Almond didn't immediately respond to her remarks.
Instead, he calmly took the seat opposite her and signaled for the waiter.
"The dishes," he said simply. "And the menu as well."
He slid the menu toward Jayden once the waiter arrived.
"In case there's anything else you'd prefer."
Jayden glanced at him briefly.
Annoyingly polite.
The waiter soon returned with the preordered dishes, arranging them neatly across the table before leaving them alone once again.
For a while, silence settled between them.
Not comfortable.
Not hostile either.
Just… careful.
Almond observed her quietly as she ate. She carried herself with restraint, every movement composed, as though she refused to reveal more than necessary.
Interesting.
Once dinner was nearly over, Almond set down his glass and finally spoke.
"You seem to have already formed an opinion about me, Miss Cole."
Jayden looked up.
"Can you blame me?"
"Not entirely," he admitted calmly. "But I find it interesting that you dislike me before properly knowing me."
"That's a bold assumption."
"Is it?" Almond leaned back slightly. "From the moment I arrived, you've been trying to convince both of us this meeting is pointless."
Jayden didn't deny it.
That alone answered enough.
Almond continued smoothly,
"I think what you truly dislike isn't me specifically." His gaze remained steady on hers. "It's the arrangement itself."
For a moment, Jayden said nothing.
Because frustratingly enough,
He wasn't wrong.
Before she could reply, Almond spoke again.
"Despite what you said earlier, I still think introductions matter."
He folded his hands loosely.
"My name is Almond Jones. I'm thirty-three years old, founder and CEO of Jones International Enterprise."
Jayden's expression remained calm, though her attention sharpened slightly.
"I spent most of my adult life abroad expanding the company before opening operations here. Work has occupied most of my life for years now."
His voice remained even, but quieter this time.
"I lost my parents when I was young. My grandfather raised me afterward."
Something flickered briefly in his eyes at the mention of it, but it disappeared almost instantly.
"He's the reason this arrangement exists," Almond admitted. "And whether I fully agree with his methods or not… I respect him enough to take this seriously."
Jayden listened silently.
No arrogance.
No exaggerated charm.
Just honesty.
"I'm aware this situation makes you uncomfortable," he continued. "Truthfully, it isn't exactly ideal for me either. But I believe two adults should at least try to understand each other before making conclusions."
A faint pause.
"Which is why I'm here."
Jayden studied him carefully now.
This wasn't the cold, controlling man she had imagined.
That somehow made him more difficult to deal with.
Almond picked up his napkin, wiping his hands neatly before offering her a small, controlled smile.
"So," he said calmly, "have I managed to improve your first impression of me even slightly?"