Evelyn Thorne clutched her phone, standing on the dock, braving the sea breeze for over half an hour.
Her fingertips were numb with cold.
Finally, she saw a luxurious white yacht slice through the water, slowly approaching the berth.
Her eyes instantly brightened up, and before the yacht had co to a full stop, she rushed over in her high heels.
On the yacht deck.
Nathaniel Gallagher was lowering his head, helping the woman next to him straighten her wind-blown scarf, his fingers moving gently, his expression carrying a softness Evelyn had never seen before.
The woman turned around.
Only then did Evelyn see clearly. It was Chloe Sullivan, the daughter of the Chairman of the Valerius Ward Business Association, whom she had t once at the socialite gathering last ti.
Across the distance of the sea.
"Nathaniel Gallagher!" Evelyn called out his na in anger, with a sharpness she had tried to suppress but couldn’t.
Nathaniel looked over at the sound, the softness on his face instantly fading, his tone surprised, "Miss Thornton, what are you doing here?"
"Why can’t I be here?" Evelyn puffed out her cheeks as she walked toward the shore.
Just as the yacht docked.
She quickly stepped onto the deck, her gaze fixed intensely on Chloe, as if she wanted to pierce through her, "Miss Sullivan, you’re quite capable, getting President Gallagher to cancel on and take you out to sea instead."
Chloe frowned, just about to explain when Nathaniel raised a hand to block her behind him.
He took two steps forward, maintaining half a ter distance from Evelyn, his tone devoid of any warmth, "Please don’t misunderstand. Miss Sullivan and I are here to discuss the compliance docunts for the offshore photovoltaic project. We’ve been coordinating work the entire ti, none of what you’re thinking happened."
"Is talking about work really this intimate?" Evelyn pointed to the hand Nathaniel had just used to help Chloe with her scarf, her eyes red with anger.
Even though Nathaniel had never promised her anything.
But he was so adept at flirting, just giving her a hint of ambiguity.
She had already imagined forcing him to ditch Eleanor Churchill, that old woman, and marrying her instead.
After all, she had the background, the looks, and she could also assist him in his career.
If she wanted to marry him, there was no reason for him to refuse.
"Hmph, the last ti in the hotel, you said you’d stay with , and then you turned off your phone to avoid . Now you’re with another woman, Nathaniel Gallagher, do you find it amusing to toy with ?"
"...I wasn’t avoiding you." Nathaniel pulled out his phone from his pocket, the screen lit up, showing a ssage about motherboard fault under maintenance.
"A few days ago, my phone got water damage and broke. When I sent it for repair, I didn’t have the chance to tell you, but my assistant should have ntioned it to you."
Nathaniel, unfazed, let his gaze fall on Evelyn’s reddened eyes, his tone softening slightly, "As for today, this project needs to be submitted for approval the day after tomorrow. Miss Sullivan has crucial docunts that need face-to-face verification, not what you think, eting other won."
Chloe tily added, "Miss Thornton, President Gallagher and I only have a business relationship. After discussing the docunts today, I’m heading back to Caldwen. If you don’t believe , I can show you the docunts we were coordinating on just now."
Evelyn looked at the repair slip in Nathaniel’s hand, then at the copies of docunts Chloe handed over.
The fire in her heart instantly subsided considerably, but there was still a trace of reluctance, "Then why didn’t you tell earlier? Do you know how worried I was not being able to reach you these past few days?"
Nathaniel was silent for two seconds, reaching out to brush away the stray hair blown onto her shoulder by the sea breeze, his actions uncharacteristically soft, "I didn’t think it through. I’ll call you as soon as the phone is repaired; the signal was bad on the sea just now, so I didn’t have ti."
He turned slightly, gesturing toward the yacht cabin, "It’s windy outside, let’s go in first. I’ll have the crew prepare so hot drinks."
Looking at the seriousness in his eyes, the grievances and jealousy Evelyn felt began to slowly dissipate, yet she still stubbornly huffed, "Then I’ll trust you one more ti. Next ti if you dare vanish, I won’t be so forgiving."
Nathaniel curled the corners of his lips, not arguing, simply gesturing for her to go into the cabin first.
"President Gallagher, I’ll take my leave now."
"Alright, I’ll have the driver take you."
"Okay."
Shortly after.
Nathaniel arranged for a driver and secretary to escort Chloe off the yacht.
After Chloe’s car left the dock.
Nathaniel turned back and entered the yacht cabin.
Evelyn was sitting on the sofa, rubbing the edge of the hot drink cup. When she saw him enter, there was still a hint of grievance in her eyes, but she was no longer as aggressive as before.
