In the Lap of Luxury

"Because you treated me to it."

"Xander, that's just silly!" She thought of that scene and couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing her smile, Xander asked, "Still nervous?"

Grace shook her head. "Not anymore."

But as she laughed, she suddenly felt something was off. Why had Xander done that back then? Just as she was about to ask, she caught his serious look, and she suddenly realized something.

Her smile ceased, and a blush crept onto her face.

Great, now she was even more nervous.

"What... what time is it now?"

"10:00 pm. I've asked the maids to prepare a late-night snack for you when you get back."

The conference room door opened, and Eric and the others filed out.

Grace had been crouching for too long, and her legs were numb. So Xander helped her stand.

"Congratulations, Ms. Lewis. Byte Technologies' e-commerce entry into the international market has been approved."

Everyone was stunned and found it hard to believe.

"It has been approved?" Grace whispered.

"Yes. I believe it's good news for you."

The crowd snapped back to reality, bursting into cheers and tears of joy.

The first thing Grace did was grip Xander's hand tightly. "Xander, it's approved. It's approved!"

"I told you, you could do it."

This was big news. It was a historic step. Grace's excitement built up until she couldn't help but hug Xander tightly. "This is so great. So great!"

Xander paused, and then his large hand gently rested on her slender waist as if holding something precious.

As the meeting ended, Byte Technologies' staff members hurried to report to their superior and left first.

Eric pulled Grace aside and said, "Ms. Lewis, before today, I was wondering whether to go easy on you for saving my life, but the information you provided was impressive." "That's too kind of you to say."

"This is a gift my wife insisted I give you as a token of thanks."

Grace accepted it, finding inside all the things she liked. They must have specifically inquired about her preferences.

"Thank you, Mr. Schultz."

"I didn't expect you to know Xander."

Grace looked at Xander beside her and said, "He's... like a brother to me."

Xander said, "Uncle Eric, you still love gossip."

Eric spoke emotionally, "It's hard not to when your father and I were old friends."

Outside, Xander gestured for Grace to get in the car first.

Eric looked at him and sighed. "No one but Fulton Group can take on the subway project. It's not about Jake, but because of the company's capability." "I understand."

"As far as I know, your father has always favored you. If you hadn't left for Pamore, Jake wouldn't have stood a chance. Don't you want to compete?"

Xander put his hands in his pockets indifferently.

"I won't let him have it too easy."

Eric patted his shoulder and glanced at the car before leaving.

Grace waited intently for Xander. She felt bored and started doodling on the fogged up windows.

She drew a heart.

Feeling silly afterward, she hastily wiped it away.

But the traces on the window were still clear. She and Xander caught each other's eyes for a moment. She looked away, as if she had been electrocuted, and leaned back in her seat. Eric chuckled. "It looks like your big day is coming. Jake won't stir up any storms."

"No, Uncle Eric," Xander disagreed. "I don't need to get married to deal with him." "Grace is the only daughter of the Lewis family. If you were to marry her—" "This has nothing to do with money."

Two minutes later, Xander got into the car. The cold wind from outside blew into the car. "Were you bored?"

"You seem very familiar with Mr. Schultz."

"He's friends with my father."

Xander looked up to see the scribbles on the window.

Grace instinctively covered it. "I was doodling!"

Xander chuckled and commented sincerely, "It's nice."

Grace wished she wasn't always blushing around him!