Chapter 391: Did the Appointment Work Out

Chapter 391: Did the Appointment Work Out

After mid-April, the final auction results for the Orchid Garden plot were posted online. Preston looked at the unfamiliar company name on the webpage that had won the Orchid Garden bid, and the smile on his face deepened.

It seemed Leopold had a huge funding gap.

"Leopold, only when you hit a wall will you realize how tough this world is."

Joshua knocked and walked in, placing a document on the desk. Seeing the auction information on the screen, he looked away.

He had planned to bring this up while getting signatures, but it seemed unnecessary now.

Joshua said, "Mr. Preston Wipere, the Greenridge District project is already under construction. The groundbreaking ceremony is at 9 AM the day after tomorrow."

Using the Greenridge Project groundbreaking and the Orchid Garden auction news to contrast with Leopold's setback gave Joshua immense satisfaction.

"Got it." Preston finished signing the document, then said to Joshua, "Since the groundbreaking is such a good thing, send Leopold an invitation. After all, he was very interested in that plot too. Let him share in the good fortune."

Joshua nodded, "Alright, Mr. Preston Wipere."

Preston added, "And deliver it yourself."

Joshua paused briefly, "Alright, Mr. Preston Wipere."

When Joshua walked into Golden Ember Group with the invitation, the office was quiet and empty. Oscar wasn't at his desk, Liam was resting his chin on his hand casually browsing the web, Erik's office was also empty, and Lily came out of the break room with a cup of coffee. Seeing Joshua, she frowned, clearly unwelcoming. "Why are you here again?"

Joshua smiled, with the attitude of a victor, "I'm here to see Mr. Wipere."

Lily said, "Nothing good comes from you looking for him. Tell me and I'll pass it on."

Joshua held up an elegant invitation, "Mr. Preston Wipere said I must deliver this to Mr. Wipere in person."

Leopold heard the voices and called out to those outside, "Lily, please show Mr. Garcia in."

No matter how unhappy Lily was, she had to hold it in. "Mr. Garcia, this way please."

Joshua smiled, "Thank you."

As he passed by, Lily rolled her eyes.

Joshua reached Leopold's office door and knocked pretentiously. Leopold watched with an amused smile and said, "Secretaries from big companies sure have good manners."

Joshua walked up and presented the invitation with both hands, saying, "The day after tomorrow at 9 AM, the Greenridge Project groundbreaking ceremony. Mr. Wipere is invited to attend."

Leopold casually glanced at the invitation held in mid-air and lazily took it, tossing it aside.

Seeing Leopold's discomfort, Joshua gloated internally but maintained a pretentious facade. "Mr. Preston Wipere asked me to tell you that since you were also very interested in the Greenridge Project, he invites you to share in the good fortune."

Leopold raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Tell him I said thank you, Mr. Preston Wipere."

Joshua nodded slightly, "I won't keep you from your work. Goodbye."

Leopold called out toward the door, "Lily, see Mr. Garcia out."

Lily walked Joshua to the door, her professional manner allowing her to remain polite. "Goodbye, Mr. Garcia."

Joshua suddenly stopped and looked Lily up and down. "Jumping from a big company, you're really going downhill. The way you're dressed, you don't even compare to the lobby manager at Celestial Waters Hotel."

Lily's expression immediately darkened, and she mocked, "You're wearing a suit and tie, but deep down you're just low-class. You'll never reach Erik's position in this lifetime. You don't deserve to be chief secretary."

"Are you jealous?" Joshua sneered, looking behind her. "Can your office environment even compare to mine?"

Just then, Erik came out of the elevator and saw Joshua at the door looking at Lily with disdain. He quickened his pace toward Joshua.

Before Lily could unleash her full cursing power, a figure appeared before her, separating her from Joshua.

"What are you doing?"

Lily saw Erik's hand protecting her from behind and suddenly felt that Erik seemed especially tall.

Joshua remembered Lily mocking him about never becoming chief secretary, and he looked at Erik with even more displeasure. "What are you nervous about? I have no interest in targeting employees from small companies like yours."

Erik's expression was cold as he said, "If you weren't targeting us, would you even be here?"

Joshua was stumped. "I don't have time to argue with you idle people."

With that, he turned and left.

Lily was about to rush forward and curse Joshua some more when Erik stopped her. His expression had returned to normal as he said softly to Lily, "Lily, at this critical moment, just bear with it."

Lily took a deep breath. "I know."

Erik said, "Don't be angry. I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

Lily said, "Why are you treating me? You're not the one who made me angry."

Erik pressed his lips together. "I want..."

"What?" Lily frowned, looking at him puzzled.

Erik swallowed. "I want to spend more time with you."

Lily froze.

Her heart started racing. Erik's words sounded like he was pursuing her.

Seeing Lily standing there motionless, Erik added, "Let's go hiking this weekend. I checked the weather forecast—we can see the sea of clouds on Sunday morning."

If she still couldn't tell what was happening, she'd really be an idiot.

Lily's face started heating up, feeling a bit embarrassed, her hands hanging at her sides nervously fidgeting with her fingertips.

Oscar came out of the elevator and saw the two at the company entrance. Although he couldn't hear what they were saying, from Lily's expression he could sense that some subtle change had occurred between them.

Erik waited for Lily's response but got none, unsure whether to press further, so he just stood there awkwardly.

He shouldn't be this wooden—he was usually so smooth with people, but facing someone he liked, he was cautious everywhere, extra careful.

Just as Lily said "okay," Oscar came over with a smile, breaking the awkward conversation. "What are you two standing here for?"

Erik looked at Lily. He seemed to have heard her agree, but then again, maybe not.

"You..." He was about to ask when Oscar put his arm around his shoulder and pushed him toward the office. Oscar said, "By the way, there's an account that doesn't match up. Come take a look."

Erik looked back at Lily, who brushed her bangs aside and quickly walked back to the office with a red face.

Erik was completely speechless. Did she agree to the date or not?

During lunch, Erik kept trying to find a chance to ask Lily, but Oscar had an unusual amount of things to do today, pulling him into discussions about everything. He even ate lunch with Oscar, and Lily suddenly had more client files to review, staying busy until almost quitting time.

Oscar then suggested treating Erik to drinks, saying it was to thank him for helping during the day.

Erik said, "Forget dinner. I'm treating Lily to dinner tonight."

Oscar looked at Lily. "You two made plans for tonight?"

Lily opened her mouth. Seeing Erik push up his glasses, she couldn't quite describe the feeling—it was like he was warning her that if she dared say no, he'd deal with her.

She nodded. "Yes."