The smile on Nina's lips faded quickly, her expression darkening with a flash of malice in her eyes. She strode up to Tara, gripping her collar tightly, her voice rising with barely restrained anger, "What did you just say?"
The sudden aggression pushed Tara back a step, but she quickly regained her stance, meeting Nina's gaze with a calm, icy smile. Brushing Nina's hand off her collar, she smoothed out the wrinkles left by Nina's grasp and replied, "I said, I'm wearing my girlfriend's clothes."
There was no need to specify whom she meant by "girlfriend."
Without sparing Nina another glance, Tara strode back into the private dining room.
As soon as she sat down, Selena subtly touched Tara's hand, her eyes quietly questioning, "Are you alright?"
Tara patted the back of Selena's hand lightly, a small reassurance that everything was fine.
Noticing Nina's absence, Wayne looked around and asked, "Tara, where's Nina? She went out to check on you—didn't you run into her?"
Turning to face Wayne, Tara's eyes met his stern expression. She knew well that this old man was fiercely protective and biased, so much so that he would twist any scenario to make Nina look like a caring, concerned figure. But Tara's voice remained polite and even as she replied with a faint smile, "I saw her, Mr. Wayne. She came in as I was finishing up. I thought she was taking care of something for herself, so I didn't wait for her. Apologies if I was mistaken."
Seizing the opportunity, Selena jumped in, "Mr. Wayne, I believe our proposal has shown ample sincerity. Why don't you consider it?"
Wayne seemed on the verge of agreement, but just then, Nina returned. Her face was drawn and stormy as she slammed the door with a pointed force, the wooden frame echoing with a dull thud. She didn't bother to sit down before launching into her opinion, "I think we need to reconsider. Our company has set these terms with other partners—why should we make exceptions for Ms. Sheng's company?"
Selena's smile froze momentarily but quickly recovered. Her tone remained even as she responded, "With respect, Mr. Wayne, I doubt your recent revenue growth has met your expectations. While there has been steady growth, the rate has declined each year, almost as if it's reaching a plateau. I imagine you sought this meeting because you're also looking for a breakthrough, but breakthroughs can't happen without flexibility. When you're in charge, your reputation garners respect and cooperation. But what happens after you retire? Will your successor command the same authority? Will the company retain its standing, or will it gradually lose ground?"
"Do you want to watch that happen, sir?"
Her tone was gentle, yet every word landed with precise, calculated impact, and the entire room fell into silence. Wayne's gaze grew sharper, piercing as a sword, but Selena met his stare steadily.
To gain any ground with a figure as shrewd as Wayne required the courage to stake everything.
Seconds ticked by, and Lee, Selena's secretary, found himself struggling to breathe, his chest tight. Looking at Wayne's unyielding stare, he could feel the urge to run. His eyes darted toward Jasmine and Selena for some reprieve.
Jasmine, at least, seemed to be holding her composure, and as for Selena, she leaned on one elbow, entirely unshaken. Lee couldn't help but admire her poise. The exact terms of the deal hardly affected his role or income, and though there was no explicit opposition from above, risking a deal-break to chase a higher profit seemed reckless to him.
Desperate for Tara to signal Selena, he glanced her way but was stunned to find her as calm as ever, even more collected than Jasmine.
Just as Lee began to consider breaking the silence, he heard a low chuckle.
It was Wayne, seated at the head of the table.
"Ms. Sheng, you certainly live up to your reputation," he said. "We'll review your terms and give you an answer within three days."
Though he hadn't confirmed the deal, he hadn't rejected it outright either. Selena's gamble had cracked open a door, leaving room for negotiations. With a poised smile, her voice cool and polite, Selena responded, "Very well, Mr. Wayne. We'll look forward to your response and hope we can establish a rewarding partnership."
On the surface, the dinner concluded with little achieved.
Before departing, Selena arranged for two bottles of premium ginseng wine to be packaged and brought directly to Wayne. Handing him the bottles herself, she explained, "I noticed you massaging your temples during dinner. This ginseng wine is renowned internationally. A glass a day can help reduce blood pressure, relieve migraines, and even prevent strokes."
Finally, she added, "This is just a personal gift from me to you as a senior, with no connection to the contract. Please, accept it as a token of respect."
Though Wayne was no pushover, Selena's thoughtfulness won him over. Nodding, he instructed his assistant to accept the bottles. Extending a hand, he said, "We'll consider your suggestions carefully and respond in three days, regardless of the outcome."
With a polite nod, Selena shook his hand. "Thank you."
The ride back home found them piling into a single car, with Lee behind the wheel since both Tara, Selena, and Jasmine had had a bit to drink.
Jasmine, expecting Selena to take the front seat, was mildly surprised when she slid into the back beside Tara, leaving a space between them as if to avoid drawing attention.
Jasmine's eyes drifted back and forth between them before she spoke up with a knowing smirk, "Why leave such a big gap between you two? Wouldn't it be safer if I sat back there too?"
