Chapter 280
Gerard frowned. As displeased as he was at Carlisle’s brusque response, he forced a smile and said amiably, “I’m in Riverland for a couple of days to oversee things at my construction company here. “Listen, I’m at A1 Seafood Restaurant with a few of your friends. Why don’t you join us for a meal?”
“Friends?” Carlisle repeated, wondering if he meant Wanda.
“Yes. A certain Ms. Thompson. She said she went to high school with you,” Gerard elaborated with a chuckle.
“Are you looking to take out a loan from her company?” Carlisle asked. This was the only reason he could think of as to why Wanda might be there with Gerard.
It was highly likely that Gerard phoned him because the deal was on the verge of falling through.
“Why don’t you come over and we can talk?” Gerard suggested, worried that Carlisle might not show up if he gave too much away. He didn’t want to admit Carlisle was right, either.
“I can’t make it. I’ve got something lined up,” Carlisle said.
“Gotten stubborn, have we? Do you want me to call your father and have him make you come over?” Gerard drawled in a hushed tone, implying that he would not hesitate to give Gordon a call.
“Which dining room are you in?” Carlisle spat out icily,
The last thing he wanted was for Gerard to bother his parents, and he only agreed to meet with Gerard because of Wanda.
Carlisle would never try and interfere in any of Wanda’s business matters.
“Room 302,” Gerard answered with a grin. He then added, “Remember, Carl, we’re a family no matter what. Be on your best behavior and don’t embarrass us, all right?”
“Sure,” Carlisle said before hanging up.
After that, he said to Daniel, “I’ve got to run an errand. Go ahead and eat without me.”
Daniel nodded.
Francis stood up and offered, “I’ll go with you.” He was Carlisle’s driver and bodyguard, after all.
“It’s fine. I know these people,” Carlisle said.
Meanwhile, in Room 302, Gerard returned to his seat after his call with Carlisle ended. He wore a pleasant smile as he said, “Shall we dig’in before the food gets cold?”
“Be my guest, Mr. Zahn, I’m not that hungry,” Wanda answered politely. Neither Christine nor Phoebe made to touch their utensils, either.
Chapter 280
Gerard flashed them all a sheepish smile but remained unmoving in front of the food as well.
Outside, Carlisle walked down the corridor until he located Room 302. He was about to knock on the door when Maria saw him and cried out in surprise, “Carlisle?”
Carlisle turned to regard her with blatant disgust, which Maria did not miss. She glowered at him and seethed, “How dare you look at me that way! Don’t you know how to greet your elders?”
Carlisle ignored her and knocked on the door of the private dining room.
“I’m talking to you, you useless mongrell Are you deaf?” Maria screeched, giving Carlisle a hard shove.
Carlisle did not budge as he looked up at her. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Talking back, I see,” Maria snapped. She stared at him in disbelief. “Even your parents know better than to be rude to me, yet here you are being downright insolent!”
“Touch me again and I might just punch you,” Carlisle warned plainly. His parents were good and honest folks, which made them the target of Gerard and Maria’s constant bullying.
Normally, he would have ignored Maria if she were just running her mouth. He simply didn’t want to entertain her hysterics.
However, he couldn’t let her shove him and get away with it. He was no pushover.
Maria cackled. “You? Punch me?” She planted her hands on her hips like she had just heard the funniest joke.
At that moment, Gerard opened the door.
Maria saw him and sneered, “Listen to this, Gerard! Your nephew has grown a pair and wants to punch me!
