Chapter 20
Though Clarissa had limited experience with such social gatherings, she understood the dynamics.
For instance, these drinking parties always included young, pretty girls.
At this moment, everyone’s eyes were on Clarissa, making her feel somewhat pressured.
But she didn’t hesitate, holding her wine glass and speaking, “Hello everyone, I’m Clarissa Langley.
Pleased to meet you all.”
A man in his forties sitting in the main seat looked her up and down, and asked in a superior tone:
“Clarissa? That’s a nice name.”
Before Clarissa could respond, Huston jumped in: “Yes, not only does Clarissa have a good name, but she also has high academic qualifications and works very diligently. Clarissa, go toast Secretary
Black.”
Clarissa didn’t usually drink alcohol. After just one glass, she felt her stomach churning
uncomfortably.
But with Huston’s urgent prompting, she steeled herself, enduring the discomfort, and picked up the bottle to refill her glass.
The private room was very quiet, making the sound of pouring liquid very clear.
Just as everyone was focusing their attention, waiting to see Clarissa drink, the previously closed door of the private room was opened by a waiter.
Clarissa’s pouring motion paused.
Everyone immediately turned their gaze towards the door.
Then, they all froze.
A tall, straight–backed man walked in their direction. As he approached, he casually took off his suit
jacket and handed it to his assistant.
A simple white shirt, black trousers, paired with gold–rimmed glasses, scholarly and distinguished.
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Chapter 20
Wait?
Why was Theodore here?
Huston had already confirmed Theodore’s schedule with the presidential secretary’s office, knowing
he was going to Boston for a few days. Although he was returning today, he was expected to land at the airport around 6 PM.
In that case, it would be difficult to make the 7 PM dinner, especially since Theodore had many work
matters to handle daily. There was no need for him to attend such a dinner.
“Mr. Ashford, how did you…”
Just as Huston was about to say something, Secretary Black, who had been seated in the honored
position, rose before Huston could finish and walked up to Theodore, extending his hand.
“I heard from Manager Huston earlier that Mr. Ashford was busy and couldn’t spare time to attend
the dinner. I was a bit disappointed. How come you now have time to join us?”
Theodore’s gaze fell evenly on the woman holding the wine glass, and he pulled his lips into a faint
smile: “For such an important occasion, of course I had to come.”
The moment their eyes met, Clarissa was momentarily stunned, her hand gripping the wine glass somewhat stiffly.
Secretary Black immediately raised his glass to toast Theodore, saying a series of polite, formal, and
courteous words.
He first called Theodore the “money tree” of Los Angeles, saying the Aurexon Group under the
Ashford family had boosted Los Angeles’s GDP, then mentioned that the Ashford family, tracing back
wo generations, had military backgrounds.
Hearing this, it made sense that he would be so respectful to Theodore, who was more than a decade
his junior.
Theodore unhurriedly picked up a teapot from the table and poured a cup of tea: “I don’t like to irink alcohol, so I’ll use tea instead. A toast to everyone.”
Secretary Black was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered.
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Chapter 20
“Yes, tea is good! Too much alcohol is harmful.”
After saying this, he also poured out the alcohol in his cup and replaced it with tea.
“Let’s all toast Mr. Ashford!”
The moment these words were spoken, everyone tacitly raised their cups.
During the two or three seconds that Clarissa was contemplating with the glass full of alcohol in her hand, someone took her wine glass and handed her a cup of tea instead.
Theodore had very beautiful hands. His knuckles were distinct, with clear veins, making it hard not to look at them a few more times.
Clarissa pressed her lips together and said softly: “Thank you, Mr. Ashford.”
Theodore didn’t say much more, withdrawing his gaze from her.
Perhaps by coincidence, she ended up seated next to Theodore.
At the dinner, everyone chafted enjoyably, and Theodore maintained a relaxed demeanor throughout.
Clarissa sat quietly, and she wasn’t sure if it was his influence, but she felt the tension in her body, which had been tight as a string, begin to ease.
However, perhaps due to that one glass of alcohol, her stomach continued to feel uncomfortable.
Clarissa wanted to eat something to fill her stomach, but looking at the dishes in front of her, she didn’t feel like eating any of them.
With a group of big bosses dining, she didn’t dare to reach across the table.
‘You’re a grown adult, yet still picky about food?” a low, somewhat teasing voice suddenly sounded by Clarissa’s ear.
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Aursed to Me
