Lance saw Deanna, and in his sharp eagle eyes flashed a hint of surprise, reminiscent of Julia, but it disappeared in an instant.
He felt somewhat helpless. How many times had he unexpectedly encountered her?
Fate, indeed, is a wondrous thing.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed another man by her side.
He glanced at him. This man exuded a charming aura, standing next to Deanna, the two of them inexplicably matched.
As Lance pondered, Deanna and Landon had already walked over and stood beside him.
He nodded and asked, "Who is this?"
Deanna tilted her head and glanced at Landon, replying, "This is my childhood friend. We came over here to discuss some matters."
Landon, with his seductive peach blossom eyes, greeted Lance with charm.
Lance politely nodded and said, "Dr. Deanna, I'll take my leave now. I have an appointment with a client."
Deanna responded with a faint smile, saying nothing.
Lance went upstairs, where Xavier was waiting for him at the corner of the staircase.
Seeing him coming up, Xavier looked meaningfully at Landon's back.
Lance asked in surprise, "Who is he?"
He found Landon quite unfamiliar.
Xavier explained, "He's the young master of the Sherman Group. Although he appears nonchalant, he actually has some skills."
Lance's gaze darkened. He looked downstairs where Landon and Deanna were chatting and laughing, looking just like an ordinary couple.
This Landon didn't seem to have any capability.
Lance pondered, "I couldn't tell at first glance."
Xavier explained, "In recent years, he took over a subsidiary of the Sherman Group and did quite well, gradually gaining prominence and some capabilities."
Xavier observed Lance's expression and remarked with a meaningful gaze shifting between Deanna and Landon, "Seems like he and Dr. Deanna have quite a good relationship."
Lance narrowed his eyes and asked, "How did they meet?"
Xavier thought for a moment and explained, "The Lu family and the Jones family have always had a good relationship. Mr. Landon's mother and Dr. Deanna's mother, Olivia, were good friends."
Lance nodded in understanding. If that's the case, it's not surprising that they have a good relationship.
Downstairs, Landon and Deanna were still talking.
Landon patted Deanna on the shoulder teasingly, "How did you meet Lance? He's the president of the Mercer Group!"
He remembered the change in Lance's expression when he saw him earlier and said knowingly, "I was worried you wouldn't be doing well. But now, it seems like everything's fine."
Deanna rolled her eyes. It was obvious he had an ulterior motive. Something about his words didn't sit right with her.
This guy was really thinking too much.
"It's not what you think. I met Mr. Mercer by accident. But he has helped me a lot, and we can consider each other friends now."
She omitted a lot of details in between to prevent him from overthinking.
She couldn't help but wonder why everyone thought of her and Mr. Mercer as a pair. Garrett was guessing, Raphael was speculating, and now even Landon was getting the wrong idea.
Landon nodded, his expression somewhat complicated.
The waiter came over, and the two ordered some dishes. Their understanding was so deep that they didn't need to consult each other; they knew what the other wanted to eat and what they didn't like.
"After all these years, you still remember my preferences quite well."
Landon snorted, expressing his pride, "I forgive you."
Deanna shrugged. After a while, the dishes arrived, and they began to eat.
Lance sat nearby, discussing matters with his client.
The table wasn't far, and with a slight turn of his head, he could see the expression on Deanna's face.
He didn't know what joke Landon had made again, but he laughed heartily while Deanna glared at him, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips.
He couldn't help but be taken aback. She rarely let her guard down like this, showing her true self.
He found himself distracted, discreetly keeping an eye on her.
This relaxed Deanna was quite different.
Her expression seemed to be one reserved for someone she completely trusted.
In his mind, countless versions of Deanna flashed by.
She treated people from the Jones family with coldness and hostility.
Like an angry hedgehog, she was full of defenses, ready to attack at any moment.
She treated him politely.
She had thanked him more than once, her face always bearing a dignified and elegant, yet somewhat formulaic smile.
So, in reality, she had a sense of distance towards him.
Realizing this, he felt somewhat displeased, even furrowing his brows unintentionally.
His gaze towards her was filled with complexity.
When the guests asked him about contract matters, he quickly regained his composure.
Deanna and Landon finished their meal and wiped their mouths, preparing to leave.
Coincidentally, Lance was also seeing off his client, and they walked out together.
The four of them met again.
Lance had intended to leave directly but was stopped by Deanna.
"Mr. Mercer, wait for me. I'll go with you!"
She had something to discuss with him, which worked out perfectly.
Lance paused at her words, nodding in acknowledgment.