Chapter 586
Elizabeth noticed Derek’s ruse. “You want to have dinner with us just to spend more time alone with Natalie, don’t you? I told you yesterday to stop bothering her. She’s already married. Besides, discussing the final design is official business. We can discuss it here at the studio. There is no need to go out for dinner.”
Elizabeth opposed Derek’s whims.
“If I’m not mistaken, my order would be the first project you’ve ever made since returning to W Marks Studio. It doesn’t matter if you screw it up because you don’t care, right?” Derek then took the design draft and prepared to leave.
“Wait… Let’s have a casual meal around the studio after work if you really want to confirm the design. And that’s it.” Natalie stopped Derek, who was about to leave, with a helpless expression.
She knew Elizabeth didn’t want Derek to get his way because she was looking out for her friend. But Derek was right. This was the first order Elizabeth received after leaving the hospital. She must place a high value on it.
“Natalie,” Elizabeth said, tugging at Natalie’s sleeve. Her expression darkened.
After some thought, Natalie said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going alone with Derek. You’re here with me. Don’t worry.”
Derek was secretly pleased that his plan had worked.
As soon as the clock struck for the time to leave work, Derek drove the eye-catching Maserati to the studio, honked the car horn in a high-profile manner.
The attention of the passers-by were all drawn to him and kept looking back.
Draco, who was also off duty, met Natalie as she walked out of the studio.
Draco frowned. Noticing Derek’s apparent waiting for Natalie, he couldn’t help but ask coldly, “Why is Derek here? Is he bothering you again?”
“Not really…” Natalie looked down, embarrassed, and didn’t know what to say.
“Derek invited us out to dinner to discuss business. But don’t worry, Mr. Wesley. I will ensure Natalie’s safety.” Fortunately, Elizabeth came to break the awkward silence and explain.
Draco nodded and didn’t say anything else with a much softer expression on his face.
Elizabeth continued. “Mr. Wesley, we’ll leave now. Natalie, let’s get in the car.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Wesley.” Natalie addressed Draco politely, as she always did. Then she and Elizabeth got into Derek’s car.
Derek had booked a table at a fancy restaurant downtown inside a five-star hotel. Many people had gathered in the restaurant after work.
Derek pulled over to the side of the road and parked his Maserati. Natalie and Elizabeth then exited the car and walked to Derek’s side.
Elizabeth was standing tall and had a cold expression on her pretty face. On the other hand, Natalie looked pure and gentle. Her long hair was curly, and she was wearing a dress and a pink coat.
They were two different types of beauties who, along with a handsome man, drew a lot of attention.
Derek, of course, was aware of the onlookers’ attention. He didn’t care at all and even felt a sense of complacency. His ego was greatly satisfied by the envious gazes of the passers-by.
“Please keep your face expressionless. You’re really annoying.” Natalie couldn’t help but complain when she saw Derek’s smug expression.
Derek, like a true gentleman, opened the restaurant door for them. “Why? Can’t I smile? Natalie, you’re becoming increasingly cruel to me.”
He approached Natalie deliberately and snickered, “But it doesn’t matter. I like bad women.”
“You’re having fun being a playboy now. But you will be distressed if you meet your true love in the future.”
Natalie was certain that she would witness that day, since she had seen the same thing happen to Garrett.
Derek didn’t take it seriously. Squinting his eyes, he teased, “You’re already married. I don’t believe I’ll ever find true love.”
Natalie did not comment. They continued walking into the restaurant.
The waiter was very enthusiastic as he led them to their table.
Elizabeth smiled as she listened to them bickering. She removed her coat, pulled out a chair, and sat down. She spun around and peered out the window. “This place has a beautiful view.”
A dense ginkgo forest surrounded the restaurant.
“What would you ladies like to eat? Burritos and tacos are two of their signature dishes here.” Derek looked through the menu, introducing them to the famous dishes. He and his manager had visited this restaurant several times.
Since both Natalie and Elizabeth weren’t picky eaters, they let Derek order food for them. He then ordered some food and a bottle of the most expensive wine in the restaurant.
When Elizabeth noticed that the dinner had not yet been served, she took out a document and handed it to Natalie. “I’ve given Derek the draft. This is a copy. Derek, didn’t you say something was wrong with the design? What is it?”
Derek was rendered speechless. “Wait a minute. I’ll look at it again,” he said, pretending to cough slightly.
He expressed his thoughts on the design while checking the draft.
Natalie carefully recorded Derek’s opinions, so she didn’t notice that not far away, at two long tables, there were about seven Larson Group employees with their ID cards. The Larson Group had planned a welcome party for the newcomers, which took place in the same restaurant.
“Let’s order. This popular Mexican restaurant is somewhat expensive. Fortunately, today it’s the company’s treat. You are free to order whatever you want. The company will pay the bill.” A lively female employee was brightening the mood. She passed the menus to her colleagues.
Vivian thanked her and accepted the menu. She wasn’t interested in Mexican food, and she wasn’t interested in this party either.
She was only persuaded to come because she had the highest position among them. As the last additional member of the Larson Group, everyone saw her as a very mysterious person.
“Vivian, is there any particular dish you like? Let me help you order.” Many of her female colleagues were giving her special treatment.
“You hadn’t talk with us much since you came to the Larson Group. We’ll be working in the same department from now on, and we can get to know each other at this party.”
“Okay,” Vivian replied with a smile.
Another colleague suddenly said, “I didn’t expect that you were recruited by Mr. Larson himself. You are truly amazing. It seems that Mr. Larson has a soft spot for you.” “After all, Mr. Larson is usually cold and easily irritated. He’s only different and gentle with his wife,” a male colleague, who was interested in Vivian, added.
He thought that Vivian was really amazing. Among them, she had a mediocre education background and no work experience, but she could get a higher position than them. Vivian confidently raised her brows and smiled. This type of flattery pleased her. “I’m just lucky. Mr. Larson places a higher value on strength. I’m simply outstanding in this aspect.”
Vivian wanted to say more, but she noticed that the attention of her female colleagues who had been listening to her had shifted to something else.
“The woman sitting by the window looks like Natalie.” “It’s really Natalie! Oh my goodness! How could she date another man?”
The female employees exchanged stunned glances.
