Chapter 41
“What are you laughing at?” Kieran saw my reaction and immediately flew into a rage.
“It’s nothing.” The Zane family was facing bankruptcy, and yet he was still trying to make himself look good in front of Camille. Only a dumny like her would buy his crappy act.
“He’s a muttface. Don’t lower yourself to his level.” Camille scoffed. She merrily took the gift box from Kieran and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“I love your gift a lot. Unlike someone who couldn’t even put in some effort, even though he’s trying to win me over and get my attention. Why did he think that would work? I’ll never know.”
Camille was so shameless that she uttered these words in public. She would’ve clung onto Kieran like a koala bear if she could.
“I’ve said it over and over. The necklace I bought isn’t a gift for you.” Regrettably, my words fell on deaf ears.
She snickered and shook her head. “Someone like you only deserves to buy worthless trash like that. Interestingly, you refuse to admit that you bought the necklace. Is it because you also realize how embarrassing it is?”
“I have something I need to handle. I’ll leave you guys to it.” I couldn’t be bothered to watch their little act. As I turned around and left, I could hear Kieran and Camille snickering behind
- me.
I didn’t even turn around as I picked up my pace and left the troublesome duo. Then, my phone rang. Out of nowhere, Sophia asked me to share a meal with her.
I drove to the designated restaurant, opened the door to the private room, and saw her looking at me with affection on her face.
“There you are. Take a seat.”
I walked over and sat down, and Sophia pushed the menu to my side of the table.
“Feel free to order anything you like. It’s my treat today.”
I chuckled and asked, “It’s not very gentlemanly of me to let a lady pay for the meal.”
Sophia winked at me. “Well, then. What is expected of a lady? For that tter, what is something that a man is supposed to do?”
I was stumped and didn’t know how to answer her question.
Sophia smiled gently. “I’m the one who offered to pay for the meal today. Go ahead and order anything you want.”
Chapter41
Once the dishes were served, she poured me a glass of red wine.
“Do you have time tonight?” When Sophia looked at me, I could see hope and anticipation in her eyes.
I shook my head. “I have to get something done tonight.”
Tonight was the last day of my contract, and I knew Camille all too well. If I didn’t show up at her party, she would definitely blow it out of proportion and cause a massive headache for me:
The last thing I wanted was to give her another chance to pester me after today.
“I see…” Sophia’s eyes were laced with disappointment.
I chuckled, choosing not to tell her about the birthday gift I prepared for her. No, I would give her a big surprise tonight instead.
It was still afternoon when I went back to Layton Group. Surprisingly, Camille’s car was still parked outside the building. I glanced at the company chat group, only to find that Benson had called for a meeting.
As Deputy CEO, Camille didn’t dare to get in the way of her father’s work. Despite her
reluctance, she had to obediently sit in the conference room, even if she couldn’t contribute anything to the meeting.
I went back to my office. Before I had a chance to take a seat, I received a call from Benson.
“Max, I need to see you in my office.”
I grabbed the document that needed his signature and made my way to the chairman’s office. I knocked on the door and went inside, greeting him politely, “Mr. Layton.”
“What do you think about these projects?” Benson trusted my opinion deeply, and he would always think of me first whenever there was a project.
If I told him the projects were good to go, they would surely earn the company a handsome profit at a later stage. Otherwise, Layton Group wouldn’t have grown exponentially in the three years under my watch.
For the most part, I was the one who made it happen. If Camille had gotten the company instead, it would’ve gone belly–up a long time ago.
I glanced at the projects for a moment, weighing the advantages and disadvantages. Then, I picked the two projects most suitable for investment.
Benson nodded at me, visibly pleased. After he signed the documents, I turned around and was about to leave, but he suddenly called out to me.
“Max, hold on.”
