Chapter 111: Derek Visits
Derek gave a sly, predatory smile, "Well, that depends on what you think. But if you're willing, we could do what I have in mind."
"My idea, huh."
I thought for a moment and said, "Sure, let's have dinner then."
Dinner was simple, convenient, and could help build relationships between people.
Hearing my words, Derek's eyes lit up with delight. "Really? Then it's settled. But you can't keep me waiting too long - how about tonight?"
"Sure."
I figured Lyndon probably didn't have any business dinners tonight, so perfect - I'd have him keep Derek company.
Seeing me agree so readily, Derek was overjoyed. "Then it's settled, Helena. You can't go back on your word."
"How could I? The first rule of being a businessperson is to keep your word. Don't worry, I'll have someone contact you tonight."
Seeing me agree so readily, Derek waved his hand contentedly. "See you tonight then!"
When I got to the office, I had Lyndon book a high-end restaurant and told him to make sure Derek was well taken care of.
"Don't worry, Ms. Lockwood. I'll get it done!"
Lyndon promised confidently and went off happily to make arrangements.
I thought it was just a small matter, but trouble came the next day.
"Ms. Lockwood, we have a problem - Derek is here!"
Seeing Lyndon rush in all flustered, I frowned. "So he's here. What's wrong? Did you not pay the bill for dinner last night?"
"No, that's not it!"
Lyndon stamped his feet anxiously. "I did treat him, and I paid the bill, but Derek is unhappy."
I looked down at the documents on my computer without looking up. "Why?"
"It's because of you."
"Because of me?"
Hearing Lyndon's words, I looked up. "How could it be because of me?"
"It is because of you."
Lyndon stamped his feet anxiously. "Derek threw a fit as soon as he got to the restaurant, asking why it was me, a man, treating him to dinner. He said you had promised to treat him, so how did it turn into me treating him?"
"You should have seen how chaotic the scene was. Derek even insisted on calling you to demand an explanation, and I barely managed to stop him after begging."
I frowned. "And then?"
Lyndon spread his hands. "Then he got drunk, and in the end, we all went home."
I was confused. "So, isn't the matter over then? What's he doing here now?"
Lyndon asked carefully, "Who knows? So should we let Derek come up? If we let him up, he'll definitely come looking for you."
"We can't keep turning him away indefinitely. Just let him come up."
Seeing me nod, Lyndon quickly called the front desk.
After giving instructions, Lyndon rushed off to wait by the elevator while I went to the break room to get some coffee.
Just as I finished pouring it, I heard a woman's voice say, "Derek, Helena doesn't seem to be in her office."
It was Serenity's voice.
I frowned. How did she get up here?
Before I could go out, Derek's voice rang out. "She's not here? Then I'll wait right here until she comes back!"
"Derek, why are you so angry? You know Helena is busy with work. Maybe she had a date after work, and that's why she overlooked you."
"A date?"
Hearing this, Derek got even angrier. "Who's she dating? Isn't Knox still at the police station? Don't tell me she's already found a new date?"
"Derek, that's really harsh to say."
Serenity laughed sweetly. "Helena is such an amazing woman - there are plenty of people chasing after her. You can't expect that only you can pursue her and no one else can."
"Well then, Serenity, if you tell me who Helena's date is, I'll have Antony give you a valuable gift. How about that?"
Hearing Derek's impatient voice, Serenity laughed sweetly. "I can't betray Helena just for your gift. If Helena found out, she'd be upset, and that would be trouble."
Derek sounded impatient. "Then what do you want?"
Serenity said, "I heard there's no place in Starwave City you don't know about. What a coincidence - I haven't been in Starwave City long, and there are so many places I'm not familiar with. If you're free, would you mind showing me around?"
Derek's voice came out strained, as if he'd swallowed something unpleasant, "What do you mean? You want me to go on a date with you?"
Serenity said nonchalantly, "What date? I just think of you as a friend. It's perfectly normal for friends to hang out together."
Derek said impatiently, "Fine, I have no problem with what you're saying. But have you thought this through? Antony is at home waiting pitifully for you to summon him. Have you thought about him?"
"Derek, what are you talking about? Antony and I have only met once. There's no 'waiting to be summoned' as you said. I don't believe such a lame excuse."
"But if you don't want to, forget it."
Serenity's words made me sick to my stomach.
How cheap!
If I'd known she acted like this in front of others, I never would have let her appear in the Lockwood family so early.
Natasha was impulsive and direct, but she'd never acted so cheap in front of men - except for Knox.
But this Serenity really opened my eyes - no, made me disgusted!
Thinking of this, I walked straight out of the break room.
"Serenity, how did you get up here?"
"Helena, you're here?"
Seeing me, Serenity looked somewhat surprised as she covered her mouth, showing a shocked expression. She said somewhat uneasily, "Helena, I called you, but you didn't answer, so I had to call Uncle Henry. He told me to come straight up."
I frowned. "This is a company. What are you doing here?"
Helena resumed her obedient manner in front of me. "I'm already working at Dad's company now, but there are some things I don't understand. Dad is too busy, and I didn't want to bother him, so I came to find you."
"As you can see, I'm busy too."
Then I glanced at Derek. "Busy dealing with Derek."
"Helena, what do you mean by that? I haven't even settled accounts with you about last night!"
Hearing my words, Derek jumped up like a cat with its tail caught in a door.
I was amused by his reaction. "Settle accounts? What accounts? What do we have to settle between us?"
"Yes, you helped me out and closed a deal, but I also had Lyndon treat you to dinner, and at the highest level, too. What more could you be unhappy about?"
It was fine not to mention last night's dinner, but bringing it up made Derek even angrier.