Chapter 186
Curtis cocked an eyebrow, a wry grin playing on his lips, “Devin’s words? Sounds like he’s asking for trouble.”
Lisa’s face soured, “No, no, it wasn’t him. Who knows who started that rumor.”
Leanne wasn’t in the mood for schmoozing, and Lisa, hitting a wall with her, turned her charms towards Curtis.
She thought Curtis wasn’t as intimidating as the rumors suggested, finding him quite approachable. And opportunities to rub elbows with the man himself were rare, and she couldn’t let this slip by.
“Mr. Curtis, let’s have a drink together.” Unfazed by the glances from the crowd, she held a bottle of red wine aloft, poised to pour into Curtis’ glass, tilting the bottle just so.
As she bent forward, her low-cut dress offered a generous view, and she made no effort to conceal her curves.
The others exchanged knowing looks, some with disdain, others eagerly awaiting the spectacle, while Leanne quietly savored her apple pie, feigning ignorance of the drama unfolding.
Curtis gestured with two fingers, effectively capping his own glass.
“No alcohol for me tonight.”
A couple of drinks, some small talk, and the timely suggestion to connect on social media, that was the unspoken rule of networking. Lisa, ever the coquette, tried to persuade him, “Did you drive here? You could always call a cab later.”
Curtis’ lips twitched, his gaze brushing past with a chill of indifference. “I flew in, actually. You gonna find me a pilot for the way back?”
across
Silence followed, punctuated by a stifled laugh from the room.
Lisa, publicly snubbed, struggled to save face when a group of gentlemen, hearing of Mr. Curtis’ arrival, came over to pay their respects.
“Hey, Mr. Richardson, what brings you by?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you out for a meal, but it’s been two months and you’re always so busy.”
Curtis didn’t reach for his glass or stand, and he just lounged there, responding with. detached pleasantries.
Someone glanced at Leanne and complimented, “Is this your wife? From a distance, I thought she was a celebrity.”
11:23
Leanne managed a polite nod, too taken aback to respond to the flattery.
But Curtis, who had been aloof, suddenly perked up, picking up the glass to his left to clink. with the gentleman, a look of approval on his face.
“Well, you’ve got good eyesight then, noticing her beauty from that distance.”
Leanne, about to remind him that the glass was hers, closed her mouth upon hearing his words. She didn’t want to admit she knew him.
Joy nibbled on her asparagus, skeptical, “Did he suddenly regain his sight?”
Selina, who understood his words, pondered, “Is this some sort of backhanded compliment? Mocking the flattery while subtly showing disdain for Leanne’s looks?”
The event was small, but with Mr. Curtis’ presence, a steady stream of people came to make conversation.
Their table was even busier than the head table.
Curtis could be capricious with his attention, depending on his mood or how well someone could butter him up.
Midway through the meal, the hosts came by to ensure the cuisine suited Curtis’ taste, even upgrading their table’s wine to match the head table’s.
Curtis made no other requests, save for ordering another serving of oat apple pie.
As the dessert arrived and was about to be placed in front of him, Curtis gave a subtle
nod toward Leanne.
The server, eager to please, set the pie before her and cleared away the empty dishes.
Leanne turned to Curtis, who was nonchalantly loosening his tie, noticing her glance.
Throughout dinner, Curtis had been toasted aplenty, yet his eyes remained clear, his demeanor even more languid.
Meeting her gaze, Curtis paused while loosening his tie, then continued, undoing the top button with a leisurely hand.
His lips curled into a smile, and in a voice meant only for her, he teased, “Leanne, stop looking at me with those captivating eyes of yours. If you get kissed later, you can’t put
that on me.”
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