It was true though. Hers was just the former owner's playtime. It was nothing but a whim that her father granted.
Mrs. Fara was doing all the work for her.
Hearing her reply, Mr. Alistair smiled and said, "It is not about how big or small the business is.
As long as it can achieve its set goals and be productive is what matters.
I heard your company was very successful in producing your artists.
In just a year, all of them showed good results.
It seems that Miss Loraine is good at this business."
Mr. Alistair was flattering her too. He probably noticed that she had nothing to do so he was finally making small talk.
And where did he even learn about all this? Did he stay up to date about her because her father was his business partner?
Loraine highly doubted he had any time for gossip. Especially when he was working even while injured.
"Well, I'm not the one who's good at doing business.
I just provided the money and didn't do anything else.
That's why I'm truly grateful that they're managing the company well and that all of the artists are working hard."
Loraine immediately denied her involvement in management.
If it were in her last life as a secretary, of course, she would be happy to be praised.
But now, as Loraine Antares, she just wanted to do whatever she pleased.
Thus, she didn't want to be praised for how good her company was.
Why? Because most of the time, praise and flattery were followed by more work to do.
Loraine knew that terribly from experience.
On the day she died, Mr. Bale was full of praise for her and her excellent work. Then, he dumped her with more work to do instead of letting her relax after she did all of her tasks for the day.
Loraine would rather not experience that again.
After all, she knew that Mr. Alistair must have his purpose for starting a conversation about business.
He might offer a business partnership with her too aside from her father.
Loraine didn't want that since it was too troublesome. She didn't want to be busy with work again.
"Even if that is the case, it means that Miss Loraine has good insights and good character. That must be why your employees are all working hard and showing good results in just a year," Mr. Alistair continued.
'What is he getting at? Does he think I'm as hardworking as my father? No, I'm not, so please stop it. I don't want more work.'
Loraine wanted to tell him he was wrong but decided to just return him with flattery and change the topic.
"Thank you for the praise, Mr. Alistair.
But, I should be the one praising you.
At such a young age, you are already a billionaire in your own right.
The youngest one in the world at that!
Can I ask how I can be as successful as you?"
Hopefully, this would divert the conversation to Mr. Alistair instead of her and her business.
People like him usually like talking about themselves and how good they are.
It would be nice if he bragged about his achievements instead and stopped thinking of doing business with her.
"Don't worry, Miss Loraine, with your insight and support from your father, you can always be as successful as me.
Knowing that you wanted to be as successful as me, I can help you with that.
What about having a business with me?'' Mr. Alistair offered.
'Ugh. This was exactly what I was trying to avoid.
Why did it end up here?
I thought he was going to talk about himself.'
As expected of Mr. Alistair, he already knew what she was trying to do.
He even smiled as he answered and diverted the conversation back to where he wanted it to be.
'Tsk. He is indeed a businessman.'
Loraine should have known when he started talking about business.
People like him wouldn't talk about business without something in mind.
Or does he want to fulfill his promise very quickly?
Was this as the reward for helping him?
He must want to finish one of them, which was why he used the word 'help' in his proposition.
But Loraine wouldn't let her important reward go just like that. She was reserving it for when she would need it. Not right now.
'Hmmp. He is really very cunning. No wonder he is very successful. He must not like being in debt so he was already initiating payment measures.'
Even though he promised to help in anything in the future when she would need his help, he was stirring the direction so that he could decide what help he would give to avoid any losses.
But Loraine wouldn't let him have his way.
That reward was one of her future "savings."
She would use it only when it was truly necessary so that she could maximize the help she could receive from the youngest billionaire in the world.
"As Mr. Alistair knows, I just opened a small entertainment company, so for the time being, I wanted to focus more on it.
When the time comes to open a new business, I'll think more about Mr. Alistair's offer."
Loraine immediately declined.
Holding two promises from a man like Mr. Alistair was very beneficial.
Loraine didn't want to waste it just to open a business when she didn't even want to work.
She wanted to just do what she wanted from now on, so she didn't want to add more work for her to do.
Moreover, if she wanted a new business, she could simply let money do the talking and hire all the appropriate people for it and not lift even a finger.
Before Mr. Alistair could reply, a knock was heard. Mr. Gram entered and said, "Sir Alistair, Sir Kent has arrived."
'Finally! What perfect timing!'
Loraine was relieved their talk of business was cut off.
If she kept refusing Mr. Alistair's offer to be business partners, he might get offended when he was the one offering it to a newbie like her.