Not long after, the restaurant waiter brought all the dishes.
"Enjoy your meal," the waiter said before leaving the private room.
Old Walsh noticed and said, "Since the dishes are here, let's eat."
Hearing this, Deanna and Old Hughes didn't stand on ceremony and started eating with their cutlery.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the private room was quite pleasant.
Old Walsh and Old Hughes chatted with each other. Hassan also found topics to chat with Deanna. Only Leticia sat on the side, seemingly forgotten by everyone.
Leticia watched the harmonious scene before her, a trace of hatred flickering deep in her eyes. However, she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she smiled and raised her wine glass towards Deanna. "Deanna, I toast to you. I hope we can put aside our past grievances and become friends."
Hearing this, Deanna frowned and looked at Leticia inquisitively. Her intuition told her that something was off. Moreover, she couldn't believe that this woman would change for the better.
Seeing Deanna's silence, Leticia continued. "Deanna, don't you want to be friends with me?" She looked over with a face full of grievance and then hypocritically said, "I know I went too far before, but I've truly changed now. I want to get along well with you. Can't you give me a chance?"
Deanna felt a wave of disgust upon hearing this. However, with the two old men present, she couldn't directly refuse. She reluctantly pulled her lips into a cold smile and said, "I'll drink this glass of wine, but as for everything else, I prefer to let things take their natural course."
In other words, she didn't want to become friends with Leticia. But Leticia acted as if she didn't hear it. She watched Deanna drink the wine and immediately showed a joyful smile. "Since Deanna drank this glass of wine, we are friends now."
After saying that, she moved her chair closer to Deanna and clung to her arm with a coquettish smile. "Deanna, I've heard there are many fun places in Cloudmere. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to explore them. Do you have time to go with me?"
Deanna felt extremely uncomfortable with the woman so close to her. She forcefully pulled her hand out of Leticia's arm and moved two steps away, politely declining, "Thank you for the invitation, Miss Walsh, but I might not have much time."
"Deanna, are you really that busy?" Leticia looked at her in disbelief.
Deanna nodded. "Very busy. I have to handle medicinal herbs, take care of the herb fields, see patients if there are any, and also look after the elderly at home. If you want to have fun, you'd better find someone else."
Hearing this, Leticia felt it was just an excuse for Deanna to reject her. But before she could say anything else, Old Hughes spoke up.
"Leticia, if you want to have fun, let your cousin take you. Since Anna said she doesn't have time, don't bother her."
"Understood," Leticia replied disappointedly.
In fact, she had a purpose in inviting Deanna to have fun. She hadn't given up on Lance yet. After everything that happened before, she swore to snatch Lance from Deanna's hands or at least make sure Deanna couldn't be with him.
Why should she be hated by everyone while Deanna could end up happily with Lance? She was unwilling to accept that. However, she understood that she couldn't openly inquire about Lance now, so she thought of getting close to Deanna instead.
But it seemed that Deanna was highly guarded against her. It was impossible to get information about Lance from Deanna. No matter; she could investigate on her own.
Seeing Leticia settle down, Deanna breathed a sigh of relief.
Later, after finishing the meal, Old Walsh wanted to continue the gathering. But Deanna didn't want to stay any longer and politely declined, "I'm sorry, Old Walsh, but I need to go back. There are still many things waiting for me at home."
Hearing this, Old Walsh felt regretful but didn't insist. "Alright then, I'll have Hassan take you back."
"No need for Mr. Hassan; someone is coming to pick me up," Deanna declined again.
Old Walsh smiled upon hearing this. "It's Mr. Mercer, isn't it?"
"Yes, he's already outside," Deanna nodded with a smile.
Seeing this, Old Walsh didn't say anything further. "In that case, let's go out together. I can greet Mr. Mercer."
He then signaled Hassan to help him up.
A moment later, they walked out of the restaurant and saw Lance standing straight in a black suit by the street.
"Lance," Deanna called out as she jogged over.
Seeing her, Lance's stern features softened immediately. He took her hand gently and asked warmly, "Are you full?"
"Yes, did you eat?" Deanna asked with concern.
Lance nodded. "Yes, Xavier ordered takeout."
While they were talking, Old Walsh and Old Hughes also approached.
Old Walsh greeted first, "Mr. Mercer, long time no see."
Hassan nodded in acknowledgment and called out respectfully, "Mr. Mercer."