Chapter 26
They headed to the restaurant together-the one the institute had booked for their welcome dinner.
It was a proper reception.
Their teacher was a giant in the field, a household name in traditional medicine.
Since they were here on his behalf, the host side had gone above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect.
The research institute’s representative, also from Choit, greeted them warmly. “Mr. Livingston, Ms. Cummings-thank you both for making such a long trip. Please, have a seat.”
Alan had a natural gift for conversation.
By the time the meal was over, all Lottie had to do was enjoy her food.
Every so often, when he noticed a dish he knew she liked, he’d quietly serve her some.
Like the nuts.
Nigel never touched nuts. Dishes like that never once appeared on the Mathis family table.
But Lottie liked it.
She glanced over at Alan, eyes crinkling in a soft smile. She didn’t say a word, but he understood her gratitude in- stantly. With a smile of his own, he lightly tapped the top of her head. “Eat it while it’s hot. Teacher made me promise I’d look after you.”
Just then, the door of the private dining room across the hallway opened.
The first to step out was a foreign man in his late forties, flanked by sharply dressed subordinates. He had that unmis- takable aura of a corporate heavyweight-probably a senior exec from a listed company.
He stepped aside courteously, grinning from ear to ear as he spoke fluent Griyta. “Mr. Pollard, it’s settled then. I’ll personally bring the contract to your hotel tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
The man who responded emerged a second later. Young, poised, distant.
He wore a tailored black shirt tucked into slim trousers, his jacket casually draped over one arm. With striking, angu- lar features and a calm, commanding presence, he radiated the kind of authority that didn’t need to be announced.
His assistant leaned over with a quiet reminder. “Sir, the CEO of CalmOcean Biotech is waiting at the hotel.”
Hearing that, the foreign man quickly caught on and said with tact, “I’ll walk you out.”
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Chapter 26
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As the young man passed Lottie’s dining room, the server pushed the door open to bring in another dish. His gaze swept past the open door-
And paused.
Inside, a girl sat in a soft rose-pink knit top, her jeans hugging her waist and hips just right. The man beside her reached out and tapped her head, and she smiled at him, utterly relaxed. There wasn’t even a flicker of discomfort.
She looked… sweet.
His assistant caught the hesitation in his stride and followed his gaze. His eyes lit up. “Wait-isn’t that Ms. Cummings? What’s she doing in Griyta?”
Then, spotting Alan, he frowned. “And who’s that guy? Don’t tell me she’s already divorced Nigel and moved on to someone new?”
The server stepped out and quietly closed the door, cutting off the view.
The man gave his assistant a side-eye, tugging his tie loose in irritation. “Do I look like a psychic to you?”
Lottie had never had trouble sleeping in new places, and jet lag wasn’t an issue. She woke up naturally, even before her alarm went off.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for 9:58 a.m.
The research institute was located in a prime part of town.
Everyone invited to the event was a top name in traditional medicine. If not for attending on her mentor’s behalf, someone as low-profile as Lottie wouldn’t have come close to the guest list.
Very few young women made it to the top of this field, so when she and Alan arrived, they naturally drew attention.
Successful, young, and stunning-who wouldn’t sneak an extra glance?
When people found out she was Archie’s student, they came over one after another to chat, eventually steering the conversation toward the herbal remedy she and Alan had developed.
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