CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 191: TANYA SINCLAIR, CAN I EAT YOU?

The man’s palm was broad and strong, steadily supporting her arm. Though the two wine glasses in his hand only swayed slightly, the ripples settled without spilling a drop.

Tanya Sinclair was about to step back when Declan Pierce released her first, stepping back half a step to create some distance.

Between them, the moonlight filled the gap.

Declan looked down at her. His tall figure blocked half of the wall lamp, and his eyes in the darkness seemed dim and inscrutable, with a gaze that always carried a trace of chill.

"What are you doing waiting here?" he asked.

All Tanya could do was confess honestly, "You signed me in. On an occasion like this, I should have come earlier to toast you, President Pierce."

Such formal and polite words—it was obvious that they weren’t something Tanya could have come up with herself...

Declan lifted his gaze, looking through the half-open door and immediately locking onto the vice president beside his empty seat.

The one who taught her these things...

"President Pierce, may I..." Tanya began.

Declan interrupted her with no expression on his face, "Go inside."

The wine glass Tanya was about to offer halted mid-air, and she withdrew it.

She could sense that Declan was probably not in a good mood.

Wisely, she held the two glasses and walked back.

Anyway, she did attempt to toast, it was Declan who didn’t drink, so she couldn’t be blamed for not understanding workplace etiquette.

Thinking this, Tanya’s steps became much lighter.

Declan casually walked behind Tanya with his hand in the pocket of his suit pants.

Once inside, he suddenly spoke up in front of everyone, calling out, "Team Leader Sinclair."

The executives were already keeping an eye on Declan’s movements, and as he entered, the table was ready to rise as he approached his seat.

Now with Declan’s call, all eyes shifted from him to Tanya Sinclair.

The large private room descended into an eerie silence.

Tanya Sinclair, now the center of attention: "..."

Oh hell on earth.

Declan, with long strides, walked up to her under everyone’s gaze and took a glass of wine from her hand.

Tanya: "?"

Puzzled, she raised her eyes to look at him.

Then, the next second, she saw Declan bowing his head in front of her, handing over the wine glass with its rim lowered beneath hers.

Tanya’s eyes shot open wide.

The room was deathly silent, and there was the sound of chopsticks dropping to the floor in fright.

Declan barely lifted his lips. His usual lazy tone now had an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Team Leader Sinclair has led the entire project team at a remarkable pace, and for that, I toast you."

He did not need to raise his voice. At Declan’s level, everyone quieted down to listen when he spoke.

"..." Tanya stood there stunned, watching Declan drink it all at once, turning the porcelain cup upside down, not a drop left.

It wasn’t for her, but for everyone present to see.

This was the woman Declan Pierce voluntarily lowered his head to toast, so from now on, no one could ever make her toast to them!

This was how he elevated her.

But why?

"..."

Tanya felt a tremor in her chest, a ripple stirring in the depths of her usually calm eyes.

Declan walked back to the main table as if nothing had happened.

As he brushed past her, the stiff suit fabric gently pressed against the hem of her dress, and she could smell the cold, deep scent on him.

Tanya composed herself and returned to her seat.

Once Declan sat down, the whole private room seemed to come back to life, as if nothing had happened, but Tanya could feel occasional glances sizing her up.

Some colleagues, who usually got along well with her, teased, fueled by alcohol, "Team Leader Sinclair, you have quite the honor. That’s President Pierce—to have him personally toast you!"

Belinda chimed in protectively, "President Pierce values talent. It’s not just him—Ethan Carter, you know, Professor Carter. He’s personally acquainted with Team Leader Sinclair and has long wanted to recruit her."

The name Ethan Carter carried weight everywhere, let alone among this group of highly educated talents in the research center, most of whom idolized Ethan Carter.

With Belinda’s words, the gossip shifted to discussing Professor Carter’s publications and achievements.

Tanya took a couple of bites, couldn’t help but glance back at Declan’s side.

The next second, Belinda gently pushed her head back around.

Tanya: "?"

Belinda motioned with her eyes toward her phone.

Tanya picked up her phone, opened WeChat, and saw a message from Belinda.

Belinda: [Tanya, make sure you don’t fall for President Pierce!!]

She has feelings for Declan Pierce??

What an international joke!

Tanya Sinclair felt a bit helpless. She was about to reply when Belinda, sitting next to her, was furiously tapping on her phone with her thumbs as if it was about to catch fire.

The next message came in quickly.

