Chapter 12

"Hello, Vanessa?"

"Hello," Vanessa's voice came through the phone, sounding urgent. "Isabella, where are you and Mr. Landon right now?"

"What's going on?"

"I have an urgent document here that needs Mr. Landon's signature," Vanessa's tone was very serious. Isabella glanced at the door, "Do you need me to inform Mr. Landon?"

"No," Vanessa replied, "I know Mr. Landon has a major deal to negotiate today, and I don't want to distract him. Send me your address, and I'll come over to deliver the document for Mr. Landon to sign."

Isabella didn't hesitate as she thought about the billion-dollar deal, and sent her location to Vanessa.

Afterward, she lay down on the bed and fell asleep. Isabella slept straight through until evening. When she emerged from her room, Sebastian and Jack were preparing to leave. Isabella tidied herself up and caught up with them.

Sebastian paused and turned to her. "You don't need to come with me."

Isabella looked at him in confusion.

"A group of men will be dining together tonight, and things might get rowdy after they're drunk," Jack "translated". "Mr. Landon is worried you might be at a disadvantage."

Touched yet uneasy, Isabella said, "But Mr. Williams told me to see him tonight. Would it be inappropriate if I didn't go?"

Her main concern was still the billion-dollar project.

"It's fine," Sebastian reassured her.

He always appeared confident, as if everything was under his control. His words were gentle and calm, yet they brought her peace of mind.

As they entered the elevator, Jack couldn't help but comment, "I'm surprised someone as innocent as Isabella exists in this world. She was really going to come to dinner just because Mr. Williams told her to see him tonight. She's so easily deceived."

Sebastian glanced at him, "She is responsible. She's afraid of offending Andy and causing losses to the company."

"I know," Jack nodded. "I just think she's too innocent, too naive."

In today's society, human nature was complex. Many young people were cunning, and willing to do anything to climb the ladder, even at the cost of their integrity. Jack had probably encountered many such individuals, and assumed that most people were like that. He felt surprised and somewhat protective of someone as innocent as Isabella and didn't want her to get hurt.

After a moment of silence, Sebastian suddenly turned to Jack as they exited the elevator. "You're right."

Jack was caught off guard by his statement. "Right about what?"

After Sebastian finished speaking, there his lips slightly curled.

Jack could see clearly that Sebastian's smile had a hint of interest.

Andy and his companions were already seated in the private room. When they saw Sebastian coming in, they got up to greet him, except for Andy, who remained seated and glanced behind Sebastian in some disappointment. He said, "Why isn't Ms. Miller with you?"

Jack responded, "Isabella is not feeling well. Mr. Landon cares about his subordinates, so he let her rest in the room."

"She's not feeling well?" Andy chuckled. "She seemed energetic when I saw her this afternoon. Is she really not feeling well, or is she disrespecting me?"

Sebastian pulled out a chair and sat down. "You've misunderstood, Mr. Williams. She's just a junior employee at my company and cannot afford the respect you require."

As he spoke, he filled two glasses with wine. "I'll give you the respect you deserve, Mr. Williams."

Sebastian downed the two glasses of wine.

There was applause around him, but Andy couldn't help but say, "Mr. Landon, since you put it that way, I have nothing to say. I've just never seen you protect a woman like this. I'm curious about what Ms. Miller is to you. People say you're not tempted by women, but now someone who doesn't know any better might think you have a woman hidden somewhere, hahaha!"

"You must be joking, Mr. Williams. Mr. Landon has always been considerate of his subordinates," Jack said.

Andy gave Jack a cold look. "I'm talking to Mr. Landon, Mr. Brown. Why do you always butt in?"

Jack nodded and stopped interrupting.

Sebastian sat there, his fingers playing with the wine glass, his face darkening.

Andy and his companions maintained polite smiles, staying silent.

The atmosphere in the private room was very tense.

At that moment, the door of the private room opened, and a charming voice sounded. "Excuse me."

"Vanessa?" Jack was slightly surprised. "Why are you here?"

"I have an urgent document that needs Mr. Landon's signature," Vanessa said, approaching Sebastian with the document in hand.

All the men in the private room turned their gaze to the woman. Vanessa was wearing a professional suit, a white shirt, and a black pencil skirt. When she bent over slightly, her curvaceous figure was revealed.

Andy squinted his eyes slightly, suddenly becoming interested. "And who is this young lady?"

"This is Vanessa Field from our company," Jack introduced her to the room. "Vanessa, this is Mr. Williams."

Vanessa smiled slightly and nodded at him, saying, "Hello, Mr. Williams."

"You look beautiful, Ms. Field. Are you also one of Mr. Landon's assistants?" Andy smirked and his gaze lingered on Vanessa's waist and hips for quite some time. "You really know how to attract beautiful women, Mr. Landon. Your assistants are all pretty."

Sebastian ignored him. He signed the documents and handed them to Vanessa. "Go back now."

"Yes, Mr. Landon," Vanessa straightened up. As she did, Andy spoke up. "Since Ms. Miller is sick, maybe Ms. Field can join us for a drink."

With his wine glass in hand, he stood up and walked over to Vanessa. "Ms. Field, may I have the honor?"

He offered the wine glass to Vanessa, but she looked toward Sebastian.

Sebastian stood up and gently blocked Andy. "I'll accompany you for a drink, Mr. Williams."

"You're too polite, Mr. Landon. Since we're about to sign the contract, can't your secretary join me for a drink?" Andy smiled.

"What do you mean?" Sebastian looked at him.

"I mean, if Ms. Field drinks with me, we'll sign the contract. Otherwise, it would mean you aren't sincere about this, and there'll be no need to continue our cooperation."

Sebastian sneered. "Do you think business deals only work with women?"

"You're still young, Mr. Landon. You don't understand. These are the conditions for cooperation." Andy chuckled.

"Mr. Williams," Vanessa interjected. She took the wine glass from Andy's hand. "Mr. Landon is just joking with you. Please don't mind him. I'm good at drinking. If you want me to have a drink with you, I'll drink."

Vanessa was an experienced secretary at the company after all, and she managed to stabilize Andy's mood easily.

With the situation changed, the atmosphere in the private room became harmonious again.

They drank for a long time, and Vanessa went to the restroom to vomit.

When she came out of the restroom, Sebastian and Jack were waiting outside.

"Mr. Landon..." Vanessa called out and staggered towards them.

Sebastian reached out to support her and said to Jack, "Take her back to her room."

"Yes, Mr. Landon."

"Don't take me, I'm not going back." Vanessa struggled in Jack's grip. "I'm not drunk, Mr. Landon. I can still drink. Let me go back, I can continue drinking with them..."

When Vanessa broke free, a few buttons on her shirt popped open, revealing her collarbone and more below.