Meeting a Bigshot

Irene watched her appearance repeatedly in the small mirror, ensuring her lipstick and makeup were still on point.

The car had just stopped before the most luxurious restaurant in Novus City, Rithora. The luxury restaurant exuded an atmosphere of opulence and refinement, with plush furnishings and tasteful decor creating an indulgent ambiance. 

"Miss Russell, I just escorted you here. After this, a waiter will escort you to Mr. Delacroix's table." Amber opened the door for Irene.

Irene looked stunning as she got out of the car. She was draped in a sleek black dress that accentuated her elegance. 

The fitted silhouette gracefully showed off her figure, while the subtle details and modest neckline added a touch of sophistication. Paired with subtle accessories, Irene's black dress radiated timeless charm, making her the epitome of grace for the evening.

When Amber looked at Irene's look, she was taken aback for a few moments. It seemed that she was still mesmerized by Irene's dazzling appearance.

The disheveled woman she had met earlier in the morning was now transformed into a beautiful swan.

"I thought Mr. Delacroix would greet me in front of the restaurant." Irene sighed harshly. "I guess he's not a gentleman."

"Miss Russell." Amber raised her tone slightly. "Please, choose your words wisely when you talk about Mr. Delacroix. Even though we've only met a few times, I don't want you to get into trouble."

It seemed that the rumors about the tyrant were not just nonsense. Could Sebastian tear her mouth out if Irene spoke disrespectfully in front of him?

"Geez, all of you are not fun, but it's not like I want to make a mess with that old man." Irene added, "He's such a powerful man after all."

After all, she attended the tyrant's dinner invitation to find an opportunity to revive her business, which was on the brink of death.

Irene loved to cause trouble, but tonight was an exception.

She vowed to win Sebastian Delacroix's heart at any cost.

"Miss Russell, Mr. Delacroix is already waiting for you." A waitress approached Irene and bowed slightly as she stood before her. 

[The formality makes me feel suffocated.] Irene grumbled in her heart but still maintained a smile on her face.

"Please, escort me to him," Irene said.

Before Irene walked after the waitress, she turned to Amber. "Thank you for giving me advice."

Amber just smiled in return, so Irene didn't say anything else.

When she entered the luxurious restaurant, Irene suddenly wondered what Sebastian Delacroix, who had always been considered a mystery by others, looked like.

Could he be a perverted old man looking for a young woman to warm his bed?

As curious as Irene was, she couldn't guarantee that Sebastian would reveal his true face.

"Mr. Delacroix is waiting for you in this room." The waitress pointed to the door of a VVIP room located on the restaurant's top floor.

Irene took a deep breath a few times, hesitating when she should open the door before her. Somehow, the golden lion carved on the door intimidated her.

No, it didn't.

Maybe it wasn't the golden lion that intimidated her, but the person behind the door.

[Here I come, old man.]

When Irene opened the door before her, she expected to see a perverted old man in the room. She was prepared to run away if the old man wanted to ask Irene to do something indecent with him.

However, she was wrong. Instead of being greeted by a filthy old man with a lewd face, Irene saw someone very different from her imagination.

In the dimly lit diner ambiance, a handsome young man in his early thirties sat alone at a table. His jet-black hair was impeccably styled, adding a touch of graciousness to his appearance. Gray eyes, like storm clouds on the horizon, held a mysterious dept that attracted Irene's attention.

He wore a white shirt and gray suit that accentuated his well-defined features. In some way, Irene thought he exuded an effortless charm.

The soft glow of ambient lighting played on the chiseled lines of his face, casting subtle shadows that only enhanced his attractiveness. A faint smile graced his lips, revealing a hint of both warmth and restraint.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Russell." An attractive, low-baritone voice escaped the man's lips. 

Irene pinched her arm to keep herself from falling under the man's charm. "Are you Mr. Delacroix?"

The man stood up and said, "You're right. I'm Sebastian Delacroix."

Irene almost gaped when she heard that. She had thought Sebastian was an experienced middle-aged man, but it turned out he was still in his thirties, making Irene think he was just a puppet controlled by the great man behind him.

She reflexively sighed and said. "You're too young."

Irene bit her inner lips after saying that unintentionally. Even though the man before her was a puppet to shield the wealthy people behind him, she should not utter such a presumptuous sentence.

"Such a bold young woman." Sebastian laughed stiffly but showed no sign of offense after hearing Irene's words. "People who meet me in person always say that, but this is the first time someone has said it to my face."

"Miss Russell, you're lucky because I'm in a good mood today."

Irene narrowed her eyes and held the doorknob behind her back. "Are you going to kill me if you're in a bad mood?"

Within seconds, the atmosphere in the room was so dense and tense that it made Irene hold her breath. Sebastian's fake smile somehow looked dangerous in Irene's eyes.

"Do I look like a vile person in your eyes?" asked Sebastian. Irene didn't know if it was an illusion, but Sebastian's gray eyes seemed to darken for a few seconds.

Irene lifted her head, then shook her hair to calm her heart. "Who knows."

She could not possibly be able to judge someone in just a short time. However, something inside Irene's head repeatedly told her to be careful in front of the tyrant.

Before meeting Sebastian, Irene was determined to get Sebastian's heart to save her business. However, after exchanging glances with him, she knew that taking the heart of a tyrant was impossible.

She could not afford to take the wrong step, or she would end up betrayed for the umpteenth time.

"Why do you keep standing? Please, sit down, Miss Russell."

Irene walked toward Sebastian with her head raised, showing her confident demeanor that would not allow her to be easily trampled on.

"Let me introduce myself formally." Irene shook Sebastian's hand once he sat down in the chair. Her grip was firm, and her eyes looked fierce when she said, "I'm Irene Russell. It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Delacroix."

Sebastian smiled faintly. "I should say so. I apologize for asking you to come here suddenly."

Irene, "It's not a big deal. Besides, I also have a lot of free time today.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Russell." Sebastian's smile became more pronounced after he said that as if he wanted to mock Irene. "I wanted to see you after seeing the news about your sister."

Irene frowned, confused about why he should express sorrow for her sister's achievements. Her eyes narrowed sharply at the thought of Sebastian knowing something no one else should know. "What do you know, Mr. Delacroix?"