Chapter 233 An Unexpected Glance
"Signing a contract with White Corporation?" Ryan hesitated. "Is it urgent? How about we move it to the evening?"
Tristan suddenly looked up at him, his thin lips tightly pressed and his gaze deep, instantly making Ryan's back feel cold.
"Okay, I'll contact Daniel right away." He retreated from the office.
First, he called Daniel to send over the contract. Daniel was overjoyed to hear that Tristan was willing to sign the contract. "If we delay any longer, the project timeline will be pushed back, and we'll have to pay a penalty for breach of contract!"
Upon hearing this, Ryan realized the importance of this dinner. After hanging up on Daniel, he called Katniss back. "Miss Grey, Mr. Forbes has a very important business meal at noon today and can't have lunch with you. Please reschedule for the evening."
Just now, Ryan had said there was nothing important. After asking Tristan, it turned into a very important meal.
"I see, thank you, Mr. Gray." Katniss hung up the phone, a bitter smile forming at the corner of her lips.
She was a bit angry. How petty of him to avoid her.
This wasn't like his character, but his constant evasion was a fact.
"Ms. Grey," the receptionist hurried over. "The Brown family called to say they would come by later to make a payment and get a receipt."
"Okay, then find out Mrs. Brown's preferences and book a restaurant. I'll treat her to lunch." Since it was lunchtime, it was only polite for Katniss to treat her to a meal.
Matilda had found five students for one-on-one tutoring, three of whom had been secured.
A family said they were considering it but hadn't responded yet.
Katniss had heard that this family had a good relationship with the Miller family, so it was probably a no-go.
With three students, Katniss was already busy, so she didn't push it. She just focused on treating her current clients well.
At 11:40, Amelia Brooks arrived on time at the educational institution. Seeing Katniss, she smiled brightly and glanced around behind her. "Is Matilda not here?"
"Mrs. Brown, Matilda hasn't been feeling well these past few days and is resting at home," Katniss explained. "When we visited your home last time, you asked if Matilda was there. You seem to like her a lot."
Amelia didn't hide her feelings about Matilda. "Indeed, she has a very sharp mind. I like her a lot. Is she okay?"
The receptionist brought over a cup of tea, and Katniss gestured for Amelia to drink. "She's fine, and just needs a few days of rest. Thank you on her behalf for your concern and affection. "
Amelia took a sip of tea and didn't mention the payment and receipt but showed great interest in the educational institution.
Since it was noon, the teachers were off for lunch. Katniss took this opportunity to invite Amelia, "I've already booked a restaurant. Would you do me the honor of having lunch together?"
"Of course," Amelia agreed.
This surprised Katniss a bit; she thought there would be some formal refusals.
"Mrs. Brown, please." Katniss stood up and drove Amelia to the pre-booked restaurant.
Amelia asked, "You need a reservation to get a seat here. Did you book it in advance?"
Katniss nodded and smiled. "Yes. Even though I wasn't sure you'd come, I believe that opportunities are for those who are prepared."
Amelia was nearly fifty, slightly plump, with a neat short haircut and a straightforward personality that made her very approachable.
The waiter led them to a private room, and after they ordered, Amelia started the conversation. "Ms. Grey, are you and Matilda sisters?"
"Her mother is my stepmother, and we have a great relationship." Katniss never hid her relationship with Matilda.
Amelia seemed surprised. "So Matilda is from a single-parent family? Besides you and your stepmother, does she have any other family members?"
Katniss shook her head, belatedly realizing why Amelia had so readily agreed to have lunch with her.
Was it for Matilda?
"Is Matilda dating anyone?" Amelia asked bluntly.
Katniss was stunned by the sudden question.
"Honestly, I have a son who's almost thirty, probably three or four years older than Matilda. He's very accomplished and just been too busy with work to find a girlfriend. I really like Matilda!"
Amelia couldn't stop praising Matilda.
Katniss tried to interject several times but couldn't get a word in.
She hadn't expected Amelia to have this in mind. Thinking of Matilda already having George, who had said he would visit this morning.
"So, I've already given my son's contact information to Matilda," Amelia said.
Katniss's mouth twitched. "This is something we can't interfere with. Let Matilda handle it herself. I hope, regardless of the result, you can accept it gracefully."
She had to explain to Amelia in advance.
