Chapter 3 I Have Found a New Employer

She flashed a sweet smile, but to Daphne, her words felt like they were wrapped in barbed wire, impossible to enjoy.

Daphne kept her cool and replied, "I know."

Emily's smile grew wider, "I believe Ms. Sullivan is a smart person."

After their exchange, Daphne was the first to leave. With just an hour left until the meeting, she grabbed a cab and arrived right on time, just as the client did.

The client, Patrick Martin, General Manager of Apex Technologies Group, was in talks with Daphne about international supply channels. Although they had covered this topic multiple times in the past, the deal had encountered a pricing issue.

"Ms. Sullivan," Patrick greeted her with a smile, "I hope you'll be kind to me today."

Daphne smiled back, "I still need Mr. Martin to be generous. The price we're offering is really the best we can do."

As they walked towards the private room, Daphne's eyes wandered, catching a glimpse of the room diagonally opposite. Through the half-open door, she saw a man in a dark suit, half-leaning against a chair. His slicked-back hair revealed a face that could only be described as perfect. He sat there, legs crossed, exuding an effortless elegance.

It was Lewis.

Daphne quickly looked away and followed Patrick into the room, but her mind was racing. Were they meeting today to discuss marriage? Or something else?

It seemed like Lewis wouldn't need her much longer.

She quickly pushed those thoughts aside as she sat down. Daphne composed herself and started discussing the project with Patrick.

Most of the terms had already been hashed out; only the final price was left to settle.

Daphne picked up the whiskey from the table and downed three shots in a row. The burning sensation spread from her throat to her stomach, making her feel a bit uneasy.

But she stayed composed, "Mr. Martin, when it comes to the price, I can't give any more discounts. However, those three glasses of whiskey show how serious I am about our collaboration."

Patrick was a bit taken aback.

He had encountered numerous women in the workplace—often finding that the ones who were attractive lacked competence, while those who were competent lacked wit. Truth be told, he held high expectations for Daphne.

"Tell you what, if you can finish all this alcohol, I'll sign the deal today," he said with a grin.

Patrick liked to drink, so when Daphne arrived, he had ordered a bunch of beer and two bottles of high-proof liquor. Drinking it all would be a challenge.

But thinking about her impending resignation in just over twenty days, she agreed.

Two hours later, all the alcohol on the table was gone, and Daphne had reached her limit. She suppressed the burning sensation in her stomach and said, "Mr. Martin, we've drunk it all."

Patrick hadn't expected someone as delicate-looking as Daphne to keep up with him in drinking.

Surprised, he couldn't help but laugh, "Ms. Sullivan, with such outstanding abilities, would you be interested in switching jobs? Our company in Lumaria has a sales director position that hasn't been filled yet."

That was the country she planned to go to for further studies. Daphne couldn't help but think of Lewis.

How was his conversation with Emily going?

"Ms. Sullivan?" Patrick called her.

Daphne snapped back to reality, hesitated for a moment, and said, "If there's an opportunity, I'd be willing to give it a try."Hearing this, Patrick was thrilled and signed the contract without any more fuss, clearly excited about the prospect of her joining his team.

As he finished the last signature, the strength Daphne had been holding onto suddenly vanished.

The alcohol hit her hard, and as she stood up to leave, she almost stumbled. Luckily, Patrick was quick to catch her.

Daphne barely managed to steady herself, feeling a sudden chill down her spine.

Sensing something, she instinctively turned around and locked eyes with Lewis.

"Mr. Anderson," Daphne said.

Lewis's gaze was icy as it swept over her and landed on Patrick. After a moment, he said in a cold voice, "Ms. Sullivan, come here. I have some work matters to discuss with you."

Daphne's heart skipped a beat as she steadied herself, said goodbye to Patrick, and followed Lewis to the private room.

Inside, Emily sat across from a woman in her late twenties, dressed in a red dress with long golden-black curls and flawless makeup.

It was Gloria.

"Ms. Sullivan, what a coincidence," she greeted with a smile.

Daphne met her meaningful gaze, her muddled thoughts clearing a bit. She stood up straight and said to Gloria, "Ms. Anderson."

Gloria gestured to the empty seat beside her, "Have a seat."

Daphne knew her presence was somewhat redundant and silently took a seat.

As soon as she sat down, Gloria's voice came, "Your wedding with Emily is set for the tenth of next month. It's a good day."

"I don't agree," Lewis's voice was cold and deep, "I don't like her. Why should I marry her?"

"Impossible!" Emily instinctively retorted. Her face turned pale, and she pointed at Daphne, "If you don't like me, why did you find a stand-in who looks so much like me?"

Gloria's gaze also turned cold as she discreetly glanced at Daphne.

Lewis's eyes were filled with coldness, "It's none of your business."

Emily felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, her whole body feeling both cold and hot, as if she had been slapped in the face.

Suddenly, she thought of something and angrily pointed at Daphne, "She seduced you, right?"

Instantly, Gloria's warning gaze swept over. Daphne understood and explained, "Miss Garcia, you misunderstand. Mr. Anderson and I have a purely professional relationship, with no personal involvement."

A teacup was slammed heavily on the table. Lewis stood up abruptly, not looking at anyone, and walked out.

Even those unfamiliar with him knew this was a sign of anger.

Lewis was usually reserved, rarely showing his emotions like this. Daphne's hands, resting on her knees, curled slightly as a vague suspicion rose within her, only to be quickly dismissed.

She was about to leave and shouldn't have any unrealistic fantasies.

Emily hadn't expected to be humiliated so publicly. Watching him leave, she stumbled back into her chair and began to cry, covering her face.

Gloria quickly got up to comfort her, "Emily, don't cry. Lewis is just being difficult. I'll teach him a lesson later."

Emily, covering her face, cried softly, "No, he must have fallen for someone else."

"How could that be? Lewis and Ms. Sullivan have no relationship whatsoever. I assure you," Gloria consoled, looking up at Daphne.

Daphne's eyes trembled slightly, and she said softly, "Miss Garcia, rest assured, I have found another job and will be leaving the Anderson Group soon."

Her clear and firm voice reached Lewis's ears as he returned. He stopped abruptly, a dangerous storm seemingly brewing in his eyes.