Chapter 75 A Self-Inflicted Passion
In an elegant restaurant, soft light shimmered. There was only one table with customers dining.
"Hehe, I know you don't like crowded places, so I called ahead and reserved the whole place."
"Try this, it's their new dish, it's delicious."
Josh skillfully cut the steak into equally sized pieces.
"I've cut it for you."
Luann's tone was indifferent. "No need, thank you."
Josh coughed lightly and flashed a handsome smile.
"Luann, you don't have to be so polite to me, I'm not used to it. You came back so suddenly this time, you should have called me earlier, so I could have thrown you a welcome party!"
Luann lowered her eyes and the warm light above her head outlined her gentle contours, casting a rich shadow over her eyes. If one were to look closely, they could see a hint of distance revealed.
"I came back to take care of some business and will leave in a couple of days."
"Oh, is it that Gilbert Group thing? Do you need me to lend a hand?"
If Luann was so concerned, it must not be a small matter. Josh naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity to perform.
"Just sign the contract, there's no need to do much else."
Luann put down her cutlery and casually wiped her lips.
"Alright then!"
After finishing their meal, Luann returned to the hotel. The elevator door opened with a soft ding. Before she reached the door, she saw a woman standing there.
Ignoring Alisha, Luann took out her room key to swipe the door. Alisha dumbfoundedly opened her lips, and right before Luann closed the door, she suddenly extended her hand.
"Luann, can we... talk?"
Luann looked at her with no warmth in her eyes, remained silent for a moment, then took a step to the side.
"Come in."
Alisha entered the room and sat on a chair; her whole body stiff, unsure where to place her hands.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly, I want to rest."
Luann coldly dismissed her. A trace of panic flashed in Alisha's eyes. Her index fingers intertwined, and her thumb's nail nervously fiddled with the latch.
"Well... I just wanted to ask you why you helped me," she said.
She was clearly targeting Luann everywhere, trying to make her embarrassed. However, Luann...
"You're overthinking it," Luann said, taking a sip of water and meeting her mixed gaze.
"I simply find his despicable methods nauseating."
"So, Mrs. Daniel doesn't need to get worked up over it either."
Alisha's pupils shook.
"Anyway..."
"Even if you were simply acting out of kindness towards me, I still want to thank you," Alisha said.
"And also..."
"I'm sorry."
"I apologize for everything I've done to you in the past."
Her mind was chaotic when she learned the truth. She even imagined that if the roles were reversed and she was in Luann's position, she wouldn't have helped. But Luann didn't hold grudges. Just this fact alone was enough to make Alisha lower her head and seriously reflect on everything she had done.
"Um."
Faced with such a cold response, Alisha felt a bit disappointed.
"Well... then I won't bother you anymore. Rest well, we'll return to our country tomorrow."
After saying that, she stood up and walked towards the exit. She didn't mention anything about future cooperation. Because she knew she no longer had the right to ask Luann to do anything. Luann watched her figure.
"I have already had Josh draft the new contract. Take some time tomorrow to go and sign it with him," Luann said.
Alisha's fingertips trembled as she held onto the doorknob, her face filled with disbelief.
Her voice stuttered due to excessive astonishment.
"You... I... I go... sign it?"
Luann nodded.
"But if I sign it, wouldn't that mean... I completed the contract?"
Although she had indeed held such expectations before coming to the United States.
"Just go," Luann waved her hand.
Alisha closed the door in a daze. She leaned against the cold tiles, murmuring to herself.
"This doesn't seem right. Did I really benefit from all of this in the end?"
Alisha sighed with a hint of tears in her laughter.
The next morning, Alisha went to Page Group early. Josh received her. He placed the contract on the table.
"Take a look."
Alisha took it and carefully read through it. After confirming that everything was fine, she gently opened her red lips.
"Our project..."
Josh raised his hand and interrupted her long-winded introduction.
"Mrs. Daniel, to be honest, small companies like yours do not qualify to collaborate with us."
Alisha nodded.
If it wasn't for Dylan and Carlton being friends initially, opening a back door for them, they wouldn't have qualified either.
"It was Lu's decision to sign with you."
"Anyway, I want to thank you too."
"If you want to express your gratitude, go and thank Miss Luana."
After returning to the hotel, Alisha immediately started organizing the return flight tickets to the Upper West Side. However, Luann said, "I have something to attend to and will be back two days later. You guys go ahead."
"Alright."
...
Luscious green trees and a long boulevard lined with tall plane trees came into view. In the entire kilometer-long street, there was only one sports car racing at high speed. It gracefully came to a stop.
Several vigilant bodyguards guarded the heavily fortified mansion gate. As soon as they saw the license plate, they quickly approached and opened the car door.
"Miss is back!"
Luann stepped out of the car and casually tossed the car keys she held in her hand. Inside the white mansion compound, a shaded pathway extended. The mansion itself was a combination of Western castle and Chinese styles, with two floors connected by a bridge, a deep courtyard, and various precious flowers and plants meticulously trimmed by the servants.
Taking a step into the living room, Luann barely had a chance to take in her surroundings before a pair of hands covered her eyes from behind.
The scent of meat wafted into Luann's nose.
"Hehe, guess who I am?"
Luann couldn't help but look helpless. "Brother, you really are childish."
The person behind her immediately became angry. "You heartless little brat! You leave for four years and don't even come back to visit, and you blame me for being childish?"
Luann lowered his hands and felt a greasy layer on her face.
"I do come back every year, don't I?"
"You treat this place like a hotel when you come back. You stay for only a few days and then leave. You have no idea how much the head of the family misses you."
The man speaking was wearing a cherry-themed apron, with a handsome appearance, silver-rimmed glasses resting on his nose, and slightly upturned, slender phoenix eyes exuding an elegant yet mischievous charm.
Luann frowned in disgust and took several steps back.
"You're cooking?"
"Yes."
"You have oil on your hands."
The man playfully twisted his oily, slender fingers, a slight smile curling his lips.
"Oh, where? I just cleaned them."
