Chapter 109: Discussing Cooperation
Sure enough, Serenity asked directly, "So does that mean your family's company will have nothing to do with you anymore?"
"Yes."
Antony replied frankly, "But with Oliver around, the company will be fine."
Serenity didn't say anything more, just lowered her head and took a sip of the coffee beside her.
Seeing her like this, Antony thought she was being shy and quickly said, "Serenity, are you hungry? If you are, shall we order some food?"
"No."
Serenity shook her head, "Let's skip the meal. It wouldn't be right to make you spend money."
Antony thought Serenity was really trying to save him money and quickly said, "It's fine, it's just one meal. I can still manage to treat you."
"I'm not hungry. Helena, what about you?"
Serenity threw the question to me.
"If you don't want to eat, let's just go."
Serenity didn't expect me to be so direct.
She opened her mouth and muttered, "Helena, this is a blind date. Since you came with me, could you have a little patience?"
Hearing her fake words, I frowned and said, "Fine, I'm very patient. Continue."
Seeing me say this, Serenity smiled at Antony and said, "Antony, Helena is actually a nice person, just a bit serious. She's going to inherit the family business and become a CEO, so naturally, she's different from a homely girl like me."
Hearing the word "homely," Antony's eyes lit up.
"Serenity, the moment I saw you, I knew you must be very virtuous."
Serenity laughed behind her hand, "Thank you."
"Antony, what's so funny? Let me hear it too."
A voice came from behind, and a man swaggered over.
The moment I saw the man, Antony stood up excitedly and said, "Derek, what are you doing here?"
I recognized him immediately as the man who had clinked glasses with me earlier.
I lowered my eyes. So this was Derek.
"I've been here for a while. Saw you on a blind date with this lady and couldn't help coming over to take a look."
Derek plopped down across from me and extended his hand to Serenity with a smile, "I assume this beautiful lady is Antony's blind date today?"
"Hello, I'm Antony's brother Derek."
"Hello, I'm Serenity."
Serenity shyly extended her hand.
Derek held it and smiled, "Serenity, your hand is both beautiful and soft. You're beautiful, and even your hands are beautiful."
Serenity's face turned even redder at the compliment. She tried to pull her hand back but Derek held it tight, so she couldn't.
Seeing this, Antony's face turned red with anxiety as he said to Derek, "Derek, don't tease Serenity. She's very shy."
"Why are you so anxious!"
Derek said this but still let go of her hand.
Then he turned to look at me and said, "And who is this?"
"My cousin, Helena. She came with me."
Serenity looked at me and said, "Helena, this is Antony's second brother, Derek."
What a pointless introduction. I was sitting right here, how could I not know?
Derek extended his hand to me with a mischievous smile, "So you're the bride from that wedding that made waves all over Starwave City. Nice to meet you. But I'm curious—you're so beautiful, yet Knox still cheated. He must be blind."
Hearing him mention Knox, I lowered my eyelids and didn't respond.
Derek smacked his forehead, "Look at me running my mouth, why did I bring up that jerk? Helena, please don't take offense."
Then Derek raised his hand, and a waiter quickly came over.
"Have your manager arrange a table with food and drinks. Tell him it's for my guests, and I want the highest standard."
After Derek finished speaking, the waiter nodded, "Yes, Mr. Turner, please wait."
After the person left, Derek looked at me with a smile, "Helena, that was my mistake earlier. This meal is on me, consider it my apology."
"The meal isn't necessary, but if you really want to apologize, just introduce me to Oliver."
As soon as I said this, Derek's eyes lit up.
"You want to see Oliver? What for?"
I picked up the napkin on the table and dabbed the corner of my mouth, "To discuss business."
"Discussing business is great."
Derek clapped his hands and laughed, "I almost forgot, Helena is the future heir of the Lockwood Group, with a bright future ahead."
"Does that mean you agree?" I looked up at him.
Actually, it would be easier to go through Antony, but Antony was too foolish. I was really afraid Oliver wouldn't take any business he mentioned seriously.
But Derek was different.
I was certain that if it was Derek, he would definitely find a way to make this happen.
"It's simple enough, but what's in it for me?"
Derek smiled with ill intent.
I laughed coldly, "Derek, you don't think you're my only way to meet Oliver, do you?"
I said calmly, "Oliver is just one of the people I want to work with. If this deal goes through, it will benefit the Turner family with no downside. That's the promise I can give you."
"If you don't agree, just pretend I didn't say anything."
Derek let out a low laugh, "I've long heard that Helena is beautiful, but I didn't expect this,"
Derek pointed to his head, "to be so sharp too. Worthy of being the woman who will take over the Lockwood Group. Since we've come this far, if I don't agree, that would be my fault."
"Alright, don't worry, consider it done."
Derek finished speaking and took out his phone, "Give me your contact info. Once I've arranged things, I'll get in touch with you."
I handed him a business card, "I'll wait for your good news."
Derek took my business card, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "Sure, Helena, make sure you answer your phone. After all, I can't say when this might happen."
I nodded, "I'll be waiting for your message."
I'd achieved my purpose for coming today. There was no need to stay any longer.
I looked at Serenity and said, "Something came up at the company, I'm leaving first."
"Helena, what could possibly have come up at your company? You came to accompany me on this blind date today. How can you leave before it's over?"
"The blind date isn't over, so you continue. My business is done."
As soon as I said this, Serenity finally understood—she'd been used by me today.
Her face looked terrible as she said to me, "Helena, what do you mean?"
"Alright, if you don't want to leave, stay a bit longer."
Seeing Derek across from us looking like he was enjoying the show, I stood up directly and said, "I think Antony is a nice guy. You all have a good chat."
"Helena!"
I heard Serenity's urgent call behind me, but I walked out of the hotel without looking back.
When I got in my car, a man blocked the front of my vehicle.
The driver was startled, "Ms. Lockwood, this...?"
What was this guy trying to do? I pressed my temples and said, "Stop the car."