Chapter 387: Spotting La Riviere’s president
Across the other side of the restaurant, the polished clack of leather soles cut through the low murmur of voices and the faint click of cutlery. Alex Ford strode quickly to a private room. Opening the door, he stepped inside and stood respectfully aside, his gaze lingered on Aidan Wilson, signaling he had something to report.
Aidan sat at the table, relaxed, his lips curving into a charming smile, a wine glass hanging loosely in one hand.
Seated opposite him were two women, their laughter echoing into the room. Monica Francis, elegant and composed, raised her glass. "Mr Wilson, thank you for your hospitality. We had a wonderful trip here."
"I’m glad to hear that, Miss Monica," Aidan replied smoothly, tilting the bottle to pour more wine into both their glasses. "The first time I saw you two beautiful, I knew we clicked instantly."
"Yeah," Natasha giggled. "You are the complete opposite of our older cousin. He is always so uninterested in everything... boring even."
"Natasha!" Monicah reprimanded her. "That’s rude. You know his job doesn’t allow him much freedom."
"Yes," Aidan said with an understanding nod. "Miss Monica is right. Doctor Durant is probably buried in the hospital most days. And being the heir of SAFA Pharmaceuticals can’t be helping either. It must keep him from enjoying life the way you do."
Natasha’s expression softened. "Yeah. You are right. That was unfair of me."
"But he has a heart of gold. He even helped a random boy in the middle of the street last night." Monica added.
"He is a doctor for a reason," Natasha murmured, lifting her wine and swirling it idly.
Aidan hid his smirk behind his glass. Silas Durant? Helping a random boy? The thought was laughable. That man’s heart was harder than steel, colder even than his. He had tried to approach him at first, but, nope, there was no opening.
But these two girls were surprisingly naive. At first, he assumed they were acting, but now he was certain they were simply too trusting. Especially Natasha. She had spilled too many details about their family.
"Are you planning to stay until the auction?" Aidan asked.
"Probably. Why?" Monica replied.
"In that case," Aidan leaned forward, his tone warm, "may I offer you a resort to stay in for a few days? Hot springs, private gardens, and every kind of entertainment you could want."
Natasha’s eyes brightened instantly. "Oh, wow, that sounds perfect. Are you coming with us too?"
Aidan gave an apologetic tilt of his head. "Unfortunately, I can’t. There are too many preparations I need to supervise. I’d hate to let you down after you’ve given me such an opportunity."
Monica shook her head. "Don’t worry about us. I’m sure you will do a splendid job. My aunt vouched for you, after all."
Aidan was taken aback; his smile faltered. His gaze sharpened for a heartbeat. Until now, he had believed he was the one pulling the strings, but to hear them say someone else had handed him the auction, smoothed the way for him... it tightened something cold in his chest.
"Your aunt?" he repeated carefully, hiding his sudden calculation beneath a tone of polite interest.
"Mm, my Aunt Luna said you are a competent man," Monica said, taking another sip from her wine.
"That’s... Flattering." Aidan smiled, although it never reached his eyes. "But may I ask where she knows me from? I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her?"
"Oh..." Monica’s brows furrowed in thought before she replied. "She said when you withdrew from the Shole project, the one your mother and sister schemed against you, you had shown your true skill. Not everyone has a good sense for maneuvering in the business world."
The wine glass hovered at Aidan’s lips, untouched. He was amazed at the efficiency of intelligent service under the Francis family. Few people knew the details of that project, fewer about his mother and sister’s scheme.
And Luna Francis... before marrying into the Durant family, was well-known as the true head of her branch.
"That is an honour to be recognised by Mrs. Durant herself," Aidan said at last, masking the uneasiness in his eyes.
They resumed their eating, and the conversation finally eased.
At his side, Alex Ford shifted his weight. He had remained silent the entire time, standing near the door. Now, he bent closer and whispered. "Boss, I spotted La Riviere’s president here."
Aidan paused, then he dabbed his mouth with a napkin casually before rising from his chair. "If you’ll excuse me for a moment," he said, bowing his head slightly.
Both women smiled, nodding in understanding.
Outside the private room, Aidan stood a short distance away from the door. The mask of civility dropped from his face the moment the door closed behind them. His eyes sharpened, cold. "Talk. Who did you see?" Aidan demanded in a low voice.
"La Riviere’s president."
Aidan’s eyes narrowed, sceptical. "How do you know it was him? No one had seen his face. And if they have, they’ve never spoken about it."
"Remember when we were supposed to meet their representative before the Shole bidding? I saw him then. Their subordinates were gossiping about him and his niece." Alex Ford said firmly.
Aidan’s lips curved, a glimmer of intrigue sparking in his gaze. "Oh, so he is here. Was he alone?"
"No," Alex said. "He was with a girl. Mask and cap. I couldn’t see her face. Probably a star."
"Oh... interesting." Aidan’s expression turned sharp and predatory. "Let me see them myself. Maybe I’ll recognise her. That would be... quite the bonus."
"They are at the far end." Alex gestured subtly down the corridor.
"Good." Aidan straightened his jacket. "I’ll escort the two out first, then come again. You keep your eyes on them. Don’t lose track."
"Yes, boss." Alex’s answer was immediate.
Aidan smirked and turned back toward the private room. His steps were lazy and charming, but in his eyes, a new gleam flickered, sharp with calculation, hungry with the promise of opportunity.