Chapter 183 - The Irwan Family's Beloved Daughter

Jean nodded, "Brother Andrew doesn't need to worry. In the end, government policies are just preventive measures. My company has done market research and made a strategy accordingly. We have also established a special department to handle the market here. So far everything is going well!"

Jean's answer was calm and authoritative. He looked like a king who was planning to expand his kingdom. His fingers intertwined and his eyes flashed with ambition.

Seeing Jean's figure brought an inexplicable sadness in Lilia's heart. She felt as if he was going to go and leave her if she didn't do anything. Without thinking, Lilia reached out and tugged at Jean's sleeve.

"Hm?" Jean turned his head and made Lilia jump in surprise, "What's wrong, Lilia?"

"Um… no, I…" Lilia hesitated for a moment. She didn't want to sound like a spoiled woman who only depended on her husband, but she didn't want to lose him either.

Lilia's gaze moved around the room until she met Claire's eyes. The older woman smiled softly as if she understood Lilia's concern and nodded in support.

Lilia took a deep breath to calm herself down before looking straight at Jean, "Are you moving to Jakarta to take care of this project?" She asked.

She had a feeling that Jean started this project because of the shooting offer Lilia received. However, filming would only last one to two months, while this real estate project would be lasting long term. Would Jean stay in Jakarta when Lilia had to return to Surabaya?

Jean smiled and rubbed Lilia's cheek with one hand. His eyes flashed mischievously as he asked, "Why? Are you afraid that I will not return to Surabaya?"

The man's question made Lilia suspect that Jean could read her mind. She scowled and defended herself, "I didn't think so! I'm just asking because… because…"

Lilia's voice disappeared and she looked away. Lilia didn't have enough courage to say that she didn't want to be away from that man!

Seeing the interaction of the two young couples made Claire and Andrew exchanged glances. They smiled broadly while stifling laughter. Lilia and Jean acted as if there were only them in this room.

Claire supported her chin with one hand and joined in the conversation, "Jean, if you don't want to stay away from Lilia, why don't you just focus your business on Jakarta? Besides, it's easier for you to find resources and information here than in Surabaya." She said with a sly smile

Claire deliberately said that so she could meet this adorable sister-in-law more often! She always wanted a cute and submissive sister like Lilia, but Andrew didn't like it when she visited Surabaya often. In that case, she only needed to bring Lilia to Jakarta!

Lilia turned to Claire and smiled, "That's actually a pretty good idea, Sister Claire!"

Contrary to Lilia's reaction, Jean frowned. He immediately understood Claire's hidden intentions and he disagreed. If Lilia spent more time with his sister, his wife wouldn't have time to be alone with him.

But before Jean could protest, the waiter came over with food. Just as the maid opened the door, there were loud voices coming from the direction of the lobby.

Andrew frowned, "What's going on outside?" The man asked in surprise.

As many times as he had eaten here, Andrew never heard of such a commotion. Were any of the customers involved in a fight?

The waiter jumped and her hand that was carrying the tray began to shake, "Um… that… is-actually…" She muttered nervously.

Lilia immediately helped the waiter put the tray on the table before she dropped their food. The maid stared gratefully at Lilia.

"Mr. Andrew, Mr. Mike and Miss Leila are actually outside, and they..." The waiter hesitated to continue, but Andrew got her point.

Andrew took a deep breath and said, "Get them in here."

"Yes, Mr. Andrew." The servant bowed, her face relieved.

When the maid left, Lilia turned back to face Jean. She took the man's hand and whispered, "When did you decide to expand your business in Jakarta?"

Jean did not immediately answer her question. He let go of Lilia's grip gently and interlaced their fingers. Jean's expression was so gentle and full of love when he replied, "The day you accepted the filming offer."

For a moment, Lilia was speechless. Her eyes felt hot and her tears were in danger of spilling out. Jean continued by explaining that he had planned to expand his business from the start, but Lilia was no longer listening to him.

She closed her eyes tightly as she tried to control the joyous feelings that filled her heart. Lilia was afraid that if she saw Jean at this time, she would lose control and hug the man in front of everyone.

When Lilia finally managed to calm her feelings, the door to the room opened. A pair of women and men walked in behind the maid.

Claire looked at the two and let out a deep breath, "Mike, why did you make Lei cry this time?"

"Sister Claire ...!" The woman called Lei ran into Claire's arms while sobbing.

That woman was Leila Irwan, the daughter of the Irwan Family who was 24 years old this year. Her petite body and big brown eyes made her look younger than her age. She was such an adorable doll.

Claire patted Leila on the back while trying to comfort her. She glared at Mike, who stopped near the door.

Andrew's younger brother slipped his hands in his pockets and shrugged. He didn't seem bothered by Claire's sharp gaze.

"Sister Claire, are you here with my brother?" He asked casually. From his current position, Mike couldn't see Andrew and the others because of the closed room divider.

Claire nodded at Mike, then she returned to patting Leila on the back, "Come on, stop crying and sit down first, okay?" She persuaded gently.

Mike glanced at Leila, who was still hugging Claire and sobbing. An impatient expression crossed his face and he walked past the woman without turning his head. Only then did Mike see his brother, Lilia, and another man sitting around the table.

But Lilia and the man next to her were discussing something. Their heads were close to each other as they whispered, as if they didn't want others to hear their conversation. Mike was sure he'd seen their hands mesh under the table too.

Mike's eyes narrowed at the sight. His gaze was fixed on Lilia for a few seconds. Then the man next to her turned his head, as if feeling Mike's gaze. He immediately recognized the man's identity afterwards.

"Young Master Jean." Mike said with a slight smile. Although his words seemed to show respect, his tone sounded mocking.

Jean nodded stiffly, "Hello." His answer was short before returning to talking to Lilia.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became awkward. Andrew hurriedly pushed his little brother to sit next to him, while Leila sat beside Claire. The woman with long red wine hair finally stopped crying, but she kept her head down.

"Lei, are you finally calming down? Now tell me, did Mike make you cry again?" Asked Claire in a soft, soothing tone.

Leila finally raised her face to answer Claire's question. At that moment, Lilia's body turned stiff.

During that glance, she got the feeling that Leila looked familiar. But Lilia was sure that she had never met this woman before.. She couldn't explain the feeling, but she knew she recognized Leila's face.