Jeremiah pushed his food aside. Without looking up, he said coldly, "Uh-huh."
The waiter was unsure of his meaning. Jeremiah's intimidating demeanor prevented him from asking for clarification. He glanced at Andrew, silently seeking help. The waiter remembered that Jeremiah, Yvette, and Andrew had dined together previously. Jeremiah and Yvette both appeared cold and unapproachable, yet undeniably attractive. His anxiety grew, and he dared not ask further questions. The person requesting Jeremiah's presence was the mayor of Seacrity, a frequent face on news channels. Even the mayor had sent an emissary, leaving the waiter overwhelmed by Jeremiah's apparent importance.
Seeing the waiter's pleading expression, Andrew intervened. "Jeremiah is available. Have him come over," he stated, feeling as if he were constantly requesting a paycheck from Jeremiah.
The waiter breathed a sigh of relief, his fear of the mayor's potential displeasure assuaged.
After the waiter departed, Andrew complained to Jeremiah, "Could you be a little more approachable? You scared the waiter speechless!"
Jeremiah glanced at him, resuming his meal with his usual impassive expression. Andrew gave up.
Bonnie, observing Andrew's discomfort, quietly chuckled. Catching her eye, Andrew received a teasing smile in return. Frustrated, he vented his irritation on his food, surprised even Bonnie found an opportunity to mock him.
After dinner, Yvette prepared to leave to complete Tobias's assigned task. She thanked Jeremiah and stood up. Bonnie, John, and Tobias, having finished earlier, quickly gathered their belongings to accompany her.
Jeremiah stopped Yvette. "Wait. I'd like to introduce you to someone."
Yvette paused, then sat back down. The others, unwilling to leave before Jeremiah, remained. After all, Jeremiah had paid for the meal, making an early departure seem inappropriate.
Wyatt, the mayor of Seacrity, dined with the Chamber of Commerce. While such dignitaries wouldn't typically choose this steakhouse, it was owned by Wyatt's sister-in-law. As she lived abroad, the restaurant was managed by Wyatt's wife, providing a degree of privacy. Wyatt's presence always drew attention, so he’d specifically requested his secretary book a table there. He was delighted to find Jeremiah and Andrew present.
Since a previous incident, Jeremiah had visited his office only once. Wyatt had been hesitant to contact him, fearing offense. However, this chance encounter presented an opportunity to cultivate a relationship, especially considering his planned return to Betrico. Building rapport with Jeremiah in Seacrity would be far easier than attempting it in Betrico.
In Wyatt's private dining room, representatives from the Lewis, Chambers, and Smith families were present. The Carter family sent Rebecca, Robert's influence within the family having waned. The four appeared amicable; Rebecca and Zachary seemed relaxed, as if Yvette's forced apology from Victor had been forgotten. They subtly avoided the incident, prioritizing their families' interests.
Noticing Wyatt preparing to leave, they worried they had offended him and quickly stood. "Mr. Langford, did we do something wrong? Why are you leaving so soon?" "Yes, please stay a bit longer. We'd love to hear more of your advice." "Indeed. A word from you is worth more than ten years of study."
Their flattery was transparent. Wyatt smiled, then grew serious. He understood the delicacy of navigating their relationships, considering past political and business entanglements. As mayor, he was cautious. Seacrity was a stepping stone; he couldn't afford blemishes on his record before returning to Betrico.
Despite numerous gifts from Seacrity's four major families, Wyatt had never accepted them or taken sides. This dinner concerned upcoming commercial development, each party vying for a share. Wyatt, shrewdly, enjoyed his meal and drinks without committing before preparing to leave.
Zachary, Rebecca, and the others were unwilling to relinquish the opportunity for further information.
"Sorry, everyone. I've run into an acquaintance and must go. Please enjoy your meal. Regarding the commercial development, the government will issue a public tender. Do your best," Wyatt said.
Zachary and the others allowed Wyatt to leave. Rebecca stared thoughtfully in his direction. He didn't seem to be merely making excuses; he appeared genuinely eager to meet someone. She wondered who could be so important.
Zachary interrupted her thoughts. "Rebecca, how have you been lately?"
Rebecca replied with a cold smile. "Mr. Chambers, I haven't been well. I've lost 160 million dollars. Your daughter is quite something; she forced my brother to apologize. It seems our families' marriage arrangement displeases her!"
Zachary was startled. He admired Rebecca's courage and intelligence, but found her harshness irrational. Her reaction was understandable; this was her first significant setback since taking over the company, exacerbated by inadequate network security. The virus was sophisticated, even stumping international teams. Claude's criticism had left her frustrated, and Zachary became her target.
Zachary was confused. He knew Yvette had forced Victor to apologize, but didn't understand the connection to the 160 million dollar loss. "Rebecca, Yvette acted inappropriately, but how does that relate to the 160 million dollar loss? That’s not something to be taken lightly."
Rebecca scrutinized him, confirming his ignorance. Had he known about Yvette's connection to the hacker, he wouldn't have dismissed her.
Suddenly, realization dawned. Her gloom lifted, and her tone softened. "Sorry, Mr. Chambers. I was upset and said something stupid. Please forgive me. I'll visit you when I have time." She picked up her handbag and left.