Destined Entwining: Capturing My Devoted Beau

Chapter 924: Chapter 451: The Boss Is Still the Boss

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Lawrence Winters drove to the event, and Kenneth Osborne drove as well; after leaving the grand theater, they each went to the parking lot to retrieve their cars.

Lawrence Winters then contacted Quentin Parker again.

Quentin Parker replied with a restaurant address, suggesting they discuss over dinner.

This was the city’s most famous, and most expensive, restaurant per person. It boasted a Michelin three-star rating, located in the renowned Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York, a place where the wealthy congregate.

As for Evan Stetford, Quentin Parker declined his and Richard Stetford’s dinner invitation, saying he had important matters to attend to.

Evan Stetford didn’t press further.

However, when he sent Lawrence Winters a WeChat message, asking when she would return to the Stetford Family for dinner, Lawrence replied that she was busy and would be dining out, encouraging them not to wait for her.

Evan Stetford was anxious, recalling seeing Kenneth Osborne at the theater earlier.

Though there was some suspicion that Lawrence Winters was with Kenneth, what right did he have to question her?

Besides, even if he had the inclination, he didn’t have the time; the competition officially starts tomorrow, and he had a lot to prepare.

Over at Richard Stetford’s side, he, along with Autumn Stetford and Aiden Sheldon, took Ruby Sheldon to the hospital for emergency care.

Ruby Sheldon suffered from an old ailment; whenever her emotions were stirred, she would faint from time to time.

Both Aiden Sheldon and Autumn Stetford were aware of this, and Richard Stetford knew a bit as well.

They anxiously waited outside the private hospital’s emergency room, hoping Ruby Sheldon would be alright this time.

Ava Harlow and Spring Spencer also came over, circling around Autumn Stetford to offer comfort.

Half an hour later, Ruby Sheldon woke up.

Calling out ”Daddy, Mommy,” she only calmed down after seeing the worried faces of Aiden Sheldon and Autumn Stetford, grabbing their hands and saying with lingering fear, ”Daddy, Mommy, I just had a dream, it terrified me.”

”I was in a dark room, abandoned by all of you, I was so scared...”

Looking at Aiden Sheldon, tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

Aiden Sheldon stroked her hair, looking at her affectionately, promising, ”How could Daddy and Mommy abandon you? You’re our treasure. Besides, dreams are often the opposite of reality, it won’t be like that.”

”Really? You’re the best, Daddy!” Ruby Sheldon rubbed her head against Aiden Sheldon’s hand, then said, ”I’m sorry, Daddy and Mommy, for worrying you. I’m fine now, can we go home?”

The doctor also confirmed that her vital signs were stable, so she could be discharged.

Richard Stetford, relieved to see she was fine, said, ”Betty, it’s good you’re alright, let’s head back. I’ve asked the family chef to prepare something delicious for you to recover.”

”Thank you, Grandpa!” Ruby Sheldon nodded happily, as if all her strength had returned.

Everyone left the hospital room, and Ruby Sheldon followed Autumn Stetford to a small compartment to change back into her clothes.

She quietly asked Autumn Stetford, ”Mommy, when can we invite Mr. Parker for dinner? And Kenneth Osborne, he’s here too!”

Is this recovery just in time to swoon over handsome men?

Autumn Stetford, both amused and exasperated, gently patted her cheek, ”Oh, look at you, there’s plenty of time. Mr. Parker just arrived a few days ago, he still has his own things to handle. Once he’s done, we’ll invite him for dinner.”

”As for Kenneth Osborne...” Autumn Stetford paused, smiled, and said, ”There’s even less hurry for that.”

Ruby Sheldon was left helpless; she had no choice but to wait.

Back at their house, during dinner at the Stetford residence, they didn’t see Lawrence Winters.

Spring Spencer curiously asked, ”Where’s Miss Winters? Why not invite her to join us for dinner?”

”Lawrence is out discussing matters,” Evan Stetford said calmly, ”She won’t be home for dinner tonight.”

Ruby Sheldon immediately said, ”Is she meeting her ex-husband? Hmph, they’re divorced yet can’t seem completely separated, impressive...”

Aiden Sheldon frowned, glancing at Ruby Sheldon, wanting to reprimand her, yet seeing her just recovered from illness, he couldn’t bring himself to speak, instead giving Autumn Stetford a slightly accusing look.

Autumn Stetford was unaware, lost in her thoughts, missing Aiden Sheldon’s gaze.

Spring Spencer noticed, and sensing the quiet at the table, decided to steer the conversation elsewhere, asking, ”Evan, where’s the first round of tomorrow’s competition taking place? I heard from people at the theater that it was only for preliminary rounds, the official matches aren’t there.”

Evan Stetford also disagreed with Ruby Sheldon’s comment, but knowing her delicate health post-emergency room and how pampered she is, he couldn’t let her endure any stress, thus suppressing his discomfort to respond to Spring Spencer’s question, ”This time’s first round of competition is based on actual cases, naturally it won’t be at the theater.”

”Actual cases? That sounds truly interesting. Can we have the chance to watch?” Spring Spencer showed genuine interest.

In previous years, while the cases were based on reality, they typically involved individuals bringing their issues to the competition venue for assistance, never adopting an ’actual case’ mode.

”There’s an opportunity, but only on the big screen,” Evan Stetford already had the arrangements for tomorrow’s competition in place, so revealing a bit was no issue.

”Nowadays livestream sales are so popular, let’s have a livestream of the competition.” Evan Stetford said with a slight smile, ”Let’s see if it catches on.”

...

At the city’s most upscale and expensive restaurant, Lawrence Winters, Quentin Parker, and Kenneth Osborne were seated around a small round table.

A dish was placed in front of each.

They had finished their appetizers, and now moved on to the main course.

The dishes here were Oriental cuisine, but differentiated from the ubiquitous, cheaply available street stalls, with elegant presentation, fresh ingredients, each made by a single chef, every plate served as a masterpiece.

A serving of ”Bird’s Nest Orchid” resembled an ancient meticulous painting, Lawrence Winters admired it so much, she hesitated to eat.

Nevertheless, she only dallied for a moment before scooping up the ”orchid” to eat.

To her surprise, she discovered it was not a real flower, but instead some unknown ingredient crafted into a flower shape.

After chewing for a moment, she realized it was made of crab meat!

This dinner continuously amazed her.

After half of the main course was consumed, they began discussing business.

Kenneth Osborne, unlike Lawrence Winters with her carefree attitude, was visibly tense.

On the way there, he had quickly searched online for information about Quentin Parker.

Though there wasn’t much about Quentin Parker, what he did find made him break into a cold sweat.

If he wasn’t mistaken, this person was even more prominent and mysterious than Aiden Sheldon.

Yet he just quietly sat there, holding a glass of red wine, occasionally taking a sip, with an air of aloofness, not appearing particularly superior.

Because when he glanced at you, you felt as though he genuinely cared, even if he merely glanced casually, the comforting aura he exuded firmly reassured you.

Kenneth Osborne barely ate all night, focusing on observing Quentin Parker.

Quentin Parker was aware Kenneth was watching him, but he wasn’t bothered. A man capable of developing such an artificial intelligence program was destined for greatness.

He set down his wine, nodded at Kenneth Osborne, and said calmly, ”Mr. Osborne, your work in artificial intelligence is indeed commendable, yet I believe their lawsuit against you isn’t misplaced.”

Kenneth Osborne’s mind, previously relieved, suddenly tightened again.

Some people possess a remarkable ability, able to elevate you with a word, or crush you with another.

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This is the third update.

Kisses to the group!