The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 81

Jocelyn glanced around the table. Most people were lost in their own conversations.

So she nodded. "Okay."

As soon as she sat down, a server brought over a glass of water, just as Julian had requested.

Jocelyn held the glass, her mood still low.

Julian said, "I've spoken personally with all the people you recommended."

Jocelyn refocused. "I know. They called me. I told them there's nothing wrong with aiming higher."

Julian smiled. "For now, Mr. Lowell's Momentum AI is still a step above Vanguard Tech."

Jocelyn scoffed dismissively. "Adrian is a capable manager, but he's not strong on the technical side. If it weren't for his R&D team working overtime these past few years to develop a few AI systems that were widely adopted by the market, maybe..."

"It would still be the obscure little tech company it was a few years ago."

Julian said, "I imagine you deserve half the credit for that."

Jocelyn gave a bitter smile.

She thought that by protecting the things Adrian cared about, she could hold onto him.

She had held onto him, physically.

But she had never won his heart.

Julian asked, "What are you planning to do next?"

Jocelyn glanced at Sarah but didn't say anything.

Julian misinterpreted her silence.

"I'm asking too much. I'm sorry."

Jocelyn came back to the present. "No, that's not it. I was just thinking about something else."

"I'll tell you the details once I have a solid plan."

Julian nodded. "Alright."

Sarah and Liam Bancroft had fought to a draw.

Both of them were completely wasted.

As the group dispersed, Jocelyn looked at the two unconscious figures and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Julian offered, "I can take them home, but..."

Jocelyn asked, "You didn't drink?"

"I didn't," Julian confirmed.

Jocelyn sensed his hesitation. "But what?"

Julian said, "Your friend is a woman, and I..."

He didn't want to trouble her in the slightest.

Jocelyn didn't argue. "Whatever you say."

Julian helped Liam into the car first.

When it was Sarah's turn, he hesitated for a long moment.

Jocelyn suddenly remembered he had a fiancée and quickly said, "If it's inconvenient for you, I can ask a server to help."

"Give it two minutes," Julian said.

Jocelyn didn't understand and was about to ask what he meant.

Just then, Sarah opened her mouth and threw up all over the floor.

A few splatters landed on Julian's coat.

Jocelyn clearly saw Julian's brow furrow.

She rushed to apologize for her friend. "I'm so sorry, she drank too much and has no idea what she's doing."

Julian's expression softened. "Good thing we waited."

Jocelyn really wanted to laugh. "How did you know she was going to be sick?"

Julian replied, "A gut feeling."