Back in the office, I spotted Melvern waiting for me in the small meeting room with a cup of coffee on the table.


    I walked over and smiled at him apologetically. "I''m sorry for keeping you waiting. I got tied up with some discussions and couldn''t break away."


    He chuckled nonchntly. "No worries. I happened to have some free time today, so I thought I''d wait for a bit. Sorry for making you rush."


    Internally, I couldn''t help but smirk. I''d never seen him busy. Every time I met Melvern, he was either shopping with a woman or wandering around aimlessly.


    He nced at his watch and suggested, "Well then, Ms. Chloe, how about grabbing a quick bite together? It''s lunchtime, after all."


    I promptly declined. "It''s okay. I told my assistant to order lunch because I have a meeting at one o''clock. I can''t exactly go out for a meal."


    Just as I spoke, Carol entered the meeting room with a lunchbox.


    I said, "If you don''t mind, Mr. Melvern, we can have this takeaway together."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As I said those words, I silently celebrated Carol''s idea.


    Carol had suggested this when we got out of the car. She said that Melvern had insisted on waiting until this time to dine, hoping to have a meal with me. So, I thought of bringing in some takeout and offering him a boxed lunch instead of going out.


    Melvern smiled brightly, nodded, and said without hesitation, "Sure, I''ll have this with you."


    I signaled to Carol, and she quickly brought in the boxed lunches. I instructed her, "Sorry about this, but could you please go get another one? Mr. Melvern and I will have lunch together."


    I opened the lunchbox, took a quick look at the dishes, and pushed one over to Melvern. I also instructed someone to bring in two sses of water.


    "Apologies for this simple lunch." I pretended to be polite.


    "It doesn''t matter what we eat. The important thing is I can dine with you, Ms. Chloe." Melvern said unabashedly, making me feel a little ufortable. His tant straightforwardness was unlikable.


    We started our lunch in the meeting room.


    I was quite at ease. After all, I was in my ownpany, meeting my own client, and eating my own boxed lunch. I didn''t feel any awkwardness.


    But on the other hand, Melvern seemed a bit uneasy.


    Having a modest lunch in someone''s office probably felt no different than begging for food on the streets.


    However, he didn''t want to give up this opportunity. He began eating politely.


    After I had some food, I asked casually, "Is there something you need, Mr. Melvern?"


    To be honest, I didn''t want to ask him that. He had an excuse every time he visited, but it was never a serious matter, at least not in my eyes.


    The first time, he imed he wanted to discuss working together, but he hadn''t sent any project details to mypany for discussion with Ryan until now.


    The second time, he wanted to


    transfer Ardora''s equity to me, but I didn''t want it. I had no reason to acquire something that didn''t belong to him, but he had left the equity certificate in my office.


    I was speechless.


    So, I hadn''t even wanted to let him into my office this time.


    When he heard my question, he looked up and smiled with those prating eyes fixed on me.


    "It looks like you think there must be a reason for me to be here, Ms. Chloe."


    I noticed the implication in his words, looked at him, and smiled with a hint of mockery. "Aren''t we supposed to discuss business in my office, Mr. Melvern?"


    Even though smiled warmly, my


    words were sharp. I didn''t have the heart to tell him inly that we weren''t friends or business partners. It seemed odd for him to keep lurking in my office without a purpose.


    Melvern put down his utensils, looked at me, took a sip of water, and said, "It seems like you didn''t consider me a friend from the beginning, Ms. Chloe."


    I smiled wryly, my tone distant. "Mr. Melvern, we were never friends to begin with."


    "Oh?"


    "You invested in mypetitor,


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