Chapter 339
Alexander's arrival added an invisible pressure to the conference room atmosphere.
Alexander was the man in charge of the Garcia Group, someone you'd only catch glimpses of in financial news and on the covers of high-end business magazines. Now he was standing right there in front of them, in the flesh.
Before, they wouldn't have dared to even dream of talking to anyone from the Garcia Group, let alone working with them.
But now, Alexander had not only come in person, but appeared beside Zoey in such an intimate manner.
Everyone instinctively held their breath, even their eye contact became careful, afraid that one wrong move might offend Alexander.
A flash of surprise crossed Zoey's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "What are you doing here?"
The sharpness in Alexander's eyes instantly melted into tenderness: "I came to pick you up for dinner."
He paused, then looked at Bobby with apparent casualness: "And to treat Mr. Owens to dinner, to thank him for supporting Zoey's work during this time."
Bobby's heart tightened.
How could he dare to actually go to dinner with them?
"Mr. Garcia, you're too kind. It's my honor to work with Ms. King."
"Unfortunately, I already have plans tonight with several project leads to discuss details. I really can't get away."
Hearing this, Alexander showed just the right amount of regret: "That's too bad. We'll make it up next time then."
"Definitely, definitely." Bobby responded repeatedly, relieved inside.
Only then did Alexander look back at Zoey, naturally extending his hand: "Shall we go?"
Zoey looked at that well-defined hand, silent for a second, then placed her hand in his.
She didn't pull away.
The two of them left the conference room hand in hand, right in front of everyone.
It wasn't until the heavy wooden door closed again that a chorus of suppressed exhales filled the conference room.
"Mr. Garcia's presence just now... I didn't even dare to breathe..."
"Did you see how Mr. Garcia looked at Ms. King? You could drown in those eyes."
"But seriously, Mr. Garcia personally coming to pick up Ms. King from work - isn't that just perfect?"
Amid the chatter, Bobby stood in place, staring at the now-empty doorway, silent for a long time.
In the hallway.
Zoey was led by Alexander toward the elevator.
"Didn't we agree I'd come pick you up after I finished things here?"
Alexander pressed the down button, and the elevator doors slowly opened.
He led her inside, then let go of her hand, turning to face her: "I finished my arrangements and came to pick you up. Same thing."
Zoey looked at Alexander for a long time.
Her gaze was calm, yet penetrating, as if she could see right into his heart.
Alexander felt a bit uncomfortable under her stare and looked away, clearing his throat: "What?"
"You tell me?" Zoey asked back.
Alexander was silent for a few seconds.
Then, as if giving up the struggle, he finally admitted: "Fine, I came to stake my claim. Happy now?"
Zoey raised an eyebrow: "Stake your claim?"
"That Bobby," Alexander's tone carried a hint of jealousy, "he even showed up at the medical school entrance to ask you to dinner before. If I didn't come, were you going to say yes?"
Zoey paused, then laughed: "That was ages ago. And I turned him down right away."
"But he's still thinking about you." Alexander said matter-of-factly, "Just now in the conference room, the way he looked at you wasn't right."
Zoey shook her head helplessly: "Alexander, aren't you being too sensitive?"
"I'm not being sensitive." Alexander reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm asserting my ownership."
"I don't like other people looking at you that way. Even just thinking about it - not okay."
Zoey looked at his serious yet slightly childish expression, and something soft inside her was gently touched.
She suddenly remembered that long ago, at the medical school entrance, Bobby had indeed asked her to dinner.
Back then she was dealing with the King Group's mess, and Bobby, as a company veteran, wasn't convinced by her. That invitation was probably mostly a test.
She had refused him cleanly and decisively.
She hadn't expected Alexander to still remember that.
"I wouldn't." Zoey said softly, her tone carrying a tenderness she herself hadn't noticed, "How could I agree to have dinner with him?"
She paused, then added: "Except for you, I won't have dinner alone with any man."
Alexander couldn't control the smile spreading across his face: "Really?"
"Yes." Zoey nodded.
Alexander was in great spirits. Just as he was about to say something, Zoey's phone rang.
It was Tamsin.
