CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237: HANDSOME AND BAD-TEMPERED

Tanya Sinclair walked out of the private room and headed toward the nearest elevator.

On a terrace extending out from the corner, Vincent Hawthorne was listening to Jonah Rivers on the phone. He casually lit a cigarette and caught a glimpse of a back that looked remarkably like Tanya entering the elevator.

The sight shocked him, and his hand trembled slightly, causing ashes to fall on the back of his hand, a faint stinging sensation.

He ignored it and took two steps forward, but the elevator door had already closed.

Vincent pressed his cigarette-holding hand to his eyes.

He must have been seeing things. How could Tanya be here...

"Vincent." Cindy Lynn approached at that moment. "Are you still on the call? Dad needs to talk to you."

"I’m done, let’s go."

Cindy naturally slipped her arm through his, and Vincent didn’t refuse. Given their current relationship, such displays of affection were normal and didn’t need to be hidden from anyone.

Cindy discreetly glanced back in the elevator’s direction, her gaze cold.

She had obviously seen Tanya, walking away with a bag, most likely reprimanded by Old Master Truman! Cindy’s lips curled slightly. That conceited woman thought she could rise above her just because Julian Poole made her the team leader of Group A?

As long as she pleased Old Master Truman, she could still become a core member of the project. And when Tanya had her "incident," Cindy might just become the leader herself!

...

Tanya Sinclair had just stepped out of the elevator when she saw two female servers at the entrance gazing in one direction, their eyes sparkling.

"Oh my God, he’s so handsome! Is he a celebrity or an idol?"

"Here he comes! Oh, I’m going to faint. He’s so handsome, I’d pick trash to support him!"

They whispered excitedly, trying hard to contain themselves.

Tanya overheard them clearly and was a bit curious. Could someone be that handsome?

When she reached the entrance, she couldn’t help but glance in their direction, and upon seeing, she felt an urge to escape in embarrassment.

The man so handsome that the girls wanted to pick trash to support him was none other than Declan Pierce!

Today, he was dressed simply in a crisp white shirt and black pants, yet exuded an air of elegance.

Tanya immediately realized that the guest the teacher mentioned must be Declan Pierce.

He was carrying a red gift box, which was likely a gift for the teacher’s wife.

Tanya took a silent breath, stepped forward, and politely said, "The private room the teacher booked is on the third floor."

As their eyes met, Declan’s expression didn’t change. He nodded slightly.

They entered the building one after the other and took the elevator to the third floor together.

Initially, riding the elevator alone down seemed cramped enough to Tanya. Now, confined in this small space with Declan, she could feel his intense presence even without turning to look...

Tanya discreetly moved to the side.

A faint chuckle came from the man behind her.

Tanya: "..."

She pretended not to hear it.

The elevator doors soon opened, and she quickly stepped out. Declan reached out to hold the door for her, watching her almost frantic retreating back, his eyes darkening.

He mockingly curled his lips.

Exactly the reaction he anticipated—no response at all.

Tanya’s specialty was acting like nothing happened to maintain peace.

He strolled behind her like a patient hunter, slowly following Tanya into the private room.

"Teacher’s wife, Professor Truman, Professor Carter. I apologize for being late." After greeting the three elders, Declan glanced at the others at the table, giving a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"Not really late; the dishes have just been served. Have a seat," Professor Truman invited him.

Declan first handed his gift to the teacher’s wife.

It was a centuries-old ginseng, priceless and rare.

The teacher’s wife remarked, "Both you and Tanya are so thoughtful."

Professor Carter added, "Old Truman told me, President Pierce, you were once his student. I didn’t believe it! But indeed, it’s true! So, you and Team Leader Sinclair have been acquainted for some time, right? The Veridia Project, with President Pierce as the major investor, suggests you’ll be interacting frequently in the future!"

The Veridia Project, and Declan Pierce is an investor?!

Tanya choked on her water.

Sitting beside her, Celine Nash patted her back while Cameron Wenworth refilled her glass and pushed it in front of her.

"Why drink so fast?" Cameron whispered.

He was seven years older than Tanya and used to take care of her in school as an elder brother might. His tone was affectionate and familiar, as he effortlessly expressed his concern.

