Chapter 160 - 161: Everyone is Protective of Their Own

Chapter 160: Chapter 161: Everyone is Protective of Their Own

He was really starting to question Vincent Fuller’s intelligence.

’How does someone with a brain like that run a company without going bankrupt?’

’Luck?’

The last time his name was trending with Luna Lynn’s, Vincent Fuller had come looking for him the very next second.

Even back then, he’d thought Vincent Fuller had a screw loose.

Now, on top of thinking he had a screw loose, he also felt Vincent Fuller was a lot like the "CEO" protagonists from those novels Caroline Whitman had shown him.

The moment those words were out, the room froze for a second.

Caroline Whitman, for her part, fell silent.

Her mind was a million miles away. ’Looks like the plot hasn’t completely gone off the rails,’ she thought. ’At least the part in the book where Vincent Fuller and Adrian Grant become bitter business rivals hasn’t changed.’

Their auras weren’t exactly meshing at the moment, either.

Just as the atmosphere grew unbearably tense, a cheerful voice cut in from the side.

"Alright, alright, Adrian, cool down. President Fuller was just being fiercely protective." Zane Carson had approached at some point, a half-finished glass of red wine in hand, and now stood smiling between the two men.

He first shot Caroline Whitman a meaningful look, then turned and patted Vincent Fuller’s shoulder. "President Fuller, don’t take it to heart. I’ll treat everyone to dinner another day, on me."

Caroline Whitman saw his gesture and knew Zane Carson was signaling for her to step in and defuse the situation.

Although she didn’t think Adrian Grant had said anything wrong, letting the tension escalate at an event like this wouldn’t do anyone any good.

So she raised her hand and patted Adrian Grant on the back—a gesture somewhere between soothing and a warning—and said:

"Adrian Grant, that’s enough. President Fuller is just worried about Miss Lynn. You’d be anxious too if you were in his shoes."

Seeing his chance, Zane Carson immediately seized on her words, chuckling. "Exactly, exactly. We’re all just protective of our own."

Vincent Fuller said nothing, but his silence was a statement in itself.

What could he say? Adrian Grant’s words had been harsh, but it was true that he had been the first to accuse Caroline Whitman without getting the facts straight. He had no choice but to take the loss.

It was Luna Lynn, standing beside him, who straightened her back—despite being frightened and soaked in red wine—and gave a slight nod to Adrian Grant.

"President Grant, regarding today’s incident, President Whitman has already helped me once. Vincent Fuller really did misunderstand the situation. I apologize on his behalf."

With that, she didn’t wait for Adrian Grant’s response, simply taking Vincent Fuller’s hand and turning to leave the scene.

As she left the venue, she glanced back regretfully in Caroline Whitman’s direction.

’What a shame.’

’It seems a partnership with Caroline Whitman is out of the question now.’

Zane Carson breathed a sigh of relief.

He really didn’t want tonight’s fine wine reception to turn into a brawl that would become the joke of the entire Capital Circle.

Just as Zane Carson was about to turn back and say something to soothe Adrian Grant, he caught sight of two figures ambling over with wine glasses in hand.

His mouth twitched. ’Great,’ he thought, ’tonight’s drama never ends.’

Ethan Xavier walked in front, his pace unhurried, wearing an "I’m just passing by" smile.

Chase Ford followed him, his expression much more transparent. He couldn’t be bothered to act; he was clearly here for the show.

"President Grant, I’ve heard so much about you. I’ve been wanting to speak with you, and now I finally have the chance." Ethan Xavier came to a stop in front of Adrian Grant and raised his glass.

"There was quite a commotion over here just now. I came over to see what was happening and noticed Vincent Fuller didn’t look too happy when he left. What’s wrong? Did you two have an unpleasant chat?"

Adrian Grant glanced up at him but didn’t reply.

Ethan Xavier didn’t seem to mind his silence, letting his gaze fall naturally on Caroline Whitman, who stood beside him.

The smile on his lips deepened. "Desk-mate, we meet again."

Caroline Whitman: "..."

’I’m so tired of this.’

’Let it all burn.’

’If I ever attend an event like this again, I’m a damn fool.’

Chase Ford’s hand, holding his wine glass, paused mid-air. His eyes darted between the three of them, the interest in his gaze instantly intensifying.

He had only come over to watch the drama between Adrian Grant and Vincent Fuller, but he hadn’t expected this bonus scene.

"You sat in my office for an hour this morning. How come you never mentioned this ’desk-mate’ business?"

"We were talking business. It wasn’t the right time to reminisce."

After a pause, Ethan Xavier turned his attention back to Adrian Grant.

"So, President Grant is the boyfriend you mentioned this morning. Why didn’t you make that clear? No wonder my repeated attempts to partner with you failed. Turns out you already had a better option."

Caroline Whitman frowned slightly, her tone growing cooler. "President Xavier, that’s an unnecessary comment. I rejected you this morning because the profit concessions in your project proposal were absurdly generous. Anyone would have to think twice about a deal like that. It has nothing to do with my personal life."

She paused, then gave a soft laugh. "Besides, with your status and capabilities, President Xavier, you shouldn’t be short of partners. Yet you’ve been aggressively pursuing the Whitman Group and even offering profits that exceed industry norms.

"Honestly, I’m flattered, but a pie falling from the sky that big? I’m afraid it’s too hot to handle."

At her unsparing words, the smile on Ethan Xavier’s face stiffened, though he managed to maintain a polite veneer.

"What a pity. It seems we’re not fated to work with the Whitman Group, then."

He was giving himself an out.

He used to think Caroline Whitman was a bore, but after all these years, he’d never realized she had such a sharp tongue.

Now that he knew Adrian Grant was Caroline Whitman’s boyfriend, Ethan Xavier would have to weigh the consequences of any further pursuit on his future prospects.

His company hadn’t fully established its footing in the country yet. It was best not to provoke Adrian Grant for now.

Chase Ford drained the last of his wine, placed the empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray, and clapped Ethan Xavier on the shoulder. "Let’s go. What are you still standing here for?"

The two of them turned and left.

Chase Ford suddenly seemed to remember something and said slowly, "Looks like that car in my garage won’t be getting a new owner after all."

The bet between him and Ethan Xavier was that if Ethan succeeded in winning over Caroline Whitman, Chase would lose, and Ethan could pick any car from his garage.

Now that Caroline Whitman and Adrian Grant were together, Ethan Xavier definitely had no chance.

If he were a woman, he’d choose Adrian Grant too.

Ethan Xavier replied irritably, "Alright, shut up."

Chase Ford was in an excellent mood, rarely getting to see his friend get shot down like this. He twisted the knife: "That Maybach of yours—I’m coming to pick it up tomorrow. Have it washed and waiting for me tonight."

"Get lost."

...

When he had pulled Luna Lynn aside earlier, the sudden movement had caused the red wine from the waiter’s tray to not only soak Luna, but also splash a few drops onto Caroline Whitman’s light-colored dress.

After leaving the event, Adrian Grant took her to a hotel room and had a change of clothes sent over.

Caroline Whitman took off her jewelry, sat down on the sofa, and kicked off her high heels. Her feet were finally free.

Wearing the wine-stained clothes was rather uncomfortable.

She decided to just take off the dress and went into the bathroom to take a shower as well.

Adrian Grant was on the phone, giving simple instructions for the clothing sizes. When he hung up and turned around, he saw that the formal dress had already been taken off and was lying on the sofa.

From the bathroom came the sound of running water.

Adrian Grant’s eyes darkened. He tossed his phone onto the coffee table, casually loosened his tie, and walked towards the bathroom.