Chapter 110 How to Thank?
Seeing me roll down the car window, Derek swaggered over unsteadily.
He leaned his hands on the window frame and said with a sleazy grin, "Helena, why are you in such a hurry to leave? To be honest, I really admire you. How about you get out of the car and let me take you to a nice place?"
I leaned back against the seat and gave him a cold stare and said. "Derek, your way of chasing girls is too old-fashioned. It doesn't work on me."
"Interesting, how interesting!"
My words didn't drive Derek away. Instead, they made him even more interested in me.
He clapped his hands and grinned at me. "Helena, your frank and outspoken personality really suits my taste. Today is such a wonderful day—what a great catch."
As Derek spoke, his eyes fell on me. "But don't be so quick to reject me. If you change your mind someday, my offer stands."
"Derek, thanks so much for that."
I sneered at him. "Can you move now?"
"Of course!"
Derek stepped back a few paces, spread his hands, and grinned at me. "Helena, take care. Looking forward to seeing you again."
I ignored his words, slowly rolled up the window, and said to the driver, "Let's go."
The car drove quite a distance, and I could still see Derek standing there in the rearview mirror.
I rubbed my temples in frustration. What bad luck—how did I end up attracting this guy's attention?
Should I ask Quincy for Derek's background information?
After all, knowing your enemy helps you win the battle when you face him next time.
But after thinking it over, I dropped the idea.
Quincy had just joined the company and was probably swamped with work.
With that thought, I put down my phone.
But what I didn't expect was that Derek moved fast. The next day, he called me saying he'd already arranged a lunch meeting with Oliver for me.
After getting the address, I nodded. "Okay, I'll be there on time."
Derek had chosen a restaurant downstairs from the Turner Group building.
When Lyndon and I arrived, Derek and Oliver were already waiting.
"Helena, this is my older brother, Oliver. Oliver, this is Helena I mentioned to you."
Seeing us, Derek made the introductions.
Oliver wore gold-rimmed glasses and a well-tailored suit, looking refined and cultured.
I took the initiative to extend my hand to Oliver. "Mr. Turner, hello. I'm Helena from the Lockwood Group."
"I've heard so much about Ms. Lockwood. I didn't expect you to be so young and beautiful."
Oliver shook my hand calmly, then looked at Lyndon behind me. "And this is?"
"Lyndon, head of the sales department."
"Mr. Turner, hello."
Facing such a major potential client, Lyndon kept his attitude humble and quickly extended both hands.
After the pleasantries, Oliver gestured to the seats, indicating we should all sit down.
"I have an important meeting in a bit, which is why I asked Ms. Lockwood to meet here. I hope it's to Ms. Lockwood's liking."
Seeing Oliver being so thoughtful, I nodded. "It's fine. I'm not particular about food."
"That's good."
Oliver clapped his hands, and soon someone brought in the prepared food from outside.
Taking advantage of this moment, Oliver glanced at me and said slowly, "Derek mentioned that Ms. Lockwood has a business deal you'd like to discuss with me?"
"Yes."
I sat up straight. "I'm sure Mr. Turner has heard that our company had some trouble recently. Two orders were based on forged contracts. After the incident came to light, the violators were sent to jail, but the goods are still sitting in our warehouse."
"A friend helped me sell one batch, but there's still a batch of equipment and parts in the warehouse. I know the Turner Group is involved in medical equipment, so I wanted to meet you and see if there's a possibility for cooperation."
"I see."
Oliver didn't rush to answer. He took off his gold-rimmed glasses and carefully wiped them.
During this pause, Derek spoke up. "We can't just talk without eating, right? It's lunchtime and I'm starving. Let's start eating."
With his interruption, I had no choice but to pick up my utensils and start eating.
Throughout the meal, Oliver ate quietly, as if I hadn't said anything at all.
This was the most awkward meal I'd ever had. Oliver ate like a noble prince—elegant and quiet—while Derek was so attentive it was hard to handle.
Fortunately, it was just a meal and ended quickly.
After finishing, Oliver picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth unhurriedly. "Ms. Lockwood, I understand what you've told me. We can take the goods, but probably not in large quantities."
"How about this—I'll try to take half. Ms. Lockwood may not know this, but our hospital has a dedicated supplier for equipment. This time, I'll do you a favor and have the manufacturer use your instruments."
At these words, I was overjoyed. Even half the equipment was worth tens of millions of dollars in business.
Aside from feeling a bit nervous during the meal, everything was perfect.
"Great, thank you so much, Mr. Turner. Lyndon, quickly give Mr. Turner the pricing details."
Lyndon opened his folder and was about to speak when Oliver raised his hand to stop him.
"No need for quotes now. I'll give you a contact person's number later, and you can discuss the details with them. But I trust Ms. Lockwood won't let me down."
"Of course not!"
I raised my glass to Oliver. "Thank you for your hospitality today, Mr. Turner, and thank you for choosing to cooperate. Here's to a pleasant cooperation and a long partnership!"
Oliver clinked glasses with me. "Ms. Lockwood is frank and outspoken. I like that personality very much."
After finishing the wine, Oliver stood up. "Derek, see Ms. Lockwood out later."
Then Oliver looked at me. "I have a meeting, so I'll head up now."
"Of course, Mr. Turner. You go ahead."
I stood up to see Oliver off, then turned to Derek. "Derek, thank you for your hospitality today. We've had the meal and discussed business, so we'll be going now."
"Wait."
Derek quickly came to the door to block us. "Didn't you hear Oliver? He told me to see you out. You can't refuse."
I said helplessly, "Derek, I have a driver. I don't need you to see me out."
"That won't do. I have to listen to Oliver, or I'll get scolded later. Helena, you can't just use me as a middleman and then toss me aside, right?"
Seeing him being so persistent, I had no choice but to agree.
So on the way back, there was an extra person in the car—Derek.
The driver was supposed to just drop me off and be done, but now he had to take Derek back, too.
What a hassle!
When we got to the company, I got out of the car, only to be called back by Derek from inside. "Helena, now that the deal is done, shouldn't you thank me?"
"Thank you?"
I asked, puzzled. "How do you want me to thank you?"