238 Chapter 238

'Did Diamond make a wrong reservation? I told her many times that it's just a professional meeting, and she's not the type to make such a simple mistake,' Vernon thought.

He glanced at Shailene, who leaned on the table and propped her cheek with one hand while staring at the beautiful fountain view. Her expression was unreadable, making it even more nerve-racking for Vernon.

'Damn, I know that she's excellent at her job as a psychologist, but why does she have to be so unreadable like this? Is it part of her job to be mysterious all the time?'

A waiter came pouring wine for them, and after he did his job, Vernon grabbed his arm and pulled him close.

'',

Vernon whispered to the waiter, asking for this weird dinner setup;

'Did my secretary make the wrong reservation? I told her this is just a professional meeting, not a romantic one. She's not my date.'

The waiter didn't seem to be surprised. He smiled and replied by whispering in Vernon's ear as well;

'Ms. Diamond Johnson did make a reservation for business purposes. But it was Mr. Leed who answered her call yesterday. She said it would be a business dinner between you-- Mr. Phoenix Gray, and a lady.'

Vernon was even more surprised. His friend, Rick Leed, was the owner of this restaurant, and he was a trustworthy one. How could he make this mistake when Diamond had already specified the business meeting?

'

'Then, what's the order for you guys?' Vernon asked again.

'Mr. Leed told us to prepare the reservation in the usual manner. Even if Ms. Diamond Johnson specified a business meeting, he refused to believe it's just a simple business between you and the lady.'

'After all, Mr. Phoenix Gray never brings a woman for a dinner date here without the intention of spending a night with her. Isn't that right, Sir?'

Vernon took a deep breath. He was trying so hard not to facepalm in front of Shailene.

,m He didn't want to make a wrong impression on Shailene because there was no way in hell he would romance her again.

Even if they were a great match, he already swore to himself that he would never fuck another woman other than that special woman.

The waiter sensed the annoyance in the special guest's face. He hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Sir, do you want to change the reservation? We can move you to the regular seat if you want. But the full course--'

The waiter became nervous as he realized that Mr. Phoenix Gray was glaring at him displeasedly, '--The course has been modified, just like what you usually ordered when you have a dinner date with a special woman, Sir.'

Vernon almost grunted out of mental pain at this point. Of course, it would be even more embarrassing to suddenly change seats, but the full-course meal prepared for them was the same romantic food Vernon usually ordered whenever he wanted to fuck the woman he brought.

'Just-- ignore this and proceed like usual,' Vernon said hopelessly, knowing it would be less embarrassing to pretend it wasn't a romantic dinner date.

'Yes, Sir.'

After the waiter left, Vernon and Shailene were trapped in yet another awkward silence.

Shailene didn't seem to be in the mood to talk for no reason, and Vernon couldn't help but ask;

"Are you in a bad mood right now?"

"Not really," Shailene replied curtly. "I'm just waiting forn you."

"Waiting for me?" Vernon was surprised by that statement.

Shailene finally turned her head and stared straight at the scum who broke her heart so badly that she couldn't fall in love with another man years after they broke up.

"I'm waiting for you to start a conversation about this woman named Chloe. Didn't I tell you many times that I'm very interested in her?" Shailene said.

Vernon held his breath and realized there was a little hostility in Shailene's eyes.

However, he knew that hostility wasn't directed only at him but also at Chloe.

She seemed to be holding a grudge against her, and that was all because of his fault.

Vernon returned the hostile energy by leaning on the table while glaring back at her.

His lips thinned, and that nervous behavior he showed just now suddenly vanished, leaving a dangerous man who would do the absolute worst if anyone dared to speak ill towards his Big sis Chloe.

"You seem to be misguided, Shailene," Vernon said in his deep voice. "I'm not asking you a favor without any rewards. If you did your job right, I will give you a blank check, and you can write any number that you want. Isn't that enough of a reward for you?"

Shailene scoffed and glared back at Vernon, "I don't think you understand, Mr. Phoenix Gray."

"About what? Didn't I call the right person to assist me? You are a renowned psychologist with many experiences dealing with people with trauma, especially marriage trauma," Vernon said.

He had a lot of choices, but he simply knew that Shailene was the right person to solve this problem.

"Indeed, but I am wealthy enough to live off without any reward from you. My parents own a few hospitals in the UK and US. I don't need money from a young businessman who's yet to fully cement his status in the US, especially when he's still working under his Big brother's small project like his lap dog," Shailene rebuked, which Vernon angered Vernon instantly.

"You've been inquiring about me, Shailene," Vernon accused. "Nobody knows about the deal with my Big brother except the affiliated CEOs working on this project."

"That-- I did," Shailene admitted without hesitation. She stared at Vernon with a dangerous gaze that could kill.

"After all, who wouldn't want to see their scummy ex get the karma he deserved for hurting you badly? I would be the first one willing to see you in ruin, Vernon Phoenix Gray."