Damien offered a helpless smile as he delicately slipped on Cheriseâs shoes. âItâs Lennon.â
âIn Ziphon, Tristan orchestrated the sale of over 30% of the Lenoir Groupâs shares, previously held by him and Raymond, to the Weiss family.â
âNow, under the helm of the eldest son, Sebastian, the Weiss family, including Yolanda, Sebastianâs elder sister, has control. Yolanda has also obtained half of the shares purchased by the Weiss family this time.â
âLennon believes that Yolanda presents a crucial opportunity for us to repurchase the shares. She requested a meeting with me, and Lennon clandestinely arranged for her to attend.â
After assisting Cherise with her footwear, Damien enveloped her in his arms. âAre upset?â
âI only discovered this morning, upon arriving at the company, that Lennon had organized such a banquet in my honor.â
âIâve already reprimanded him, but since he arranged for someone to represent me, I have to oblige even if Iâm not inclined to. It wouldnât bode well if word got out otherwise.â
Cherise rested in Damienâs embrace, attuned to his steady heartbeat and breath. She knew he wasnât deceiving her.
He volunteered every detail to reassure her.
In his embrace, what else could she worry about?
With a pout, she nestled into his arms. âHow did your discussion with Yolanda unfold? Is she amenable to selling her shares to you?â
Damien shook his head. âWe hadnât broached that subject yet. You called before we could.â
âThen I took her to the research institute to find you, and we ended up at the hospital.â
Cherise fell into silence.
Initially, she was irked by Mr. Whitlock and Mr. Zeller, who persistently mentioned Ms. Weiss and Damienâs dinner. Hence, she dialed Damienâs number and summoned him to her side without much deliberation.
In the heat of the moment, she was angry and didnât give much thought to her actions.
But now⦠she pondered whether she had inadvertently impeded his pressing mattersâ¦
A pang of guilt pricked Cheriseâs conscience, prompting her to lower her head and apologize to Damien. âIâm sorry⦠itâs my faultâ¦â
She hadnât considered that his dinner with Yolanda pertained to business, and she had allowed herself to be swayed by othersâ remarks.
If it had impacted his workâ¦
âDo you want to speak to Yolanda again?â
She extended her hands toward him. âI promise not to cause you any trouble this time, no jealousy, no disruptions!â
Damien couldnât help but shake his head at the innocent and pitiful expression on the woman before him.
Enfolding her, he said, âThereâs no need.â
âI can sense that Ms. Weiss had no intentions of transferring her shares when she visited.â
Cherise compressed her lips. âThen why did she dine with you?â
âLikely because sheâs an affluent young lady seeking male companionship out of boredom.â
âUnfortunately, Iâm not her ideal candidate,â
Damien smiled, gazing fondly at Cherise. âIn my leisure, I only indulge in Cheriseâs company.â
As Damien uttered these endearing words composedly, Cherise blushed, her heart fluttering.
She averted her gaze awkwardly. âIâm not a child. Why would I need so much of your timeâ¦â
âBut of course you do,â
Damien held her chin, locking eyes with her. âDidnât we have a splendid time together last night and this morning?â
Cherise frowned What games had they played?
After a brief pause, under Damienâs mischievous grin, Cheriseâs face flushed as she recollected.