“How could I dare let the eldest daughter of the Ellison family drink? If your father knew, he would certainly hold me accountable,” Nelson joked with a smile, though his eyes lacked any real amusement.
“Then…”
“Accompany me.”
Those two simple words struck a chord in Charlotte’s heart.
This dinner was purely to discuss a project. They had some drinks, but not much. Charlotte sat beside Nelson, listening intently to their conversation.
After a while, someone noticed her. “This lady looks familiar, somewhat like Mrs. Oconnor. Is she…”
Charlotte immediately looked at Nelson.
He replied unhurriedly, “She is my assistant. She delivered documents to your company today.”
The other party immediately asked their secretary, who nodded, confirming it.
“Sorry, I overstepped,” the person apologized.
Charlotte didn’t say much and indicated that she needed to go to the restroom.
The private room at Club Paradise was separated by partitions. There was another dinner party going on behind them, and it was quite lively. Suddenly, there was a commotion as someone kicked open the door. It was Marilyn, holding a wine glass. “Oh, it’s the CEO of Griffin.”
The CEO exchanged an awkward glance with Nelson. “This…”
Marilyn was also here for socializing. She wore a fur coat and looked very charming. She approached and said, “CEO, you’re not being fair. I’ve been trying to meet you for a month, and you never gave me a chance. I didn’t expect to run into you here today.”
The CEO’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Miss Ellison, I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Oconnor today.”
“What important matters?” Marilyn was clearly drunk and acting on impulse. “Is it about that project in the south?”
No one responded.
Nelson leaned back, looking a bit tired.
“Silence means consent,” Marilyn said loudly. “I don’t accept this! The Ellison family’s planning and funding are no less than Oconnor Group’s! Why didn’t you choose us?”
The CEO looked to Nelson for help. “It’s not that the Ellison family isn’t good, but Oconnor Group’s proposal is indeed more suitable for Griffin.”
“Suitable?” Marilyn seemed to find this amusing. She had nowhere to vent her anger and smashed her wine glass on the floor, shattering it into pieces. “I’ve been a researcher for three years. Don’t tell me I don’t know what’s suitable!”
She then glared at the unflinching Nelson and left in her high heels.
The Griffin CEO was still shaken. “Mr. Oconnor, Miss Ellison is quite fierce.”
Nelson gave a cryptic smile. “She wasn’t like this before.”
Half an hour later, after concluding their pleasant cooperation, Nelson watched as Griffin’s car drove away.
Charlotte stood behind him. The night wind was chilly, and she clenched her hands. “Nelson, I heard Marilyn caused a scene just now.”
Nelson gave her an inscrutable look. “She is very aggrieved. Losing the Griffin project could destabilize her position in the Ellison family.”
Charlotte didn’t seem to understand why he said that.
Today, Nelson had her deliver documents. During that time, she had many opportunities to leak confidential information to Marilyn.
Judging by Marilyn’s reaction tonight, she hadn’t done so and had behaved properly.
“Yes. I will comfort her when I get back. I don’t think my father will punish her for this.”
Charlotte seemed oblivious to the underlying message.
In the neon-lit night, Nelson looked at her gentle face in the light and felt his heart soften slightly.
For the real Maevelyn, perhaps it shouldn’t be all about exploitation. Maybe there was a chance they could be friends.