"Ms. Brooks, since I've decided to collaborate with you, I certainly won't be concerned about those baseless rumors," Derek said with a serious expression, then added with a hint of remorse, his lips slightly twitching."I sincerely apologize for my earlier comments."

She smiled politely, careful not to reveal her true feelings.

She understood perfectly how people in power often tested those beneath them with arrogance and superiority.

Ella wasn't bothered by the implications in his words.

She seemed much more at ease now, gesturing to summon a waiter."You're my investor. Mr. Thornton. I would never take offense at anything you say."

The waiter handed her a menu, and Ella glanced through it, selecting several dishes.

"Do you have any dietary restrictions, Mr. Thornton?"

Derek paused briefly before responding, "None. I come to Golden Fork Bistro quite often."

She raised her fine eyebrows slightly, placing the menu against the edge of the table, and stared at Derek in mild surprise. "With your girlfriend,perhaps?"

Derek smiled faintly, methodically wiping his fingertips with a neatly folded napkin before answering, "I'm currently single, though there is someone I'm interested in."

A wealthy and handsome bachelor.

Ella privately mused over this fact.

"What? Am I not allowed to be single at my age?" He asked.

Ella smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

He cleared his throat softly and steered the conversation toward business.

The two quickly became engrossed in their discussion.

Perhaps because they shared similar interests and views on scientific research and development, they naturally found themselves deeply engaged in conversation.

Ella and Derek finished their business talk and prepared to leave.

As they exited Golden Fork Bistro, the evening air was cold and biting.

Ella instinctively hunched her shoulders, feeling the chill.

Seeing her reaction, Derek removed his overcoat and draped it over her shoulders.

Ella, touched by his gentlemanly gesture, smiled and said, "Mr. Thornton,you're so attentive and considerate of women. You must have many admirers."

"Do I?" Derek's appraising gaze somehow carried a strange,almost mesmerizing quality.

Ella wondered what his look meant.

Why did it seem so intense?

Sensing the atmosphere becoming awkward, Ella quickly removed his coat and noticed a cab speeding past. She hurried toward the street to hail it.

As soon as the cab stopped, she rushed over and pulled open the door.

After giving the driver her address, she smiled at Derek, who stood on the sidewalk with a stern expression, his coat folded over his arm. "No need to see me home. I'll be fine on my own."

Derek nodded in acknowledgment, watching the taxi depart.

He then opened the door of another car parked nearby and got in.

Inside, his assistant noticed his displeased expression and inquired, "Ms.

Brooks seemed frightened by you, sir."

"Am I that intimidating?" Derek shot back coldly.

The assistant tensed, feeling a chill run down his spine. He turned up the car's heater and remained silent.

Derek casually glanced toward Austin and Judith, who were just leaving Golden Fork Bistro.

The perfect couple drew attention even on the lamp-lit street.

"Is that Ella's ex-husband?"Derek asked.

He recognized Austin from a government bid meeting where Austin had secured a project thanks to his political connections.

Derek had lost that bid and still felt bitter about it.

"His taste seems rather ordinary." Derek remarked dismissively.

The assistant turned the steering wheel and started the car, adding with a chuckle, "Actually, sir, word in socíal circles is that Austin has always been in love with Judith."

"Judith?" Derek asked.

He'd never even heard of her before.

She was certainly pretty and sweet-looking.

But he preferred women like Ella.

Austin caught the intense stare from the car ahead and instinctively looked in that direction.

His sharp, perceptive gaze seemed capable of penetrating the car window to identify the watching eyes.

The two silently measured each other until Derek's car drove away.

Only then did Austin withdraw his gaze.

Beside him, Paul followed his line of sight toward the departing vehicle.

"Isn't that Derek's car?"

Judith, holding Austin's arm affectionately, asked, "Do you know hím?"

Austin gave her a sidelong glance and replied flatly, "We've met a few times."

"Isn't Mr. Thornton the owner of Orion Global Holdings? You should introduce me sometime," Judith suggested.

She thought if a small startup company could attract Orion's investment.

perhaps her Blue Lantern Project, with its tremendous potential, might secure funding too.

After all, Blue Lantern had been garnering significant attention lately in both investment and financial circles and was considered a promising stock in the research sector.

Who wouldn't want to collaborate with her?

She was confident that Orion Global Holdings would succumb to her charm.

Austin responded with a casual "Sure."

"Orion? You mean Derek, who's always on the financial news?" Sarah was an avid follower of financial updates, mainly because handsome,wealthy executives like Derek frequently appeared on these channels.

As a self-proclaimed admirer of successful men, she couldn't miss such opportunities.

Ella laughed,lounging lazily on the sofa. "Yes, that's him. If you're interested, I could introduce you two sometime."

"That would be amazing! Does he have a girlfriend?" Sarah asked excitedly,clapping her hands together.

Ella lowered her eyes, scratching her temple hesitantly, unsure how to respond.

Though Derek didn't have a girlfriend, he had admitted to being interested in someone.

She didn't want to hurt Sarah's feelings.

Seeing her hesitation, Sarah coughed slightly, "I'm just asking. A tycoon like Mr. Thornton would never look twice at someone like me."

"No, he's single, but he does have someone he likes. If you want to pursue him, you could try," Ella offered, preparing her friend for the possibility of rejection.

Sarah quickly abandoned the idea, flopping back onto the sofa with a dramatic sigh. "If he already has his eye on someone, wouldn't I just be setting myself up for heartbreak?"

Ella stroked her friend's head reassuringly. "Relationships can't be forced,you know."

"It's fine. Being friends works too," Sarah reasoned,content with having Ella as her wealthy friend.

Even if she couldn't date Derek, being friends with him would be acceptable.

Ella smiled and promised, "No problem. I'll arrange for you two to meet when I get the chance."

Sarah planted a kiss on Ella's cheek.

"You're so good to me! I love you!"

Ella pushed her away, feigning disgust. "Get off me, you're getting your slobber all over my face."

Sarah pouted,protesting, "What's wrong with a little kiss?"

"It's gross. I need to shower now. I smell like business meetings, and I ran into Austin and Paul earlier. A shower will help wash away the bad energy.

" Ella said, standing up and stretching.

Sarah sat up straight, demanding angrily, "Did Paul say something nasty to you again?"

Ella paused, then smiled faintly.′′NOI shot back at him. He's probably too angry to eat or sleep properly now."