Lunch Meeting

"Unfortunately, I didn't meet Mr. Mori. He was in another meeting when I arrived. His secretary told me that the signing would be postponed because they would reconsider it," Professor Kelly sounded disappointed when she told Allie this over a phone call.

"I was told they are to come up with a decision within five business days."

Five days? Allie scoffed. Evan was clearly telling her that he had given her five days to think about the compensation he wanted.

"I don't know what went wrong. They were so interested in our projects, and Mr. Mori seemed so sure about it. I don't know why there was a last-minute change," Professor Kelly's lament went on.

Allie only sighed. She couldn't say that it was because of her.

"Don't worry, Professor. I trust our projects and team. We will surely hear from them soon," Allie assured.

After the call, Allie tossed her phone onto her sofa.

She poured a glass of wine and stood on her balcony. Evan Mori was giving her a headache. Why couldn't he just choose anyone willing to marry him? She was sure there was a long list of women who would die to be his bride.

The next day, Cole went to Allie's penthouse early in the morning.

Allie sipped her tea while Cole presented her the profiles of eligible ladies to marry Evan Mori.

"I have excluded those ladies who had been set up with Mr. Mori before. These are ladies from wealthy families in Claymount with great backgrounds. These are the top 20, and I also have another 30 as backup," Cole said and gave his tablet to Allie, where he had compiled the information of the ladies.

Allie swiped through the profiles.

"Excellent."

"But what is this for, boss? Why do you want to find Mr. Mori a bride?"

Allie explained everything to Cole. He was her trusted subordinate, and he knew almost everything about her.

Cole's eyes widened in shock.

"He wants to marry you? That is interesting, boss!" He laughed, but he stopped at once when he received a glare from Allie.

"I mean, Evan Mori is one of the richest men in Claymount, and he is the heir of MGC. He's also managing Lotus Tech. A rich and powerful husband is what you need, boss. After all, you need a big chunk of money."

Indeed, Allie needed a large sum of money. But she wouldn't get it from marrying a rich man. She would earn it herself. Why would she depend on someone else when she could do it on her own?

Besides, Evan Mori wasn't someone to mess with. He wouldn't give anything without taking. He was ruthless in business, so he must be ruthless with his family too. She had heard he didn't get along well with his cousins.

"I can get the money on my own, Cole."

Cole nodded. "Oh, right!" he chuckled. "Pardon me, boss. Now that I think of it, that man isn't suitable for you. Everyone says he has a bad temper and is a business tyrant."

"But can you really convince him to marry one of those ladies?"

Allie was determined. "I will make him."

It took them two days to arrange everything. Cole had contacted Evan's secretary, and they scheduled to meet for lunch. Evan had agreed, but Allie told Cole not to mention anything about the meeting. So when Evan entered the restaurant, he had no idea what was waiting for him in the private room Allie had booked.

Allie sat there with a young woman around her age, Jodie Brookes, the heiress of an oil company.

The woman looked so radiant in her yellow dress and wide smile. Her smile widened even more when she saw Evan enter the room.

Jodie may be among the elite, but the man was too aloof and untouchable for her to have any significant encounters with him. That's why when someone reached out, saying they could arrange a lunch with him, she didn't waste the opportunity.

Now that Evan's wedding had failed, that meant she still had a chance!

Evan's eyes found Allie first, but when he noticed the woman sitting beside her, his eyes narrowed.

Allie was wearing her usual office clothes since she came from Code Vision that morning.

As soon as Evan stopped by the table, Jodie stood to greet him.

"Hello, Mr. Mori!"

Allie did the same, but her voice was less enthusiastic.

Evan only gave Jodie an indifferent look before he turned to Allie.

"What is this?"

"We are having dinner together with Miss Jodie Brookes, Mr. Mori," Allie tried to sound as diplomatic as possible. She could see in Evan's face that he wouldn't mind offending Jodie with his reaction.

"She wishes to find a husband, and you wish to find a wife as well, so you two seem to be a perfect match. I have arranged a lunch date for you to talk and get to know each other."

Jodie blushed and looked down when the 'wife' and 'husband' were mentioned. But the two who were glaring at each other were oblivious to it.

Allie knew how marriages in the elite worked. There was no need to beat around the bush.

"Interesting," Evan nodded and pulled up a seat.

Allie was relieved that Evan seemed to be interested in the idea of getting to know Jodie. The two women returned to their seats.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Brookes. I know your parents and brother. I believe we have once met at a social gathering too, but I didn't pay much attention, so it feels like we're meeting for the first time."

Jodie wasn't offended by this. "No worries, Mr. Mori! I understand you meet a lot of people every day and forgot about meeting me."

"An understanding woman. A characteristic I am looking for in a wife," Evan smiled.

Allie's eyes slightly narrowed. She felt like Evan was too amiable. Too good to be true.

Their food was served, and they started eating.

Jodie kept babbling about herself the whole time. How she performed a big ballet show overseas, her academic achievements, travel adventures, and more. Allie just ate silently. She glanced at Evan from time to time, gauging his reaction.

To her surprise, he seemed pretty tamed. He didn't look enthusiastic, but at least he was listening to Jodie.

In the middle of lunch, Allie excused herself, saying she needed to go to the bathroom. But it was only an excuse to leave the two.

She went to the powder room and freshened up a bit.

"I think this could work," she muttered to herself after putting on her peach lipstick.

She left the powder room and was planning to leave the restaurant's private room discreetly.

But just as she stepped out of the powder room, she saw Evan Mori standing by the wall, looking at her darkly.