Selena's gaze was soft but faintly amused as she answered, "Stay in front, Jasmine. Lee's a careful driver."
Jasmine shrugged and let it drop as Lee accelerated.
By now, it was nearing midnight. Lee, glancing into the rearview mirror, asked, "Who should I drop off first?"
Under the dim glow of the streetlights, Selena leaned against the car window, her elbow propped up to support her chin. Half of her face was in shadow, but her gaze drifted toward Tara, her voice carrying a quiet warmth. "Let's drop off Tara first. She lives all the way in the West End."
Lee noticed Jasmine's raised eyebrow but was surprised when she calmly replied, "That's fine. Drop her off first."
Selena's red lips curved into a faint smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Jasmine."
From the front seat, Lee chimed in, "Didn't expect Ms. Sheng to be so considerate. Tara, you've got some charm, if you've managed to charm even her."
His tone was light, yet something about his words hinted at more. Tara shifted and replied playfully, "Ms. Sheng's always been warm-hearted and considerate. That's her nature, not my doing."
Jasmine seemed unconvinced, emitting a short laugh. "Oh."
The single syllable was loaded with doubt, dismissal, and a hint of condescension. Glancing at Lee, she asked, "Lee, you've worked with Ms. Sheng for a while, haven't you? Has she ever shown you this level of consideration?"
All three sets of eyes fell on Lee, whose back was straight as an arrow, feeling as if he was under a microscope.
"SOS," he thought to himself. He had no idea how he'd become a pawn in their veiled jabs.
Selena's cool, enigmatic smile made him break out in a sweat. Jasmine's stare was equally intense, almost taunting.
Faced with two people he couldn't afford to offend, he forced a laugh, hoping it sounded natural.
Thankfully, Jasmine redirected her attention. "Forget it. No point asking you, Lee. Sorry to hit a sore spot, but ever since Tara arrived, you've been relegated to honorary assistant status, haven't you?"
Lee's forced chuckle masked his discomfort. He wanted to argue, but the truth stung—since Tara had joined, taking on "assistant" duties in name only, his workload had lightened, leaving him practically idle. Here he was, even playing chauffeur.
Lee glanced at Selena, hoping she'd defend him, but she merely looked on with her usual cool detachment, saying nothing. His heart sank slightly, his grip tightening on the wheel as silence filled the car.
After they joined the last wave of evening traffic, Jasmine closed her eyes to rest. Tara, still alert, snuck a look at Selena, whose head now leaned back, her hair cascading loosely around her shoulders. At some point, she'd taken her clip out, and now, with her lashes casting shadows in the low light, she appeared almost innocent, softened and without her usual defenses.
Like a rose with its thorns hidden.
A gentle smile curved Tara's lips as she inched closer, reaching out carefully to cradle Selena's head, letting her lean comfortably against her shoulder. Selena stirred at the touch, snuggling into Tara's shoulder, her soft lips brushing Tara's ear with a featherlight kiss.
The unexpected touch made Tara's heart race, yet Selena remained blissfully unaware, shifting until she'd nestled against Tara's neck. Her warm breath, soft and even, tickled Tara's collarbone, the slight intimacy sending waves of warmth through her.
Tara let her hand rest against the curve of Selena's head, lifting a lock of her hair as she whispered softly, "Selena…"
Though Selena was still half-asleep, she murmured a quiet reply, seeming to respond instinctively to Tara's voice.
The lull of the car, the soft hum of the engine, and the warmth of Selena beside her made Tara's eyelids feel heavy. As they drifted off to sleep, leaning against each other, a slow-moving line of cars stretched out before them.
In the front, Jasmine opened her eyes, a glint of mischief as she turned and observed the two. After a moment, she slipped her phone from her bag and quietly snapped a picture of the two sleeping peacefully together.
It was well past midnight by the time they reached Tara's neighborhood. Lee cleared his throat, the sound rousing Tara first. Selena, hearing the noise, blinked awake, grabbing her bag as if ready to leave with Tara.
Lee turned, mildly surprised. "Ms. Sheng, are you staying here?"
Selena waved him off. "I'll stay with Tara tonight—dropping her off and then Jasmine is far enough. Take the car home and leave the keys with me tomorrow."
Lee hesitated, then nodded. Tara, her voice warm and still tinged with sleep, waved goodbye. "Goodnight, Lee. Drive safe."
Lee pulled away in silence, leaving them on the sidewalk together.
As they drove, Jasmine turned to Lee, finally voicing her thoughts. "What do you think of Tara and Selena's relationship?"
"They're…close," Lee replied, unsure how much he should say.
A laugh bubbled up from Jasmine as she turned back, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Close? Seems you might be overlooking something."
Her tone shifted, almost mocking as she continued. "Girls are close, sure, but their dynamic? It's hardly just professional."
Lee's thoughts flashed to the afternoon when he'd briefly seen Tara and Selena together. Though he kept quiet, Jasmine shook her head with a smirk, unrelenting. "Maybe that's why you're stuck in this position. Go on, think it over."