Chapter: 4

Bethany didn't say anything, but Aimee secretly shot Carson a disdainful look. It was obvious the fault lay with Carson. To compete for the project, he had even dared to take on the role of replenishing party.

Suddenly, Carson looked Bethany up and down, as though he was sizing her up.

“Bethany, I just remembered something," he said, his tone notably gentler. “You're from Brokdon, right?"

"Yes."

“Perfect! Mr. Bates is also from Brokdon. I'm inviting him to dinner tonight, and you could use your shared hometown as an excuse to probe him."

Carson wasn't making a request; he was ordering her to do it.

But Bethany wanted to avoid meeting Jonathan after what happened last night.

Biting her lip, she said diplomatically, "Mr. Smith, I'm not sure I'm qualified to talk to Mr. Bates."

"Isn't it normal to converse with each other when people sit at the same table?"

"Yes, but-"

"No ‘buts.’ Dress up nicely tonight. Don't embarrass me!"

After saying that, Carson hurried out of the hotel. Aimee could only roll her eyes and follow him out alongside Bethany.

That evening, after the first round of negotiations with the representative from Glora Company, Carson urged Bethany to return to the hotel to prepare for their dinner with Jonathan.

She didn't know how Carson had even managed to convince Jonathan to have dinner with him, but sure enough, Jonathan showed up.

As soon as Bethany entered, she found him occupying the main seat.

Jonathan had taken off his suit jacket and draped it over the armrest. The top two buttons of his shirt were left undone, exposing just a glimpse of his clavicle. His noble features and golden-rimmed glasses gave him an air of restraint.

There were four people in total-Bethany, Carson, Jonathan, and Jonathan's secretary.

Noticing that Bethany hesitated at the door, Carson stood up and pulled out the chair next to Jonathan. “Come here, Bethany."

Biting her lip hesitantly, she awkwardly made her way over.

But before she could take her seat, Jonathan's cold voice interrupted her. "Isn't Bethany an assistant? Since when did she work as an escort?"

In the investment industry, when people talked about business, they would hire escorts to lighten the mood and facilitate cooperation.

It turned out that in Jonathan's eyes, Bethany was no different from an escort. In that case, did he also think that last night was a “favor" arranged by Carson?

Bethany's face burned with shame when she heard Jonathan's words, but she had no choice but to set aside her pride for the time being.

She needed this job; after all, her mother's medical expenses weren't going to pay for themselves.