Deanna listened to Lance's words and felt a weight lift from her chest. At that moment, she heard the gentle voice of the man again.
"So, you wanted the photos to dissuade Eula?"
"The photos weren't my idea. Samantha found out about it by accident and thought this would make Eula give up," Deanna explained what had happened in the living room.
Lance raised an eyebrow. "My mother knows too?"
"She stumbled upon it by accident and suggested I tell you," Deanna said simply, not mentioning how Eula had troubled her. She didn't want to make things difficult for Lance. Besides, she hadn't suffered in her encounters with Eula.
Lance pondered Deanna's words and came up with an idea. "I'll pretend I don't know about this. In a couple of days, when Eula's injuries are better, I'll invite Ollie and the others over to introduce them to Eula."
"Will that work?" Deanna asked hesitantly.
Lance held her hand and continued walking. "Whether it works or not, our goal is to show Eula our stance."
Two days later, Eula's injuries had improved significantly, and she was getting restless. That evening, she waited in the living room for Lance to return. Deanna was there too. They each occupied a sofa, silently playing on their phones.
When Lance returned, he saw this scene. He calmly asked, "Why are you still up so late?"
"Lance, you're back," Eula said with a bright smile, standing up to greet him. She tried to mimic Deanna's usual way of welcoming Lance and reached for his briefcase, but Lance avoided her.
Seeing her empty hand, Eula's eyes darkened slightly, but she kept her smile and joked, "What are you avoiding? Afraid I'll see your company's secrets and leak them?"
She said this deliberately to make Deanna look bad in front of Lance. However, Lance's face turned colder at her words.
"I don't like others touching my things."
"Am I 'others'?" Eula was displeased with Lance's words and glared at him. "That hurts my feelings. I saved your life, remember?"
Lance frowned, feeling conflicted. Eula had indeed saved him, and his upbringing wouldn't allow him to ignore that debt. Deanna felt a bit satisfied seeing Lance's troubled expression. Now he understood how she had felt before.
Thinking this, Deanna stood up from the sofa, walked over, and naturally took Lance's briefcase with a smile. "Miss Eula has something to discuss with you. I'll go make some snacks."
She placed the briefcase on the sofa and went to the kitchen. Eula watched her leave, a flash of jealousy in her eyes, but then heard a cold voice.
"Deanna said you have something to discuss with me. What is it?"
"It's nothing major. I've been cooped up at home for days, and my wounds have healed. I want to go out and explore. This is my first time in Cloudmere, and if I don't look around before I have to leave, I'll regret it."
Eula looked at Lance cheerfully. Lance gave her a scrutinizing look but didn't stop her. "You don't need my permission to go out. Just keep your identity hidden so you won't be recognized."
Eula was stunned for a few seconds before understanding Lance's meaning.
"Are you suggesting I go out alone?!"
She stared at Lance in disbelief.
"You can take others with you. I know your two confidants are already here," Lance replied calmly.
Eula was speechless for a moment. Was that what she meant? Looking at the straightforward man before her, she decided to be direct. "I don't want my subordinates accompanying me. As the host, shouldn't you show me around? Is this how you treat guests?"
Without giving Lance a chance to respond, she continued, "When you were in Espuenia, I accompanied you everywhere. Now that I'm in Cloudmere, you should do the same for me."
Despite her words, Lance refused her request without hesitation.
"I don't have time, and you know that."
After a pause, he suddenly changed his tone as if he had thought of something. "But I can introduce my friends to you. They can show you around."
Hearing this, Eula initially wanted to refuse but then changed her mind. Her blue eyes sparkled mischievously as she smiled. "Your friends? That works too."