Chapter 236 An Unscrupulous Man
“No, thank you. But, I appreciate your kindness, President Crane,” Courtney declined politely because she could sense the underlying threat in his words.
I can help you, but that means you have to do something for me in return.
Whatever it was, Courtney wasn’t interested.
Tobias placed his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t angry at Courtney for being ungrateful, but he didn’t intend on moving aside. “Those who know me usually call me Mr. Crane or Toby; President Crane sounds strange. Miss Hunter, if you don’t mind, how about going out for a drink with me? There are too many people here.”
Courtney frowned. The provocative implication of his words was barely disguised.
“I’m sorry.” Courtney shot him a glance, restraining herself from rolling her eyes at him. “I’m busy tonight. Maybe next time.”
With that, she turned around and was ready to walk in the other direction.
However, Tobias was faster than her as he moved to stand in front of her. “Miss Hunter, now you’re just humiliating me. Personally, I don’t mind much, but I value my reputation. If you don’t show me respect, I’m afraid you won’t be able to get what you want.”
Courtney found the situation getting increasingly absurd. How did she end up meeting such an oddball?
“What I want doesn’t seem to have anything to do with you, President Crane. I don’t know how I’ve offended you, but if you’re here to find fault with me, you might as well make yourself clear.”
“You didn’t offend me,” Tobias said with a smile. “I’ve taken a fancy to you. Aren’t you trying to score Sakura Group’s order? As long as you go out and have a drink with me, I’ll just need to have a word with Mr. Willis and the order will be yours. Tell you what; I’ll even place an order for Amethyst Group’s staff uniforms for the next season. What do you say?”
“You’ve taken a fancy to me?” Courtney nearly burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. I’m not desperate to the point where I would prostitute myself to get business.”
Almost instantly, Courtney’s expression turned cold. She went straight past Tobias and headed in the opposite direction.
Behind her, Tobias sneered, “Miss Hunter, you have one night to consider my offer. If you regret your decision, come find me in room 419 at White Moon Hotel.”
Courtney did not turn back. In her mind, she was giving this disgustingly wretched man a million slaps.
It’s sickening that such shameless men exist in this world.
On the other side of the room, a pair of stony eyes had witnessed the entire scene.
Just as he was about to step forward, the wireless earbuds in his ears gave a buzz, and Josh’s clear voice sounded. “President Duncan, James is on the rooftop talking to a woman. Judging from her figure, she looks like Miss Price.”
Alexander’s brows furrowed. When he saw that Courtney, who was in the near distance, had gotten rid of Tobias, his expression relaxed slightly. “Got it.”
There were many people in the banquet hall, so he knew without a doubt that nothing serious would happen, but when he thought of what that scoundrel said to Courtney, a thick layer of frost instantly gathered in Alexander’s eyes.
After getting rid of Tobias, Courtney subconsciously looked around the banquet hall in search of Alexander. After walking a whole round, she glimpsed him heading toward the rooftop from a distance, and the hand that was lifting the edge of her gown stiffened.
She figured that she was just being sentimental by clinging to thoughts of him. After all, he seemed to be moving on just fine.
Halfway through the banquet, the sound of a microphone being tested came from the direction of the champagne tower, and everyone began to gather around. Swept forward by the tide of people, Courtney followed.
“Today, we would like to make a grand introduction of President Willis from Sakura Group. We are greatly honored by your gracious presence.”
The head of the organizing team, a young man in his thirties, introduced Dominic to the crowd.
Finding the action a bit strange, Courtney felt puzzled and found Leila in the crowd. To her surprise, upon seeing her confused expression, Leila exchanged a look with her and shook her head.
Dominic took the microphone and greeted the crowd with a smile. “Today, I’m here on behalf of Sakura Group to attend the cocktail party held for Shanghai and Melrose City’s clothing companies. I’m mainly here because an old friend invited me, so I came to join in on the fun. Nevertheless, I am also here because I have some good news to deliver. Sakura Group would like to place an order for a batch of staff uniforms, and we hope that a majority of the companies here will bid…”
The moment these words left his mouth, the entire room was in an uproar.
Leila managed to squeeze her way through the crowd and was standing beside Courtney with a frown on her face. “Didn’t Dominic say that he will work with Citron Apparel? Why is he starting a bid all of a sudden? That old fox. This is unacceptable.”
Courtney mirrored her frown. “I might know why.”
Her response caught Leila by surprise. “Why?”
Following Courtney’s gaze, Leila saw a figure standing lazily in the near distance, appearing out of place among the other guests. At this moment, he was away from the crowd, leaning against the sofa as he raised his wine glass in Courtney’s direction.
“Tobias Crane?” Leila’s brows furrowed.
“You know him?” Courtney looked at her. “He asked me to have a drink with him just now. I refused, then he said something that I didn’t understand at that time. But now, it seems that the sudden change in President Willis’ arrangements has something to do with him.”
Leila’s face turned bitter. “That pervert. There’s no one in Shanghai who doesn’t know him. He acts wildly just because his father is a well-known man. God knows how many young girls he’s provoked. In a way, he is sort of acquainted with Dominic. His father is well-connected, and everyone in Shanghai respects him. I think you’ve offended Tobias.”
Courtney looked perplexed. “Looks like he’s messing with me on purpose. Is there any room for redemption? Should I approach him now and tell him that I’ll have a drink with him?”
“Don’t.” Leila immediately rejected her proposal. “If Elijah knows that I let you go off to have a drink with someone, I’m afraid I’ll be the one to blame. This matter still has to be given careful thought and consideration. Even though Dominic is showing Amethyst Group respect, at the end of the day, he’s just a professional manager. He has to make practical considerations for the company and would only go with the bids if the situation necessitates it.”
At that point, Leila glanced at Courtney. “I’m just worried that Tobias will create more trouble. He’s an unscrupulous man who would do anything to achieve his goal.”
Upon hearing this, Courtney’s heart sank.
How could she be so unlucky? It wasn’t easy for her to land this order, but because a spoiled son had taken a fancy to her, the opportunity was going to slip through her fingers. What bad luck!
Room 419 at White Moon Hotel. Tobias’ voice echoed in her mind. What an awful person! Was he afraid that I didn’t understand his intentions? He had to go and choose this room number?
As she looked at the nasty figure in the distance, Courtney’s fists clenched.
So what if I go with him? She wanted to know who the hell Tobias was and how capable he actually was.
When the reception ended, Alexander left the banquet hall with a graceful figure chasing after him in a hurry. “Alex, wait for me! It isn’t what you think it is!”
Britney ran with such urgency that her high heels were making loud clicking sounds on the ground.
Josh had already opened the back door of the car. As if he didn’t hear the sound of someone calling after him, Alexander got into the car without turning back.
After the door closed with a sharp slam, Britney finally reached the car. To her dismay, Josh stopped her before she could go any further.
