Chapter 1214

Tessa lifted the folder in her hand and gave it a little shake. “I’m here to see Mr. Lewis.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Appointment?” Tessa frowned. “I’m from Walton Corporation. I’ve spoken with Mr. Lewis before about this project. I’m here today to finalize the signing.”

She was relying on what Aurora had once told their mother–that the project had already been settled. So, she figured she could slip in under that pretense.

But the receptionist wasn’t buying it. If anyone had come to sign a contract, Daniel would have given prior notice. Since she hadn’t heard anything, it was clear the woman in front of her was lying.

“I’m sorry, miss, but we require an appointment,” the receptionist said firmly. “Without one, I can’t let you through.”

“Why not? If you don’t believe me, call Mr. Lewis down here!” Tessa snapped.

She couldn’t accept being brushed off. As far as she knew, the project still had room to be secured. Yet being stopped in the lobby like this made her feel humiliated.

The receptionist, however, kept her standard smile. “Miss, this is the rule. If I break protocol, it reflects badly on me, and frankly, it won’t look good for you either.”

“So what are you really trying to say?” Tessa demanded, giving her a disdainful once-over.

“What I mean is, if you don’t have an appointment, I truly can’t let you in.”

The receptionist’s smile never faltered, her tone courteous. It was her professional duty. Only because of that did she bother to be patient with Tessa at all. Otherwise, with an attitude like hers, she would have been thrown out already.

Tessa drew in a sharp breath. “Fine then, just call Mr. Lewis and tell him someone from Walton Corporation is here. He’ll definitely come down.”

“I’m afraid not.” The receptionist’s tone remained firm. “Mr. Lewis’s time is very valuable. None of us can afford to waste it.”

“So what exactly do you expect me to do?” Tessa snapped, running out of patience. She had tried every angle she could think of, yet still couldn’t get past the lobby.

“If you don’t have an appointment, you can contact Mr. Lewis’s secretary and schedule one. Then you may return,” the receptionist replied with a polite nod.

Tessa glanced down at the contract in her hands, then exhaled heavily. Before leaving, she shot the receptionist a venomous glare. “Fine, you win. I’ll be back.”

The receptionist couldn’t have cared less about her attitude. She’d dealt with plenty of people who only knew how to bluster. One more or less made no difference. Rules were rules–without an appointment, no one was getting through. It was her job, and no amount of posturing could change that.

Not long after Tessa left, Joseph arrived. The moment the receptionist spotted him, her demeanor shifted instantly, turning warm and respectful. “Mr. Hunt, what a surprise to see you here today.”

“I’m here to see Daniel. Is he in?” Joseph asked, casting her a glance.