No Escape from Love novel Chapter 216

"Come on, Mr. Dyer. I'm only doing this for work." Elena's voice was sweet as she practically pressed herself against Carl.

It was just a dinner with clients—no big deal. She had been through worse.

Besides, this was a chance to get closer to Hastings Group.

Back home, she rummaged through her closet until she found the black slip dress that flattered her figure. With her makeup done to perfection, she looked at herself in the mirror and finally smiled in satisfaction.

Tonight, she had to win over the clients.

The dinner was lively, filled with the clinking of glasses and the scent of expensive perfume.

Carl introduced her to a potbellied man wearing a thick gold chain—Wayne Simpson.

"Mr. Simpson, this is Elena Harper, our company's newest employee. She's young, beautiful, and competent," he said.

Wayne's eyes gleamed as he sized Elena up, his fat hand squeezing her waist. "Not bad, not bad. Come on, Elena. Have a drink with me."

Suppressing her disgust, she downed the glass in one go. But inside, she was cursing Serena with every fiber of her being.

One glass turned into another, and Wayne was visibly drunk before long. His words slurred as he asked, "Elena, I heard you're close with the heiress of Hastings Group, Serena?"

Elena's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. "Yes, I've known Serena for a long time. We're very close."

Wayne let out a drunken belch, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Serena? Heiress? Her mother was just a maid who clawed her way up! If it weren't for that old fool from the Hastings family losing his mind for a while, she would never have—"

Elena froze. A maid who climbed the ranks? This was a huge piece of news.

He rambled about Nicole's "dark past", but Elena had already stopped listening.

A maid who climbed her way up? That old fool from the Hastings family losing his mind?

With a few more drinks, he was completely uninhibited, pulling her into his arms as he mumbled incoherently. His hands roamed freely.

"Elena, come upstairs with me, and we'll have a good 'chat' about the project," he said as he began to drag her out.

She put on an act, feigning hesitation. "Mr. Simpson, this… doesn't seem appropriate…"

"What's inappropriate about it? Don't worry. Stick with me, and you'll be living the high life!" He tightened his grip around her, nearly suffocating her.

...

Meanwhile, I was in the middle of final negotiations with Alex.

"Mr. Hickman, the proposal we've put forward is already very sincere. If you have any other requests, we can discuss them further," Alex said while leaning slightly forward with his fingers interlaced.