Chapter 7 Drinking Dinner

Lewis's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at her. "What were you just thinking about? I want the truth."

Judy couldn't possibly tell the truth; what would happen if Lewis knew she was fantasizing about being with him 'in that way'? Would he silence her for good?

She composed herself and replied innocently, "I was thinking about what to have for dinner tonight."

A flicker in Lewis's brow hinted at disbelief. Despite Judy's ostensibly honest and simple demeanor, he felt that it was definitely not her true nature.

This woman was cunning.

Lewis fixed his eyes on her and asked, "Do you know why I transferred you to the secretary department?"

"I know." Judy replied as if sincerely, "Leo said it was because I look dowdy."

Lewis's lips twitched. "..."

"You certainly are... self-aware." Lewis was at a loss for words, never before having encountered such an 'obedient' female secretary.

"You won't be having what you'd like for dinner tonight because you're going out with me."

If Judy hadn’t known about Lewis's schedule that there would be a business dinner that night, his words could have been easily misconstrued.

"Yes, President," Judy responded dutifully, handing him the freshly brewed coffee.

"Leave now," instructed Lewis.

Judy swiftly exited.

Returning to the secretary department, Judy let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Lewis truly didn't remember her from that night.

That was fortunate. All Judy wanted was a job to survive in the city.

Orphaned, she had to strive for everything on her own. She harbored no unrealistic dreams of being loved by the president and marrying into a wealthy family.

She was well aware of the difficulty in reaching her current position.

All efforts of ordinary people often amount to an ordinary life. A slight misstep could jeopardize her calm existence.

Ensuring her job as Lewis's secretary would make her future much more secure, given the generous salary and benefits provided by Caler Group.

Then Linda came in. Judy quickly asked, "Linda, why isn’t Leo here today? He usually accompanies the president to social events. I haven't seen him."

"Leo went to help the president's girlfriend move." Linda retorted, "Didn't you know? You're close to the president; how could you be so out of the loop?"

"The president has a girlfriend? Which wealthy family's daughter is she?" Judy was surprised, feeling a fleeting, negligible sense of loss, which she hardly noticed herself.

Linda explained, "She's not from a wealthy family, but she's the first woman to live in the Royal Manor. She might very well become the Caler Group's future lady."

Knowing Lewis had a love interest, Judy, with self-awareness, decided to keep that night's event to herself forever.

Judy quickly adjusted her mood and accompanied Lewis to the business dinner that evening.

Dinner engagements often involved drinking, and before entering the restaurant, Lewis asked her, "By the way, can you hold your liquor?"

Judy answered truthfully, "Three beers is my limit."

That was how many she had drunk the night she ended up with Lewis, which led to her dizziness.

Lewis frowned, "Your alcohol tolerance is too poor. You need practice."

"Yes, President. I will certainly build it up," Judy promised earnestly.

During the dinner.

Judy, being unable to drink much, couldn't block much alcohol for Lewis.

Lewis, ever controlled, didn't show emotion easily, maintaining composure even when drunk.

Judy stood by, wondering how vigorous she must have been that night to have taken down a man like Lewis.

"President, another new secretary? She's not even as pretty as the last one," the General Manager of Spring Mountain Group, Abbott, teased. "Why don’t I introduce you to some beauties? Women are like vases; it’s comforting to look at the pretty ones. Being around someone who looks like this must be distressing."

Judy thought Abbott's words were unpleasant enough until Lewis outdid him.

With a side glance at Judy and a sip of his drink, Lewis said, "Invigorating."

Judy was speechless.

Don't you wish to say she repels evil?

It was Judy's first time experiencing Lewis's sharp tongue.

As the drinks were passed around thrice, the business dinner was relatively relaxed. Judy didn't need to do much—if it were an important affair, Lewis wouldn't have brought her.

By the time the dinner ended, it was midnight. As his secretary, Judy was to accompany Lewis back home.

Lewis resided at the Royal Manor. Along with the driver, she helped Lewis return to the Manor, arriving close to one o'clock in the morning.

Lewis, though drunk, had a good disposition; he slept in the car and was supported by the driver and Judy upon arrival.

The duo managed to get Lewis to his master bedroom on the third floor. Meanwhile, Susan, living on the second floor, heard the noise and knew Lewis had returned. Excited, she rushed upstairs in her pajamas.