“If you didn’t get enough to eat, Minister Fairchild, please feel free to order whatever you’d like.
I said I’d treat you to a meal today, and I meant it.
You’re a very busy man, so trying to invite you out again would just be an inconvenience.”
Zachary Fairchild clearly wasn’t some pure-hearted soul.
People like him were both highly intelligent and emotionally savvy, and you could rarely gain an advantage when dealing with them.
If she could help it, she didn’t want to maintain contact.
It would be best to just avoid him from now on.
Hearing Olivia Wynne’s words, Zachary Fairchild merely glanced up at her impassively.
“There’s no time for a proper meal today,” he said calmly.
“So, let’s save it for next time.”
After he finished speaking, Zachary Fairchild stood up, took the jacket from the back of his chair, and draped it over his arm.
“I have work this afternoon.
Let’s go.”
With that, Zachary Fairchild turned and strode out.
Olivia Wynne quickly followed.
As they passed through the main hall, Olivia Wynne went to the cashier to settle the bill.
But after she gave their room number, the attendant politely informed her, “Ma’am, the bill for your private room has already been paid.”
Olivia Wynne was left speechless.
Slipping her left hand into her pocket, she subtly clenched the fabric.
Olivia Wynne glanced back at Zachary Fairchild, her expression unreadable.
She then lowered her voice and asked the attendant, “Could you tell me who paid?
And at what time?”
Fairchild.
He paid by bank transfer at one o’clock.”
Olivia Wynne took out her phone to check the time.
It was now a little after two, which meant Zachary Fairchild had already paid the bill an hour ago.
Silently, she slipped her phone back into her pocket.
Olivia Wynne offered a polite thanks.
“I see.
Thank you.”
Olivia Wynne walked back over to Zachary Fairchild and shot him a look.
“You never intended for me to treat you today, did you, Minister Fairchild?”
If he had really wanted her to treat him, he wouldn’t have paid the bill an hour ago.
Zachary Fairchild didn’t deny it.
He answered her calmly.
“Indeed, I didn’t.”
A wave of frustration washed over Olivia Wynne.
His admission only made her more annoyed.
She stared at him.
“If you never intended to let me pay, Minister Fairchild, why didn’t you say so from the start?”
“If I had, would you still have come?”
Having said his piece, he strode quickly toward the exit.
Olivia Wynne watched his retreating back with a cold gaze.
She stood rooted to the spot for a moment before slowly walking out herself.
When Olivia Wynne reached the main entrance of The Gilded Lotus, Zachary Fairchild was standing to the left of the door.
Seeing her emerge, he said in a low voice, “Let me give you a ride?”
“No, thank you.
I’ll just get a cab.” With that, Olivia Wynne strode toward the curb.
The Gilded Lotus was in a prime location with heavy foot and vehicle traffic.
Olivia Wynne had barely reached the curb when a taxi pulled up in front of her.
The taxi driver rolled down his window and glanced at her.
“Need a ride, ma’am?”
“Yes.”
She walked to the rear passenger side, pulled open the door, and got in.
Zachary Fairchild quickly walked to the side of the car and grabbed the door handle.
His sharp gaze fixed on Olivia Wynne, Zachary Fairchild stood outside the car and said in a heavy tone, “We’re having dinner on Saturday.”
“On Saturday, I’m—”
Before she could finish, Zachary Fairchild shut the car door, turned on his heel, and strode away.
The taxi driver glanced back from the driver’s seat, his tone impatient.
“Ma’am, I can’t park here.
Can we go?”
With a dark expression, Olivia Wynne glanced in the direction Zachary Fairchild had gone.
She then sat up straight and told the driver, “Go ahead.”