Xiao Han didn't harbor any resentment towards him. Instead, he inquired, his voice gentle as a breeze, "I heard you took a tumble into the water yesterday. Are you feeling alright?"
Georgia responded with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting the crystal waters surrounding them, "I'm perfectly fine."
A whimsical idea crossed Xiao Han's mind. "How about we pay a visit to the lake this morning? Would you be interested?"
Georgia didn't need much time to ponder; she simply nodded, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Upon arriving at the lakeside manor the previous day, she had been awestruck by the breathtaking scenery. Today was an opportunity she couldn't bear to miss.
Having changed into suitable attire, Georgia joined Xiao Han by the lakeside.
The tour had been meticulously organized by the itinerary department, and the secretarial group was also joined by the administration department. Shortly after Georgia's arrival, her gaze landed on Jack and Du Yue, who were approaching.
People greeted Jack with deference, and he nodded in acknowledgment. His eyes wandered momentarily before settling on Georgia.
Clearly, he had expected her to rest at the hotel. Yet, here she was, standing by the lake.
When the lakeside staff noticed that everyone had arrived, they inquired, "How would you like to spend your time? Would you prefer a serene lake tour or perhaps a bit of competition?"
The mention of a competition piqued the interest of many, prompting them to inquire eagerly about the rules.
The staff clarified, "We have organized a sailing race in groups of two or four. We've hidden red flags amidst the reeds in the lake, and your goal is to sail out and return within a specified time. The group that retrieves the most red flags will be declared the winner."
Upon hearing the game's rules, everyone agreed to participate enthusiastically and began forming groups.
After a brief pause, Jack's gaze lingered on Georgia. He cleared his throat and suggested, "Why don't we stick with yesterday's group?"
His proposal took everyone by surprise.
Jack didn't rush to explain, adding, "Yesterday, I suffered defeat and was drenched with two buckets of water. Naturally, that didn't sit well with me. Today, to save face, we'll maintain the same groups as yesterday—two people per team—and have a rematch."
Some accepted his proposal, while a few female colleagues appeared displeased and refused to comply.
Unbeknownst to them, several boisterous male colleagues, led by Dadong, remained oblivious to the brewing tension. They clapped their hands in agreement, eager for another showdown with Jack.
Despite their reluctance, nobody dared to voice their objections in front of Jack. Discontented glances were exchanged, especially directed towards Georgia, before the crowd dispersed.
Besides Georgia, Xiao Han stood excitedly, playfully nudging her and signaling with exaggerated winks.
Understanding the unspoken message, Georgia couldn't help but let out an embarrassed chuckle. When she lifted her gaze, she found Jack standing on the bank, his eyes firmly fixed on her.
She knew deep down that his intentions were not as simple as they seemed. Jack had done so much for her, and it was impossible to deny that fact.
With a sense of unease slowly creeping in, she took a step forward, her heart racing.
In a soft, velvety voice, he asked, "Shall we board?"
Georgia nodded, her emotions tightly controlled as she followed his lead, making her way to the shore.
As all the teams boarded their vessels, the staff checked the time and issued a reminder, "The competition will last for one hour. After that time, please return here, and the team with the most red flags will be declared the victor."
With that, the staff signaled the start of the race with a whistle, and the electric boats dispersed, each heading out to the expansive lake.
Jack sat at the boat's bow, commanding a view of the waters ahead, while Georgia settled in behind him, her senses filled with the subtle fragrance that emanated from him.