Chapter 532 An Instinctive Response of His Being
Benjamin had brought over these maids from Marshall City.
As the door to the room opened, a man clad in a bathrobe stepped out with long strides; his noble and icy demeanor made it difficult to look him in the eye.
"Good morning, Mr. Harrington!"
They offered a detached glance, not daring more than that, before he headed straight for the walk-in closet.
Two maids followed immediately to assist with his attire, meticulously adjusting his tie and selecting a wristwatch to complement his ensemble. Even fully aware of their employer's godlike presence, they dared not linger their gazes; the high-paying job hung by a thread of discipline.
When Benjamin emerged from the closet, he was the epitome of finesse—from his tip-top groomed appearance to the designer suit that accentuated his athletic build, his chiseled features had a stoic allure, surpassing any model gracing the pages of fashion magazines.
Isabella happened to walk in at that moment.
Even forewarned of his charm, she couldn't help but feel a blush creep up her face.
Collecting herself, she said, "Ben, Valencia Inc. has set up a luncheon with the city officials responsible for the Pine Mountain project at the Savoury Pavilion today at noon."
"Was this a sudden invitation?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow as he sat down on the sofa.
"They're quick on their feet, but unfortunately... it's all in vain."
Crossing his legs with ease, he took a sip from the coffee a maid handed him. His lips curled into a half-smirking, inscrutable smile. "Since we're aware of this lunch, we might as well join the party."
Confused, Isabella asked, "What do you mean by..."
"Stealing their thunder," he interrupted, his abyss-like eyes dark and unreadable, his expression as serene as a clear sky, revealing one thing for certain.
He genuinely disregarded Valencia Inc..
"What time is their appointment?" he inquired.
"11:30 a.m.."
He glanced at his costly watch and stood. "We'll head there now."
As he strode towards the exit, Isabella quickly followed. "Is this really okay? We're new in town. Going straight for a takeover might not sit well—"
Unperturbed by the implications, he continued walking, his mind clearly set on the path ahead in the bustling capital.
"Are you worried about your reputation?" Benjamin pressed the elevator button, squinting his eyes slightly. "This is the capital city, sure, but it's all about capability. Valencia Inc. can't handle a project as big as Pine Mountain—biting off more than they can chew will only lead to choking."
There was an imperceptible coolness to the curve of his lips, a demeanor sharp and domineering to all he surveyed.
"I'm actually doing them a favor. For a small-time operation like theirs to take on such a massive project would consume all their resources. Better to leave it to us."
Isabella listened to his casual tone, feeling somewhat abashed.
Both Valencia Inc. and the Jerrets Group were top listed companies in the capital city.
Yet, in this man's eyes, they hardly seemed worth considering.
Isabella knew better than anyone that Benjamin wasn't arrogant without cause; he possessed both talent and ambition. There had been no one worthy of being his competitor so far.
And as for Ms. Miller, she was just a woman.
As a woman, Isabella admired Sarah and even felt a compelling urge to meet her.
But she thought better of it; Benjamin probably wouldn't be pleased.
As they conversed, they exited the building. The driver respectfully opened the rear car door, with Benjamin stepping in first and Isabella following, continuing the conversation without pause.
"We shouldn't underestimate her, though. Ms. Miller is quite capable, running two companies and improving them beyond their previous state."
Benjamin scoffed dismissively. "So what?"
Isabella shrugged nonchalantly—she knew his capabilities.
She deftly changed the subject. "I just reviewed the project proposal. There were no issues."
"Mhm," murmured Benjamin, gazing out the window. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting his expression into shadowy ambiguity, making it unreadable to others.
"Uncle Harold suggested that if we secure this project, we could take the opportunity to announce our engagement," Isabella mentioned with a tone of added respect when speaking of Harold.
She turned to see Benjamin's tie askew. Then, she scooted next to him and reached out to adjust it, her arm draping naturally over his shoulder in the process.
Her eyes sparkled with unmistakable admiration, failing to hide the depths of her esteem.
"I think the timing is perfect, don't you?"
The driver in the front had inadvertently caught a glimpse of this scene in the rearview mirror. With a discreet glance away, he promptly raised the partition between the front and back seats.
Benjamin looked down, a flicker of unusual light crossing his deep-set eyes.
He didn't like this kind of closeness.
It was a visceral rejection, almost like an instinctive response of his being.
Benjamin's brow furrowed slightly as he gently pulled her hand away, speaking indifferently, "Let's focus on the project for now. We can talk about this after it's over."
Isabella's expression remained unchanged as she sat upright with a light chuckle. "Sure."
...
Sarah had just opened her eyes in the CEO's lounge of Valencia Inc..
She looked around in a daze before her gaze settled on the jacket in her hands, staring blankly at it for a while before sitting up.
She had been working late into the night and decided to make do with a rest there.
For Sarah now, sleep was a challenge. She had spent many nights at the office, always clutching onto that jacket.
It was Antonio's favorite.
But whether it was due to the passage of time, the scent on it had faded almost imperceptibly. Sarah wondered how much longer it could soothe her fragile nerves.
Still, it was better than nothing. At least by its scent, Sarah could dream of him, reminiscing about the times they had shared in that very office.
Back then...
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