Chapter 45
He narrowed his eyes slightly, the dark orbs gleaming as he studied me. “Scarlett, do you think I’m incapable of handling Fuller Corporation’s audit?”
Raising my brows, I chose to be tactful. With a polite smile, I replied, “You built Harrison Credit at a young age, so I have no doubt about your abilities. However, since we’ve never worked together before, Fuller Corporation will be holding a bidding event soon. Harrison Credit will have to prove itself. If your company secures the audit, I look forward to a pleasant collaboration, Mr. Harrison.”
“That doesn’t matter!” he huffed, propping his chin on his hand. His gaze remained fixed on me, eyes slightly narrowed. “It seems you don’t really trust me, Scarlett.”
My brows knitted. I disliked how overly familiar he was acting. “That’s not it, Mr. Harrison.”
“So, you think I’m too young?” He pushed the plate of food toward me, his eyes never leaving mine. “Don’t you think younger men are more passionate, Scarlett?”
Unwilling to continue this conversation, I stood up. “I’ll notify you about the bidding date soon. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Before I could move, he grabbed my wrist firmly. “What’s the rush?” His voice was deliberate as he glanced toward the restaurant entrance.
Instinctively, I followed his gaze and locked eyes with Ashton’s dark, brooding ones.
Beside him stood Rebecca. A flicker of emotion crossed his face, but I quickly withdrew my gaze, attempting to jerk my hand free from Nick’s grip. However, his hold was unyielding.
Annoyed, I hissed, “Let go!”
“Let’s enjoy the show first!” With a smirk, he tugged me back into my seat, pressing down lightly on my shoulders. Then, he flashed an exaggerated smile at Ashton and Rebecca as they approached. “Mr. Fuller, what a coincidence! Join us!”
I shot him a cold glare. “What are you doing?”
“Watching the show,” he said nonchalantly before settling in beside me.
Ashton and Rebecca reached our table, their expressions unreadable. Without a word, they took their seats across from us. Rebecca, having noticed me earlier, no longer bothered with pretenses and simply shot me a frosty look.
I preferred it this way.
Disinterested, I pulled out my phone, pretending to be occupied.
Nick, however, seemed to revel in stirring trouble. “Mr. Fuller, Ms. Larson, what would you both like to eat? It’s my treat.”
I nearly laughed. Wasn’t he just calling Ashton ‘old boy’ earlier? Now it was ‘Mr. Fuller’?
Ashton merely cast him an indifferent glance before turning to Rebecca. “What do you want to eat?”
It was a habit ingrained in him—one he likely wasn’t even aware of.
Rebecca demurred, saying she was fine with anything. Meanwhile, Nick continued pestering me, blocking my escape route. If not for that, I would’ve left long ago.
“Letty, are you free later? Want to catch a movie with me?” he asked, grinning.
A moment ago, he was calling me Scarlett. Now, he had the audacity to use such an intimate nickname.
Since when did we become that close?
“I’m busy,” I snapped, refusing to entertain him further.
Out of the corner of my eye, I felt Ashton’s gaze on me, but I ignored him.
Nick, persistent as ever, turned to Ashton. “Mr. Fuller, I heard you and Ms. Larson are quite close. My mom even wants to invite you both to Pear Garden for dinner sometime.”
Ashton’s expression remained stoic. “Thank Ms. Anderson on my behalf.”
Rebecca perked up at that. “Ms. Anderson? The fashion magnate?” Her curiosity was piqued.
Nick grinned. “You know my mom too, Ms. Larson?”
Rebecca’s eyes sparkled. “So she’s your mother? She’s the Queen of Fashion in Western and Northern Europe! I heard she runs two publicly listed companies and even ranked third on Forbes’ list. She’s the richest woman in the world!”
Nick’s mother is Cameron Anderson? The Cameron Anderson?
I had read about her in financial magazines before. A powerhouse career woman admired by many. I never expected her to be Nick’s mother.
Now that Rebecca and Nick had found a common topic, they were engaged in an animated conversation. I, on the other hand, was growing more impatient by the second.
Finally, the food arrived, silencing them momentarily.
“Letty, I ordered this just for you. It’s nutritious and tastes amazing!” Nick said, acting as if he had lost his mind. He even started cutting my food for me.
Suppressing my irritation for the sake of peace, I frowned slightly. “I can do it myself.”
He ignored me, his gaze shifting toward Ashton, who was tending to Rebecca. Then, with exaggerated admiration, he remarked, “Mr. Fuller, you’re so sweet to Ms. Larson. You must really care about her.”
Rebecca beamed, clearly pleased. Ashton, however, frowned, his sharp eyes flickering toward me.
I kept my face blank and lowered my gaze, unwilling to engage.
As long as I didn’t let it affect me, I would be fine.
I took a small bite of the meat on my plate, but the moment I did, nausea twisted my stomach violently. My hand flew to my mouth as I fought the overwhelming urge to retch.
Frantically, I signaled Nick to move aside so I could leave.