Chapter 53
Tom watched me take that drink for William without batting an eye and let out a scoff.
"Mrs. Smith, still such a good drinker. Must've practiced with Mr. Smith back in the day, huh?"
"I've never understood it - my niece Sarah, highly educated, capable, good-looking too - why couldn't she get into your Star Tech? But seeing Mrs. Smith today, I finally get it. Turns out Star Tech doesn't hire based on ability, but on who can drink with clients! Haha!"
His words were extremely offensive.
William's face instantly darkened. "Mr. Wilson, watch your words. Grace is a technical partner we hired at Star Tech with a high salary. Her abilities speak for themselves and are not for you to slander. Business is business, but personal attacks cross the line."
Tom seemed surprised that William would confront him directly over me, and a flash of embarrassment crossed his face. "Mr. Jones, don't be upset, don't be upset. I've had too much to drink, talking nonsense."
I shook my head slightly at William.
No need to burn bridges with Tom at a time like this. The project was what mattered most.
Getting into a war of words and affecting business wasn't worth it.
William caught my signal, suppressed his anger, and didn't pursue it further, though his expression remained sour.
For the rest of the dinner, Tom's people finally toned it down and stopped forcing drinks on us.
William also said to me quietly, "Grace, if you're not feeling well, go get some air. I can handle things here."
I really wasn't feeling well.
That glass of red wine had gone down too fast, and my stomach was churning with a burning sensation. My old condition seemed to be flaring up.
I nodded and excused myself to go to the restroom, getting up to leave the private room.
As soon as I walked out the door, I pulled out my stomach medicine and swallowed it with warm water.
The cool liquid mixed with the pill slid down my throat, temporarily suppressing that burning feeling.
William had high hopes for the Star Trails project. If he could successfully open up Tom's supply chain, other potential partners who were watching would follow suit.
He wanted to make Star Tech's reputation solid and become one of the Aviation Administration's core partners.
Aerospace projects burned through money like water, especially during R&D and testing phases. They needed continuous capital injection and stable supply chain support.
When William left his position within the Aviation Administration to strike out on his own, besides his ideals, he also carried the pressure of proving himself and achieving his ambitions.
In the restroom, I splashed cold water on my face and touched up my makeup to look more alert.
After composing myself, I had just pushed the door open to leave when I heard a familiar voice.
"George, over here."
It was Sarah.
I stopped in my tracks, instinctively looking toward the voice.
In the lounge area not far away, George, Sarah, and the two brothers, Terry and Glenn, were standing together talking.
Of course, I'd run into them everywhere.
The cramping in my stomach seemed to get worse. I looked away, just wanting to get back to the private room quickly, out of sight, out of mind.
I had just lifted my foot when I heard Terry's casual teasing voice.
"Sarah, you're just too stubborn. George personally drafted a contract for you, inviting you to join the Smith Group headquarters with a senior consultant title - easy work, prestigious, and good pay. Why are you so set on staying at that small company? And your uncle could look after you at Summit Technology too, couldn't he?"
Sarah laughed and said, "Terry, I don't want people saying I'm living off George. Besides, George already transferred the shares of that tech company to me. Now that the company is under my name too."
"I just want to rely on my own abilities to slowly build it up and make it bigger and stronger. Isn't that good too?"
He transferred that small company to Sarah?
My heart clenched sharply, like being pricked by a fine needle.
In my past life, I had carefully suggested to George that I wanted even a tiny stake in that promising small tech company under his name - even just five percent would be my own career and security.
But George didn't even look up at the time, just replied, "You don't understand business, don't meddle."
And that was the end of it.
But now, he had easily transferred an entire company to Sarah.
Was it because she understood business?
Or was it because she was the one he loved, so everything was worth it?
Such generosity was heartbreaking.
Terry also seemed a bit surprised, pausing before saying, "Oh? He transferred it to you? Well, congratulations, Sarah! You'll be Ms. Wilson from now on!"
"Thank you." Sarah smiled in response.
Just then, Sarah seemed to stumble, her body swaying slightly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught George, who had been expressionless, suddenly change his face.
Almost reflexively, he quickly reached out and steadied Sarah's arm, his movement startlingly fast.
He looked down at Sarah, his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes showing clear concern and... tenderness?
"Be careful." I heard him say to Sarah in a low voice, his tone carrying a care I had never received.
"Mm, I know." Sarah steadied herself and looked up at him with a sweet smile, showing the shyness of being cherished.
So George did have other emotions.
He could be nervous and anxious, and give gentle reminders.
It's just that these emotions were never for me.
In my past life, how many times had I deliberately pretended to be careless, or really did trip and fall due to being distracted, hoping he would just look at me, even just ask if I was okay?
But he was always indifferent, and sometimes would even show impatience at my clumsiness.
Every time, the one who was hurt and heartbroken was only me.
I pulled my lips into a self-mocking smile, looked away from that painful scene, and walked quickly toward the private room.
Just as I reached the door, it opened from inside.
William was about to come out and was startled to see me. "I was just coming to find you. Feeling better?"
"Yeah, much better. Done eating?" I asked.
"Yeah, pretty much. I'm going to settle the bill, wait for me." William said, then looked at my face with concern. "Does your stomach still hurt? You're still a bit pale. How about... I'll take you to the hospital?"
I quickly shook my head. "Really, I'm fine. I just took medicine, and I'm much better. Besides, blocking drinks for you was my own decision. Don't feel guilty about it. I couldn't just watch the boss get drunk, and the project fall apart, right?"
Only after confirming my mental state was okay did William nod. "Alright, but don't do that again next time. My alcohol tolerance can actually handle it - no need for you to suffer like this."
I felt warmth in my heart and smiled. "Got it, Mr. Jones."
William went to settle the bill while I stood at the private room door waiting for him.
Perhaps the scene I'd just witnessed had left me a bit distracted, or maybe it was the slight drowsiness from the stomach medicine kicking in - I wasn't paying attention to my feet.
This restaurant had fancy decor with slight elevation changes and decorative indentations in the floor.
I stepped into an empty space and immediately lost my balance, falling forward!
I let out a small cry.
The expected pain didn't come. A solid arm reached out from the side just in time, firmly wrapping around my waist and pulling me into a warm, broad embrace.