Chapter 23
After we parted ways, Nina took the Lumina Trade Center floor plans with her, promising to have the renderings ready for me in three days.
When we got back to the Lopez Manor, it was already afternoon. The butler came up to greet us: "Mr. Oscar Lopez, you're back? Mr. Robert Lopez called at noon, asking if you had any plans."
Oscar took off his coat and hung it aside: "Nothing at the moment. What's up? My dad's not back yet?"
The butler quickly said, "Mr. Robert Lopez asked me to tell you that if you're free tonight, he'd like you to join Mr. Rodriguez and some others for dinner."
"Did he say what it's about?" Oscar asked casually.
The butler smiled and replied: "Probably related to that land in the western part of the city he mentioned this morning. I don't know the details, but you'll find out when you get there."
Oscar hummed in acknowledgement and led me upstairs.
Back in the room, I teased him with a smile: "Robert's treating you pretty well. On just your second day back, he's already getting you involved in networking. These are all valuable connections."
Oscar let out a cold laugh and casually sat down on the sofa: "You think he's helping me network? Ever consider the possibility that he wants me there to be the fall guy?"
"How could that be? He'd only just been claimed as family, so it's impossible he'd be out to swindle him."
Oscar's tone was cool: "The project in the west side of the city is in trouble, and it's about money. Two years ago when their cash flow broke down, they barely managed to stay afloat thanks to me getting them that import-export partnership. Now they still owe most of the loan, and they're counting on that west city land to turn things around."
I naturally knew something about The Novagen Group's business situation, so I knew Oscar was right: "So are you going to this dinner tonight?"
"Of course I'm going. Why wouldn't I? I was part of that project from the start." The corners of Oscar's mouth curved into a smile, his eyes showing confident determination.
I didn't ask more questions, but as Oscar changed clothes and was getting ready to leave, Robert called back: "Oscar, Emily's with you, right?"
"Yeah, she is. What's up? I was just about to head over." Oscar said casually.
Robert said with a smile, "Tell Emily to change into something nice. You two come together."
I pointed at myself, a bit confused. From what the butler said, this didn't sound like the kind of dinner where you bring family.
"Okay, I'll let Emily know." After Oscar hung up, he spread his hands at me, "You'd better get ready too."
I was puzzled: "Why are they suddenly asking me to come?"
Oscar pushed me toward the walk-in closet: "Who knows, but if you come with me, I probably won't be so bored. And if someone insists I drink, you just give them a look, and I'll handle the rest."
I couldn't help but laugh. More and more, I was finding that when I was with Oscar, I seemed to forget this was a business arrangement. He always managed to make me let my guard down.
I changed into an evening gown, put on matching jewelry, touched up my makeup, slipped on delicate high heels, and picked up my purse: "Have you been waiting long?"
Oscar looked at me with bright eyes and exclaimed, "Emily, have I ever told you that when you dress up like this, you're actually quite beautiful?"
"Are you saying I'm not beautiful when I don't dress up?" I tilted my head, suppressing a smile as I asked.
"No, no, when you don't wear makeup, you're fresh and natural, and with makeup, you're stunning. Besides, being pretty is just the least remarkable of your many qualities. Your powerful presence makes me overlook your beauty." Oscar flattered me.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Did you put honey on your lips? I never knew you were this kind of Mr. Lopez."
A handsome face suddenly loomed large before me. Oscar leaned in, the scent of his cologne drifting over faintly, his warm breath brushing my cheek: "If there is honey, don't you want to taste how sweet it is?"
I pushed him away with one hand, the sudden closeness making my cheeks feel hot: "You're breaking the rules."
"Says who? You're my fiancée. When I take you out in a bit, we need to show people some believable moments."
Oscar slowly stepped forward, his large hand covering my slender waist, leaning in again slowly, and under my disbelieving gaze, he just kissed me.
He kissed me?
How dare he take advantage of me?
I pushed my hands against his chest, first maintaining a safe distance, then raised my hand to slap him, but he caught it with foresight: "You're supposed to be a gentleman."
Without hesitation, I turned my head and bit his wrist. Only when I heard him cry out in pain did I let go, still not quite satisfied.
"Mr. Lopez, are you alright?" His cry brought the butler's inquiry from downstairs.
Oscar looked at the deep teeth marks on his wrist, couldn't help but hiss, bared his teeth at me, but could only pretend nothing happened: "I'm fine."
"You dare take advantage of me?" I made a move to strike again.
Oscar quickly put his palms together: "I was wrong, I was wrong, okay? I just wanted to show a bit of... passion. Just play along. It's about time to go. When we get there, you can't hit me anymore. You need to maintain your image."
I turned and rolled my eyes at him: "My image has always been fine. It's you who shouldn't get carried away."
The address Robert gave us was a private club. When the staff led us to the private room, I realized not everyone had brought family members.
"Let me introduce you. This is my younger son, just back from abroad. He's also in import-export trade now, and he's looking for a site to build a factory and start a new company. He's The Novagen Group's biggest external support. This is his fiancée, Emily. I didn't know before, but SoftGlow Biotech, which was trending on social media recently, was founded by her." Robert gave a detailed introduction.
"Oscar, Emily, this is Mr. Abigail Rodriguez from the tax bureau, this is Mr. Ralph Cook from the Housing Authority, this is Mr. Eugene Bailey from the chamber of commerce. Finally, we can all get together. I'll be counting on you all to look after my family's younger generation."
Oscar and I exchanged glances, quickly understanding why he'd asked us to come. The project that had been blocked was probably tricky, so he was bringing us out to show them that The Novagen Group wasn't in trouble—Oscar and I were both there to help.
I could understand calling Oscar, but I was a bit puzzled that he'd already investigated me so quickly.
Oscar greeted them one by one. Ralph looked at us with a smile: "No wonder Mr. Lopez was so confident. Turns out there's no shortage of talent, and even the future daughter-in-law is someone the higher-ups want to recruit for investment. Looks like the future really belongs to young people."
Robert looked at Oscar with a very satisfied smile, then turned to Ralph: "So there's no such thing as The Novagen Group lacking the qualifications to bid. About the west city project..."
Ralph waved his hand with a very official smile: "About the project, it's really not something I can decide alone. The higher-ups have given instructions, Mr. Lopez. You have to understand, I have no choice."
I turned my head and saw Oscar lower his, the corners of his mouth showing a barely noticeable smile, as if he'd anticipated all of this, and everything was unfolding within his control.
Of course, what I really wanted to know was how he would turn things around, now that we'd been used as doormats.