Belinda: [You can go for any of the single execs in the company, but stay far away from Declan Pierce. Don’t be fooled by his flashy appearance; the Pierce Family is bound to be led by the legitimate heir, Zeke Pierce, in the future! Declan, being an illegitimate child, won’t stay in the limelight for long. The elite circles are treacherous, and the Pierce Family is a deep trench in the ocean, don’t jump into it!]

After reading it, Tanya couldn’t help but smile, a warm feeling rising in her heart.

Belinda wanted her to stay away from Declan, not because she thought Tanya wasn’t good enough for him, but because she was worried about Tanya being unhappy if she got involved with him.

During the years she was married to Vincent Hawthorne, everyone around him would say she was unworthy...

Tanya couldn’t help hugging Belinda and whispered softly in her ear, "Don’t worry, I won’t fall for Declan, and he definitely won’t like me."

Although it’s been seven years and Declan has indeed changed a lot, back then, he disliked her so much he would go out of his way to avoid her.

Tanya sat for a while longer and felt the private room was too stuffy, so she excused herself to go to the restroom and took her phone with her.

She found a quiet terrace with a wooden swing entwined with vines, surrounded by plenty of lush plants and flowers in pots.

Caden messaged her, saying he’s already picked a restaurant he’d like to try tomorrow night. Tanya checked the location, and it wasn’t far from her neighborhood.

She directly called to book a small private room for 4-6 people.

Just as she put down the phone, she looked up, and a person appeared in front of the arched doorway.

Declan had arrived at some point, standing by the Roman column with an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

He had taken off his jacket, revealing a faintly shiny shirt underneath, exuding both elegance and a hint of arrogance in the moonlight. Two buttons at the collar were undone, exposing a graceful neck and a bit of his beautiful collarbone, with an undertone of overwhelming sensuality.

When paired with that strikingly attractive face.

In this situation, Tanya felt she should give a whistle to truly appreciate his good looks.

But she didn’t dare.

"President Pierce." Tanya stood up awkwardly, rubbing her nose a bit awkwardly, "Are you looking for me?"

Declan: "... Just passing by."

He was truly wronged this time, he was just out for some fresh air.

Upon hearing he wasn’t there for her, Tanya visibly relaxed.

"Then I’ll head back first."

Declan lowered his eyes and looked at her evasive demeanor, the temperature in his eyes dropping further.

He extended his hand, his long arm blocking her way.

"Tanya Sinclair..."

Am I going to eat you?

But before he had a chance to voice that question, the slurred voice of a drunken man drifted over clearly from the other side of the corridor.

Tanya remembered there was a restroom over that way.

"Do you know how many years I’ve worked diligently at Westgard Pharmaceuticals? Twenty-five years! And I’ve only climbed to this position, yet I’m forced to kowtow to some snot-nosed kid!"

Tanya: "..."

That’s definitely aimed at Declan.

She cautiously glanced at Declan’s face, which remained cold and expressionless.

Another man chimed in, "Brother Chandler, just endure it. Be glad we haven’t been laid off. We’ve worked relentlessly, but some people are just born with a golden spoon in their mouth!"

Manager Chandler sneered disdainfully, "What makes Declan think he’s born a golden spoon? If it were Zeke Pierce, I could swallow my pride, but everyone knows his background!"

The other man, clearly less drunk, grew tense, "Manager Chandler, some things are better left unsaid!"

Fueled by alcohol, Manager Chandler ignored the advice, full of disdain, "Afraid of what? Declan’s mother was just a streetwalker, not even a high-class escort. It’s said she’d do it for money, and it’s only by some stroke of luck she crossed paths with the Family Head of the Pierce Family..."

Declan’s expression didn’t change much, but his whole aura certainly cooled, his dark eyes radiating an ominous intensity.

However, before he could make a move, a flash of red caught his peripheral vision.

Tanya stealthily picked up a pebble from under a potted plant, crouched to half her height, aimed, and flung it with force!

"Ouch!" Manager Chandler’s scream erupted, "Who is it! Damn, my front tooth!"

The other man, realizing the danger, quickly dragged him away while his curses echoed.

Tanya hid behind the Roman column, her eyes glimmering with a rare mischievousness.

Declan gazed at her, the fury in his blood seemingly soothed by an invisible hand.

Tanya turned to look at him, sympathy and concern in her eyes, comforting him, "Declan, don’t pay them any mind."

Another tender yet tender voice simultaneously echoed in his ear.

’Don’t pay them any mind...’