Isaac’s handwriting was elegant and flamboyant.
After signing, the contract was officially concluded.
Both parties needed to fulfill their respective duties.
After taking a group photo, a staff member respectfully approached Franklin, “Mr. Maskelyne, a luncheon has been arranged at Osmanthus Yard in Building 4.”
Franklin’s gaze swept over the crowd with an air of dominance, “Please proceed to Osmanthus Yard in Building 4. A sumptuous lunch awaits everyone.”
“Mr. Maskelyne, you are too kind.”
“Osmanthus Yard has an elegant environment, very nice.”
“Yes, let’s head over.”
Lara smiled charmingly and extended her hand towards Franklin, “Mr. Maskelyne, may I…”
She tried to take Franklin’s arm, but he instinctively stepped back to avoid her.
“Lara, please.”
With that, he left with Jasper without looking back.
Lara’s face turned sour as she stomped her foot and followed.
She instructed her assistant, “Get me a copy of the group photo we just took.”
The assistant was momentarily stunned, “Oh, okay.”
Lara looked at her clueless assistant irritably, “What are you standing there for? Go quickly!”
In the group photo with Franklin and Isaac, she had stood next to Franklin, deliberately showing a close and intimate smile.
With that photo, it was a great opportunity.
Her mood lightened as she walked towards the elevator.
The others had taken another elevator, so she waited for the one in front of her.
Soon, with a “ding,” the elevator opened. She stepped in wearing high heels. Just as the door was about to close, a hand reached in, causing the door to reopen.
Isaac stepped in with slightly damp hands. He glanced at Lara and smiled thinly, “Didn’t expect to run into you again after a trip to the restroom.”
Lara maintained basic politeness with him, “Isaac, did your wife and child not come to live with you in Aettosa?”
This question hit a sore spot.
But Isaac didn’t shy away from it. He replied calmly, “Lara, it seems you also enjoy gossip. The child and woman are not mine.”
“Really? So Isaac is still a bachelor? That’s…” Lara looked at him in surprise. Wasn’t it said that he had a woman and a son?
Could he be denying the child? Wanting the child to remain illegitimate?
But then again, for wealthy people, having illegitimate children and mistresses was quite normal.
Understanding this, Lara was no longer surprised.
Isaac suddenly leaned closer to Lara, trapping her between the elevator wall and his embrace. His breath brushed against her lips, “Lara, you’re so beautiful and captivating. Do you need a perfect suitor?”
Lara frowned and tugged at Isaac’s tie with a playful smile, “Isaac, are you volunteering?”
Unfortunately, she wasn’t interested in him!
Compared to Franklin, Isaac was far behind in her eyes.
At that moment, the elevator reached the first floor.
Isaac released Lara and stepped out of the elevator. Lara followed closely behind.
They walked side by side until Lara’s assistant caught up, panting, “Miss, I got it as you instructed.”
Lara nodded in satisfaction, “Well done.”
Osmanthus Yard in Building 4 was just around the corner, about a hundred meters away.
The courtyard exuded the scent of soil after snow, and the paths were clean.
Lara wore a beige cashmere coat but it couldn’t fend off the winter chill.
Isaac smiled and took off his jacket to drape over her shoulders, “Lara, you should keep warm.”
Lara frowned but didn’t refuse. This reaction was what she expected from men; she enjoyed being pampered.
She smiled coyly, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Fortunately, they were close and soon arrived at Osmanthus Yard.
As its name suggests, Osmanthus Yard was themed around osmanthus flowers and was one of the banquet halls of the Presidential Palace.
Not only were many dishes related to osmanthus flowers, but the decor also echoed this theme.
The entire restaurant had a strong ambiance.
As soon as Lara stepped in, she saw Franklin sitting at the main table. He sat at the head seat with an empty spot next to him for Isaac and then Lara next to Isaac.
Lara was displeased because the other side of Franklin wasn’t her seat either; it was Jasper’s!
