Chapter 380 The Bet
Philip had just reached the doorway when Richard's sudden words almost made him stumble.
"What? You've got to be kidding me. You're crashing my dinner now?"
Richard grabbed the jacket draped over the back of a chair.
"Cut the crap. I'll pay my share. Are you letting me come or not?"
Philip covered a smirk with his hand. "Sure, why not? I've already picked the restaurant. Forty-eight grand per head, and they pick a lucky guest at random. Guess what? It's you."
He then teased, "A Best Actor stealing someone else's endorsement. Classy."
The more Philip spoke, the more Richard felt the heat of embarrassment crawl up his neck. Better to clear the air in person.
The private dining room was tastefully arranged. Outside the window, a small arched bridge crossed a narrow stream, and on the bridge, a musician played soft, intricate notes.
Sophia slipped off her sunglasses the moment she stepped inside. Her gaze landed on Richard seated next to Philip, and she rolled her eyes before taking a seat.
Richard rubbed the bridge of his nose, then decided to explain the endorsement situation.
Sophia's tone was casual. "For Ms. Windsor's sake, I'll let it go this time."
She knew Richard's character well enough. She wasn't truly holding a grudge—just irritated.
"As for the Quinn Couture endorsement… if you're going for it, odds are it'll be yours. Quinn holds your talent in high regard."
Richard frowned slightly. "I've never even met Quinn. I heard she was at a runway show once, but I missed her. Why would she choose me?"
Sophia's smile deepened with unspoken meaning. "Want to make a bet? If you get it, you owe me a favor. Interest for this little incident."
Landing the Quinn Couture endorsement would be a win-win for Richard. His agent wouldn't be so eager if not for Quinn's influence in the fashion world.
"Fine," Richard said.
Sophia's smile brightened.
Philip chimed in, "Sophia, you're not going after the Quinn Couture deal yourself? Every actress in the industry would kill for it."
Sophia's voice was firm. "Not interested. If I did it, I wouldn't earn a cent. No thanks."
Catherine would squeeze her dry if she could. Sophia wasn't about to hand over free labor.
Philip looked at her in disbelief. "First time I've seen someone turn down Quinn Couture. Impressive."
Sophia just shrugged. She was an original shareholder. Paying out of her own pocket to promote her own brand? Only a fool would do that.
The Evergreen Group, ground floor cafe.
Gabriella sat at a corner table, draining glass after glass of ice water. The chill seeped into her chest, steadying her pulse. Dusk bled into night outside, but the person she was waiting for never showed.
"Ma'am, we're closing soon," a server reminded her politely. "You're welcome to sit outside if you'd like."
"Thank you."
Stepping out into the cooling air, Gabriella caught sight of a man emerging from the Evergreen Group building. Warm light spilled from the lobby behind him, outlining Charles in sharp, clean lines, like a figure carved from moonlight.
Beside him walked a fashionably dressed woman carrying a delicate wicker basket, speaking to him with an easy smile.
The woman in the pale blue embroidered dress tilted her head toward him. "Mr. Charles Windsor, Mrs. Aurora Windsor told me you were working late. I hope I'm not intruding."
Charles's gaze flicked briefly toward Gabriella waiting by the curb. His expression was cool, detached.
"Ms. Kate, I'm not sure what my mother told you, but I apologize for making you come all this way for nothing."
Emma Kate—Aurora's handpicked match for Charles—came from a family that could rival the Windsors in power. A union between them would be mutually advantageous.
She offered the basket with practiced grace. "If you don't mind, consider this a small gift. My mother and I made it together—Mrs. Windsor was there too. She insisted I bring it to you."
At that, Charles had little choice but to take it. His eyes, however, drifted back to Gabriella. "I'm sorry, I have an appointment tonight. Dinner another time, Ms. Kate."
Emma followed his gaze and spotted Gabriella, a bouquet cradled in her arms.
"So that's why. I see. Well, my family has been pressing me, so perhaps you could help me out sometime—just to keep them off my back. No strings attached. A few public dinners, nothing more."
Charles declined without hesitation. "I'm not a fan of arrangements that invite misunderstanding. Even if it's to appease family, it still sends the wrong message."
Emma's brows lifted in surprise. "A businessman turning down a mutually beneficial deal over feelings?"
"Of course not," Charles replied evenly. "As compensation, I have two single brothers. Both Windsors. You're welcome to choose one."
The Windsor siblings were all high achievers. Any of them would be an asset to the Kate family.
Emma smiled. "Deal."
"Whether they agree is another matter," Charles added.
"If I keep getting turned down by the Windsor family, I might have to get plastic surgery. But since you won't work with me..." Emma's eyes curved with a smile as she took the lunch box back from Charles. "I'll just give it to someone who'll actually enjoy it."
"Of course," Charles said, though he was still faintly bemused. It was the first time anyone had taken back a gift they'd just given him. Emma Kate was, without a doubt, a born negotiator.
With that settled, Charles crossed the street toward Gabriella. As he approached, he shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The international meetings ran long. I thought you might have left."
Wrapped in the lingering warmth and clean scent of him, Gabriella shook her head. "If I said I'd be here, I'm staying."
A quiet laugh escaped him, barely audible. "Is that so? I thought maybe you didn't care about keeping promises. Or maybe… you care about the promise, but not about me."
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