Chapter 211: Your Girlfriend?

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Your Girlfriend?

Leah Sinclair nodded, not saying anything. She then asked Shawn Grant when she would start and what her position would be.

Shawn Grant handed her a file. She took one look and was floored. "Manager of Project Department Three!? Shawn, you’ve got to be kidding me. I..."

Shawn Grant shot her a look. "How is this a joke? My aunt and Nash wanted to make you a director right off the bat. It was Third Master Keating who talked them down. He said that since you have no experience, people wouldn’t accept it if you were just parachuted in as a director."

"And you," Shawn said, poking Leah Sinclair on the forehead, his voice full of mock grievance. "Why didn’t you just study management when you went abroad? If you had, you could’ve come back and taken over as CEO. Think of how much trouble that would’ve saved me! I’m already buried in work!"

"But I..."

"No buts. Department Three is brand new, so it’s not that complicated. You need to realize that sooner or later, you’re meant to take my position. For now, you should be thanking Wynn. He’s the one giving you your first project."

"As for when to start, whenever you’re ready. Okay, you two chat for a bit. I’ve got to run to a meeting. My whole life is just one endless meeting after another."

With that, Shawn Grant yawned, stood up, and left with his files.

Seeing Leah Sinclair’s conflicted expression, Liam Peyton smiled and handed her another file. "Leah, this is the project we’ll be collaborating on. It’s not too difficult. We bought an old office building that just needs to be renovated."

Leah Sinclair took the file and looked it over. The Peyton Group had acquired an old office building in Riverfall with plans to turn it into a new one. Leah was a little curious why they didn’t just build from scratch in the southern district or buy a new building outright.

Liam Peyton explained that new construction would take too long. He had originally wanted to buy a new building, but Elijah Peyton had deemed it unnecessary. Leah immediately understood that his request had likely been denied.

After all, this new company was for Phoebe Peyton, so they had to settle for the next best thing—buying an old building and renovating it.

But this was a good alternative. It would save a significant amount of time and money. Leah glanced at the building’s file. It was eighteen stories tall and not particularly old, so the renovation shouldn’t be overly complex.

Leah Sinclair hesitated for a moment before asking, "Wynn, are you giving me this project because you’re worried people might give me a hard time and you want to help me get my start?"

Liam Peyton’s lips curved into a smile that reached his eyes. "Leah, I only found out you were taking the project manager position after I arrived today. I’m not familiar with Riverfall, but Shawn said you were up to the task, and I believe him. Don’t feel any pressure. The first step is always the hardest. I’m honored I can be the one to help you take it."

Looking at Liam Peyton’s sincere smile, Leah Sinclair’s heart filled with gratitude. The thought of the project re-energized her. "Well then, Wynn, do you have time right now? How about we go take a look at the site?"

"Now?"

Liam Peyton looked surprised for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. "My, my. Must you be in such a rush?"

"Of course I’m in a rush! This is my first project. I want to check out the site, and when I get back, I’ll tell Shawn I’m ready to start work. Then I’ll get in touch with my team as soon as possible, finalize the plan, and send it to you for review."

Leah Sinclair shot to her feet, full of enthusiasm. Liam Peyton also stood, smiling. "Did you drive here?"

"No, I took the subway."

Leah Sinclair said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She didn’t own a car; the only one she’d ever bought was for Sheila Hughes, and that was just to spend the money Mabel Grant had given her before she went abroad.

"Why don’t you buy a car? Isn’t the subway inconvenient?"

"Wynn, you have to understand, the traffic in Riverfall is every bit as bad as in Kingsford. The morning and evening rush hours are brutal."

Leah Sinclair pressed the elevator button and turned back to tell Liam Peyton about Riverfall’s rush hour conditions. Watching her eyes crinkle as she spoke, Liam couldn’t help but smile. He felt some of the gloom that had been weighing on his heart lately begin to lift.

The two arrived at the building Liam Peyton’s group had bought. Leah Sinclair surveyed the exterior before they headed inside, where Liam gave her a rough breakdown of the intended use for each floor.

Since it was a new branch of the company, they wouldn’t need the entire building right away. They had already determined that the sixteenth floor was ready for use after some simple redecoration, so it wasn’t included in the main renovation plan.

The most urgent part was the seven floors above the tenth floor. The ten floors below that could be handled later on.

Leah jotted down notes in a small notebook as he spoke, asking questions from time to time. Since she’d come in a hurry, she hadn’t brought any proper equipment. She made a few rough notes, deciding to return for detailed planning and measurements after she officially started her job.

By the time they left the building, it was already past noon. Liam Peyton checked the time and invited Leah to lunch, suggesting they could ask Phoebe Peyton to join them in the afternoon for further discussion. After all, it was going to be Phoebe’s company, so her input on certain aspects was essential.

Leah was feeling hungry too. She insisted that as the local host, not to mention the contractor, it was her duty to treat the client. Liam Peyton didn’t argue, so Leah looked up a highly-rated restaurant and led him there.

When they arrived, they were surprised to find the restaurant was still packed, with no tables available. Leah was a little frustrated, but Liam didn’t mind, saying they could just find another place. As they were about to leave, they ran into someone at the entrance. "Brother?" the person said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Leah and Liam turned to see Phoebe Peyton. The sight of her made Leah’s eyes widen in admiration; she felt as if she were seeing a true, well-bred lady for the very first time.

Phoebe Peyton wore a perfectly tailored, white embroidered qipao. A white jade hairpin held her long hair in a simple bun at the nape of her neck. Her whole bearing was one of gentle grace.

She stood there, her figure lithe and her beauty radiant. She seemed less like a girl from the north and more like one from the southern river towns—exquisite and poised.

Liam Peyton was also surprised. Phoebe had already walked up to them. When she saw Leah, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. "Brother, this wouldn’t be..."

Just as Liam was about to explain, a voice sounded from behind Phoebe. "Why aren’t we going in?"

Leah shifted slightly to see Asher Keating looking up from his phone. When Asher’s eyes landed on her, and then on Liam standing beside her, he too looked surprised.

"Asher, this is my brother. You met him in Eldoria. And this is..."

Phoebe’s eyes swept over Leah before turning back to Liam. He hadn’t had a chance to make introductions, so she didn’t know what to say.

"Uh, Phoebe, this is..."

"My girlfriend."

Asher Keating stepped to Leah’s side. Phoebe looked taken aback. "Your girlfriend?"

She quickly recovered. "Ah, you must be Second Miss Grant? My apologies, you look a bit different from the photo Asher posted online, so I didn’t recognize you. Did you just finish eating with my brother?"

"Ah, hello, Miss Peyton," Leah said. "We... didn’t get to eat. It was too crowded, so we couldn’t get a table."

Leah smiled sheepishly. ’I’m dressed so casually today, and my hair isn’t even tied up. It’s perfectly normal she didn’t recognize me.’

"In that case, join us. I have a reservation."