Why wasn’t she worthy of sitting next to Franklin?
She should have arrived earlier.
Annoyed but maintaining composure, she took her seat gracefully.
Isaac also sat down and casually took back his jacket from Lara’s shoulders.
Everyone noticed this immediately.
Franklin pretended not to see it; he genuinely didn’t care.
After scanning the other tables and seeing that almost everyone was seated, he instructed Jasper to have the waiters serve the food.
He didn’t have much time to spend chatting with Lara.
The chefs at Osmanthus Yard were efficient; delicious dishes were quickly brought out.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers mixed with food aromas, making everyone’s mouth water.
Lara looked at Franklin’s cold and abstinent face at the head table and thought this was a perfect opportunity.
She couldn’t help but extend her foot to gently brush against his leg under the table in a clear attempt at seduction.
However, just as she prepared to do it again, Franklin’s foot stomped hard on her high-heeled foot, almost crushing it.
She couldn’t help but gasp softly in pain, her face turning pale.
Isaac looked at her puzzledly, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Lara retracted her nearly crushed foot and almost cried out loud.
But with so many people around, she didn’t dare.
She forced a smile through the pain, “It’s nothing. I accidentally kicked the chair. It hurts a bit.”
“How careless. Should we call a doctor?” Isaac continued his concern.
“No need.” Lara shook her head awkwardly.
Isaac persisted, “You’re sweating; is it really painful?”
Damn it! Can you stop asking? Lara screamed internally but didn’t dare show it. She forced herself to say again, “It’s fine. Really fine.”
“Here’s a toast to everyone for a successful collaboration and project completion,” Franklin said as he stood up with his glass once most of the dishes were served.
Everyone else stood up as well.
Lara’s foot hurt so much she could barely stand but couldn’t afford not to stand. So she endured the excruciating pain and stood up.
Her foot must be swollen! Absolutely!
Franklin! You jerk! Are you treating my foot like a pig’s trotter?
She cursed Franklin silently countless times but couldn’t vent her anger.
It was just one toast; how long could it take?
She thought everyone would sit down after one toast but didn’t expect Franklin to start toasting each person individually!
She almost fainted!
With twenty people at the table, how long would this take?
No one sat down; if she did, it would be rude and impolite.
She was fuming inside.
Franklin must be doing this on purpose!
Lara was furious.
She could only pray silently for Franklin to finish quickly so she could sit down and rest her poor foot.
But things didn’t go as she wished.
Franklin exchanged pleasantries with each person during each toast, taking a minute or two each time.
With twenty people…
By the time he finally reached Lara and Isaac, Lara’s forehead was covered in sweat from the pain.
She barely had the strength to speak or cherish this close-up toast with Franklin. She hurriedly drank her wine and sat down quickly.
As soon as she sat down, she almost collapsed from exhaustion.
Franklin glanced at her coldly and snorted inwardly.
Such self-degrading women needed to be taught what boundaries meant!
He felt no guilt or discomfort inside.
A woman who aspired to replace Sylvia deserved this kind of treatment; sparing her life was already giving face to the Fox family.
Isaac saw Franklin approaching him and sensed a hint of malice in his eyes. “Brother, there’s no need for formalities between us.”
Franklin replied indifferently, “If I don’t toast you, you’ll say I don’t respect you as my brother. Drink up.”
He couldn’t be bothered with more words with Isaac.
After exchanging a few polite words with his brother, they both sat down.
Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, Lara gently lifted her almost ruined foot and touched it. To her dismay,
It was swollen like a bun.
She felt like crying but had no tears left.
She’d be bedridden for at least a week…
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved and upset she felt. What had she done wrong for Franklin to treat her so harshly?
The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became. She decided to tell her father when she got home so he could stand up for her.
With this thought in mind, she angrily picked up her utensils and started eating. Fortunately, Osmanthus Yard’s food was good.
By the time the banquet ended an hour later, Lara trembled as she stood up but had lost all her previous grace.