Chapter 55 Let's See How You Perform

Isabella didn't want things to get awkward, so she agreed.

When Sawyer and Isabella walked in, Micah put out his cigarette.

Sawyer forced a smile, sat next to Micah, and said, "Mr. Hughes, what do you think of Isabella's design? We really value your opinion."

Micah snapped, "What? Getting impatient? Not planning to do business with me anymore?"

Sawyer quickly explained, "Mr. Hughes, you misunderstood. We brought Isabella here to get your feedback. If you like her designs, we can sign the contract today."

Micah replied, "Let's see how she does. If she nails it, we can sign and maybe even keep doing business in the future." The message was clear: if Isabella didn't impress, the design team would have to redo everything.

Isabella didn't want to let the team down. Following Sawyer's cue, she raised a glass of water and said, "Mr. Hughes, I can't drink alcohol, so I'll toast with water."

Micah shot back, "Ms. Neville, I don't drink with people who toast with water."

Sawyer's other colleagues looked at Isabella, pleading silently.

She got the hint: Micah was tough, and it was best to go along with him.

"Mr. Hughes, Isabella really can't drink. How about I drink for her?" Sawyer said, then downed a glass of wine.

Micah's anger flared. "Did I ask you to drink for her? I want her to drink."

Sawyer looked at Isabella, who stayed silent as Micah stared them down.

After a moment, Isabella said, "Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom."

She was looking for a way to escape.

Sawyer seemed to catch on and asked Neil to follow her.

"Why are you following me?" Isabella asked, annoyed.

Neil, also in a tough spot, said, "Isabella, I get it, but Micah's just like that. Just humor him. Once he signs, we're done with him."

Isabella didn't want to hear it. She was just temporarily assigned and didn't want to compromise herself. It was gross.

"I'm going to the restroom. Don't follow me," she said.

The restroom was at the end of the hallway. As she passed by, someone came out of a private room.

Neil hurried to catch up, bumping into the person coming out.

"Sorry, sorry," Neil apologized quickly. The man looked up and asked, "Are you from the design department?"

Neil looked up, recognized him, and nodded. "Yes, Caleb, are you dining here too?"

Caleb glanced to the left, noticing a familiar figure. "Who's that?"

"That's Isabella, temporarily assigned to our design department. She came with us today," Neil said.

Caleb frowned slightly. "You brought her to a business dinner?"

Neil nodded, "Sawyer asked her to come."

"Ridiculous," Caleb muttered before heading back into the private room.

Neil was puzzled. He glanced towards the restroom, ready to move forward when he saw Isabella returning. He sighed in relief.

Isabella wanted to leave, but the restroom was a dead end.

Back in the private room, Sawyer had already downed a few glasses to apologize. Seeing Isabella return, Micah pushed Sawyer aside and said, "Isabella, come sit here."

He even patted the chair, making his intentions clear and grossing Isabella out.

She walked over, looked at the greasy-faced Micah, and asked, "Mr. Hughes, are you satisfied with my design?"

"Depends on your performance," Micah grinned, lighting a cigarette. "You should know I care about my image."

It was clear that unless Isabella made some concessions, the contract wouldn't be signed.

"No wonder," she said.

Micah frowned, "What do you mean?"

"A company that doesn't value professional work but demands drinking to sign a contract? No wonder it's always been small," Isabella replied.

"Isabella, you..." Micah was furious.

As he was about to make a move, the door opened, and Caleb walked in, followed by George. Everyone, including Micah, was stunned.

George glanced at Micah's clenched fist and asked, "Mr. Hughes, who are you planning to fight?"

George looked down at Isabella, who swallowed hard and avoided his gaze.

It was the first time Micah had seen George. Nervously, he retracted his fist and said, "No way, you misunderstood."

George glanced at the table, noticing the glass of red wine in front of Isabella, and frowned.

Micah, sweating, returned to his seat. He poured a glass of wine and said humbly, "Mr. Spencer, I've heard so much about you. Let me toast you."

George pulled up a chair next to Isabella. He draped his arm over her chair back and glanced at the wine glass, "So, Mr. Hughes, if I don't drink this, are you gonna fight me too?"

Micah's legs nearly gave out. He quickly straightened up and said, "Mr. Spencer, it's not like that. I was just joking with Isabella."

The room was tense, frozen in awkward silence.

Micah held the wine glass, unsure whether to drink it or put it down.

George's gaze shifted from Micah to Isabella. Her face felt like it was burning.

George didn't speak. After a moment, he lit a cigarette.

Everyone watched as he took a deep drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and flicked the ash into Isabella's wine glass.

Isabella could feel George's anger. She stayed silent, her face tense.

After finishing the cigarette, George tossed the butt into the wine glass.

Just as everyone wondered what George would do next, he stood up.