Chapter 209
As soon as the meeting ended, there was a light knock on the door. Xavier entered, handing a document to Kingsley with both hands. “Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Smith has invited you for afternoon tea p>
Kingsley absently ran his finger along the edge of the file, nodding. “Understood. Prepare a greeting gift p>
“Mr. Sherwood,” Xavier stepped forward as if prepared, “the gift is already ready.” Kingsley’s eyes met Xavier’s, reading his focused demeanor. A slight smile touched his lips. “Take twice the year-end bonus p>
“Thank you, Mr. Sherwood!” Xavier’s eyes lit up instantly, his voice unable to hide his excitement, though he maintained his professional composure.
Kingsley said no more, grabbing his coat from the chair back and walking steadily out the door.
As the car entered the estate, Kingsley paused while opening the door-in his line of sight, not only was the person he least wanted to see present, but he also spotted the bouquet of red roses he detested from the night before. Disgust flashed in his eyes.
“Kingsley! You’re here.” Mr. Smith greeted him from afar with a wide smile, opening his arms warmly.
Kingsley composed his expression, putting on a polite smile as he handed over the gift box. “For your invitation, I would come no matter how busy I am p>
“Thank you so much!” Mr. Smith took the box, patting Kingsley’s arm laughingly.
Amidst the pleasantries, Kingsley turned his gaze to Jules standing nearby. His tone was flat. “Mr. Holt p>
Jules wore a half-smile, swirling his wine glass. “I heard Mr. Sherwood was injured a few days ago. Nothing serious, I hope p>
“Just a scratch, nothing to worry about.” Kingsley pulled out a chair and sat. Looking up, his tone was casual. “By the way, Mr. Holt, the New Year is coming. Planning to go back for blind dates p>
Jules took a sip of the coffee on the table, his voice laced with insinuation. “No need. Actually, I have Mr. Sherwood to thank for that p>
“Oh?” Kingsley accepted coffee from a servant, running his finger along the cup’s rim. He took a sip and chuckled. “It seems I’ve inadvertently done a bad deed with good intentions. How about I help Mr. Holt ‘correct’ that p>
Jules smiled, his words sharp. “I’ll have to trouble Mr. Sherwood then. Hiding it all the time isn’t a solution anyway p>
He said this deliberately—even if he couldn’t make Kingsley give up completely, annoying him was enough.
“Is that so?” Kingsley’s brow furrowed slightly, his tone cooling. “I actually think the day you go public might never come p>
He harbored doubts; given the Holt family’s status, the likelihood of Lucy truly getting involved with them was slim.
Just then, Mr. Smith walked over with a servant carrying a silver tray of exquisite pastries, placing them on the table.
“Go serve some to the Madam and the others as well,” Mr. Smith instructed.
“Sir, Madam has already been served. These are specifically prepared for you by Madam,” the servant replied respectfully.
Jules immediately chimed in, his tone sincere. “Mr. Smith the
affection between te
is truly enviable. You’re practically our role model p>
Mr. Smith laughed heartily, his eyes full of tenderness. “Loving one’s wife is our family rule p>
“Indeed, a role model,” Kingsley agreed from the side, his tone plain but polite.
“By the way, Kingsley,” Mr. Smith suddenly remembered something. “Is there any progress with you and Lucy p>
Mentioning Lucy, the smile on Kingsley’s lips faded, tinged with bitterness. “Not yet p>
Mr. Smith patted his shoulder earnestly. “Don’t rush. You’re an excellent man; you’ll win her back eventually p>
“As it stands, being excellent doesn’t seem to be a point in my favor,” Kingsley smiled self-mockingly.
“Heh p>
Jules took another sip of coffee, his
voice dripping with sarcasm. “If someone doesn’t want you, no matter how much you cling, it’s. pointless, right? By the way, hasn’t Mr. Sherwood heard? A good ex should stay quiet and out of sight – like they’re dead p>
Kingsley’s fingers tightened around the coffee cup, his knuckles turning white. When he looked at Jules, his eyes wer
•Coffres ice Mr. Holt det,
me give you a piece of advice don’t covet things that don’t belong to you p>