Luana was momentarily distracted by his question and replied calmly, "I didn't know. I just picked it randomly."
In truth, she did know. He always preferred strong coffee to stay alert before exams.
Calvert gave her a thoughtful look. "Have you been studying my preferences?"
Luana shook her head. "No, I haven't."
Calvert extended his hand. "Creamer?"
Without thinking, Luana handed him a small box of creamer.
Calvert glanced at the creamer in her hand and raised an eyebrow, a hint of triumph in his expression.
"Seems like you know I like to add creamer."
Luana realized he was testing her and immediately wanted to take the creamer back.
But he gently held her hand and said in a warm tone, "Miss Hammond, I need your help."
He was holding the coffee and couldn't open the creamer himself, so he gestured with his eyes for her to add it for him.
[$]
The way he asked her to open the creamer reminded her of Albion, softening her heart a little.
She took the box, peeled off the seal, and slowly poured the creamer into his coffee.
Calvert watched Luana, her eyes downcast, and found her particularly captivating in the dim light.
He was so entranced that his voice softened even more. "Thank you."
Luana glanced up at him. "No worries."
Sitting in front of them, Cline couldn't see their interaction but could hear everything clearly.
His peach-blossom eyes, usually as faint as mist, now glinted with a cold, icy sharpness.
Calvert took a sip of the coffee, and the bittersweet flavor spread across his tongue, lifting his spirits.
He drank it slowly, savoring each sip, until the host called for Coburn Group to take the stage. Reluctantly, he finished the coffee in one gulp.
Luana, seeing him hand her the empty cup and prepare to go on stage, couldn't help but feel worried. "Have you reviewed the materials?"
She was surprised. Calvert hadn't seriously looked at the materials earlier. How could he just go up like this?
Calvert tapped his temple confidently. "I memorized it after one look. Don't worry."
Luana's expression froze at his words.
Of course. He had a photographic memory. How could he have lost his memory?
With that one sentence, any lingering goodwill Luana had toward him vanished.
Calvert was just pretending.
She had almost mistaken him for the Albion she once knew.
Her stiff expression made Calvert a bit concerned. "Are you okay?"
Luana shook her head numbly. "I'm fine. Go on stage."
Once the bidding meeting was over, she could part ways with him for good.
Calvert was still worried about Luana, but with the host urging him again, he had no choice but to go on stage.
As soon as he left, Luana slumped into her chair, her face expressionless as she watched him shine on stage.
He was indeed a top student. After just one glance, he had memorized everything and even expanded on points Dale hadn't mentioned.
No wonder he had chosen to abandon her. They had already diverged in terms of knowledge long ago.
He had attended a prestigious university, while she had only gone to an ordinary one. Their intellects were on completely different levels.
Today's blows weren't just about witnessing the Moriarty Group's immense power and influence. They also made her realize the gap between herself and Albion.
Luana thought to herself that if she could survive, she would break free from all constraints, pursue further education, and become someone as remarkable as Albion.
But there was no "if." She wouldn't last much longer. Soon, she would die, and everything would turn to dust.
She rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the armrest, and stared blankly at the screen.
After Calvert finished his well-organized presentation, Cline suddenly spoke up.
His questions were tricky and seemed deliberately designed to challenge Calvert.
The other attendees breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Cline hadn't grilled them like that.
Calvert, however, wasn't intimidated. He responded calmly and even subtly countered Cline's remarks.
Cline asked about a dozen difficult questions before finally letting him go.
The morning session of the bidding meeting concluded, and everyone broke for lunch before resuming in the afternoon.
Although Coburn Group had finished their presentation, they had to stay to await the results.
Moriarty Group staff escorted them to the leisure area and left them to their own devices.
Once Calvert settled into the lounge, Dale and a few executives hurried in.
"Mr. Coburn, you were amazing earlier. You managed to stand out against Mr. Moriarty."
Coburn Group's executives had suffered losses to Cline in other projects before, always ending up defeated.
But their young CEO had gone toe-to-toe with Cline, not only matching his brother but even surpassing him in some ways.
Calvert waved them off, exchanged a few words, and then sent them off to lunch.
He looked up at Luana, who was standing to the side. "What would you like to eat?"
Luana shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
She couldn't eat much—her digestion was poor, and she was prone to stomach bleeding.
But Calvert misunderstood her refusal as reluctance to dine with him. "You don't have to stay with me. Go ahead on your own."