Clarify

At the cafeteria, Kate and Miriam were waiting for Diana. When they saw her enter, they hurriedly waved at her. Diana went to their table as soon as she saw them.

"What took you so long? Here, I already got your food." Kate said.

"Here's a bottle of lemonade." Miriam gave it to her.

Diana was surprised at their gesture. In front of her is the beef spare ribs over steamed white rice.

"How much was it? I'll transfer it to you."

"Huh? Don't mention it. It's my treat. Hurry and eat.." Kate waved her hand, rejecting her payment.

"Thank you. Both of you." Diana smiled faintly. She just came from some trouble and now she has these two colleagues who took the initiative to befriend her. It was too heartwarming.

The two didn't bother Diana. They insisted on having her focus on eating seeing that lunch break is almost over.

They only chatted about Kate's roommate Armie who is a Fashion Designer.

"For real? She said yes! Wohoo! I'll be so stylish." Miriam exclaimed excitedly.

Kate laughed. "Yeah! She asked if we have time this weekend. She'll take both of your measurements and will probably ask you some questions as to what preferences you have when it comes to clothes."

"I'm free on Saturday of course. What about you Diana? We'll go eat at a restaurant afterward." Miriam said.

Diana nodded and showed a thumbs up. She can't say a word as her mouth is still full.

Kate and Miriam high-fived. "Great!"

At the President's Office, Lucas stood facing the window, overlooking the city.

"Blacklist the two from all businesses and facilities under us," Lucas ordered, his voice as cold as ice.

"Understood." Ethan resisted the urge to shiver.

He had reported what happened to Lucas and as expected, he was angered.

Lucas waved his hand in dismissal. Ethan left the office, proceeding to carry out his orders. He sent out a memorandum to the whole Institute, to the Hospital, to other facilities under the Lovell and Forrest Families, and even contacted the Assistants of the head of the Families from the Great 7.

He also called the lawyer to meet up with him.

The two need to be punished and Lucas will help deliver it.

For the rest of the day, Diana worked peacefully in the laboratory.

As word traveled fast, even her coworkers heard about what happened earlier. All of them sympathized with her. For the short time that they've spent working with Diana, she was really thorough with her job. She would even help out her coworkers especially when there's a sudden rush of laboratory test requests. Overall, they have a good opinion of her.

At the end of the day, Diana packed up and left the lab. Since Diana, Kate, and Miriam live in opposite directions, they didn't take the same cab. The two left first. But just as she's about to hail a cab for herself, a black Rolls Royce Phantom appeared in front of her.

Emmet Foster, the bodyguard came down and opened the rear seat's door.

Diana peeked inside. A man with a familiar face sat inside. He patted the seat next to him.

"Let me take you to your apartment?" Lucas smiled. But it was a smile that tells you not to reject his offer.

Diana nodded. She also doesn't want to haggle with him in front of their workplace. It would bring them both trouble if others would see her. They might accuse her of selling her body to be able to get into the Institute.

She climbed inside. Emmett shut the door and went to the passenger's seat. After a few moments, Kyle started the car and drove away from the front of the building.

"Have you met with Pierpont yet?" Lucas asked nonchalantly.

Diana was shocked. 'I knew it!' She had a vague idea as to who connected her to the famous lawyer. But now there's no doubt anymore.

"Not yet." Diana said. "So you--" She was about to clarify it with Lucas as to his involvement.

Lucas nodded, not denying it.

"And the job--?" Diana couldn't help but want to clarify again.

Lucas nodded, a lopsided smile appeared on his face.

Her breath stuck in her throat.

What did he do to deserve so much help from him? They've only met once before she started working in the Institute.

When Heather told her about the lawyer, she didn't put Lucas in the equation of possible reasons why Atty. Pierpont appeared.

Lucas cleared his throat. "If you don't have other plans now, do you want to meet with him?"

Diana blinked a few times. 'Oh! Pierpont. Right.'

"Okay." Diana whispered. Her cheeks blushed red.

At this, Lucas called Pierpont and told him to meet them at The Waterfront Well in his private room.

'The lawyer would meet us just like that? He's not even busy with other things that he could come in a moment's notice from Lucas?'

Looking sideways, Diana still couldn't fathom why Lucas would extend his help towards her.

"Thank you." Diana whispered, her head bowed down.

This was the same feeling as that time. The feeling of assurance. It seemed like with Lucas in charge, whatever worries she has, it would be resolved quickly and efficiently.

'Where did this confidence come from? When we first met, we spent barely an hour together. Now, it's my first day at work, and barely had any interaction with him. But why? How could I rely on him so fast? It's not logical! It's not because of his looks, right? or his wealth? No, but I don't why I still gravitate towards him....'

She didn't know how she could ever repay him. By working hard in her job? Of course, that's a given. What can she offer as thanks in return?

She decided that whatever requests Lucas may have in the future, as long as it is reasonable, she will do her best to fulfill it.

"No problem." Lucas smiled warmly at her.

'There. I see. It's his warm smile. I felt his sincerity. I felt how genuinely motivated he was in helping me. I'm just not sure what I can do to repay him.'

They arrived at the restaurant with the lawyer already waiting for them inside the private room.