Chapter 48

"Hey. Mr. Allen, how about we treat you to dinner? We wanna thank you for all your hard work on the project and celebrate signing the contract,"Olivia suggested.

"Sure, let me just make a quick call to get some time off." Isabella replied.

"Married life, huh? Gotta check in for everything. Being single is way better; I can do whatever I want," Olivia teased. "Right, Mr. Allen?"

Eric, with a cold tone, said, "Nope,I prefer being married."

Olivia patted Eric's shoulder and scoffed, "Come on, you don't even have a girlfriend yet. Who are you gonna marry?"

Isabella's call went through, and Michael eagerly asked, "Are you done?Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

Isabella whispered, "Michael, I'll be home late tonight."

Michael asked, "Didn't you submit your proposal? Why the late night?"

Isabella explained, "It's not overtíme. Olivia and I are taking Mr. Allen out for dinner."

"I wanna come too," Michael insisted.

"Why would you come? Is that even appropriate?" Isabella felt a bit embarrassed.

Eric shouted into the phone, "Come on, it's just us."

Olivia chimed in, "Yeah, come on, it's all friends here."

Michael chuckled, "They insisted I come, Isabella. Not my idea."

ed and said happily, "Alright, come on over!"

She wanted to say she missed Michael but couldn't bring herself to say it.

"Isabella, I miss you. It's been a whole day," Michael said before hanging up.

Thinking about Michael coming, Eric mischievously chose a barbecue place.

Olivia was pleased; barbecue was cheap. She thought Ericreally got her!

For Olivia, the real intention behind this dinner was, on one hand,to thank Eric, and on the other, to ask if the $500 spent on treating Chris could be reimbursed.

Eric sensed her intention, especially the latter, so he invited Michael too.When it came to money, Michael was the go-to guy.

The three of them found a small table and sat down.

The owner brought a pot of tea, and Olivia started ordering, calculating as she went, worried she might not have enough money.

Seeing this, Eric grabbed the menu and ordered a variety of dishes.

Soon,the owner started bringing out the meat they ordered.

Since Michael hadn't arrived yet, the three of them each took a few skewers and started grilling.

Just as they finished the first batch, Michael arrived. He was already handsome, and in a sharp suit, he stood out even more.

He went straight to Isabella, who looked him up and down and asked,"

You're going to enjoy a barbecue dressed like that?"

"I thought you'd choose a fancier place for a rare treat," Michael said.

Olivia explained, "This time, Isabella and I are treating. We chose barbecue to save you some money."

Michael snorted, "Do I look like I need to save money?"

Isabella walked behind Michael, gently took off his suit jacket,and called Jerry to take it to the car.

Seeing Isabella and Michael's cozy interaction, Olivia couldn't help but tease,"Our Isabella is so sweet! Michael, you're one lucky guy to have her."

Isabella's face turned bright red.

Michael shot a look at Eric, who just smiled and shrugged, like he was saying,"What can you do?"

Olivia stood up, holding a beer bottle, and said, "Let's have a drink to celebrate our project's success and the contract signing."

She took a big gulp of beer and continued, "Isabella, here's to you getting promoted, getting a raise, and becoming the chairman's wife."

Michael was taken aback, 'thinking, 'Does Olivia know what I do? Is she trying to send me a message?

He glanced at Eric, who just shrugged again, clearly as clueless as Michael.They were both confused.

Then Olivia started again, taking a few more sips. "Here's to me,eating well, sleeping well, and marrying a good man."

Michael relaxed, raised his water glass, and toasted Eric, "To good men!"

Eric downed his tea.

Olivia toasted everyone in the company for various reasons, and by the end,she was completely drunk.

She staggered over to Eric, put a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Mr.Allen, Isabella and I spent $500 treating that jerk Chris for the project.Isabella's too shy to ask, but I'm not. You gotta help us out, or I'll spill our secret."

Eric quickly tried to cover her mouth, but it was too late.

Olivia dodged his hand and continued, "Mr. Allen, you're tight with Mr.Johnson. Just talk to him. Don't be stingy. Reimbursing this small amount shouldn't be a big deal. Don't make things hard for us low-level employees.

"Sorry, I'll take her home," Eric said to Michael.

Michael sneered, "Mr. Allen, it's a small matter. Just reimburse her bill.and she won't complain."

"Michael, don't make it hard for Mr. Allen," Isabella, also quite tipsy but still somewhat rational, tugged at Michael's sleeve.

"Why?" Michael was puzzled.

Isabella replied, "Michael, the company has its rules, posted on the wall.and they can't be changed arbitrarily. The company's reimbursement policy doesn't cover entertainment expenses. Even if Mr. Allen wanted to reimburse us, he couldn't find a valid reason. Although there's a rumor that Mr. Allen is close with Mr. Johnson, that's Mr. Allen's private matter.If he approached Mr. Johnson for our small issue, it might affect their relationship."

Michael appreciatively patted Isabella's head. Even drunk,she had a good sense of perspective.

Isabella thought of something and said to Michael, "Michael, even if Mr.Johnson and Mr. Allen's relationship might displease the old chairman,don't take advantage of it. We shouldn't covet what's not ours. Let's just

honestly."

"Isabella, if one day the position of successor falls to me, should I not take it?" Michael tested.

Isabella slapped him and said. "If it's given to you, why wouldn't you take it? Are you stupid?"