Nathaniel sat across from her, casually loosening his tie, "Earlier on the deck, I didn’t pay attention, leading to your misunderstanding."
Evelyn tightened her grip on the cup, her tone carrying a hint of softness that was hard to detect, "I’m not being unreasonable, it’s just...you suddenly disappeared, and then you were with Miss Sullivan, it’s hard for not to overthink."
"After all, Miss Sullivan’s status is different, everyone in Caldwen knows the Chairman is looking for a capable son-in-law to support the family."
Hearing the jealousy in her words, a trace of complexity flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes, but he didn’t point it out, instead responding, "Miss Sullivan is just a representative of the project partner, coordinating work only, none of what you think. My cooperation with her father is strictly business."
"Then you can’t do this again in the future." Evelyn leaned in closer, her tone carrying a slight pout.
"When the phone breaks, let your assistant inform imdiately. Even if you’re busy, send a ssage to let know you’re safe. I’m not soone who will cause unreasonable trouble, I won’t disturb your work, but I need to know you’re okay."
Seeing the expectation in her eyes, Nathaniel’s Adam’s apple moved, and he finally nodded, "Alright, I won’t let you worry again."
He reached out to push the plate of pastries on the table closer, "Try this, I just had the kitchen make almond pastries, you said you liked them last ti."
Hearing this, Evelyn picked up a piece and took a bite.
The sweet fragrance spread in her mouth, finally dispelling the little bit of awkwardness in her heart completely.
She looked up at Nathaniel and smiled, "Thanks for being considerate. Oh, right, you ntioned the project needs to be submitted for approval the day after tomorrow, do you want to ask my dad to put in a word for you? He’s quite familiar with people in the approval departnt."
A hint of warmth flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes, but he shook his head, "No need, it’s fine to follow the normal procedure. I appreciate your thought, but I can handle it myself; I don’t want you to worry about it."
He paused, then added, "Once the project is finalized, I’ll take you to the French restaurant you ntioned last ti."
Evelyn Thorne’s eyes lit up, and the earlier displeasure completely vanished: "Really? I’ll be waiting then."
Nathaniel Gallagher stood up and walked to the wine cabinet, pouring two glasses of Burgundy wine, his fingers still holding onto the warmth of the bottle as he turned around.
He handed one of the glasses to Evelyn Thorne, the droplets on the glass sliding down through his fingers, "Have a little wine to warm up; you were exposed to the wind at the pier for quite a while."
Evelyn Thorne reached out to take it, her fingertip touching his thumb’s pad, the warmth softening her heart.
She gently swirled the wine glass, the crimson liquid forming faint marks on the glass wall, "Actually, I was a bit impulsive just now, shouldn’t have lashed out at you without understanding the situation."
Nathaniel Gallagher leaned against the opposite bar, sipped the wine, and when his gaze fell on her face, there was a hint of a smile: "It’s alright, I didn’t explain it to you beforehand. The fact that you’re worried ans you care about ."
These words were like sugar, instantly sweetening Evelyn Thorne’s heart.
She lifted her eyes to look at him, a bit smugly in her tone: "Well, of course, if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t bother myself over who you went out to sea with. But speaking of it, about Miss Sullivan... don’t you need to keep an eye out for anything? I’m sowhat acquainted with her, and if there’s any need to coordinate in the project, it’ll be easier for to speak up than you."
Nathaniel Gallagher put down the glass, walked to her side, and raised his hand to ruffle her hair, more affectionately than before: "Really, there’s no need. Just wait for the project to be finalized, and I’ll take you to the French restaurant."
He paused again, his gaze sweeping over the gradually darkening ocean outside the window, and added, "You, on the other hand, don’t keep running out lately; the winds are strong these days, careful not to catch cold."
Evelyn Thorne felt comforted, looking up at him with a smile: "Got it, you’re even more nagging than my mom."
She edged closer, her nose nearly touching his shirt button, "But... when you were helping Miss Sullivan with her scarf just now, your gaze was really gentle; I’ve never seen you look at like that."
Nathaniel Gallagher’s movents paused, then he lowered his head, the smile in his eyes deepening: "That’s work, you always have to be polite to partners. With you, I’d only be even more attentive than that."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gently drawing her into his embrace, "Stop overthinking, okay?"
Evelyn Thorne nestled against his chest, inhaling the faint cedar scent from him, the last bit of uneasiness dissipating.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice softening: "Got it, then you better not make jealous again."
Nathaniel Gallagher lowered his head and lightly touched the crown of her head, his voice carried by the sea breeze, gentle like a promise: "Alright, I won’t make you jealous."
Having comforted her.
Nathaniel Gallagher’s warmth gradually faded from his face, followed by a slight sigh.
