Lance nodded. "Alright, I'll drive you there."
Hearing this, Deanna shook her head. "No need. I'll take a cab. You have work to do, don't worry about me."
Just from seeing everyone working diligently at Mercer Group that morning, she could imagine how busy Lance usually was.
But Lance was resolute. "It's fine, I'll take you."
He then called Xavier.
Lance walked to the car. "Dr. Deanna, get in."
Seeing his insistence, Deanna couldn't refuse further. She nodded and followed him.
Upon arriving at the villa, Deanna went straight to the herb garden in the backyard, while Lance headed to the study on the second floor.
The study on the second floor overlooked the backyard.
Standing by the large floor-to-ceiling window, Lance could see Deanna's figure.
She was bent over, carefully tending to the newly cultivated herbs.
Sunlight poured down, causing fine beads of sweat to form on Deanna's fair face.
They say people are most charming when they're focused on their work...
Before long, Lance found himself lost in thought as he watched her.
Meanwhile, at Cody Group, Bella was in her office handling work.
Suddenly, Lee called.
She pressed the answer button and spoke coldly, "Any progress?"
Lee's voice came through. "Miss, just now, Lance took that woman to the hilltop villa. We couldn't follow because someone was watching the base of the hill. We don't know what happened next."
"What?"
Bella's grip on her phone tightened, and she gritted her teeth.
"Keep an eye on them and report to me when they leave."
"Understood, Miss."
Bella felt a surge of shock and a sense of crisis.
The hilltop villa was Lance's private domain.
He would go there for some quiet time whenever he needed rest.
Though she had never been there, she had heard that Lance never allowed anyone else to step foot there.
But now, that woman had gone there!
Bella was in a panic.
"Continue to watch them and report any movements immediately."
Bella admitted she was starting to panic.
Lee nodded. "Yes, Miss, I understand."
...
After a busy afternoon, Deanna finally finished her work.
She rubbed her temples and sighed. Indeed, cultivating herbs was no easy task.
After washing her hands and cleaning off the dirt, Deanna walked into the living room.
Just as she was about to speak, Lance approached and asked, "All done?"
Deanna nodded. "Yes, I'm finished. Ready to head down."
"Alright, I'm done too. I'll take you down..."
Lance was interrupted by Xavier, who approached with urgency.
"Mr. Mercer, wait a moment!"
Lance frowned in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Instead of answering immediately, Xavier looked at Deanna. "Dr. Deanna, are you in a hurry this afternoon? If not, why not accompany Mr. Mercer to a banquet?"
Both Deanna and Lance were visibly taken aback.
Xavier continued, "Mr. Mercer needs a companion for tonight's banquet. You know how he is; I've been worrying about where to find one..."
Deanna frowned, showing reluctance.
"This isn't appropriate. I don't have a dress, and... I need to pick up my kids from school."
At this hour, if she didn't pick up the kids soon, they'd be anxious.
Xavier patted his chest confidently. "That's simple. I'll pick up the kids for you."
Then Xavier's expression turned troubled.
Before Deanna could refuse, he continued speaking.
"Dr. Deanna, to be honest, this banquet can't be postponed. If there were another way, I wouldn't trouble you."
"But you know Mr. Mercer's situation. At such events, drinking is inevitable. If you go, you can help him avoid drinking too much and give him an excuse to leave early."
Xavier sighed again.
"In the past, I would attend such events and drink on behalf of Mr. Mercer. But recently my gastritis has flared up; I really can't manage it..."
Hearing this, Deanna fell silent.
She hesitated, unsure of what to say.
She didn't particularly like such events and felt even stranger about going as Lance's companion for some reason.
Suddenly, Lance spoke up and stopped Xavier.
"Forget it. If Dr. Deanna doesn't want to go, don't force her. I can manage alone."
Hearing this made Deanna feel even more conflicted.
She thought about how much Lance had helped her recently...
If she refused to help him now when he needed a companion, wouldn't that seem ungrateful?
After some contemplation, Deanna agreed.
"Alright, I'll go."