Chapter 56
A minute later, someone shrieked out of nowhere, “Oh my god, he’s freaking hot p>
“Who is that guy p>
“My dream man, no doubt p>
Everyone’s eyes followed the drooling gazes of a cluster of smitten girls. Not far off, a man in a tailored black suit strode in with ridiculously long legs. The quiet power radiating from him felt like it pressed down on the air itself, instantly silencing the crowd’s excited chatter.
Just a moment ago, a woman was glaring daggers at Lisette. Now? Totally dazed.
The man had sharp features, perfectly arched brows, and unbelievably cold, distant eyes-but of course, that only made him more impossibly attractive.
She couldn’t look away.
Tobias walked straight over and naturally took Lisette’s hand. His whole vibe softened in an instant, and his voice turned gentle. “You got here-why didn’t you come up p>
“Didn’t wanna interrupt your work p>
Lisette tilted her chin, glancing over. “Is that one of your guests p>
Tobias followed her line of sight to a heavily made-up woman, the kind who wore perfume like battle armor. His eyes narrowed slightly and he frowned. “Never seen her before p>
Completely unfazed by whatever drama was unfolding in the lobby, he simply held her hand and led her out. “What do you wanna eat p>
“How about Harvest Fields p>
“Sounds good p>
Their casual conversation stood in stark contrast to the stunned silence around them as they exited the building.
Not until their figures had vanished did the lobby erupt again.
“Holy crap, did you SEE that? That guy’s smile could cure depression! If he just smiled at me once, I’d collapse right there p>
“I don’t even need him to smile. I’d happily be a loyal simp p>
“Ugh, someone please tell me how to reach him p>
“Forget it, didn’t you see the woman with him? They’re clearly a thing. Do not disturb p>
“As long as he’s not married, I still have hope! People go to war for less-I’d throw away pride and dignity for that face p>
Tobias had just transferred to the Veridia branch as the new top boss, but he never made a flashy entrance. Most of the time, he holed up in his office or sat through meetings. Only a few top executives had even met him.
To the staff, he was just a mysterious, unseen owner-until now. No one ever imagined the incredibly hot guy they just drooled over could be the same person rumored to be the notoriously plain-looking billionaire.
Whispers and secret speculations about his identity had already started flying.
Roughly two minutes after Lisette and Tobias got in the car, Elliot finished tying up loose ends and slid into the driver’s seat.
Tobias simply said, “Harvest Fields p>
Lisette casually added, “Swing by Phoenix Crest Estate, pick up Hannah p>
Elliot let out a suffering sigh. “I’m afraid once she tries Clyde’s cooking, she’ll quit her job and beg to be his sous-chef p>
“Pfft.” Lisette chuckled. “Honestly? Very possible p>
Then she looked curious. “I ran into some woman at the company. She claimed the secretary invited her up. But why’d you kick her out p>
“Oh… her p>
Elliot looked exasperated. “Boss said you were coming, and I couldn’t leave my post, so I told a secretary to go fetch, quote, ’the most gorgeous, most elegant, totally ethereal beauty.’ But the idiot brought that woman up instead.
“I wrapped up my work and headed to the lounge, and wow-there she was, acting like a queen bee, bossing that poor secretary around just to swap her coffee for some Blue Mountain nonsense. Honestly looked like she owned the whole place!
“So yeah, I told security to just show her the door.
“Sigh, the kid in the secretary’s office is actually decent at his job, just totally blind to obvious cues. I swear, if I’ve got time tomorrow, I’m booking him straight into an eye clinic p>
So, in the end, it was just a miscommunication?
No wonder that woman said the secretary himself invited her up and gave her VIP treatment, only to be kicked out at Elliot’s word.
Lisette shrugged, sneaking a glance at Tobias, and mumbled, “Guess I thought that’s your type p>
“Huh p>
The man next to her turned to look.
Lisette gave him a sheepish laugh. “Heh, never mind. Doesn’t matter p>
Tobias narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly still hung up on the “old crush” she had in college. His lips formed a thin line, and his tone slipped into classic “dad mode”: “I saw in the news recently… a girl in college got played for her money and emotions. Guy totally used her, and in the end she jumped off a building p>
Lisette: p>
She blinked in disbelief. “Seriously? You read social headlines? I thought you only cared about stock indices p>
Tobias: p>
That is very much not the point.
Trying again, he said, “Boys nowadays have too many intentions. You should be careful when hanging out with them. Don’t get too close p>
Lisette couldn’t help laughing. “You sound just like my dad p>
Back when she was a teen, her father Marshall used to give her the same lectures non-stop to prevent early relationships. After years of those rants, she’d pretty much killed off any interest in romance.
It wasn’t until college, when everything around her was couples everywhere-cafeteria, gym, classes-and after soaking in way too many romance novels, that she slowly started catching little feelings for Lennox.
Tobias fell silent for a beat, clearly at a loss. Then finally said, “Takes one to know one. Men understand men best p>
Okay okay, Father Tobias, talk about possessive dad vibes.
Lisette nodded fast, “Alright, alright, message received loud and clear! I’ll be careful p>
Tobias let it go and switched topics. “You mentioned on the call that there was something you wanted to tell me p>
The mood in the car instantly tensed up. Lisette’s cheerful expression slipped away. Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah… I need a favor p>
“Hmm p>
“You remember what Amber brought up? About… my background p>
As soon as she said it, her hand was gently covered by his. Tobias clasped her fingers firmly, like anchoring her in place. “I don’t care. I’d never doubt anyone from the Cavendish family. That’s the truth p>
Lisette stared at him, stunned: Wait, that’s not even what I was trying to say-
But Tobias looked dead serious, voice soft but resolute: “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. In tenfold. A hundredfold p>
“You can just do what makes you happy. Don’t bother about outsiders’ gossip or judgment. Lisette, no matter the name, bloodline, or beginnings – you will always be my one and only Mrs. Hastings p>
“That’s not changing. Not ever p>
Lisette’s heart-yeah, no point pretending otherwise-was absolutely shaken.
His words didn’t just hit-they melted. Like tiny sparks landing on her chest, warm and just a little scorching, but in the most comforting way. And yeah… also strangely, sweet.