Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Dining Alone, President Blackwood’s Vinegar Jar is Overturned
Zane Linton immediately asked, "The Mr. Scott you mentioned... is that Seth Scott?"
"I think that’s his name," Edie said. "He’s our boss’s best friend’s brother."
"Okay. Which restaurant did they go to?" Zane Linton asked.
Edie knew Zane Linton wasn’t a bad person, so she told him which restaurant Ivy Sherwood was going to that evening.
"Thank you." Zane Linton hung up.
He was in the same office as President Blackwood, who had just overheard the entire conversation.
"President Blackwood, about Miss Sherwood..."
"What she does has nothing to do with me, does it?" Quentin Blackwood’s expression was unchanged, but his tone was even more chilling.
Zane Linton could tell something was different about Quentin Blackwood these past two days, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Based on his observations and speculation, it was highly likely he’d had a fight with Miss Sherwood.
He had come to deliver a report. After finishing, he remembered there were still some loose ends to tie up on Miss Sherwood’s end, which required contacting her.
Quentin Blackwood had him make the call right there in the office, but Ivy Sherwood didn’t pick up.
That, combined with President Blackwood’s recent reaction, said it all.
"Don’t you have work to do?" Quentin Blackwood stared at him, tapping his fingers on the desk.
"I’ll get right on it."
Zane Linton left Quentin Blackwood’s office, and a nameless fire began to flare up inside Quentin’s chest.
’This Seth Scott... Why won’t he just disappear?’
’Does he have nothing better to do?’
Quentin Blackwood immediately buzzed the secretarial department. "It seems Scott Group doesn’t have enough on its plate lately. Find them something to do."
The person on the other end in the secretarial department was baffled but agreed.
Afterward, they secretly asked Secretary Linton why President Blackwood was suddenly targeting the Scott Group.
’President Blackwood is the type who never says what he means,’ Zane Linton knew. ’He’s obviously jealous but would never admit it.’
’It’s hard enough for President Blackwood to like someone. It’s even harder for him to admit it.’
After hanging up with the secretarial department, Quentin Blackwood called Julian Grant. "What are your plans for tonight?"
Julian Grant rarely got calls from Quentin Blackwood. "I’ve got a dinner engagement," he said.
"Can you get out of it?"
"Of course! Are you asking me to dinner? If it’s for you, I’ll cancel it right now!"
’What dinner could possibly be more important than one with Quentin Blackwood?’
"Yes."
"Great! Which restaurant?"
Quentin Blackwood named a restaurant. Julian Grant replied, "Oh, nice. That place gets crowded, so you should book a table early, or we won’t get a spot. Who else is coming?"
’Why would Quentin Blackwood suddenly want to have dinner with me?’
"You."
Julian Grant waited a good while for more names, but when none came, he couldn’t help but ask, "And?"
"Me."
"And...?"
"Who else do you want there to be?" Quentin’s voice was ice-cold.
Julian Grant was speechless.
’Why does this feel like a trap? What is Quentin planning?’
"Well, it’s about that time. It’s dinnertime, so I’ll head over now." Julian Grant figured that since an invitation from Quentin Blackwood was a rare event, he absolutely had to go.
Julian Grant left immediately and arrived at the restaurant Quentin had mentioned just a short while later.
Quentin Blackwood arrived at almost the exact same time.
The two met at the entrance. Julian Grant glanced at the main dining area; sure enough, it was packed to the gills. There wasn’t an empty seat in sight.
Quentin Blackwood, meanwhile, was scanning the surroundings, seemingly searching for something.
Just then, a waiter approached them. "Good evening, sirs. Do you have a reservation?"
Julian Grant looked at Quentin Blackwood. "Which private room did we get?"
"I didn’t book one."
"Wh-what?" Julian Grant thought he must have misheard.
’Didn’t Quentin ask me to dinner? I specifically reminded him that this place is always crowded and that he should book in advance. And he didn’t even make a reservation?’
’What is he playing at? Did he ask me to dinner or just to mess with me?’
"Who knows how long the wait will be," Julian said. "Why don’t we just eat at your place? Your private chef is fantastic, just as good as this place."
As Julian spoke, he noticed a strange look in Quentin Blackwood’s eyes.
He followed Quentin’s gaze and... ’Oh.’ He finally understood why Quentin had asked him to this specific restaurant and hadn’t made a reservation.
’So this wasn’t about having dinner with me at all. He’s just using me.’
"Why is Ivy here? And having a private dinner with Seth Scott?" Julian Grant asked, feigning confusion.
"I don’t know." Quentin Blackwood’s voice grew even colder.
Julian Grant was speechless.
’You don’t look like someone who doesn’t know. You obviously knew they were here and came specifically for this.’
Julian Grant was amused. Of course he knew what Quentin Blackwood was up to.
Seeing his friend in this state was just too funny, and he decided to deliberately mess with him a little.
"Well, since they look like they’re having a nice time, we shouldn’t disturb them. How about we go eat somewhere else? Or if we can’t find a place to eat, I’ll just head home."
With that, Julian Grant made a show of turning to leave.
But before he could take a single step, Quentin Blackwood grabbed his wrist and yanked him back.
"How is your relationship with Ivy Sherwood?"
"It’s okay, I guess." Julian Grant didn’t dare say they were actually good friends, fearing Quentin Blackwood would get the wrong idea. He had to phrase it carefully.
"If it’s ’okay,’ then are you just going to stand there and watch her walk into a pit of fire?" Quentin Blackwood’s eyes were glued to the couple.
Julian Grant was speechless.
’What pit of fire? It’s just Seth Scott. And Seth is actually a decent guy. At least in their Lustre social circles, he has a pretty good reputation.’
"Weren’t we going to eat? Since there are no tables, we’ll just have to join one."
’I knew it,’ Julian thought. ’An invitation to dinner from Quentin is never just dinner.’
’He’s absolutely green with jealousy.’
’But,’ he reasoned, ’seeing my friend, the eternal bachelor, finally showing interest in someone... I can’t just stand by and watch. I have to help my buddy out.’
Julian Grant had the kind of personality that could get along with anyone. Humorous and witty, he was the complete opposite of Quentin Blackwood. A little thing like this wouldn’t embarrass him in the slightest.
Ivy Sherwood and Seth Scott were ordering when Seth received a call. He told her the people from his company probably couldn’t make it anymore, meaning this dinner would most likely be just the two of them.
’Everyone is suddenly busy and can’t make it?’ Ivy couldn’t help but suspect something else was going on. ’Could it be that Seth...?’
"Ivy, would you like to try this?" Seth Scott said gently. "It’s very good. Girls usually like it."
"Thank you," Ivy Sherwood replied politely, then lowered her head to take a sip of water.
Just as she was thinking, ’This is so awkward. Can a savior please appear and rescue me?’ Ivy Sherwood heard a voice.
"Well, well, Ivy! Mr. Scott! What a coincidence! You’re eating here too?"
’It’s Julian Grant!’
’This is the first time I’ve ever thought Julian Grant’s timing was perfect! Mr. Grant is my savior!’
"Mr. Gr—" Ivy Sherwood looked up, her heart leaping with excitement. But her joy lasted all of two seconds before she saw Quentin Blackwood standing behind him.
Ivy Sherwood’s smile froze on her face. ’This isn’t a rescue... it’s a battleground!’
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