Chapter 10 Help Him
Jayvion Odom, Natalia’s father, immediately stood up from his chair. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Bautista. My daughter Natalia said she’d bring a friend to join us, but they got caught up on the road. Please don’t take. it to heart.”
Of course, Malcolm wouldn’t mind. He waved his hand and said, “Since our topics are indeed quite tedious, we need some young blood. here to lighten the mood.”
Then he suddenly said to Charlotte, “Charlotte, come here.”
Charlotte walked to the round table and stood opposite him, greeting him obediently, “Hi, Mal.”
Jayvion was stunned. Meanwhile, Malcolm looked at Charlotte with a pleased look on his face.
As Jayvion shot a confused glance at Malcolm, he introduced Charlotte to everyone present, “This is Charlotte, Danielle’s sister.”
Everyone present knew the relationship between Danielle and Malcolm, and they all nodded.
Jayvion was one of them. He realized Charlotte was Malcolm’s future. sister–in–law, Humberto’s girlfriend.
After pondering for a while, he said to Malcolm, “Mr. Bautista, shall I arrange a seat for Charlotte?”
Malcolm set down his glass and nodded.
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Chapter 10 Help H
Then Jayvion asked a waiter to arrange a seat for Charlotte next to Humberto.
Meanwhile, Dawson Bowen, Malcolm’s secretary, was pouring wine. for him, and he was about to take a napkin from the table to wipe his hands. He paused upon seeing Jayvion’s arrangement.
Yet, Jayvion was oblivious to his subtle movement and asked, “Does this work for you, Mr. Bautista?”
Malcolm glanced at him.
As he was utterly uneasy, Malcolm said tonelessly, “There aren’t so many rules here.”
With that, he put down the napkin.
Only then did the others sit down. Humberto, who was sitting next to Charlotte, asked her with a smile, “Charlotte, what would you like to eat?” He had always been like this, taking care of her.
But she didn’t respond.
“Maybe some juice?” he asked again.
Still, she said nothing. This time, he didn’t press on. After all, they were surrounded by heavy hitters and should min their every word.
Charlotte was exceptionally silent.
Just then, Jayvion said, “Mr. Bautista, Humberto is such a promising young man. He’s always been a straight–A student in university, and he’s about to graduate with his finance degree. It’ll be greatly appreciated if you can keep him in mind for any suitable positions.”
CNIJA “CHACHM
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Malcolm’s voice came from across the table. “He must be very outstanding now that you’re backing him up. Mr. Odom. Surely, I won’t let his talent go to waste.”
Humberto stood up beside Charlotte so quickly that she felt a gust of wind. He held a glass and said extremely humbly, “Here’s a toast to you, Mr. Bautista.”
Then he tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp.
Charlotte was very uneasy. She knew Humberto couldn’t hold hist liquor.
The fawning smile had been glued to Humberto’s face the entire time.
On the contrary, Malcolm, who was sitting opposite him, wast exceptionally casual. He said leisurely to Dawson without even touching his glass, “See to it.”
Jayvion was very surprised that Malcolm agreed to his request so readily.
Meanwhile, Charlotte interlaced her fingers tightly, wondering why Malcolm would agree.
Before she could think of a reason, Humberto refilled his glass, picked it up again, and said excitedly, “Mr. Bautista, thank you so much.”
“No need. You haven’t graduated and have a promising future. Work hard and bring out your best.”
“I will, Mr. Bautista,” Humberto said with respect.
Then he looked at Charlotte with a flushed face and endless anticipation in his eyes.
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Charlotte, however, didn’t dare to meet his gaze at all. She kept staring at Malcolm opposite her.
Malcolm happened to be looking at her, too..
Soon, everyone at the table started to chat and drink, and the atmosphere was lively. Only Charlotte remained sitting on pins and
needles.
Till the end of the meal. Malcolm had never picked up his glass, and no one dared to complain or joke about it. As everyone stood up, he walked out while being surrounded by several people. After he sat in the car, he heard noise coming from the hotel entrance and looked over, only to see Charlotte, who was being dragged out by Natalia.
Humberto was behind Charlotte.
“Charlotte, can we talk?”
He strode toward Charlotte and held her hand.
Charlotte looked back at his face.
Seeing that she was about to cry, Humberto was stunned. The distress in his eyes was more than obvious as he asked, “What happened? Charlotte, tell me, OK? We can solve everything together. Please.”
Sitting in the car, Malcolm gazed at them, especially Charlotte’s face with suppressed emotion and her eyes brimming with tears. When Humberto reached out to touch her face, she took a big step backward as if his hand were poison.
She immediately turned around, her eyes darting. She thought, “I can’t see Humberto. I must leave now.”
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Malcolm knew what she was looking for. He said something to Dawson, who stepped out of the car and walked over to Charlotte. “Ms. Townsend. Mr. Bautista wants to know if you need a ride.”
“Yes.” Charlotte said hastily as if finally finding a lifeline.
Humberto was about to say something, but she had already broken free. Then she walked over and sat in Malcolm’s car without looking back.
Soon. Dawson sat back, and the car pulled away.
Through the car window, Charlotte gazed at Humberto, who was disappearing into the distance. She couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat.
Behind her, Malcolm’s flat voice rang out. “What is it? You can’t bear to leave him?”
