Chapter 296 How Could I Easily Fall in Love Again?
Camilla didn't respond to his remark.
The two sat in silence until the car pulled up at the entrance of the alley.
Marcus spoke up, "We're here."
Camilla replied, "Thank you for lending me your workers. Tobias will discuss the payment details with you."
"Alright."
Marcus didn't offer to waive the fee, and his straightforward business approach made Camilla feel relieved.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Camilla."
Tobias proved highly efficient, taking over the two construction crews provided by Marcus the very next day.
He negotiated the price and finalized the contracts.
By the third day, work had commenced as scheduled.
Tobias said, "So what we've agreed upon is that the three of us—you, me, and him—will meet once a week to align on the project progress."
Camilla frowned. "Just you and I should be sufficient. There's no need to involve Marcus, is there?"
Plus, Marcus was surely too busy to bother with such minor matters.
Tobias said, "That's exactly what I said, but he insisted on weekly meetings."
And his reasoning was quite sound.
Since they were his construction crews, he naturally shared responsibility.
Whether they worked on construction sites or in offices, all his employees were equal in his eyes, with no hierarchy of importance.
"Marcus also asked me to pass along a message to you."
Camilla asked, "What is it?"
"He said he'd be delighted," Tobias said.
Then Tobias snorted, "Is he trying to court you? His intentions are written all over his face. Though I must admit, his transparency earns my respect—he has good taste and courage. But Camilla," his tone shifted, suddenly becoming serious, "men are unreliable. Don't let yourself be easily swept off your feet."
Camilla couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, that won't happen."
After her six-year ordeal with Leopold, which she'd finally escaped, how could she easily fall in love again?
Reading, conducting experiments, doing research, writing papers—wasn't that fulfilling enough?
Why bother with all that romantic nonsense?
Soon, a week had passed.
During this time, Camilla, Royce, and Hestia had relocated to Professor Lloyd Wallace's biology lab at the neighboring Excel Business University.
Apart from the inconvenience of commuting between the two campuses, everything was going smoothly.
Worth mentioning was that the neighboring university's cafeteria served absolutely delicious food!
This was a new source of joy for Hestia.
She was already planning her next meal before finishing the current one.
"If we could use this lab permanently, it wouldn't be so bad. Look, this location is just a minute or two away from three different cafeterias," Hestia said.
"Convenient for you to grab a snack whenever you get hungry, right?" Royce immediately caught on to her agenda.
Hestia retorted, "Don't you eat when you're hungry?"
Royce was taken aback. "I eat sparingly, and only three meals a day."
Hestia instantly flared up. "Are you implying I eat too much and too frequently? I never thought you'd be like this, Royce!"
"No, I..."
"Save it! Explanations are just cover-ups! You can organize these two data sets yourself! I'm off to have my fourth meal of the day!"
Royce sighed in resignation. "You're actually leaving?"
His only answer was Hestia's broad retreating back as she walked away without looking back.
Camilla quietly packed up her things. "I'm heading out too."
Royce frown. "Seriously?"
Everyone was leaving?
Camilla was also going to eat, not at the university cafeteria but at the small restaurant where she'd dined with Tobias a couple of times before.
Today, however, there was an additional person.
When Camilla arrived, Tobias and Marcus were already there.
The food had just been served, still steaming hot.
She noticed all her favorites were on the table.
Camilla pulled out a chair and sat down. "Have you been waiting long?"
Tobias said, "I just got here myself. Mr. Davis was the first to arrive."
Naturally, he was the one who had ordered the food.
Indeed, today marked their first "weekly meeting."
Marcus helped her hang her bag on the coat rack before returning to his seat. "Shall we talk while we eat? Before the food gets cold."
"Sure."
The three began their meal.
Camilla and Tobias, being familiar with the place, were quite casual, but surprisingly, Marcus seemed perfectly at ease as well.
On second thought, if he could dine at small eateries near construction sites, what dining environment couldn't he adapt to?
A flicker of approval crossed Tobias's eyes.
After quickly devouring his burger, he put down his utensils, cleared his throat, and said, "Let me first update you on this week's progress... The foundation has been completed, and we've started construction on the building. We expect to finish the basic structural work by next week."
"That fast?" Even though Camilla had anticipated progress, she couldn't help but be surprised.
Tobias looked at Marcus. "All thanks to Mr. Davis's two construction crews."
Only after seeing them in action did Tobias realize the vast difference between construction teams.
Truthfully, they were far superior to the workers Tobias had originally hired.
Naturally, the progress was much faster.
Marcus replied casually, "Don't mention it."
"Regarding payment..."
Marcus interrupted, "Actually, I wanted to discuss that. Monthly settlements are cumbersome. I'll cover their wages for now, and you can settle the full amount with me once the project is completed. Don't worry, my company's accountant will keep meticulous records, ensuring everything is transparent."
Tobias waved dismissively. "Mr. Davis, there's no need for such formality. You're a businessman of significant stature—surely you wouldn't be interested in pocketing our modest funds?"
Marcus countered, "In business, proper procedures must be followed. It's better for both of us that way."
Tobias paused, then nodded. "You're right. I hadn't thought it through."
"Let's toast to that." Marcus raised his glass.
Since both men had driven today, their glasses contained soft drinks.
Tobias said, "Cheers."
Marcus looked at Camilla. "Join us, since you're here."
"Sure." Camilla set down her utensils. "To the timely completion of the laboratory."
Their glasses clinked together, and Camilla took a sip.
The carbonated drink fizzed up her nose.
This was precisely why she wasn't fond of cola.
Fortunately, she'd taken only a small sip, so the sensation quickly passed.
Camilla resumed eating.
Marcus called over a server. "Do you have coconut milk?"
"Yes, we do."
He gestured toward Camilla. "A bottle for her, please."
The server asked, "Would you like it chilled or at room temperature?"
Camilla hesitated momentarily. "Room temperature is fine, thank you."
Shortly after, the coconut milk arrived with a straw.
Marcus effortlessly popped the tab, inserted the straw, and slid it back to Camilla.
The entire process was smooth and casual, as if he'd done it countless times before.
Just then, as the restaurant owner greeted new arrivals with "Welcome, what would you like to order?", a man and woman entered.
Camilla's table was in the main dining area, and she was facing the entrance, so she immediately locked eyes with Leopold.
Leopold paused briefly, then calmly nodded to her before tightening his arm around the woman beside him.
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