Lionel didn't expect Lance to be jealous over such a trivial matter.
He looked at the man in front of him, speechless, and said, "Does Deanna know you're this petty?"
"What do you think?" Lance glanced at him without giving a clear answer.
Lionel took a sip of his drink and snorted, "It seems Deanna doesn't know. Aren't you afraid I'll tell her about this side of you?"
"It doesn't matter. If you do, she'll just know I care about her more."
Lance's nonchalant response made Lionel feel like he had just been fed a mouthful of dog food.
He snorted and decided to ignore this childish man.
Later, Gunner arrived, and the celebration banquet officially began.
It was then that Lance learned Deanna and her team had developed a special medicine.
"Congratulations, your wish has come true."
He raised his glass to toast Deanna.
Deanna smiled sweetly at him, "Congratulations to you too."
Lance raised an eyebrow, curious about why Deanna said that. Her gentle voice rang in his ears again.
"I told my master that once the clinical trials are over and the medicine is confirmed to be effective, Mercer Group's medical division will promote it alongside public hospitals."
"Thank you."
Lance was very touched.
He knew that while Mercer Group could secure this opportunity, it wouldn't be at such an opportune time. At best, they would get authorization to buy it after public hospitals had promoted the medicine for six months.
Deanna, hearing Lance's thanks, rolled her dark eyes and imitated Lance's previous lecturing tone with a stern face, "I don't like you thanking me. If I hear it again, be careful of my punishment."
She gave Lance a sidelong glance after speaking.
Upon hearing these familiar words, Lance's lips curled into a helpless yet doting smile.
Clearly, he realized he had said similar words to Deanna before.
Just as he was about to tease the mischievous Deanna in front of him, he saw Gunner approaching out of the corner of his eye.
"Mr. Martinez."
He swallowed back what he wanted to say to Deanna and greeted Mr. Martinez calmly.
Gunner's gentle gaze swept over the two of them, and he said with a smile, "Am I interrupting you two?"
"Of course not. Is there something you need, master?"
Deanna quickly denied it with a bright smile.
Seeing this, Mr. Martinez didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point, "Do you remember the apprenticeship ceremony I mentioned before? Now that our current project has reached a milestone, I plan to take this opportunity to announce your apprenticeship and heir status."
Hearing this, Deanna became serious.
She asked, "What do I need to prepare?"
"You don't need to prepare anything. Just pack a few clothes and come back to the Martinez family estate with me."
Gunner looked at Deanna lovingly and continued, "The date is set for ten days from now, but I plan to take you back early. So in two days, pack up well. We'll stay at the estate for a while. You can also bring your grandmother and Gregory and Chloe ahead of time."
As for Lance, he deliberately didn't mention him, but he knew that even if he didn't say it, Lance would follow along.
Deanna nodded in understanding.
Seeing her obedient demeanor, Gunner felt even more reluctant to see her get married.
He glared at Lance and voiced another thought, "I remember your wedding is on the 18th of next month. How about you get married from the Martinez family estate? I'll arrange some challenges for the groom. If this boy can't pass them, we won't let you marry him."
Deanna felt very touched inside. "Master, don't do that."
She knew that her master wanted her to get married from the Martinez family estate to give her more prestige.
After all, on the wedding day, given the Mercer family's status, the guests would undoubtedly be high-profile. Meanwhile, her maiden family had only her grandmother as a backer. It would be easy for people to look down on them.
Seeing his little apprentice acting coyly with him, Gunner couldn't help but snort discontentedly, "You haven't even married yet, and you're already siding with him."
Deanna's face instantly turned red with embarrassment.
She was about to retort when Lance's steady voice sounded in her ear.
"Mr. Martinez, you want to test me? As long as it doesn't delay the auspicious time, I'm ready anytime."
"You sure are confident. Let me tell you, the descendants of the Martinez family are no less outstanding than you."
Gunner raised an eyebrow at Lance.
Lance wasn't worried at all and smiled faintly, "No problem. No matter how good they are, they can't be better than me. Right?"
He slightly tilted his head and asked Deanna.
Deanna secretly gritted her teeth, feeling that this man was deliberately putting her in a difficult position to get back at her master for saying they wouldn't let her marry him.
She quietly pinched a soft spot on Lance's waist.
Lance felt the pain but only frowned slightly and continued to smile at Deanna, clearly waiting for her answer.
Gunner also noticed their little interaction but pretended not to see it and added fuel to the fire.
"Deanna, why aren't you answering? Tell us, do you think this boy is better or are the people from the Martinez family better?"