CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: THE SECRETS OF SUMMER NOLAN AND SUMMIT

The meeting room instantly fell silent again. The two seemed to be competing over who could be more indifferent. Both lowered their gaze, refusing to look at each other. The air was so cold it was suffocating.

Back when they were dating, their cold wars were spent apart, without having to see one another constantly. Now, they were in the middle of yet another cold war.

Summer Nolan thought about Iris Lynn staying with Elias, feeling worried that she’d definitely bully him. Suddenly, she stood up and walked over to him, crossing her arms and calling out to him sternly,

"Give Elias back to me!"

Elias Spencer slowly raised his eyes, picked up the cigarette from the table, lit one, and took a drag. Only after taking a puff did he turn to her, replying indifferently,

"That’s my dog."

"... Name your price then, I’m willing to buy him!" She frowned, her fingertips itching with anger, barely restraining the urge to bite him.

"Sorry, not selling." He indifferently exhaled a cloud of smoke, leaning back in his chair, his long legs crossed, not even bothering to glance at her as he spoke.

"Elias Spencer!" Summer Nolan looked at this man impervious to reason, so furious her chest ached.

Elias Spencer turned his head, offering a gaze that seemed to say ’do you have anything else?’—

Alright, negotiating with him was a lost cause. She’d have to think of a way to steal the dog. Elias was still recovering and wouldn’t be going out. Once he was healed, surely he’d go out.

Summer Nolan coldly glanced at him, saying nothing more, and turned back to her seat.

In the evening, at The Peninsula Hotel.

Summer Nolan arrived at the party in a black strapless evening gown that accentuated her sharp waistline. Her long black straight hair cascaded over her shoulders, paired with ten-centimeter stiletto heels, exuding an unmistakable aura.

Her dazzling appearance and cold, aloof demeanor immediately drew a number of men to approach her. Men tended to favor challenging prey.

They could care less about what’s offered to them.

Summer Nolan exchanged pleasantries with them, scanning the surroundings, her gaze suddenly landing on that familiar man—

Elias Spencer.

He was also socializing with a group of corporate executives.

Assistant Lynn was unexpectedly present as well, dressed in a bespoke white gown, her makeup meticulously applied, standing obediently by his side.

With that woman’s financial means, it was impossible to afford such an expensive dress; it must have been a gift from him, right?

Summer Nolan couldn’t help but smile faintly. He was quite generous to his assistant.

Iris Lynn sensitively glanced around, suddenly spotting Attorney Nolan staring at her with cold, sharp eyes, making her inexplicably nervous.

Probably because of being slapped three times, the mere sight of her made Iris Lynn fearful for no reason, immediately clasping onto Attorney Spencer’s arm.

Wanting to show her, she belonged to Attorney Spencer.

But just what had she done to offend her? Why was she targeting me?

Elias Spencer suddenly felt Iris Lynn clinging to his arm, his expression momentarily cold. He was about to shake her off but then turned his head and spotted Summer Nolan, immediately dismissing the thought.

He let his assistant hold onto him.

"..." Seeing them so intimately, Summer Nolan withdrew her gaze, turned her back, and resumed her conversation with the group of executives. Several more people entered through the entrance, led by a tall, slightly plump middle-aged man with carefully combed-back short hair and shrewd eyes.

This was Summit’s Chairman—Sean Sterling.

Following behind him were Mr. Forest and Director Dawson.

Upon spotting her, Director Dawson immediately raised his hand, nodding and introducing, "Chairman Sterling, that’s Attorney Nolan. She’s quite impressive in the legal field."

With that, he quickly waved to Attorney Nolan, signaling her to come over.

Summer Nolan, holding a glass of red wine, walked gracefully and composedly, observing Chairman Sterling, who kept his hands behind his back with an air of superiority. Her mind couldn’t help but conjure up images of her father sitting on the floor by the couch, facing prison time after losing a lawsuit, burdened with colossal debts, and despair as their group was about to be acquired, head in his hands, crying helplessly.

She clearly remembered that face with its cold, triumphant sneer during the court proceedings.

Her heart slammed heavily within her chest cavity, aching and desolate.

Yet, Summer Nolan maintained an impeccable professional smile, her high heels striking the reflective marble floor, emitting a crisp and isolated echo.

"Chairman Sterling, it’s a pleasure to meet you." She stopped in front of him and extended her hand.

Sean Sterling had seen her in interviews before, but viewing her in person, her appearance felt curiously familiar? He had an inexplicable sense of foreboding—

"Chairman Sterling?" Mr. Forest noticed his distraction, and with a piling on of smiles called out to him.

The middle-aged man snapped back, displaying the usual merchant’s pleasant facade, which essentially masked evaluative scrutiny, extending his hand and offering pleasant pleasantries:

"I didn’t expect Attorney Nolan to be so young and beautiful. It’s really impressive."

"Chairman Sterling flatters me. It’s my honor to serve Summit." Summer Nolan replied with a calm voice devoid of any ripple.

She was about to retract her hand, when her gaze caught on the large antique jade ring on his thumb, causing her expression to falter slightly.

It was a gift her mother had bought for her father at an auction, commemorating their anniversary.

How on earth did it end up in this man’s possession?!!

Summer Nolan quickly averted her gaze, diligently restraining her emotions, pulling back her hand.

"Attorney Nolan seemed to be looking at this ring just now?" Sean Sterling asked with curiosity.

"I just thought it seemed quite valuable." She perfunctorily remarked; it was, in fact, a Qing dynasty royal artifact.

"Its worth is secondary, really. I don’t have grand hobbies, just fondness for collecting historical artifacts." He chuckled.

"By the way, Attorney Nolan, you’re a local, right? What do your parents do?" He further inquired, probing.

Was he suspicious of me? He had seen me ten years ago.

"I am indeed local, but my parents are merely ordinary folks, nothing noteworthy."

Right after she spoke, Elias Spencer approached, Sean Sterling immediately shifted from his former authoritative stance, greeting him with a face full of smiles:

"Attorney Spencer, I’m glad you could join us tonight. How’s your father’s health lately?"

"Very robust." Elias Spencer kept his hand in his pocket, maintaining his aloof demeanor, offering no flattery to Chairman Sterling.

Summer Nolan couldn’t help but be surprised as she watched this Sterling man. Was he currying favor with Elias Spencer? Who was this man’s father?

"That’s good to hear, unlike myself, not in the peak health of younger years." Sean Sterling bantered with a smile, then asked them:

"By the way, are the reviews proceeding smoothly for both of you? When will the reviews on my end conclude?"

"Within a month." Elias Spencer replied.

"Then I appreciate your effort, both of you. The success of this acquisition hinges on your operation. Should you need anything, reach out to Mr. Forest."

Sean Sterling maintained a friendly outward demeanor, taking a glass of red wine from the server’s tray, raising a toast with the group, leaving Iris Lynn awkwardly standing behind.

Neither confident nor qualified to clink glasses with them.

After they finished their wine, Sean Sterling moved on to socialize with other guests, leaving Summer Nolan, Elias Spencer, and Iris Lynn alone. The two exchanged a glance but said nothing.

"Assistant Lynn, have you cleaned the toilets lately?" She intentionally asked the white lotus with a hint of provocation.

"I-I have..." Iris Lynn lied nervously, since Attorney Nolan wasn’t monitoring her at the firm, after all, she was Attorney Spencer’s assistant.

"Don’t forget, my assistant is also in the firm. If you dare to lie, you’ll scrub toilets for two more months." Summer Nolan spoke calmly before walking away.

She was only trying to vent on Elias’ behalf, not vying for this man’s attention.