Chapter 322 Treating Guests
Richard totally ignored Elodie and kept on patching up Nina's hand with all the care in the world.
His moves were super gentle.
Elodie’s eyes were green with envy. She strutted over and shoved her hand in Richard’s face. "Hey, my hand’s hurt too. Why don’t you care about me?"
Michael glanced over and chuckled. "Ms. Black, that’s just a red mark, not even a scratch. You call that an injury? Maybe you gripped that fruit knife too hard. And you’re the one who caused the harm. Even if you were really hurt, you got no right to whine."
Elodie spun around and shot daggers at Michael.
Michael just smirked and gave her a cheeky grin.
Elodie could only glare back.
Richard found Elodie super annoying and swatted her hand away. "Elodie, I’ve warned you. Seems like my words don’t mean squat to you. If that’s the case, let’s make it more concrete. Michael."
Richard ordered, "Take Ms. Black to the first casino for a few days."
Michael’s face shifted a bit, but he didn’t move right away. Instead, he looked at Elodie.
Elodie got the hint instantly. "Richard, are you seriously gonna lock me in the dungeon?"
"Richard." Michael seemed like he wanted to say something, but Richard’s look shut him up.
Michael knew Richard well, and he knew Elodie too. He got that if Elodie didn’t get a lesson, Nina wouldn’t have any peace. As for the fallout of locking Elodie up, he trusted Richard had a plan. He said to Elodie, "Ms. Black, let’s go."
Elodie snapped, "I’m not going! Richard, how dare you lock me in the dungeon? If my dad finds out..."
"I’ll personally apologize to Mr. Black," Richard cut her off coldly.
In the end, whether Elodie liked it or not, Michael took her away.
"What’s the dungeon?" After Michael and Elodie left, Nina asked, "Is it literally a dungeon?"
"Yep." Richard said as he bandaged Nina’s wound. "It’s a place for locking up folks who mess up."
Even though Richard made it sound chill, Nina knew it wasn’t that simple. She grabbed Richard’s hand and said worriedly, "Are you really gonna lock Elodie in there? How will you explain it to Mr. Black? She didn’t really do anything to me; it’s just a minor cut."
Richard pulled Nina’s hand closer and said seriously, "If it had been a bit deeper, it would’ve hit a vein! You call that nothing?"
Nina tried to pull her hand back. "It’s really not that bad. Shouldn’t you think it over?"
Richard looked at Nina. "Think over what?"
Nina said, "Let Elodie go this time."
Richard said, "If I let her go this time, there’ll be a next time. Nina, I want you to feel safe and secure with me, not scared. If I can’t even protect you, what right do I have to be by your side?"
Nina said, "But..."
Richard cut her off, "No buts. I know Elodie; she needs a wake-up call. I’ve warned her a bunch of times, but she doesn’t take it seriously. So I gotta make her remember," Richard said, gently hugging Nina, "Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
"Alright," Nina nodded.
Even though she still had her doubts, she couldn't deny Richard had a point.
Nina said, "By the way, are you free tonight? Bella wants to have dinner with us. She already made the reservation."
Nina showed her phone to Richard.
Richard glanced at it and frowned a bit. "Anyone else coming?"
Nina said, "Bella mentioned a shareholder from the Landon Group, the one who bought Nathaniel's shares."
Hearing this, Richard got the picture. He held Nina's hand and said, "Perfect, I also want to introduce you to a couple of people tonight."
Night fell fast.
Isabella and Seb were the first to show up since they were hosting and didn’t want to keep the guests waiting.
Seb had some desserts and juices brought out for Isabella to enjoy first.
Soon after, Nina and Richard arrived.
Nina and Richard were pretty much inseparable now, which made Isabella happy.
Nina and Isabella sat on the couch chatting, while Richard and Seb exchanged a look and sat down at the tea table.
Seb poured tea for Richard and said casually, "Thanks for last time."
Richard glanced at him and replied just as casually, "No biggie."
After that, they went quiet.
Richard and Seb sipped their tea in silence, both watching Nina and Isabella chat, each lost in their own thoughts.
Soon, footsteps echoed outside, and a hotel staff member walked in. "Mr. Landon, the guests have arrived."
Seb stood up and walked over, with Richard following after a beat.
Isabella's eyes lit up, and she quickly pulled Nina along.
Quentin was the first to walk in, exchanging a few pleasantries with Seb.
Behind Quentin was the internationally renowned jewelry designer, Esme.
Isabella watched Nina closely, and sure enough, Nina's face showed shock and a mix of emotions when Esme appeared.
"Ms. Miller, we meet again." Esme looked warmly at Isabella.
Nina instinctively frowned when she heard the word "again".
Isabella seemed very pleased. "I didn't expect you to be the famous designer, Esme. I must have been blind."
Esme smiled gently. "Don't let this title make you distant from me."
"Of course not." Isabella said, pushing Nina forward and introducing her solemnly, "This is my sister, Nina Miller. She's a big fan of yours. We attended your lecture yesterday."
"I know." Esme turned her gaze to Nina and extended her hand calmly. "Why didn't you come today?"
Nina stiffly extended her hand and shook Esme's. "Something came up unexpectedly."
"Design is three parts intuition and seven parts talent. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me," Esme said.
Nina's eyes flickered. "We have no connection. Why would you help me?"
Esme smiled. "You're Isabella's sister. Of course, I'll take special care of you."
Hearing this, Nina looked at Isabella, confused.
Esme turned her gaze to Richard. "I heard you locked Elodie up?"
Her words brought silence to the room.
Nina's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Richard uneasily.
Seb stayed calm, like he already knew Esme and Richard were acquainted.
The most surprised was Isabella.
