Chapter 217 No Way Out
When Reese arrived, the place was already bustling, but she had Calvin shoo away all the reporters. The last thing she wanted was the media coverage.
If word got out, Malcolm wouldn't even need to investigate. She wasn't there in any official capacity for the project—she just needed to make an appearance.
"Reese," greeted Calvin as she approached.
"Does anyone here meet our standards for potential collaboration?"
Reese cut right to the chase upon arrival.
"Yeah, the guys at Broadreach have been killing it lately with their new venture. They made quite a profit, so they might back your project with some funds."
"That'd be solid. Where's the guy? I want to scope him out."
"He's the tall one over there with the loud shirt—not that you can miss him. But watch yourself with him, Reese. He's got a rep as a ladies' man. He thinks he can charm the skirt off any girl."
Reese snorted derisively. "Do I look like the kind of woman who can be easily charmed by him?"
"It seems like, even if he laid his fortune at your feet, you wouldn't so much as glance his way if you're not interested."
Reese wasn't generally a fan of womanizers.
She handed her purse over to Calvin. "I'll go talk to him. You handle the ribbon-cutting and keep a tight leash around here. If any reporters slip through, you're off my team."
"Got it. Everyone here has been thoroughly vetted."
Only then did Reese relax.
"Alright, I'll trust you one more time."
"Be careful, Reese. Don't let that guy gross you out."
"I won't be the one getting grossed out. I’m sure as hell." Reese was never one to shy away from challenges; if something came at her, she'd face it head-on.
"Yeah, his name's Rico. Sounds straight-laced, but—"
Calvin's gaze flicked toward Rico unintentionally. There he was, flirting with some corporate heiress, having her in stitches. Girls shouldn't be fooled by appearances; it's essential to see through the facade.
"Cut the chatter. I don't care if he's a playboy, as long as he's loaded."
Reese tossed the bag to Calvin with a nonchalant flick and sashayed over. Instead of approaching Rico, she drifted past him and struck up a conversation with another man.
"Hey, long time no see. You made it out today, I see."
Reese's voice was typically aloof, but she had learned a bit of voice acting, allowing her flexibility—dominant or demure, she could switch at will.
The moment she spoke, the coquettish, sultry tone drew Rico's attention. He turned, and in the instant his eyes met Reese’s, there was amazement and that predatory look of seeing prey.
He'd never seen a woman so breathtakingly beautiful, radiating an aura of aristocratic pride and innate regality.
Her presence was magnetic, compelling you to seek her out—and Rico had never met anyone like her.
Unfortunately for the man Reese was chatting up, he didn't know her and was already spellbound by her beauty, rendered speechless. After all, what guy would turn down an approach from a girl like that?
As he was just about to speak to Reese, Rico made his move and approached.
"Hey there, I'm Rico. Mind if we become friends?"
Reese smirked inwardly, thinking what a playboy he was, having taken the bait without any effort on her part.
Outwardly, she maintained a polite and smiling demeanor that seemed to go to Rico's head.
"Hi, I'm Reese."
Rico, a man who certainly had an eye for the ladies, always liked to know who he was dealing with—her background, connections, anything that could tell him more about her.
Reese, however, wasn't one to reveal much about herself. "Well, I'm in public relations. My boss is looking to launch a robotics project and we're seeking the right partners."
Money was another of Rico's great loves, second only to his fondness for women, and Reese's words seemed to whet his appetite perfectly.
"Miss Reese, I must be your man, then. I’m really into research myself. How about we set up a meeting soon?"
Reese didn't immediately agree but chose to decline.
"Sorry, Mr. Rico, I've got other plans tonight."
Undeterred, Rico pulled out his business card and handed it to her.
"This is my card. Take a look, and if you’re interested, I'd still like to set up that meeting with you, Miss Reese."
Reese took it gracefully. "Next time. There's something I need to attend to. I'll be on my way now."
Rico conducted himself with a polished and humble air.
"Sure, Miss Reese, go ahead with your business."
Having excused herself, Reese made her way backstage where Calvin had just finished with the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"Reese, how'd it go? Did you seal the deal?"
"Make it a statement," she quipped, her eyes radiating a confident sparkle that was hard to miss.
Calvin gave her a thumbs-up. "That’s my Reese. Though I bet he’s more interested in you than the project."
"Doesn't matter. Oh, by the way, Malcolm might dig deeper into this project. Grandpa Flynn has been pretty angry recently; after all, there's significant profit in this for the Flynn Group."
Stepping out today was a gamble for Reese, but even if Malcolm turned up, she knew she could vanish just like the last time—without a trace.
No evidence, no confession—suspicions alone don't stand.
The mention of this seemed to jolt Calvin as he suddenly received a call, his expression darkening.
Reese noticed the shift. "What's up?"
Calvin's eye twitched. "Your husband... looks like he just walked in."
Reese furrowed her brow; a subtle anger suddenly betraying her usually calm expression.
"Why'd you say Malcolm couldn't get in?"
Calvin replied with a look of faux innocence, "Reese, you never mentioned Malcolm would come. You just told me to keep the reporters out. Plus, didn't you send him off on some wild goose chase?"
Reese had indeed orchestrated a ruse for Malcolm to find a minor issue in their project, prompting the team leader to urgently summon him for a fix. How had Malcolm wrapped that up so quickly?
This time, Reese met her match. Malcolm clearly didn't buy the line about fetching a courier from the office. He probably suspected something, took a quick detour, and now staged a surprise return.
Calvin, quick on his feet, offered a solution. "Reese, I'll cover for you. Why not slip out the back?"
"Are you crazy? He's intentionally looking for me. I doubt I can just sneak away, for all we know his guys might already be at the back door."
Reese wrestled with her dilemma. She couldn't let Malcolm uncover her true identity. If she gave him an inch, he would unearth every secret she guarded.
It wasn't fear for herself that troubled her, but a desire to protect him from harm.
Calvin couldn't help but remark, "He's really got you cornered."
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