Amelia was quite open-minded. "Don't worry, I'm not narrow-minded. If Matilda doesn't like my son, it must be my son's fault."
Katniss said, "It's Matilda's honor to be liked by you. Thank you."
With the atmosphere set, Katniss ordered a bottle of red wine. Amelia loved red wine, and Katniss just sipped along.
The meal made Amelia very happy. Before they finished eating, Katniss excused herself to the restroom and went downstairs to pay the bill.
The elegant restaurant was very quiet, with the occasional clinking of cutlery, which was not disturbing but rather easy.
However, dining in such a place made Lila, who was used to private rooms, very unhappy. "Mr. Forbes, do you think it's appropriate to discuss business in this hall?"
Tristan's well-defined hand cut the steak methodically and put a piece into his mouth. His voice was indifferent. "There's nothing inappropriate. We've discussed everything. Just sign the contract."
Lila choked, and the delicious steak in front of her couldn't stimulate her taste buds at all. "You're doing this on purpose. With your status, how could you possibly sit in the hall to eat? You just don't want to be in the same room with me?"
Tristan put down his knife and fork, grabbed a napkin, and wiped his mouth. "Miss White, I showed you respect, but you insisted on disrespecting me. Don't blame me."
In other words, that was exactly the case, but he didn't want her to say it out loud.
"Goading me into action?" Lila suddenly laughed. "Then I won't fall for it. If we don't finish this meal, don't expect me to sign the contract."
Tristan shrugged. "Suit yourself."
His plate was already empty. He showed no gentlemanly manners in front of Lila, leaning back in his chair and fiddling with his phone.
He found that Katniss still hadn't contacted him. She hadn't called or even sent a message.
"Mr. Forbes, if you put down your phone and listen to me for ten minutes, I'll sign right after," Lila said, clearly annoyed by his constant phone use.
A trace of disgust flashed in Tristan's eyes. But ten minutes was better than Lila continuing to delay.
He casually tossed his phone on the table and looked out the window, his whole demeanor exuding indifference.
Coming down from the second floor, Katniss immediately saw Lila sitting by the window; even though the man opposite her had his back to her, she recognized him at once. It was Tristan.
Even bathed in the midday sun, his black shirt made him look noble and cold.
She could see his plate was already empty, while Lila had just started eating, talking leisurely.
Tristan was listening intently. Katniss thought that his so-called lack of time to have lunch with her was just because he had an appointment with Lila.
Ironically, Katniss thought they were a perfect match, both talented and good-looking.
She pressed her lips tightly together, withdrawing her gaze from Tristan, her hand at her side clenching.
"Miss, do you need any help?" A waiter concerned, seeing her standing at the staircase.
Her voice trembled slightly. "I need to pay the bill."
"Alright, no need to trouble yourself to go downstairs. I'll go up with you to settle it." The waiter respectfully led her back upstairs.
Katniss walked up a few steps and glanced back at the floor-to-ceiling window.
From this angle, she could see Tristan's chiseled profile, his taut features, and his deep eyes looking at Lila.
Lila was very happy, talking animatedly.
"Miss." The waiter called out again, seeing she hadn't followed. He had to raise his voice, "Miss!"
This startled Katniss back to reality, and even the guests downstairs turned to look.
"Sorry, let's go." Katniss quickly headed back to the private room.
As she disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Tristan suddenly turned his head, his attention caught by a familiar voice.
He scanned the restaurant but didn't see Katniss. He took a deep breath and looked away.
Katniss paid the bill at the private room door and returned to find Amelia hurriedly packing her bag. "Ms. Grey, you're back just in time. I have an urgent matter at home and need to leave immediately."
"I'll take you." Katniss quickly packed her bag, grabbed her phone, and escorted Amelia downstairs.
Perhaps due to the urgency, Amelia moved swiftly, almost running out of the private room.
Especially when going downstairs, her high heels made a series of crisp sounds on the steps.
Katniss, wearing flat shoes, barely kept up. "Amelia, be careful not to fall!"
She reminded her, and Amelia turned back to respond, "Okay, thank you, Ms. Grey, I... "
Distracted by answering Katniss, Amelia didn't watch her step and bumped into someone.
Lila exclaimed, falling into Tristan's arms.
Tristan's face remained cold as he instinctively caught Lila, his deep eyes meeting Katniss's gaze unexpectedly.
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