Chapter 13 Treat Me to Meals for a Month

• We found a breakfast shop on the street and sat across from each other. He was smiling at me while observing me with curiosity.
• "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?" I quickly took out a small mirror I carried with me to check if my makeup was okay.
• "You don't have to look. There's nothing. I just think you not only look beautiful but can also cure people. You are an outstanding woman. Your ex-husband is truly the dumbest man in the world. If I were to marry someone like you, I would support her every day. How could I look for other women outside?"
• He was really praising me, but the more people praised my abilities, the more frustrated I became.
• If only Ian could think more rationally and not think with his lower body, would I have fallen to this point?
• Speaking of Ian, I had to get to the point. I wanted to resolve the matter he asked me to handle as soon as possible. "Is it really possible that you can help me meet with Mr. Holland?"
• I knew that asking this directly might be a downer, but wasn't that the purpose of having breakfast with him?
• "Do you want to see Mr. Holland that urgently?"
• I kept the focus on this topic and was not afraid of annoying him.
• "You know about the recent rumors concerning my friend. Only my ex-husband can help him clear his name. So, in order to free my friend from the public's scrutiny as soon as possible, you have to help me."
• Maybe he understood my predicament because he didn't mind my urgency. "You really are a person of great loyalty and righteousness."
• I also wished I could just ignore it, but my departure overseas was arranged by Jude. I couldn't just abandon him.
• "Repaying a favor is the hardest thing. I hate owing people favors the most. It's not something that can be measured or resolved with money."
• I wasn't afraid of owing money, but once I owed someone a favor, it was a completely different story. I didn't know what kind of price I would have to pay to repay it.
• "But there's one thing you need to understand. Even if I can take you to meet Mr. Holland, how sure are you that he will reconcile and sell the land to the Winter Medical Group? Don't tell me you're just going to persuade him."
• His words stunned me.
• It seemed like he was right.
• The Asco Group had nothing to do with the Winter Medical Group, so why would Timothy listen to me and resolve the conflict with the Winter Medical Group just because I asked?
• Did my reputation carry any value when thrown out there?
• His words were right on the mark!
• "I inquired about it and found that Mr. Holland is a young and successful businessman. He must be a reasonable person. If I explain the situation to him, do you think he would sympathize with me and readily agree?"
• Cough, cough, cough...
• My words made Mr. Foodie choke on his milk.
• He quickly drank some more to clear his throat. "Do you know that guy is very petty and likes to hold grudges?"
• He seemed to understand Timothy quite well, which made me curious. "That guy? Petty? You seem quite familiar with him."
• "Erm... I suppose," he replied nonchalantly.
• His attention was fully focused on the few plates of dumplings he ordered.
• He really could eat. I only had a few dumplings and some milk before I was full.
• "By the way, I heard that Mr. Holland is not interested in money or women and prefers to be alone. Is there any truth to that?"
• "Ugh..."
• He choked on a dumpling and quickly washed it down with some milk. "Burp... Who told you that?"
• "Everyone says so. For someone who isn't interested in fame, wealth, or women, there's nothing we can do to impress him."
• My words made him laugh. "If he were interested in women, could it be that you...?"
• He gave me a mischievous look.
• I glared at him. "Impossible. Besides, how could someone as prominent as Mr. Holland be interested in me?"
• "Why do you say that? You lack confidence in yourself... How can you be so sure he wouldn't be interested in you?"
• I did have some self-awareness. Although Ian had ill intentions toward me, it was just his promiscuity, not that I was particularly outstanding or had an exceptional figure.
• Especially considering the secretary beside Timothy. With her stunning figure and beautiful face, there were only a few women in the whole of Monreso who could compare to her.
• "All right. Enough of that. Let's not talk about these things. You just have to help me establish a connection. As long as I get to meet him, whether it works out or not is irrelevant. At least I tried, and I believe my friend won't blame me."
