No Escape from Love novel Chapter 158

As we left the meeting room, Samson let out a cold snort. "Serena's just relying on connections. Otherwise, how could she predict the numbers so accurately?"

"Aren't you just jealous?" Patricia shot back and rolled her eyes at him. "Serena has a sharp business mind. Even if you trained for another ten years, you still wouldn't be able to compete with her."

Samson's expression darkened, and he walked off first.

Patricia excitedly grabbed my arm. "Serena, you're amazing! Your estimate was almost exactly the same as what Mr. Hastings predicted."

I smiled calmly. "I just analyzed the company's collaborations over the past two years and Excel Group's development trends, then provided a relatively conservative estimate."

Back at the office, Samson was already at his desk reviewing some documents.

Despite his attitude toward me, he always completed his assigned tasks on time, and the quality of his work was solid.

But keeping things tense like this wasn't a good long-term solution. With a sigh, I sat down. "Patricia, Samson, the meeting today went well. Let me treat you both to lunch."

"Really?" Patricia, an undeniable foodie, lit up. "There's a new restaurant downstairs. Can we go there?"

I nodded. "Of course. I've been wanting to try out their food."

"I highly recommend it!" Patricia said passionately. "I wish it were lunchtime already."

Samson kept his eyes on the papers. "I'll pass."

"What? Why?" Patricia was more outraged than I was. "Serena doesn't treat us often. Do you have other plans for lunch?"

From ordering to the food arriving, Samson stayed silent while Patricia and I chatted away. The dishes were all spicy, and Patricia devoured them happily. Meanwhile, Samson and I were sweating buckets.

"How can you two be such spice wimps?" Patricia teased, thoroughly enjoying her plate of buffalo wings.

I reached for a bottle of water, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't twist it open. Just as I was about to give up, a hand reached from behind and took it from me.

"Mr. Hastings." Patricia finally put down her fork and knife, looking like she had just spotted an impending disaster.

Alex handed me the bottle he had unscrewed. I blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Why wouldn't I be here?" He raised an eyebrow slightly.