He released his hold, turned around, walked back to the bar, picked up the wine bottle, and poured himself another half-glass.
He drank it all in one go.
Evelyn Thorne sensed sothing was off, the smile on her face fading: "What’s wrong? Why did your expression suddenly change?"
Nathaniel Gallagher tilted his head back, finishing the wine in the glass, the rich aroma unable to suppress the irritation in his eyes. He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking in a hoarse voice: "It’s nothing, just that the projects invested in the mainland have all failed."
"All failed? Why?" Evelyn Thorne paused for a mont, quickly walking to his side, "The ones you ntioned earlier about expanding into new energy and new dia projects? Weren’t they almost signed? How did they fail?"
"..." Nathaniel Gallagher clenched the wine glass, not answering, just letting out a worried sigh.
Evelyn Thorne imdiately realized, "Is it Julian Grant behind this again?"
Nathaniel Gallagher gave a deliberately helpless smile, "Besides him, who else could it be?"
"Then... how much was lost this ti?"
"Not much, just a few billion."
"What? Lost that much money?"
Nathaniel Gallagher frowned, "A bit of loss isn’t a big deal, investing always has its ups and downs."
"But, I’m worried he’ll keep coming after . He probably won’t rest until he drives into bankruptcy."
The wine glass in Evelyn Thorne’s hand clanged against the coffee table. A few drops splattered onto the carpet, her face suddenly turning pale: "Bankruptcy? Julian Grant is way too ruthless! Just because of Josephine Thompson, does he have to go to such extres?"
Nathaniel Gallagher lowered his eyes, his tone full of helplessness: "He just hates that I once took Josephine Thompson away, now he’s determined to cut off my path. The mainland market was my last hope, now it’s all ruined by him, and several partners here in Caldwen are starting to waver, if this continues..."
He didn’t finish but let out a heavy sigh, the exhaustion in his eyes almost overflowing.
Evelyn Thorne urgently grabbed his arm, her voice trembling: "What should we do? We can’t just let him bully us! My dad still has so connections in Caldwen, how about I call him now to help think of a solution? If nothing else works, we can ask the business association to diate!"
Nathaniel Gallagher clasped her hand in return, his fingertips cold: "It’s no use. The Grant Family is thriving now, he holds a lot of resources, your dad’s connections might not be enough to suppress him."
"As for the business association... Chairman Sullivan is old acquaintances with Julian Grant’s father, even if they step in, it’ll just be muddling the waters."
He paused, his tone even heavier, "What I’m most worried about now is him moving onto projects in Caldwen next. If we can’t even secure these, then we’ll really be finished."
Evelyn Thorne looked at the gloom in his eyes, feeling both anxious and angry, suddenly recalling sothing, her eyes brightened: "Right! Josephine Thompson! Isn’t Julian Grant most concerned about her? If she could persuade him, maybe he’d back off!"
Nathaniel Gallagher just shook his head with a bitter smile: "You think I haven’t tried? A few days ago, I had my assistant contact Josephine Thompson, but she either wouldn’t pick up the calls or directly blocked them, not giving any chance to speak."
"Besides, even if we get through. That heartless, callous woman wouldn’t be willing to help ."
"She’d probably be even happier if I were dead."
Evelyn Thorne bit her lip, her fingers clenching into a fist: "If she won’t help you, I will. Losing billions, at this rate, you’ll really go bankrupt! How about... how about I transfer the properties and shares under my na to you, at least that can help with the turnover!"
Nathaniel Gallagher suddenly lifted his head, his eyes showing so shock, then he shook his head forcefully: "No way! Those are yours, how could I take them? Even if it ca to that, I wouldn’t touch your assets."
He raised his hand to ruffle her hair, his tone softened, "Don’t worry, I’ll think of a solution. If worse cos to worst, we’ll just have to give up Audenburg and Caldwen and start over abroad."
Evelyn Thorne’s nose tingled, tears almost falling: "It’s not that easy abroad! You’ve worked hard in Audenburg for so many years, how can you just give up?"
Nathaniel Gallagher shrugged, "Ha, no choice."
Evelyn Thorne bit her lip, hesitating for a long while, couldn’t help but ask, "Didn’t you ask to install a listening device in my dad’s office? I’ve set it up, did it not help you at all?"
Nathaniel Gallagher listened, deliberately looking at her with a face full of emotion, "For you to help like this, I’m really touched."
"Unfortunately, nothing useful or crucial ca out of it. My main interest was to understand Julian Grant’s father’s moods and sentints. But these days, there’s been no ntion of Mr. Ford at all."
Evelyn Thorne rolled her eyes with frustration and said, "...Then what do you suggest we do?"
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