Hearing Olivia Wynne's reply, Zachary Fairchild smirked. He leaned back, sinking languidly into his chair. "In that case," he said in a deep voice, "I'll see you at The Gilded Lotus the day after tomorrow."
Zachary Fairchild had finalized their dinner plans with a single sentence. Olivia Wynne couldn't refuse. She silently cursed him, but outwardly gave an obedient nod. "Alright."
After agreeing, Olivia Wynne was eager to leave. She looked at Zachary Fairchild and asked, "If there's nothing else, may I go now?"
Her tone was noticeably colder, and Zachary Fairchild heard it. His large hand squeezed the leather of the sofa as he replied with a cool expression, "Mm."
Having received his permission, Olivia Wynne turned to leave.
But as Olivia Wynne turned, Zachary Fairchild spotted William Wynne behind her. His calm, emotionless eyes instantly darkened.
"Leader Wynne?"
Zachary Fairchild's voice was low. Although it was phrased as a question, Olivia Wynne could tell he was certain of the man's identity.
William Wynne's sharp gaze shot toward Zachary Fairchild. His brows, naturally downturned, arched slightly, giving him an imposing air of authority without a hint of anger.
"What is it?"
"Nothing," Zachary Fairchild replied, his voice flat.
Hearing Zachary Fairchild say it was nothing, William Wynne ignored him, took Olivia Wynne by the hand, and strode away.
Zachary Fairchild stared at William Wynne's hand holding Olivia's, his eyes turning terrifyingly dark.
After Olivia Wynne left, the private room fell silent for a moment. Someone quickly broke the silence, turning to Zachary Fairchild. "Minister Fairchild, come, allow me to offer you a toast."
Zachary Fairchild shot the man a sharp glance. Without a word, he stood, grabbed his cigarettes from the table, and walked out.
After Zachary Fairchild left, Liam Lanier immediately turned to the others in the room with an apology. "My apologies, everyone. The Minister had to step out for something important."
"It's no problem, no problem at all. If the Minister has business to attend to, he should go."
...
After leaving the private room, Zachary Fairchild went to the end of the hallway. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, but merely held it between his fingers, not taking a drag. About two minutes later, Liam Lanier emerged from the room and hurried over to him.
"Sir."
Zachary Fairchild lightly tapped the ash from his cigarette. He straightened up, his gaze fixed on the main entrance, where a steady stream of people moved back and forth.
Zachary Fairchild lowered his gaze and stubbed out the cigarette. Only then did he speak. "Run another background check on Olivia Wynne."
Liam Lanier's head snapped up. "Sir, didn't we already look into her?"
'After they ran into Miss Wynne on the street that one time, Sir had ordered a background check on her. He had only just delivered the results the day before yesterday. Why did he want another one now?'
Zachary Fairchild lowered his gaze, his sharp eyes boring into Liam Lanier.
"Do it again."
'Olivia Wynne... William Wynne... There was no way they weren't related. And yet, William Wynne's name hadn't appeared in the report. How could that investigation have been complete?'
Zachary Fairchild tossed the cigarette butt into a nearby trash can and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, back in their private room, Olivia Wynne had quietly returned to her seat.
William Wynne sat beside Olivia, glanced calmly at Shawn Warren, and said, "Something's come up. We have to go."
Shawn Warren didn't know what had just happened, but he could sense that something was off with William Wynne ever since he'd returned. Hearing that they had to leave, Shawn didn't object. He and Leo Reid both rose to see Olivia and William out.
In the car on the way back, Olivia Wynne sat in the back seat, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.
William Wynne's hands rested on the steering wheel, his calm gaze fixed on the road ahead.
"Who was that?"