing that was indeed the case. So, I replied, “Yes! It’s all thanks to your hard work,


    Mr Damian! I must treat you to a celebratory meal soon!”


    my mind! What about tonight? Let’s celebrate at The Cerulean, I’ll see you at &


    I hesitated for a moment, somewhat caught off guard. He seemed well–prepared and had taken the


    initiative to invite me to dinner. He added, “Ms. Chloe, please do us the honor! We’ll be waiting for you!


    Although I wasn’t too keen on it, I couldn’t refuse. Initially, I was supposed to treat Damian to dinner,


    but he had taken the lead. I reluctantly agreed, “All right.”


    After hanging up, I thought of a way to bnce the situation. I decided to have Carol apany me to


    dinner instead of Ryan. Before leaving the office, I informed Ryan about the dinner, and he told me to


    call him if I needed anythingter.


    I nced at him and said, “Do you think I’m a child? It’s just a dinner. Is it that big of a deal?”


    Carol and I left the office together. She had offered to drive, so I sat in the backseat to rx. I was


    surprised she was pretty good at driving


    Is


    When we arrived at the restaurant’s private room, I saw three other men besides Damian. He


    introduced us to each other. One was Jett Emerson, the head of Echelon Group’s development


    department.


    The second was Beckett Grand, the head of Echelon’s project department, and finally, someone from


    the city’s Building Department.


    Fortunately, I had brought Carol along. Otherwise, it would have been quite awkward with me, a


    woman, among a group of men. After exchanging pleasantries with them, we took our seats. However,


    Damian hadn’t started the dinner yet, seemingly waiting for someone.