Chapter 9

Isobel still nodded patiently. "Yeah."

Liam clucked his tongue. "I also heard you were the one who dumped him."

Isobel smiled. "When have you been such a gossip, Mr. Jakeman?"

She wasn't there to gossip about herself. Her goal was to curry favor with Theodore. This business deal with him was worth several million dollars. Signing it would give her company room to breathe and benefit it in terms of scoring future business deals.

Remy knew how she felt, so he quickly tried to smooth over the situation. "You owe me three drinks, Mr. Jakeman. Come with me…"

He dragged Liam away as he spoke and winked at Isobel, wanting her to give him credit. She blinked at him in response before scooting closer to Theodore with a drink.

She was about to speak when the woman beside Theodore suddenly clung to his arm. "I feel a little uncomfortable, Mr. Stone. Can you help me?"

She watched Isobel warily as she spoke, seemingly afraid the latter would steal Theodore from her.

Theodore chuckled at her words and asked huskily, "Oh? Where are you uncomfortable? Here? Or here?"

His hand roamed over her waist as he spoke. He didn't even spare Isobel a look, making it clear that he didn't want to speak to her.

He lowered his head, and his tone was lazy yet alluring. It made the woman blush. "You're so nasty, Mr. Stone."

Isobel's lips twitched. She'd seen many things, but the scene before her still made her feel a little flustered. "Ahem… Mr. Stone, I came today to talk to you about the contract that we discussed earlier."

She knew it was rude to interrupt people when they were flirting, but she still spoke. This had to do with her company's survival, after all. She wouldn't starve without it, but she had dozens of employees depending on her, especially Sophie.

When Isobel first said she wanted to start a company, Sophie was the one who'd given everything she had to support the former. Sophie came from an ordinary family, so every cent she had was painstakingly saved over the years.

That was why Isobel had to shamelessly try to score this deal with Theodore—she had to do it for everyone else's sake.

A hint of displeasure flickered in Theodore's eyes. He straightened up and glanced at her, the impatience at being interrupted evident in his gaze.

He pulled a cigar from the box on the table and cut the tip. The woman beside him was about to light it, but Isobel beat her to it. She held out a lighter, looking ingratiating.

He gave her a look but didn't reject her. The woman beside him looked like she wanted to kill Isobel with her eyes, though.

Theodore loosened his tie after taking a drag from his cigar, revealing his Adam's apple. His features carried a cold, almost ascetic beauty—high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a strikingly defined face that would put even top-tier celebrities to shame.

Yet, having grown up in wealth and privilege, he exuded an innate nobility, a quiet arrogance that made him seem utterly unapproachable.

Isobel steadied herself as she met his unreadable gaze. She pulled the proposal from her bag and held it out to him. "Why don't you take a look at this? We've refined quite a few aspects; I'm sure you'll be happy with it."

Theodore didn't accept it. He was silent for a while before saying, "You must be thirsty after so much talking. How about you have a few drinks to prove your sincerity?"

Isobel was taken aback. Before she could say anything, he continued coolly, "What's wrong? Shouldn't you at least be prepared for that since you're talking business in a place like this?"

She pursed her lips. Though they ran in the same circles, the Somner family's business meant nothing compared to the Stone family's.

Theodore really was… heartless.

Isobel smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "How many drinks do you think I should have?"

She was lowering herself enough, and it helped that she was beautiful when she smiled. Even the lights seemed to shine brighter because of her smile.

Theodore had met countless women, but he still couldn't help being dazzled by her smile. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice turned husky. "That depends on how sincere you are."

This meant there was no limit.

Isobel chuckled. She wasn't an overprotected princess; she had confidence in her ability to hold liquor. So, she didn't back down. She was about to get up to pour herself a drink when the woman beside Theodore moved.

She smiled at Isobel and said, "You don't have to do this yourself, Ms. Somner. I'll help you out."

Isobel felt she was up to no good but didn't think Theodore would like her rebuking the woman to his face. So, she let her do as she pleased.

The woman looked demure but wasn't to be trifled with. She grabbed seven or eight large glasses from the cabinet in the room and lined them on the table. Then, she filled them to the brim with liquor.

Isobel watched her speechlessly. Remy noticed what was happening and hurried over, wanting to defuse the situation. However, she stopped him. She smiled and said, "It's fine. All that matters is that Mr. Stone is happy."

She was smiling, but the words sounded like they were being forced out. Remy could tell, and so could Theodore.

Theodore looked at her with interest, his gaze becoming even more unfathomable. "Don't push yourself if you can't do it, Ms. Somner."

Isobel didn't respond. Instead, she picked up a glass and downed it.