• If it worked out, then it would be great. If not, I would not bow down to Ian either.
• "You are really persistent. I have to warn you that Mr. Holland doesn't meet with people easily. I will inform him about your situation beforehand. Whether he agrees to meet you or not will depend on him."
• I hadn't expected him to be so considerate.
• "Thank you so much. Um, while we're on the topic, I actually have another request..."
• He had already agreed to help me, and I felt a bit embarrassed to make more requests, so I hesitated in asking.
• However, he was quite agreeable. "You're like my sister now. Just go ahead and make any request. Would I refuse as a brother?"
• Wow! Has our relationship progressed to this casual level?
• "You haven't even told me your name. Yet you have the audacity to call yourself my brother?"
• I needed to provoke him a bit. I had gotten used to calling him "Mr. Foodie," which was a bit comical, but I was afraid I might accidentally slip up and call him something rude.
• That would be impolite.
• "Call me Sean!"
• This time he was straightforward. However, the name sounded a bit roguish, not quite matching his status, but it did match his personality.
• "Can you make your request now?"
• "I can tell that you are quite familiar with Mr. Holland, so I'd like to ask you to embellish things a little when you talk to him about me. The more pitiful you make me sound, the better. Maybe he will want to meet me then."
• Sean stared at me with a puzzled expression. "You're quite scheming. You want to gain Mr. Holland's sympathy with this tactic."
• "Hehe. I'm just trying it out. What if Mr. Holland is a soft-hearted person?"
• Sean shook his head. Perhaps he thought that my idea was quite childish.
• Not just him, but even I felt it was too far-fetched.
• But what else could I do? I had no experience in these matters in the first place and I wasn't smart enough. Ian forced me into this situation, and I had no choice but to try my luck blindly.
• There was always the possibility of dumb luck.
• "Okay. I'll try to persuade Mr. Holland. But I have to ask, if I help you, shouldn't I get something in return?"
• Tsk... Tsk...
• He had just said I was his sister, and now he was looking to benefit from me.
• "I'll treat you to a few more meals!" Since he could eat so much, and it was the only way I could repay him at the moment, there was no need to discuss other methods.
• "For a month! I want you to treat me to meals for a month. It won't be much. Just one meal a day, and it must be dinner."
• A month? He sure was asking for a lot.
• With his never-ending appetite, I had no idea how much it would cost me. Besides, I still hadn't found a job yet.
• "What a guy who always raises the stakes! No. You're a guy who takes advantage of others in dire situations. You lack integrity..."
• "Wow! You actually know so many words to describe me!"
• I was speechless.
• I seriously suspected that Sean was sent to torment me.
• "What? You don't want to? You owe favors to others, and this is also considered owing me a favor, right?"
• Hah… I bet he's been waiting to say that...
• "I don't mind. I'll agree to it. One month it is."
• "Great! Consider it settled. You can leave this matter to me. Wait for my news!" He picked up a bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and took a look at his watch.
• "I have something to attend to now. Enjoy your meal!"
• Then, he hurriedly left.
• Upon seeing his roguish appearance, I couldn't help but worry. I wondered if this guy was reliable or not.
• I was curious about his position at Asco too. Based on what he said, his relationship with Timothy was not ordinary.
• Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed so easily.
• If he had ulterior motives and was ill-intentioned toward me, the 30 meals wouldn't be the only thing at stake.
• Well, at least he seemed like a contented guy.
• I didn't want to think about it. I just needed to stay calm.
• After breakfast, I decided to apply for a job at a private clinic as I had nothing to do.
• Even if this matter was resolved, I still had to address my livelihood. After all, I still owed someone 30 meals.
• I definitely couldn't work at the hospital, and I should stay away from Ian's territory as well.
• I needed to make a short-term plan. On one hand, I couldn't just sit around, and on the other hand, I couldn't let Ian manipulate me.
• I refused to believe that he could be all-powerful in Monreso.