Since Tamsin joined the production, she and Madeline had been stationed at the film studio, rarely reaching out on their own.
Zoey had been busy with her own matters lately, and with Atlas being taken, she was even more stretched thin, with no time to visit the set.
But she hadn't skimped on care - every week she had people send various food and supplies to the crew, making sure Tamsin was comfortable on set.
Zoey answered the call: "Tamsin, what's up?"
Tamsin's cheerful voice came through: "Zoey! I don't have any scenes today, I want to have dinner with you! How long has it been since we've seen each other?"
Zoey glanced at Alexander, whose face was already turning cold, and said into the phone: "Sure, Alexander wants to see you too. Should we wait for you at the restaurant?"
"Really?" Tamsin's voice was full of surprise, "Doesn't he find me annoying?"
Zoey laughed softly: "He won't say it, but he misses you. I'll send you the address on WhatsApp, come over."
"Great! I'll be right there!" Tamsin hung up cheerfully.
Zoey put away her phone and looked at Alexander.
Alexander's face was expressionless: "I don't miss her."
Zoey suppressed a smile: "Right, you don't."
"When she shows up, she'll just interrupt us." Alexander continued, his tone full of reluctance, "And when she finds out we're going to Ulysses's place, she'll ask a million questions."
Zoey knew he was just being stubborn - he actually really wanted to see Tamsin.
After all, Tamsin was the sister he'd watched grow up. Though they always bickered, their bond ran deep.
"How about this," Zoey suggested, "you call Daniel and have him take Tamsin on a date after dinner. Problem solved, right?"
Alexander's eyes lit up: "My wife is so thoughtful."
Zoey's face flushed slightly: "How come your sweet talk has gotten better since we got married? You never complimented me like this when we were together before."
Alexander took out his phone to call Daniel while answering Zoey's question: "Before, even if I said it, you wouldn't have understood. Why bother?"
Zoey was speechless.
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed to be true.
Before they got married, she'd always taken Alexander's kindness and care as normal, or even as having ulterior motives.
Looking back now, those details were full of his affection.
He remembered all her preferences, would bring warm late-night snacks when she worked overtime, would appear first thing when she ran into trouble, would stand behind her without hesitation when she needed support.
And she, like a slow-witted fool, only finally saw his true feelings after he gradually pulled her into his world, step by step.
Zoey sighed quietly to herself.
So Alexander had fallen for her at first sight, then patiently, strategically, waited for her to catch on.
The two got in the car and drove toward the agreed-upon Chinese restaurant.
On the way, Zoey's phone rang again.
This time it was an encrypted message from Clover: [Bodyguards in position, two per team, four teams total, deployed around the old mansion perimeter, along your travel routes, and near Ulysses's residence. All other personnel fully committed to tracking Atlas's whereabouts, will report immediately with any results.]
Zoey quickly replied: [Received. Keep communications open.]
After sending the message, she put her phone back in her bag and looked out at the rapidly retreating street scene.
"What are you thinking about?" Alexander's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Zoey turned her head to look at him: "Thinking about Ulysses."
Alexander held her hand: "Don't worry. I'm here."
Zoey squeezed his hand back, responding softly.
The car soon arrived at the upscale restaurant in the city center.
This restaurant was one of the Garcia family's properties, with excellent privacy, frequently visited by business elites and celebrities.
The manager had already been notified and personally greeted them at the entrance, leading them to the innermost private room on the third floor.
The room was elegant and spacious, with a view of the night scene outside the window.
As soon as Zoey sat down, Alexander's phone vibrated.
[Mr. Alexander Garcia, according to your instructions, all schedules have been adjusted. Starting tomorrow, you and Mrs. Zoey Garcia's outings will have full security detail. Also, Mr. Ulysses Garcia has been making frequent moves lately - extra caution advised.]
Alexander glanced at the screen and replied: [Understood.]
He put down his phone and poured Zoey a cup of hot tea: "Have some tea to warm up first."
Zoey took the teacup, her fingertips touching his fingers, warmth spreading from the point of contact.
They had only exchanged a few words when the door to the private room was pushed open.