Chapter 84: I Am Waiting for My Wife

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: I Am Waiting for My Wife

After a phone call with her client, Evelyn Grant was negotiating a trial date with the court.

Her client’s mental state was unstable, and she feared they might suffer a heart attack before they could even make it to trial.

As their lawyer, she had to consider things from every angle.

As noon approached, Evelyn Grant was just about to call Ryan Sterling when a colleague suddenly knocked on her office door.

"Ms. Grant, are you heading out for lunch? Want to come with?"

"Oh, for lunch, I—"

Before Evelyn Grant could finish, her colleague cut in excitedly, "There’s a new Korean BBQ place that just opened up ahead, and it’s delicious! People from the firm go all the time. You haven’t been there yet, have you?"

"...No, I haven’t."

"Then let’s do Korean BBQ! I’ll go tell Ms. Miller!"

Her colleague didn’t give Evelyn Grant a chance to refuse, dashing out of her office like a whirlwind.

By the time she tried to explain that she had plans, a reservation had already been made.

Evelyn Grant opened her mouth to protest a few times, but ultimately held her tongue.

Ever since she started working at the law firm, she had rarely participated in group outings. She wasn’t good with small talk and never knew the right things to say to put people at ease.

Over time, they had stopped inviting her to casual get-togethers, limiting her inclusion to mandatory company events. They didn’t even ask anymore.

’Today is a real first.’

How could she possibly refuse?

Besides, she guessed that this lunch was most likely meant as a sort of welcome party for her, which was why they’d specifically invited her.

With no other choice, Evelyn Grant could only call Ryan Sterling.

"On your lunch break?"

"Yeah."

"I’m here waiting for you."

Ryan Sterling’s voice was soft, not at all like the cutting tone she remembered him always using to taunt her.

Evelyn Grant pursed her lips, struggling to find the words. "I... I might not be able to go to the prenatal appointment with you at lunch."

Ryan Sterling paused for a moment. "Is something wrong?"

"My colleagues at the firm invited me to lunch. I know I don’t usually participate in group activities, but they made a point to come knock on my door and invite me this time. It would be... awkward if I turned them down."

She was only telling Ryan Sterling because she felt she had no other choice.

Evelyn Grant spoke tentatively, afraid he would be upset.

’After all, I’m the one bailing on him. It would be perfectly normal for him to be angry.’

To her surprise, a moment later, she heard Ryan Sterling’s low chuckle on the other end of the line.

"You’re right, turning them down wouldn’t be good. You should go. This lunch is on me."

"...You’re not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" Ryan Sterling tossed the question back to her.

Evelyn Grant was stunned.

She had been ready with a slew of excuses to placate Ryan Sterling, but... he didn’t seem the least bit annoyed.

"Getting along with your colleagues is a good thing; it’s what I want to see! If my status weren’t a factor, I’d want to join the lunch myself and ask them to take good care of you."

"But... doesn’t that mean you’ve wasted your time for nothing?"

’This was Ryan Sterling’s time!’

’Every minute, every second was billable!’

’For her to waste so much of it on a simple lunch felt like an extravagant sin.’

"How could time spent on you ever be considered a waste? I’m happy just waiting for my wife."

"..."

"Go on, don’t worry about me. Just enjoy your meal. Call me when you’re done."