Retur
hapter 172 He Did It On Purpose
All responsibilities had been smoothly transferred, and the clock was edging toward noon.
** Finished
Olivia exhaled a deep breath of relief, her fingers pausing to close her laptop gently. She lifted her gaze towards Nathan, who had maintained a contemplative silence throughout their meeting. With a tone of finality, she began, “I’ve successfully transitioned the system maintenance responsibilities to your technical team. Should there be any complications or queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our company at a later time.”
Her demeanor was the epitome of professionalism, her expression stoic, a clear reflection of her unwavering commitment to her work.
Nathan acknowledged her statement with a subtle nod,
At that moment, Ethan interjected, “Thank you for your hard work today. To show our company’s appreciation, I’ve arranged for a private dining room at the restaurant just across the street. It’s an invitation for us to share a meal before we part ways.”
His words flowed with casual case, yet his gaze drifted toward Olivia, carrying a hint of intentionality, albeit briefly,
Olivia’s brows creased slightly in contemplation, and after a brief hesitation, she politely declined Ethan’s offer, “Mr. Thompson, I appreciate your kind gesture, but I must decline the lunch invitation.”
Her reluctance to further entangle her professional life with Nathan’s was palpable, signaling a desire to minimize their interactions post the handover of the system.
Ethan glanced toward his boss, noting a change in his demeanor. With a hint of urgency, he clarified, “Ms. -Monroe, this invitation comes with no strings attached. It’s purely a gesture to celebrate our collaboration.”
The sincerity in his voice seemed to wobble slightly, sparking a flicker of concern in Olivia.
“Why wouldn’t we extend a warm gesture of hospitality after such a significant collaboration?” Ethan remarked with a smile as he looked toward Olivia.
I’ve said so much. Surely Ms. Monroe wouldn’t reject my offer, right? I’d cry if that happened again!
Olivia parted her lips, intending to express that their company’s involvement was a standard procedure.
Yet, before she could articulate her thoughts, Ethan preemptively added, “Moreover, it’s nearing lunchtime. What better moment to take a break before we all dive back into our respective duties?”
“Actually…”
“The preparations for our meal are already in place. It would be a shame to let it go to waste,” Ethan chimed in once more before Olivia could respond.
Caught in a loop of interruptions, Olivia began to suspect Ethan’s interjections were deliberately timed.
His insinuations made her feel cornered, as if declining the offer would be a misstep.
Left with little room to maneuver, she reluctantly agreed, “All right, thank you, Mr. Carter,”
Her consent brought a visible sense of relief to Ethan, his smile widening in triumph.
Chapter 172 He Did It On Purpose
Finishe
Throughout this exchange, Nathan observed silently but offered Ethan a look of satisfaction, an unspoken approval of his efforts.
Ethan was elated, thinking, I could get more bonus this year!
The party made their way to the restaurant situated opposite Carter Group.
Olivia hadn’t anticipated being seated next to Nathan, a setup that briefly sparked a desire to excuse herself from the gathering.
However, recognizing the importance of maintaining a professional rapport due to their companies‘ collaboration, she stayed, swallowing her discomfort.
Nathan’s attention briefly flitted toward Olivia, noting her rigid posture, an emblem of formality and restraint. He found quiet amusement in her cautious demeanor, reminiscent of a wary deer alert to its surroundings.
Seizing a moment, Nathan used the serving fork to offer Olivia a piece of fish fillet, his voice a low whisper, “Try this.”
The sudden proximity and his familiar, deep tone sent a jolt through Olivia, prompting her to muster a polite smile. “Thank you, Mr. Carter.”
Despite the interaction, her attention remained averted from him, an effort to maintain a professional boundary.
Nathan, undeterred, continued to serve her, each gesture a silent assurance of his consideration.
On the other side of the table, Ethan engaged in lively conversation with two of Olivia’s colleagues who had joined Horizon Ventures from overseas.
Esteemed members of the team, both individuals were recognized for their exceptional skills.
Eager to delve into their experiences, Ethan, with a gesture of hospitality, offered them an assortment of dishes, taking the moment to inquire with genuine curiosity, “Could you share how long you’ve been part of Horizon Ventures?”
They exchanged glances before one of them responded, “We’ve been with the company for a good six to seven years, though it was only in the recent two years that we’ve had the privilege of working directly under Ms. Monroe.”
Ethan, seizing the moment to express his admiration, lavished them with commendations, “Your expertise truly sets you apart, surpassing even the high standards of our own IT department at Carter Group.”
His words, though meant as high praise, carried a tone of enthusiastic exaggeration that caused a slight discomfort to the two, their modesty tickled by his lavish compliments.
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