Chapter 694 - 690: Happiness?

After saying that, Kylie Churchill intentionally added, "Besides, I don’t really have any guy friends."

Shawn Lane glanced at her, his eyes smiling, and said softly, "Of course, I don’t mind going with you, but it’s a birthday party for you and your girlfriends. Wouldn’t it be a little awkward to bring a guy?"

"Of course not. People bring their boyfriends all the time..."

As the word "boyfriend" left her lips, Kylie Churchill instantly blushed and snuck a glance at Shawn Lane to gauge his reaction.

They had held hands, but they had never officially confirmed their relationship. In Kylie’s mind, she and Shawn Lane were just one final step away.

’She just didn’t know what Shawn was thinking, or if he planned to take things further.’

But seeing that Shawn didn’t react much to her words, a secret thrill blossomed in Kylie’s shy heart.

’He didn’t say anything. Does that mean he’s silently confirming our relationship?’

For lunch, Shawn Lane chose a romantic spot, The French Restaurant. The dim lighting, paired with soft, soothing music, set the mood perfectly.

"How come there are no other customers?"

Kylie Churchill stared at the restaurant’s empty seats, momentarily stunned. She glanced at the time—it was definitely the lunch hour.

She had been to this restaurant a few times before, and it was always bustling, so she couldn’t help but be surprised.

Shawn Lane simply gave a mysterious smile as the restaurant manager personally came forward to greet them. "Mr. Lane, Miss Churchill, this way, please."

It slowly dawned on Kylie Churchill what was happening, and she looked at Shawn Lane, her expression filled with excitement.

Shawn simply took her hand, a natural gesture that was enough to make Kylie’s heart race and her cheeks flush.

In the very center of the restaurant was a table surrounded by red roses. Against the dark backdrop, the flowers seemed even more vibrant and exquisite. Touched, Kylie Churchill covered her mouth, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

Shawn Lane personally pulled out her chair. Once they were both seated, Kylie looked at him with tears in her eyes and asked, "Y-You booked the entire restaurant?"

"Yes," Shawn Lane nodded, his gaze fixed on Kylie Churchill’s face as his true feelings shone through. "I wanted to confess to you properly."

Kylie was completely stunned, gazing at Shawn Lane with an entranced expression.

’How could such a handsome and romantic man exist in this world? He’s just too perfect.’

Shawn began his confession in a gentle voice. The entire speech was heartfelt and sincere, every sentence and every word the result of him using the DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence the previous night for some deep thinking.

Kylie listened, feeling dizzy and disoriented, completely swept away by the moment.

Finally, Shawn Lane took out a pair of matching couple’s rings, slowly opened the box, and asked Kylie solemnly, "Kylie, will you be my girlfriend?"

The moment Shawn finished speaking, Kylie eagerly held out her hand and nodded through her tears. "Yes."

They placed the rings on each other’s fingers, then held hands and gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, just like a scene out of a romance drama.

Having been doted on her entire life, Kylie Churchill was a complete sucker for thoughtful, romantic gestures. At that moment, she felt like the happiest person in the world.

While Kylie Churchill was reveling in her happiness, someone else was enjoying true bliss.

In the middle of the day, a dim, amber glow filled the bedroom, painting the scene with an intimate hue.

The faint, overlapping sounds of breathing rose and fell. Suddenly, a phone rang, its shrill tone abruptly cutting through the air. The panting stopped short.

Lying on the bed, Emeric Grant instinctively turned his head to glance at the phone on the nightstand.

Cecilia Sterling, straddling Emeric Grant, frowned. Still, she leaned over and picked up the phone.

Emeric’s mischievous hands started to wander up her waist, but when Cecilia saw the caller ID, she slapped them away and put a finger to her lips. "Shh!"

She took a couple of deep breaths, steadying her racing heart.

Swipe right. Answer.

"Mr. Jennings."

"Cecilia," Randall Jennings said warmly from the other end of the line. "I’ve sorted out that matter for you. I happen to be free for lunch today. How about we meet at Cirrus Palace in an hour?"

Cecilia froze, instinctively glancing down at Emeric beneath her. He saw her look and moved teasingly, only to be stopped dead by a sharp glare from her.

"Alright, Mr. Jennings. I’ll see you in a little while."

After she hung up, Emeric couldn’t help but ask, "You have plans?"

Cecilia nodded, glancing at the time. "Minus time for a shower and the drive over, we have twenty minutes."

"I can’t finish in twenty minutes," Emeric said, looking troubled.

"Can’t be helped. It’s very important."

"Then how about you get on the bottom..."

「An hour later」

A radiant Cecilia Sterling hurried into the Chinese restaurant at Cirrus Palace.

"Mr. Jennings."

"You’re here. Sit down." Randall Jennings gestured with his chin toward the empty seat across from him, then asked, "You haven’t eaten lunch yet, have you?"

Cecilia smiled and shook her head. "Not yet."

"Perfect. I don’t come here often, so why don’t you order?"

"Why didn’t we go to Aetherium?"

"Isn’t this about your business?" Randall Jennings said, picking up a hot towel from the table to wipe his hands. "I’ve done a background check on this place for you. There are no major issues."

"But a joint venture with multiple partners is bound to have some minor issues. In business, the more people involved, the more complicated it gets, and the more likely problems are to arise in the long run."

Seeing Cecilia listening so intently that she wasn’t ordering, Randall Jennings smiled. "No rush. Let’s eat first."

Only then did Cecilia nod, ordering a few dishes based on her knowledge of Mr. Jennings’s tastes.

But before they could even exchange a few pleasantries, a heavyset man and a slim one, both dressed in expensive suits, approached their table with wide smiles.

"Chairman Jennings!"

The moment they saw him, they were a picture of pure enthusiasm. "Welcome to our Cirrus Palace! Have you ordered yet? Allow me to arrange a meal for you."

Randall Jennings, showing no pretense, stood to shake their hands and informed them that he had already ordered.

One of the men immediately called over the restaurant manager. "This table is on the house. And bring a bottle of Maotai."

"No, no, that’s not necessary. I have a meeting this afternoon, so I won’t be drinking," Randall Jennings quickly interjected.

The man replied politely, "But we insist on covering the bill. It’s an honor to have you dine with us, Chairman Jennings."

"You’re both too kind. Allow me to make an introduction." Randall Jennings took the opportunity to turn to Cecilia, introducing her formally. "This is Cecilia Sterling, a young and promising investor from Lorcain."

Both men paused for a moment when they heard the name. ’It sounds so familiar, where have we heard it before?’

There was no time to dwell on it, however. They quickly and politely greeted her. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Sterling. My surname is Zhou, and I’m the owner of Cirrus Palace."

"My surname is He. I’m one of the owners as well."

Cecilia greeted each of them in turn, and they exchanged business cards.