Deanna pushed the door open and saw the man sitting at his desk, engrossed in work.
Lance didn't expect Deanna to walk in; he thought it was Xavier. Without looking up, he instructed, "Leave the documents on the desk and you can go."
Deanna didn't say a word but walked towards him step by step.
When she reached the desk and realized Lance had no intention of looking up, she raised an eyebrow.
Finally, she had no choice but to break the silence herself.
"Are you sure you want me to leave the documents and go?"
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Lance looked up sharply. "Deanna, what are you doing here?"
Lance's eyes were filled with surprise and delight as he looked at Deanna.
Deanna didn't answer immediately. Instead, she handed him the documents in a businesslike manner. "I'm here to deliver these documents. As per your instructions, I'll leave them and go. Now, I'm leaving."
She turned to leave, but as she took a step, her wrist was grabbed.
"I thought it was Xavier coming in."
Lance laughed, pulling Deanna close and holding her in his arms. "Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be working on the research institute's design today?"
Deanna replied, "Today was just for measuring the institute's data. The design plans will be ready by tonight. I have something to tell you, and since it's almost noon, I thought we could have lunch together while I tell you."
Hearing this, Lance asked directly, "What is it? Can't you tell me now?"
"It's nothing urgent. My master assigned me an assistant, Brent. I thought of hosting a welcome dinner for him tonight and inviting you, Gregory, and Chloe."
Deanna explained her plan.
Lance smiled indulgently. "Is that so? Have you booked a restaurant?"
"Not yet. I haven't even asked if you're free tonight. What if you're busy?"
Deanna shook her head.
Compared to her, Lance was always busy with countless engagements.
Lance thought for a moment and said, "I don't have any important engagements today. I'll ask Xavier to push back the less important ones."
"If you're busy, you don't have to come. I just thought it would be livelier with more people. Since I'm not very familiar with Brent, I'm afraid there won't be much to talk about at dinner. If necessary, I'll invite Julia."
Deanna didn't want Lance to delay his work because of her.
Lance had a different opinion. He gently pinched Deanna's cheek and said softly, "Nothing is more important than you. Besides, since he's your master's assistant, we should give him proper attention."
Hearing Lance acknowledge her idea, Deanna couldn't help but smile.
Then she changed the subject and asked, "How much more work do you have? I've already booked a restaurant for lunch."
"Almost done. Why don't you wait on the sofa for a bit?"
Lance glanced at the nearby sofa.
Deanna nodded in agreement, got up, and went to sit on the sofa, picking up a magazine to read.
But she couldn't help glancing at Lance as he worked, admiring how handsome and charming he looked.
For a moment, Deanna rested her chin on her hand and stared at him dreamily.
Lance noticed her gaze but didn't look up. Instead, he sped up his work.
After about ten minutes, he finished his tasks and walked over to Deanna.
Seeing him move, Deanna snapped out of her daze and quickly stood up from the sofa, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Are you done?"
"Yes," Lance nodded as he reached her.
Deanna didn't notice the deep look in his eyes. Trying to cover up her earlier daydreaming, she laughed awkwardly. "Let's go eat then."
She tried to pull Lance away but couldn't move him.
"What's wrong?"
Deanna turned to see Lance's unusual expression.
Lance tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her into his arms. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "You stared at me for so long just now; don't you have anything to say?"
Deanna's face turned bright red in an instant.
So he had noticed her staring.
Lance chuckled at the sight of the embarrassed Deanna in his arms. "How are you still so easily embarrassed after all this time?"
Hearing this, Deanna felt her cheeks burning even more. She glared at him in embarrassment and anger.
"I have thin skin, unlike you!"
"How am I thick-skinned?"
Lance raised an eyebrow and looked at her accusingly.