Chapter 2287
Chapter 2287 Barge In
After Clayton finished speaking, he took his cane and went downstairs from the back staircase.
The area upstairs for entertaining guests was generally not open to the public.
For aesthetics, there was a staircase above another exit.
When Clayton went downstairs, he could vaguely see Nicole’s seat through the divider.
Seeing that the person sitting opposite her was Eric, Clayton froze slightly.
He stared at them for a long time before he slowly left.
Eric noticed someone else’s gaze and looked sideways, but he did not see anything from his position.He frowned slightly and asked Nicole, “How did you find this place?”
Nicole took a sip of sparkling water and casually hooked her lips.
“Someone introduced me here.Why?”
“If I remember correctly, this place used to be a breakfast diner, and you didn’t like it.”
Eric was somewhat puzzled.He did not finish his sentence.
Nicole did not like it, but that did not mean others did not like it.
The diner was very popular among office workers because it was simple and convenient.
Their business was booming.
However, it suddenly changed to a French restaurant.
The restaurant was more exclusive and deserted.
Eric felt that it was not a profitable business.
That was why he found it strange.
The corners of Nicole’s mouth twitched, but she said nothing.She had not noticed the diner, and she did not come here to eat.
The two of them began to discuss the project’s issues from the meeting.
Soon, their mobile phones would not stop beeping.
Eric had been away for too long and had a lot of work to do.
Although he had already hung up a few calls, it was obvious that he had something urgent.
However, Eric had no intention of leaving even when the dishes were served.
Nicole looked at the dishes that were placed on the table and said lightly, “You can leave first if you have something to do.”
Eric smiled, stretched out his hand, and poured a glass of water for her.
“I can make time to have a meal with you.” Nicole lowered her eyes and voice.
“Eric, you don’t have to do this.”
The corners of Eric’s mouth stiffened. He raised his eyes to look at her with a deep and complicated gaze.
Nicole did not want to argue with him at this time, so she picked up the knife and fork and ate silently.
Eric smiled slightly when he noticed that she did not lose her temper or get serious with him.
The two of them ate quietly and chatted from time to time.
However, their topics often revolved around projects and their companies.
They did not discuss any personal matters.
This scene was especially cordial to others.
Neither of them ate much.
When Eric’s phone rang again, Nicole put down the knife and fork.
“Answer it.I’ll go to the bathroom.”
Eric watched her leave, then rubbed his temples and restrained his emotions before he answered the call.
“Speak.
“Mr.Ferguson, there are some urgent documents that need your approval…”
Nicole came out of the bathroom.
Instead of going back in a hurry, she sent a message to Eric saying that she left beforehand.
Sure enough, Eric also left soon after.
If Eric did not save her life, their relationship would not have eased so naturally that they could still sit and eat together.However, that was all it was.It was not possible for Eric to take their relationship further.
Nicole would not even give him a chance.
When Nicole came out, she did not return to her seat.
Instead, she glanced in the direction of the kitchen and walked over.
The waiter was busy minding his own business and did not notice Nicole, but Kira noticed.
Kira’s expression changed.
When Nicole was about to push the door open, Kira suddenly shouted, “Ms.Stanton, that’s the back kitchen…”
Nicole glanced at her coldly.
Without any hesitation, she pushed the door open and walked in.
However, she saw eight to nine chefs in uniform doing their own thing in the kitchen when she stood at the door and looked inside.
None of them were who she was looking for.
Nicole’s expression changed subtly.
She walked around the kitchen and was unwilling to leave just like that.
However, it was useless because there was no one else.
It was pointless even if another person could replicate that familiar taste.
His familiar face appeared in front of her, but he still did not show up.
Nicole thought he reappeared so that she could find him.
Nicole’s heart seemed to be soaked in bitterness, and she was too sad to speak.
Kira walked in quickly with a flustered look, but she pretended to be calm.
“Ms.Stanton, what are you doing here?”
Nicole curled her lips, took a deep breath, and covered up her slightly trembling eyes.
“I want to come in and see what the kitchen is like and thank the chef who cooks for me in the meantime.”
Kira let out a dry laugh.
“you’re too nice, Ms.Stanton.You can just tell me to bring the chef out, so the smoke and oil] here won’t get on your clothes.”
Nicole lowered her eyes slightly and smiled.
“Okay then.”
Clayton did not want her to find him yet.
Nicole felt angry for a moment.She took a deep breath, turned around, and walked out.
Kira slowly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the innermost bench was empty.
She followed Nicole out quickly.
Nicole got up from her seat, picked up her bag, and handed over a card.
“Bill, please.” Kira paused.
“You’re done eating?”
She looked at the food that was basically untouched and felt a little uncomfortable.
Maybe Nicole was just being a princess and torturing them.
However, the man inside actually cooked each dish so diligently.
In the end, there were so many leftovers.
Kira thought, ‘So, she’s the wife that he never forgot, who he regarded as a treasure?’ Nicole nodded.
Kira pursed her lips.
“It’s okay.You’re our VIP member, so your meals are free for life.” Nicole smiled.
“I don’t like taking advantage of others, and I can afford my own meals.Get me the bill.”
Nicole did not want to say more or waste any more time.
Kira hesitated to speak.
In the end, she finally took Nicole’s card and watched her leave.
The restaurant was quiet.
Kira quickly returned to the kitchen.She noticed that the door of the utility room in the kitchen was ajar, and the person inside had already left.She sighed slowly.
Clayton stood upstairs and watched as a car came to pick Nicole up.
His jaw was tense, and he lowered his eyes to suppress the strong emotions surging inside.
Clayton sat down slowly and touched his right leg.His face was pale without a trace of blood.He underwent leg surgery to reconnect his bones.
LJ Corporation used the latest medical technology to regrow and reattach the bones in Clayton’s leg that was supposed to be amputated.
However, the results were not satisfactory.
It would take time to recover — at least ten years.
How could he wait ten years to show up again? But at the same time, how could Clayton meet her in such a state? How would he explain what happened during the time he was missing? How would he explain that he became Jeff Lieberman, and then reverted to his old identity? Clayton watched her leave and did not speak for a long time.
He just stared in her direction.
