I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 43

The moment Sophie stepped into Mr. Baxter's office, her eyes locked onto Luke Lawrence lounging on the sofa.

His coat was draped over the armrest. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, he looked leaner, his features even more sharply defined.

The second he saw her, the faintest ghost of a smirk played on his lips.

Forcing down a surge of anger, Sophie offered a curt nod to her boss.

"Come in, come in, Sophie! I just found out you used to be Mr. Lawrence's secretary. Come say hello," Mr. Baxter beckoned, his face split into a wide grin as he ushered her over.

"Hello, Mr. Lawrence."

Sophie kept her tone polite, flashing a textbook, sterile corporate smile.

"Mr. Lawrence was extremely impressed with how you and Gwen handled things in San Francisco. He's specifically requesting our products for his company's anniversary gala. Plus, their e-commerce network wants to partner with us. You two need to iron out the details with him."

Mr. Baxter's face was scrunched up in delight, his eyes crinkling into greedy little slits.

He had his secretary lead the way, moving the group to a smaller conference room to talk business.

In the hallway, Gwen squeezed Sophie's hand, her eyes pleading.

"I know," Sophie whispered.

She kept her voice low.

She desperately needed the money, and she needed this job. She didn't have the luxury of throwing a tantrum and walking away.

The three of them hashed out details in the conference room until the end of the workday. Mr. Baxter arranged a dinner for the evening, demanding that Sophie and Gwen attend as escorts.

During the meal, Mr. Baxter relentlessly dropped hints for Sophie and Gwen to keep Luke's glass full.

He operated on the archaic belief that getting a client sufficiently drunk was the only way to lock down a contract.

Sophie stood first, proposing three back-to-back toasts. Luke didn't refuse; he drained his glass each time.

Gwen quickly followed suit.

Mr. Baxter enthusiastically pushed local delicacies onto Luke. Luke ate and drank, but his boredom was palpable—especially when it came to Mr. Baxter himself.

Mr. Baxter, shrewd as ever, eventually led the group upstairs to a private karaoke lounge. Not long after, he miraculously received a phone call and concocted a flawless excuse to bail.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. My youngest is running a fever, and my wife is begging me to come home."

Before slipping out, he shot Gwen a pointed look, gesturing for her to follow him into the hall.

"You need to keep him entertained. The fate of this contract rests entirely on you two. And tell Sophie to show a little more enthusiasm."

Gwen offered a strained nod, her mind already racing with anxiety over leaving those two alone in the room.

Upon entering, Sophie had deliberately chosen the seat farthest from Luke. Gwen knew it was killing her to swallow her pride just for a paycheck.

After seeing Mr. Baxter to the elevator, Gwen hesitated at the lounge door. If she walked in on something she wasn't supposed to see, she'd be pissing off their biggest client.

Luke picked up the business card Sophie had tossed onto the coffee table and forced it back into her hand.

"Running sales means dealing with absolute scum. It doesn't suit you. I've already spoken to the CEO. Go work for his firm; he'll take good care of you."

"I appreciate the generosity, Mr. Lawrence, but I could never afford the debt of your favors."

She laid on the formalities thick, adopting a painfully polite tone, though her eyes were ice.

She crushed the card in her fist and dropped it straight into the trash.

Pasting her corporate smile back on, she tilted her chin. "What's your type, Mr. Lawrence? Innocent? Seductive? Or should I just call a whole lineup in so you can browse?"

"Sophie, do you really have to do this?"

Luke's voice vibrated with tightly coiled fury.

"My deepest apologies, Mr. Lawrence. I clearly lack the tact to keep you entertained. I'll go find someone sweet, obedient, and eager to please."

She had barely stood up when he snatched her arm, dragging her hard back onto the cushions.

"I know I failed you. I just want to do something to make it right."

Sophie let out a hollow scoff. "The best thing you can do for me is to drop off the face of the earth."

"Sophie, I just want you to be happy." His voice dropped into a gravelly whisper. "Don't do this, please."