A deal is a deal

A wicked glint crossed Evan's eyes as he answered, "Deal."

"Okay, it's a deal, so make sure you won't go back on your word, Mr. Mori. If I find someone who is up to your liking, you won't ask me to marry you," she warned.

He nodded. "If you find someone I approve of, then you won't be marrying me. Of course, a deal is a deal, Miss Gray. I am a businessman. I don't go back on my word."

Allie was relieved.

While on the road, Allie called Cole and told him her plan. But she knew it wouldn't be easy to find a woman who wanted the same thing as Evan.

Most wealthy girls were spoiled brats who were used to getting what they wanted. And Cole's list of ladies, most of them were enamored of Evan's looks and background. They wouldn't want a marriage with no strings attached!

There comes the challenge, thought Allie.

She sighed and thought of a way to turn the tables within five days.

Perhaps there was a woman from a rich family who only wanted the fame and power of Evan Mori, not his love and affection. Someone who was willing enough to be a tyrant's doll.

Allie went back to Code Vision and worked until afternoon. She met Cole in her penthouse later that night.

"I have a very short list of possible candidates for the position of Mr. Mori's wife," Cole said, smiling.

This was the main reason why Allie had been working with Cole for years. The man knew how to work efficiently. He worked pretty fast and had good connections.

"Although I am not quite sure, we can try," added Cole as he handed his tablet to Allie.

"The first one is Miss Amethyst Lee. Her family owns a chain of hospitals here in Claymount. She is currently working as a resident in their main hospital. She's known to be stoic with no boyfriend since birth. She also doesn't entertain anyone, but her sickly father has been pressuring her to get married."

Allie nodded, biting an apple while holding the tablet.

"She seems to be a good candidate."

"The problem is, she might not be ready for marriage yet," said Cole.

"She is pressured. I'm sure she's thinking about getting married soon. She is busy with her work since she's still a resident doctor, so she wouldn't want a messy married life. She's perfect to be Mrs. Evan Mori."

Before Allie slept that night, she received an email from Evan's secretary, stating that in every prospect she found, she must meet Evan first and discuss it with him before he would meet the prospect.

She replied and told the secretary that she found the first prospect. She asked if a lunch meeting the next day was possible, but Newton said his boss could only squeeze in a quick meeting with her in the evening.

Of course, she had no choice but to meet him on his free time.

~*~

"Some of us are having dinner together tonight at a famous grill. You should come with us, Miss Allie," James, one of Allie's co-workers, invited when it was time to clock out from work.

"Yes, you should come with us, Allie!" Heidi approached Allie with a smiling face.

Heidi was the system maintenance leader, and in Code Vision, she was the closest to Allie because they went to the same college.

Allie wasn't a very social person, but she joined team dinners occasionally. She checked her phone and found a new email from Evan's secretary.

Newton had sent her the location where she would meet Evan a couple of hours later.

It was just near the grill where her coworkers would dine. Since that was the case, she decided to dine with the team.

As the team ate at the grill, they started talking about Code Vision's acquisition.

"You guys shouldn't worry about the acquisition. I am sure Lotus Tech will come up with a positive decision anytime soon," said Heidi.

"Well, I just really hope we become a subsidiary of Lotus Tech as soon as possible. We need funds and resources. Lotus Tech could offer us everything we need. After all, they would only get 50% of the shares, and Professor Kelly will still manage us."

Allie remained silent the whole time. The more they talked about it, the more responsible she felt. Her two lives overlapped, and she had nothing to hold accountable but herself.

"You look so serious," Heidi noticed and whispered to Allie. "If you're worried about Code Vision, don't overthink it. Our projects were all your ideas, and you are a great team leader. We have trust in our work. You should trust us too."

Allie smirked. "For a short girl, you talk too much. I am not worried; this is just my usual face."

Heidi rolled her eyes. "Who are you fooling? I know something's bothering you. I have known you for years, Allison Gray."

Allie only chuckled.

At moments like this, she felt like she was truly living a normal life.

After finishing dinner, the team stayed at the grill for drinks. It was the weekend tomorrow, and they wouldn't be coming to work, so it was fine to stay up late and get wasted.

"Hey, if I get wasted, call my boyfriend for me, okay?" Heidi said to Allie before she drank her third glass of liquor.

Allie's phone beeped, and after she read the message from an unknown number, she said, "I don't think I can do that."

She turned to inform everyone, "Excuse me. I have to leave first. I hope you enjoy your night."

They were disappointed, but they didn't hold her back. In Code Vision, Allie was highly respected as the lead developer. Her team was happy she dined with them and hoped they could drink together, but they also knew she usually didn't stay for drinks every time there was a team dinner.

The café where Allie would meet Evan was just on the first floor of a nearby hotel, so it was a quick drive to the café.

She had just entered the hotel when her phone beeped. The number was still unregistered, but Allie knew it was Evan.

Where are you? You're 10 minutes late.