Chapter 833 Open and Covert Competition
"Hold up, I got something to say. I already locked down the bid for the Crescent District," Caleb suddenly announced, raising his hand.
Everyone was stunned.
Even Saskia's eyes widened in surprise.
The bid for the Crescent District was already secured?
Hearing the murmurs, Caleb leaned back, propping his hand under his chin with a smug grin. "You didn't know? Must've slipped my mind. But something this big, everyone should know."
He shot a glance at Nathaniel.
The room's atmosphere turned so tense.
Saskia looked over, feeling worried.
"Alright, let's move on to another topic. The company has more than just this project," Nathaniel responded, surprisingly calm and composed, without missing a beat.
Caleb's face fell.
Saskia felt a wave of relief.
The meeting continued, but now the awkwardness wasn't on them. After all, someone had just boasted and been completely ignored, which was truly awkward.
As they left the conference room, Saskia lagged behind, gathering her materials.
Nathaniel hadn't gone far, seemingly slowing his pace on purpose to wait for her.
Just as Saskia was about to catch up, Caleb called out to her, "Ms. Fuller, I don't have a considerate and capable secretary by my side. This project is a bit tricky. Why don't you talk to my brother and come work for me?"
Saskia wondered if Caleb truly believed that if he kept asking, she would eventually agree to be his secretary.
Too bad she wasn't buying it.
"No need. I think I made it clear last time. I don't want to be anywhere but by Mr. Nathaniel Egan's side."
Seeing she was about to leave, Caleb chuckled, "Do you think acting like this will make Nathaniel marry you? Give it up. Our father would never agree to something like that."
Saskia stopped. "If you think this will persuade me, you're wrong."
"Don't you care? Don't be ridiculous."
"I used to care. Now, I really don't. I'm just doing what I need to do."
Saskia glanced sideways at him and left without hesitation.
Caleb's face turned grim instantly, his fists clenched tightly.
Caleb thought, 'Every time, it's the same. Whatever I can't get, Nathaniel can easily obtain. Is it just because I'm the illegitimate son?'
"Damn illegitimate status!" Caleb punched the wall, his eyes bloodshot.
Saskia saw Nathaniel at the corner.
His face was a bit grim, looking at her coldly. "Gathering materials took you this long?"
Saskia didn't tell him what had just happened. Nathaniel had been stressed enough these days; there was no need to add to his troubles. "It was a bit tricky to organize."
"Come with me to a dinner meeting tonight," Nathaniel said, glancing at her.
Saskia naturally nodded.
That evening, they arrived at the dinner meeting one after the other. The partners waiting for them immediately stood up in unison.
"Mr. Egan is here."
"And he brought a date? No wonder he's late."
Nathaniel, whether intentionally or not, didn't explain Saskia's identity.
Even when she wanted to explain, he handed her a glass of juice, subtly interrupting her. "Drink this, don't drink alcohol. You don't want to fall asleep before getting home like last time."
Saskia recalled that incident and, feeling a bit embarrassed, didn't resist.
Someone with a keen eye noticed and teased, "We've never heard of Mr. Egan getting married. Is it happening now?"
Everyone laughed.
It was just teasing; no one took it seriously. After all, a date didn't necessarily mean a marriage prospect; it could just be a fling. Men were like that.
Saskia frowned slightly, feeling nauseated by the laughter.
At that moment, Nathaniel's clear, cold voice cut through the noise. "Actually, there is."
Suddenly, the room fell silent, like someone had hit the mute button.
"My apologies, I didn't realize this lady held such a status." The one who had been leading the teasing coughed awkwardly.
Saskia didn't care about these people, but Nathaniel's subtle protection warmed her heart.
Though it was a dinner meeting, it was essentially a business discussion. Nathaniel's status and personality ensured no one dared to make him drink too much, but he couldn't avoid a few drinks.As they left, Saskia noticed the faint scent of alcohol mingling with Nathaniel's usual fresh scent.
It felt like a mint leaf had been dropped into the alcohol, cool and refreshing.
"Nathaniel, can you hear me?" Saskia couldn't tell if he was drunk, waving her hand in front of his eyes.
Nathaniel didn't react.
"Are you really drunk?"
"Not drunk."
Nathaniel suddenly spoke, startling Saskia. The next moment, she found herself in his cool embrace.
Saskia looked at the passersby outside the car window, noticing the window was still open. She anxiously tried to push him away. "Let go of me, the window's open."
"No," Nathaniel replied calmly, ignoring all her words.
She wanted to say more.
His hand reached behind her, pressing the button, and the window slowly rolled up.
Saskia sighed in relief, only to feel a soft, cool kiss on her lips, like kissing a mint leaf.
Nathaniel held the back of her head, kissing her meticulously, turning a simple kiss into something tender and lingering.
Saskia felt like all the oxygen in her brain was depleting.
"No, let go of me." She managed to push Nathaniel away, gasping for air.
Nathaniel wiped the corner of her mouth, his eyes dark. At that moment, there was no trace of the dazed look he had earlier, as if he couldn't respond.
He had been faking it!
Saskia angrily wiped her mouth, almost to the point of breaking the skin.
"Just one kiss from me, and you're this unwilling?" Nathaniel sounded a bit annoyed.
Saskia paused. "It's not about being willing or not. You didn't ask for my consent, and you pretended to be drunk to trick me."
To her surprise, Nathaniel laughed, looking somewhat smug. "I told you, I wasn't drunk."
Saskia suddenly remembered. He had indeed said he wasn't drunk. She just didn't believe him. It turned out he hadn't lied.
Saskia's expression became complicated, deeply feeling that men could be very cunning.
Fortunately, the deal was secured.
Caleb, who had just started and wanted to make a mark, was now tied with Nathaniel.
Because of the open and covert competition between these two, some people in the company had started placing bets.
"I bet the VP can't beat the CEO."
"Me too. Our CEO may seem laid-back, but when it's time to compete, he doesn't hold back."
Marcus curiously asked Saskia, "Ms. Fuller, what do you think? Who do you favor?"
She looked at the gazes coming from all directions.
One gaze was particularly intense. Following it, Saskia saw a corner of a suit at the door.
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