Chapter 129
Everyone looked shocked, all turning to stare at the man who had suddenly appeared before them.
Landon, however, acted completely at ease, shrugging at everyone: "Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Howard, what a coincidence."
Amanda had a pretty good impression of Landon. She believed that in the Forbes Family, only Nicole and Landon were decent people.
So she greeted him with pleasant surprise: "Landon, come sit down."
Landon didn't refuse, and even thoughtfully helped Amanda walk back: "I was just nearby discussing a business deal, and I happened to get a call from Philip saying you and Mrs. Howard were here. I missed you both, so I took the liberty of dropping by."
Amanda was even more pleased. "You really are the most outstanding person in the Forbes Family - you certainly know how to talk."
With one sentence, Amanda praised Landon while subtly putting down Alexander.
If Alexander had heard this, he'd probably blow his top on the spot.
After helping Amanda back to her seat, Landon walked over to Philip and gave him a look.
Though Philip was a bit reluctant, he still quickly slid down from his chair again. "Dad, you sit here."
Landon pretended to hesitate. "What about you?"
Philip glanced at Amanda and said with a smile. "I really like Mrs. Walker. I want to sit next to her."
Without waiting for Landon to say anything more, he ran to Amanda's side, looked up at her with an adoring expression: "Mrs. Walker, can I sit next to you?"
Amanda already adored Philip, so how could she refuse?
She nodded eagerly with joy: "Of course, you can sit right beside me."
Philip's little short legs had just climbed onto the chair when he saw that Landon had already settled himself next to Charlotte.
Philip was upset that Landon had taken Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't even have time to say a word before the soft, adorable Philip beside her was replaced by Landon with his naturally imposing presence.
She felt a bit helpless about it.
Landon beside her seemed completely oblivious to this. While politely engaging with Amanda and Debra, he discreetly glanced at Charlotte.
When he saw the glass of mango juice she was holding, his expression darkened imperceptibly for a moment.
Currently on the table were pre-meal snacks and drinks - the main courses hadn't been served yet.
Out of courtesy and politeness, Amanda invited Landon to order a few more dishes.
Landon didn't decline. After having the waiter bring the menu, he looked through it very carefully.
Soon, he added two more dishes.
After handing the menu back to the waiter, Landon formally thanked Amanda.
Watching Landon, who was so well-mannered and known as an investment genius, Amanda was increasingly satisfied. She even secretly regretted that if she had a daughter, she'd definitely want her to marry someone like Landon, even if he was divorced with a child.
After ordering, Landon finally turned to Jordan with a cold laugh. "Mr. Howard, you actually have time to come out for a meal? That's really rare."
Jordan glanced at Charlotte from the corner of his eye and returned a smile. "I did two surgeries in a row this morning and got a bit tired, so I took leave to slip out and spend time with someone important."
Others who heard this assumed the important person Jordan mentioned was Debra.
But Landon didn't think so, because he saw a hint of wariness in Jordan's eyes.
'Jordan, you better not get any funny ideas, or I won't hesitate to make the entire Howard Family leave River City,' he thought.
The food arrived quickly.
Charlotte suddenly noticed that the two dishes Landon had added were both things she loved to eat.
Jordan noticed this too at that moment.
He pondered for a moment, then unusually raised his wine glass to toast Landon: "Mr. Forbes, it's rare we're all together. Let me toast you."
Landon calmly stood up as well: "Mr. Howard, I hope we can look out for each other in the future."
The two men's eyes met, both gazes full of calculation.
The food at this club tasted excellent, and after sitting down, both men began eating with everyone else.
However, whenever Charlotte's favorite dishes were served, two hands would invariably place the food in front of Charlotte at the same time.
Once was a coincidence, but twice became rather conspicuous. Amanda and Debra couldn't help but look up at them.
Debra naturally understood Jordan's feelings, but as for Landon - did he like Charlotte too?
The thought suddenly occurred to Debra.
But Charlotte was Landon's nephew's wife, and with Landon's capabilities, if he truly liked Charlotte, the person who married her back then wouldn't have been Alexander.
It seemed he was just taking extra care of Charlotte because she helped look after Philip and because she was his nephew's wife.
Jordan still had a chance!
As for Amanda, she genuinely felt for Charlotte.
She also thought both these young men were quite excellent—whichever one liked Charlotte would be a better choice for her.
With various thoughts in mind, everyone pretended not to notice this behavior.
So the same thing happened a fourth time, a fifth time...
Watching the two men beside her seemingly competing, Charlotte suddenly felt uncomfortable.
However, she didn't think too much of it. Instead, she assumed Landon and Jordan might have had some unknown conflict in the past, which was why they were competing like this.
After all, two equally outstanding people would inevitably have some friction.
The meal finally ended with everyone seemingly satisfied.
Of course, except for Landon and Jordan, each with their own hidden agendas.
When leaving, Jordan volunteered to drive Charlotte home, citing that he lived closer to her place, but was naturally declined by Landon.
Debra had no choice but to reluctantly hold Charlotte's hand before getting in the car, wanting to arrange their next meeting.
Before Charlotte could figure out how to respond, Landon skillfully declined on her behalf, using taking care of Philip as the reason.
After saying goodbye, Amanda got in her car and left first.
Charlotte, holding Philip's hand, chatted with Debra for a while before also getting in the car.
Finally, only the two men remained.
Before getting in their cars, the two exchanged another glance.
If someone who didn't know saw this, they might think it was a couple in love.
Jordan, being younger, was the first to look away.
Just as he was about to turn and open his car door, he suddenly heard Landon's cool voice from behind.
Low and carrying an indescribable undertone. "Are you Candy?"