But after saying this, Cameron Wenworth inexplicably felt a chill.

He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, and when he looked up, Julian Poole’s gaze happened to meet his from across the room. Cameron put on a polite smile.

Cameron’s only impression of Julian Poole was that he was an excessively handsome university student with a big temper.

Now, Julian had dyed his hair back to black, his demeanor was much more composed, his good looks carried a more aggressive edge, and his presence was palpable. Yet, it was still apparent he had a big temper...

Cameron took a sip from the tea beside him.

Tanya recalled that last time in the basement garage at the base, when Vincent Hawthorne was pestering her, Julian suddenly appeared...in conjunction with Professor Carter saying there was an important guest that day, it must have been Julian.

Tanya hadn’t expected Julian to become an investor in The Veridia Project...

But considering the sheer scale of The Veridia Project, it’s a considerable expense for the national treasury, enlisting consortium support is certainly optimal.

And The Pierce Consortium is undoubtedly the one with such strength.

Thinking this way, it does make sense.

Tanya lowered her gaze.

She just thought that she wouldn’t have much interaction with Julian in the future...

"Tanya, since you know Julian, why don’t you come over and have a chat with him?" Professor Carter suggested.

Tanya waved her hand anxiously, trying to refuse, but Julian spoke first.

"Professor Carter, in the coming days, I won’t be spending much time domestically, my assistant will be stationed for The Veridia Project," Julian said flatly, glancing at Tanya, "Team Leader Sinclair doesn’t need frequent interactions with me personally."

There was no excess emotion on his face, as if she was just an inconsequential college acquaintance from years back.

Professor Carter, upon hearing this, simply assumed Julian and Tanya weren’t that familiar and did not pursue the subject further.

Yet Tanya knew clearly that Julian was helping to bail her out again.

She took out her phone and sent Julian a WeChat message: [Thank you.]

Opposite her, Julian glanced at his vibrating phone, didn’t reply, locked the screen, and set it aside, continuing his conversation with Professor Carter as if nothing happened.

Not once from start to finish did he give her a look.

Totally ignoring her presence.

Tanya quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Julian was probably just caught up in a fleeting interest; after her straightforward refusal, he likely wouldn’t engage with her anymore.

Thankfully, Julian wasn’t as troublesome as Julian Poole.

But amidst this relief, there was still a trace of another emotion in her heart, which she couldn’t quite pinpoint or delve into.

Soon the dishes arrived, and Julian and Professor Carter conversed in low voices occasionally, with Professor Truman soon joining in, the three of them deeply engrossed in their discussion.

When they touched upon fields Tanya was proficient in, Professor Truman would cue Tanya, and she would say a few words.

For the most part, Tanya quietly ate.

Professor Truman casually picked a drumstick and placed it on a small plate, sliding it toward Tanya.

Just like during university, where she entered school early, was young, joining the team at just sixteen, and was thin. The professor always worried she wasn’t eating enough and secretly gave her extra helpings.

At the sight of the drumstick before her, a warmth filled Tanya’s heart, prompting her to glance at Old Master Truman.

He was absorbed in peeling shrimp for the professor’s wife.

Tanya smiled faintly, genuinely admiring the enduring love between the professor and his wife.

Retracting her gaze, she coincidentally met Julian’s eyes.

Tanya was slightly taken aback, and Julian, with indifference, moved his gaze away. Professor Carter was already getting enthusiastic, pouring Julian a full glass, coaxing him into drinking.

Julian didn’t refuse, downing one cup at a time.

Tanya: "..."

She remembered Julian had had stomachaches before, and with Professor Carter being eager yet unskilled in drinking, this method might lead both to intoxication soon.

Finishing the drumstick Professor Truman had given her, Tanya wiped her mouth and excused herself to the restroom, then got up and left. She went directly to the server waiting outside.

"Excuse me, could you have the kitchen prepare some sobering soup and bring it up as soon as possible?"

"Certainly, miss."

After instructing the server, Tanya made her way to the restroom.

On her way back, she passed by a private room; suddenly the door opened, and a hand stretched out, pulling her inside.

Tanya was startled, just about to call for help, but was faced with a man in a crisp, clean white shirt, with a cold incense mixed with the scent of alcohol.

—It was Julian.