Chapter 18
The twilight outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was deepening, casting a warm glow on his face that was completely different from the distant feeling when they first met at the airport.
“My name is Elizabeth Skylar.”
He stood up to pull out her chair, his well-defined fingers resting lightly on the chair back.
“I didn’t expect we’d meet again in this way.”
Elizabeth placed the documents gently on the table: “Indeed quite a coincidence.”
As she sat down, she noticed Julian pushing the menu toward her.
“Let’s eat first. I wonder if Miss Skylar has any dietary restrictions?”
Julian’s long fingers glided across the pictures of dishes: “Their lobster bisque is quite excellent. Are you allergic to seafood?”
This detail made Elizabeth pause slightly. In the past, when attending dinners with Sebastian, he would always only order dishes that Clarissa loved.
He never cared about her dietary restrictions.
He didn’t even know about her allergies.
“I’m somewhat allergic to seafood, but everything else is fine.”
She collected her thoughts. “Mr. Rothschild, about the contract…”
“Let’s eat first.”
Julian closed the menu and called over the waiter. “Work matters can wait until we’re well-fed.”
During dinner, Julian maintained perfect control over the conversation’s rhythm.
He chatted about recent industry developments and the scenery of this Dutch city, but consistently avoided discussing the contract details.
Elizabeth tasted the tender, slow-cooked beef and had to admit that this delicious meal made it difficult to feel any urge to rush back to work discussions.
It wasn’t until the waiter brought the final dessert that Julian leisurely opened the contract.
He began reviewing it, occasionally making notes in the margins with his pen.
By this time, the sky outside had completely darkened.
“Miss Skylar’s proposal shows great sincerity.”
Julian pushed the contract back. “However, regarding the after-sales service clauses, I still need to confirm with my team.”
He raised his hand to check his watch, the dial flashing coldly under the light. “It’s too late today. How about we meet again tomorrow?”
Elizabeth’s fingers tightened around the edge of the contract.
From the moment they met again, Julian seemed completely unsurprised by everything.
But she simply smiled and stood up: “Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Rothschild.”
Walking out of the restaurant, the summer night’s heat wave hit them, making the air feel somewhat stifling.
Elizabeth had just unlocked her phone when Zoe’s call came through: “How did it go? Did you sign the contract?”
“He said he needs to consider it further.” Elizabeth looked at the flickering neon lights across the street, watching Julian’s black sedan slowly merge into traffic. “But this person is indeed quite interesting.”
“Be careful he’s stalling for time!”
Zoe said urgently on the other end of the phone. “Rothschild Global Ventures has been in contact with several companies recently. You need to hurry!”
Elizabeth stared at the unsent contract modification reminder on her phone, then opened the contract to review it: “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
Looking at the night scene outside, she suddenly remembered how Julian had paused for an unusually long time on a certain page while reviewing the
contract.
That was precisely the negotiation leverage she had deliberately left in.
Elizabeth was quite confident about this negotiation, although Julian did seem somewhat difficult to read.
But for some reason, she felt certain he would agree to sign this deal.
This was Elizabeth’s intuition.
