Still You Still Me Still Falling novel Chapter 136

Lanny was a seasoned veteran of the corporate world. One warning note in Edmond's tone told him everything he needed to know about their dynamic.

His entire business rested entirely on this man's shoulders.

And he had absolutely zero connection to Edmond Halley on his own.

There was no way in hell he was letting Sheila leave!

"Sit down, Sheila, sit down!" Lanny scrambled out of his chair. "You were just talking about Mr. Halley earlier. Now that he's here, you need to keep him company."

He practically shoved her into the chair right next to Edmond.

Once seated, Sheila didn't put up a fight.

It was just a chair. What difference did it make where she sat?

Despite his desperation to network with Edmond, now that the billionaire was actually sitting in front of him, Lanny was suddenly too intimidated to speak.

Edmond radiated a cold, untouchable authority. He felt like royalty.

Lanny was terrified that one wrong word would offend him and ruin everything.

Clarence, on the other hand, was much more relaxed.

His first impression of Edmond was actually quite positive.

He had seen photos of him before, but up close, the man was undeniably striking.

He carried himself with an effortless grace.

And he was remarkably polite—giving up the seat of honor just out of respect for an elder.

Clarence ended up carrying the conversation. Edmond spoke very little, simply listening and occasionally offering a sharp, insightful comment.

Beside him, Sheila kept her head down, practically burying her face in her plate, solely focused on her food.

Suddenly, a large, elegant hand reached into her line of sight.

A warm bowl of soup was placed right in front of her.

Lanny and Clarence were mid-conversation.

Edmond had casually served her the soup himself.

Lanny had desperately wanted to play server for Edmond, but the CEO had beaten him to the punch, and Lanny hadn't dared snatch the ladle from his hands.

Now, both older men stared in pure shock as Edmond placed the bowl in front of Sheila.

"Eat slowly," Edmond murmured, his voice softening. "Don't choke."

Sheila froze.

The two men across the table looked like their brains had short-circuited.

This was exhausting.

The blatant double standard was agonizing.

If Edmond was just a traditional guy who respected his elders, why hadn't he shown Lanny the same courtesy? They were the same age!

But if he was just being an arrogant billionaire throwing his weight around, then why was he treating Clarence like royalty?

It finally clicked for Lanny. There was nothing special about Clarence Sinclair.

He was purely basking in Sheila's glow.

Because Clarence was her family, Edmond respected him.

Lanny realized his gamble had paid off more spectacularly than he ever could have dreamed.

He had initially just hoped Sheila could get him in the door.

But after meeting Edmond, Lanny realized this man existed in a stratosphere he could never hope to touch.

Yet, Edmond was undeniably captivated by Sheila.

Sensing the golden opportunity, Lanny began subtly steering the conversation toward her.

Though Clarence didn't spend much time with Sheila nowadays, he remembered plenty of stories from when he was first dating her aunt.