Chapter 27 Business Gathering
“Miss Clinton, Chamber of Commerce President Mr. Thompson would like to invite you to dinner,” Frank said, handing Mia some documents as he spoke.
These last couple of days, Mia had been dealing with various matters within the company, allowing others to truly see the strength beneath her gentle appearance.
Mia frowned at the news, never fond of attending these sorts of banquets, and said, “Let Mr. Lake handle it.”
“Mr. Lake has gone to the hospital today with heart discomfort, and besides, Mr. Thompson mentioned having important matters to discuss with you,” Frank explained quietly.
Although Mia didn’t want to expose her identity, the request was insistent and refusing might be inappropriate.
After hesitating for a moment, she agreed.
After calling David to inform him of the banquet and declining his offer to accompany her, Mia asked Frank to accompany her.
She glanced down at her light-colored suit, looking very professional and suitable for a business occasion.
When the two arrived at the hotel, many guests were already seated in the private room, and the air was thick with the smell
of smoke and liquor, causing Mia to frown.
Several members of the Chamber of Commerce were seated at the round table. As Mia entered, all eyes brightened.
Frank discreetly shielded Mia, pulling out a chair for her.
“Is this Miss Clinton?”
Chamber of Commerce President Zack Thompson squinted his eyes, satisfaction gleaming in his gaze.
Since Mia’s clothes, make-up and even her name had changed since the last banquet, he had not recognized her from the birthday celebration at the Smith family.
“Good evening to you all.”
Mia greeted them with a polite smile.
“Miss Clinton is young and accomplished. We didn’t expect her to be such a beauty!” jokes started flowing, but Mia remained unaffected, acting as if she hadn’t heard.
“Since it’s our first meeting, Miss Clinton, we should toast,” Mr. Thompson said, pouring a generous gla*s of wine.
“Thank you, Mr. Thompson, but I’m not good with alcohol, so I must decline,” Mia replied with a gentle smile, not even touching the gla*s.
Zack looked a little unhappy. He did not let go of the A flicker of
”
surprise pa*sed through Mr. Thompson’s eyes, and he didn’t put down the gla*s. “Not even one drink for our first meeting, Miss
Clinton?”
Frank quickly tried to smooth things over, “Since President Clinton doesn’t drink, may I take her place?”
Mr. Thompson’s face darkened, “If Miss Clinton doesn’t drink, it means she looks down on us. If that’s the case, we need not have any dealings in the future.”
Years of flattery had led him to believe that without him and his a*sociates, no business could be successful. Now that Mia had publicly refused him, he was naturally unhappy.
Unperturbed, Mia watched as Frank stepped forward, taking the gla*s and downing it in one gulp. “I’ll drink; you’re free to do as you please! We still value our relationship with the Chamber of Commerce…”
Mr. Thompson snorted indifferently.
He had specifically researched Mia’s background before she arrived.
In his view, a woman like her wouldn’t be running a business unless she had hidden support. His words inevitably carried a hint of disdain.
But since Frank had drunk the wine, he let the matter rest.
After a few rounds of drinks, Mr. Thompson’s eyes began to
blur, and he deliberately brushed his hand against Mia’s thigh,
slurring, “Miss Clinton…”
