The girls looked at Ingrid’s grim face and quieted down.

The second floor of the banquet hall was relatively quiet. When Grant brought Nicole upstairs, an unruly-looking young man in an expensive black shirt stood up.

The two men shook hands briefly. Grant smiled and said, “Mr. Lichman, it’s been a while.”

Gerard Lichman laughed. The corners of his lips hooked up charmingly. “Hello, Mr. Stanton.”

Without waiting for Grant’s introduction, Gerard had already moved his gaze onto Nicole. It was an appreciative glance with a decent sense of proportion that was not offensive.

“Ms. Nicole, you’re not only beautiful but also capable. I hope that you won’t mind that I put off our dinner and invited you to this banquet instead.”

Nicole smiled, "Of course not. Congratulations on J&L’s 5th anniversary. I hope we’ll be able to work together happily in the years to come.”

She made a double entendre.

Gerard smiled. “Mr. Stanton, may I talk to Ms. Nicole privately? After all, if there’s a chan