"Take a seat, Patricia.Having secured funding to complete this project, you have now become our
company's hero! Thus, the board of directors has decided to promote you to vice manager!
Congratulations! Keep up the great work!"
The president patted her on the shoulder before returning to his seat.
Surprised by this news, she studied his expression.
But seeing the profound admiration etched on the president's face, she knew he was not joking.
However, she would have preferred it if she hadn't been given such a position.
She would have opted to remain who she previously was, but after last night, could she honestly return
to who she formerly was? Patricia was lost in thought as the president droned on, singing her praises.
All this meant was that the company valued her input and would reward her for her accomplishments.
Putting her in an esteemed position, they hoped she would use this opportunity to continue working
diligently for the company.
Half an hour later, the president finally let her leave his office.
She couldn't remember exiting the CEO’s office or how she made her way back to her own.
She vaguely recalled returning to her office, putting her bag down, and stretching out on the big rotating
chair behind her desk.
Too exhausted after that meeting, she closed her eyes and fell into deep thought about what had just
ensued.
It was not until noon when a knock on the door brought her back to her senses.
"Come in!" she called out.
"Miss Sampson, are you going out for lunch, or shall I order takeout for you?" Lily inquired after
opening the door and entering.
"Oh, is it noon already?"
After closing the file in her hand, she raised her wrist to look at her watch.
"Yes, it's almost twelve o'clock!"
Lily affirmed and warmly suggested, "There is a new western restaurant downstairs.I heard that the
food there is delicious and inexpensive.How about trying their food?"
"Alright, I'll give them a try."
Patricia nodded, stood up, and walked out of her office.
Noticing that she was not being followed, she stopped, turned around, and looked at Lily.
"You're coming with me!"
Closing the lid to Lily's lunchbox, she grabbed her wrist and pulled her up from where she was seated.
"Let's have lunch together.It's my treat today!"
Patricia dragged Lily off.
Lily wanted to break free of her hold, but she hadn't expected Patricia to be so strong.
And since she didn't want to use too much strength for fear of hurting Patricia, she complied and
followed her.
Eyes burning, she felt touched by Patricia’s gesture.
Noticing that Lily kept her head down and hadn't uttered a word, Patricia declared, "I am not the type of
person who treats others often.
So, you should seize this opportunity given and enjoy yourself!"
"Miss Sampson..."
Lily called out to her in a choked voice but didn't know what to say.
"No need to be so sentimental!"
With a gentle smile, Patricia gave her a tug so they could exit the elevator.
They had arrived at the Manly Sutton Restaurant.
Finding a table near the street, they seated themselves before placing their order.
Both of them ordered the beef, medium rare, and a glass of juice.
While awaiting their meal, they chatted away and enjoyed each other's company.
Patricia sat with her back to the door while Lily was in the opposite seat, meaning that she could see
the doorway.
The two of them were merrily conversing when all of a sudden Lily stopped talking, her eyes focused in
the direction of the door.
"Lily, is something wrong?"
Patricia asked when she saw Lily's strange expression.
"No, everything's fine! Miss Sampson, I happened to have something to ask you...Ummm..."
Lily had snapped back to reality pretty quickly, so she tried to draw Patricia's attention to her question.
But Patricia, noticing her uncharacteristic behavior, turned around to see who was at the door causing
Lily to react in this manner.
One look was all it took for Patricia to turn ashen-faced.
Seeing Patricia turn pale and her smile disappearing, Lily called out in pity, "Miss Sampson..."
‘Zac is starting to become really annoying.The Reynolds Group is so far away from our location, so why
did he choose to come to this restaurant of all places? And of all the people he could bring with him,
why did it have to be Lyndsy? Was he purposefully trying to create problems?’ Lily cursed Zac in her
heart.
She wished she could walk over to him, give him two slaps in the face, and directly send him away.
That way, he would stop showing up in front of Patricia and pestering her.
Lyndsy was no better.
She could go to hell together with Zac.
After all, they were birds of a feather! "Miss Sampson! Miss Sampson..."
Lily squeezed her hand as she called out to her in a soft voice."Oh, Lily!"
Patricia returned to her senses and turned to look at the worried Lily.
Wanting to comfort Lily and assure her that everything was okay, she smiled and said, "I'm fine, really!"
They struck up their conversation again until the waiter brought their food over.
"Miss Sampson, let's dig in!"
Lily said as she noticed that Zac and Lyndsy were walking towards them, but she decided to ignore
them.
"Okay! Let's eat!"
Patricia nodded, picked up the knife and fork, lowered her head, and began to eat.
Lily also followed suit, enjoying the food placed before them.
Just as they were about to have the second bite of their meal, they heard the annoying, shrill voice of
Lyndsy.
"Tsk, I was wondered who it was! I didn't expect to meet you here, dearest sister!"
By the time she had finished her statement, Lyndsy was in front of their table.
Zac wasn't too far behind.
So, now they were both standing beside Patricia, looking down at her.
Hearing Lyndsy's sharp and unpleasant words, Lily raised her eyes to look at her with undisguised
disgust and ire.
Patricia continued to cut the beef on her plate with the knife.
She picked up a small piece, put it into her mouth, and chewed slowly.
It seemed like she hadn't heard what Lyndsy had said, but she didn't intend to speak to her anyway.
Seeing Patricia so calm left Lily relieved.
Turning her gaze to Zac, who was standing there quietly, caused her to see when Lyndsy grabbed his
arm.
This action made her frown. ‘What did he mean by doing this? Did he come here simply to provoke
Patricia?’ They were sitting next to the window, so people could see everything that happened inside
clearly.
So, she was sure that Zac and Lyndsy had come here on purpose to make Patricia feel bad! Lyndsy's
anger sky-rocketed when she realized that Patricia ignored her and paid more attention to her food.
She cursed Patricia in her heart! If Zac hadn't been with her today, she would have definitely taught her
sister a lesson.
But now, in order to maintain a good image in front of Zac, she had to endure this humiliation! Rolling
her eyes, her gaze locked with Zac's.
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Lyndsy acted like a spoiled child and said, "Zac, did you see my
sister's attitude? She didn't even talk to me when I greeted her!"
With a face devoid of emotions, Zac pulled his arm out of Lyndsy's grip and took a step back.
During this time, his eyes were glued to Patricia.
After initially spotting him as he walked through the door, Patricia had ignored him by keeping to herself
while she ate her meal.
This reaction made Zac displeased.
‘Had she already forgotten what happened between us last night?’ Lyndsy suddenly felt empty-
handed, and a touch of disappointment flashed across her face.
She then noticed that Zac was staring at Patricia.
She became infuriated with Patricia for attracting Zac's attention! ‘She is really a bitch! She and Zac are
already divorced, so why couldn't she let her ex-husband go!’ Clenching her teeth, Lyndsy glared at
Patricia and then turned to look at Zac.
The anger on her face dissipated and was replaced by a conniving smile!
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