William Wynne didn’t seem to expect Olivia’s answer.
His gaze deepened as he looked at her, his voice low.
“If you don’t know him, stay away from him.”
Without waiting for Olivia’s reply, William Wynne waved his hand dismissively.
“You can go now.”
“Okay,” Olivia murmured, then stood up and left.
William Wynne hadn’t told her who Zachary Fairchild was, but Olivia felt she already had the answer.
The only strangers she had met recently were Liam Lanier and that man whose name she didn’t know.
‘So, Zachary Fairchild must be him.’
The other day, as they were leaving, the man had mentioned William Wynne’s rank.
But judging by William’s reaction, he hadn’t seemed to know him.
Knowing William, she was sure he would have investigated the man as soon as he got back.
After Olivia left, William Wynne returned to his study.
On his desk lay a manila folder with four words written clearly on it: “Olivia Wynne, Zachary Fairchild.”
His expression was already grim, but after opening the folder and reading its contents, it darkened further.
Meanwhile, after leaving the military compound, Olivia hailed a cab straight to The Gilded Lotus.
Olivia had just stepped into The Gilded Lotus when a hostess in the lobby approached her.
“Hello, do you have a reservation?”
Olivia wasn’t familiar with The Gilded Lotus’s reservation policy and hadn’t booked ahead.
Unsure if Liam Lanier had, she paused for a moment before asking softly, “Is there a reservation for a private room under Mr.
Lanier?”
I’ll check for you.”
The hostess replied with a smile, then spoke a few words into her earpiece.
A moment later, a voice replied through her earpiece, confirming that a Mr.
Lanier had indeed booked a private room.
“A Mr.
Liam Lanier has a reservation for 11:00 AM.
Would you like me to show you to the room now?”
“Yes, please.
Thank you,” Olivia said softly.
“Of course.” The hostess gave a polite smile and led Olivia to the private room.
Olivia was a bit early.
After settling into the private room, she checked her phone.
It was only 10:40 AM, twenty minutes before their scheduled meeting.
While waiting for her guest, Olivia asked the server about the menu, inquiring about the house specialties and how to order, before finally dismissing them.
Once the server left, Olivia was alone in the room.
She glanced at her watch.
She glanced toward the door, then looked down and opened her phone.
She opened a browser and typed two words into the search bar: Zachary Fairchild.
Instantly, the screen filled with results about him.
“Imperia’s * Zachary Fairchild”
“Zachary Fairchild – Encyclopedia Entry”
“Zachary Fairchild Promoted…”
…
Of all the results about Zachary Fairchild, Olivia tapped on the first link: the encyclopedia entry.
The entry included a photo.
It was undeniably the man she had met.
Olivia’s expression grew serious as she continued reading his profile.
The youngest *, Celestia’s most eligible bachelor, the most influential man…
Some of the descriptions in the entry were official, while others were a motley mix of claims.
Olivia spent a few minutes reading through the entire entry.
By the end, she had a much better understanding of Zachary Fairchild.
‘He was formidable and exceptionally capable.
At the same time, he was someone she couldn’t afford to cross.
If possible, she would have this one meal with him and then never contact him again.’
Just as Olivia was lost in thought, the doorbell to the private room chimed.