After the meeting was done, I went to search for Edwin. I spotted him sitting at a table. Just then, I saw two people enter the restaurant.
"Why are you both here?" I asked, frowning.
Edwin asked the exact same question at the same time. He knows David Rutherford? I thought. How? I'll ask him later.
"Hi, Edwin." Austin said.
"Hi, Austin," Edwin replied, deliberately ignoring the man beside him. I ignored them both as well, simply glaring.
"So, you came here to dine too?" Austin asked casually.
"No. We were just visiting and about to leave," I said.
"Come on," David interrupted with a smug tone. "This is a high-end restaurant, and you're saying you just casually visited? Even I couldn't get a reservation so easily."
"Why did you come here, Mr. Parker?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
David smirked. "Well, I came here to dine with the person beside me. He requested it. But actually, we came to meet the CEO for a possible collaboration."
"Oh?" I tilted my head. "And how do you two know each other, Mr. Parker?"
"He's my friend," Austin explained. "He runs a great company, actually. I'd suggest you collaborate with him. You know, your XZ company would succeed far more if you worked with his."
I let out a short, sharp laugh. "Not needed, Mr. Parker. In fact, I'll give you a suggestion instead—don't trust the man sitting next to you. As for why… that's a long story."
I caught Edwin and David glaring at each other intensely.
"You can't judge me based on one situation, Everett," David said coldly.
"I can, if I want to," I replied, my voice low and steady.
"Then why don't you want to collaborate with me?" he pressed.
"What's your company?" I asked.
"The D&R Company," he said proudly.
"So that company is yours?" I asked with a smirk.
"See? Even you know about it!" David puffed up with pride.
"Yes," I said, my tone cutting like a blade. "I know it… for its loopholes."
David froze, speechless.
"If you wanted to meet the CEO of this restaurant—you already have. So, you can dine here without paying. It will be on the house," I said firmly. "And as for the collaboration? No. I reject your offer."
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Edwin's satisfied smile, and even Austin's eyes gleamed with pride, though I didn't understand why.
"Excuse me, could you come here once?" I called to the manager.
"Yes, ma'am. Anything you need?"
"Show them to the VIP room. The bill will be on the hotel."
"Yes, ma'am."
I turned back to David. "Now you can enjoy your lunch. As for us—we'll be leaving." I gave him one last smirk.
"Bye, Mr. Parker. Think about the suggestion I gave you."
Then I took Edwin's hand, and together we walked out of the restaurant.
"How did you know him?" I asked.
"How did you know him?" Edwin asked at the same time.
We both stopped, looked at each other, and burst out laughing at the thought of sharing the same brain cells.