Hearing Calvert's crisp and pleasant voice, Luana forced her eyes open.
"Mr. Coburn, what's the matter?" she asked.
"Are you feeling any better?" Calvert inquired.
Luana gave a soft "Mm," as a response.
Seeing her cold demeanor, Calvert felt a pang of disappointment, but he quickly adjusted his mood.
"Miss Hammond, Coburn Group is hosting a celebration tonight. Would you do me the honor of being my date?" he asked.
Luana was taken aback and immediately refused without thinking. "I don't want to go," she said flatly.
Calvert didn't seem upset by her rejection and continued in a gentle tone, "Just come as a favor to me, okay?"
"Why do you need me when you have Stanley to look after you?" Luana replied indifferently.
Calvert explained, "Stanley made a minor mistake, and I sent him back to Washington."
Luana had thought Calvert would head back to Washington after the bidding. She was surprised to learn not only that he had stayed but also that he had dismissed his assistant.
Her delicate brows furrowed as she asked, "Mr. Coburn, are you not planning to return to Washington?"
Hearing this, Calvert's sense of loss intensified. "Do you want me to go back to Washington?" he asked.
Luana certainly wished he would leave. Otherwise, she would have to keep staying with him. She didn't want to waste even the time she had left, waiting for death, on Calvert. But she wouldn't voice such thoughts. There was nothing to discuss with him.
Seeing her silence, Calvert understood her thoughts.
He gave a bitter smile and said softly, "I'll head back after the celebration."
Then, in a tone that was almost pleading, he asked Luana, "Will you accompany me to the celebration tonight?"
Hearing that he would leave after the event, Luana agreed.
She got up, took some medicine, changed into a loose outfit, and used makeup to cover the paleness on her face before heading downstairs.
Calvert parked the car downstairs. Seeing her emerge from the elevator, he quickly opened the driver's side door and walked toward her.
He took the bag from her hand and opened the door for her.
Facing his considerate behavior, Luana felt a bit uncomfortable but said nothing. She just pursed her lips as she got into the car.
After fastening her seatbelt, she glanced out the window and noticed a Bugatti parked not far away.
Seeing that model of car reminded her of Cline. He loved driving Bugattis whenever he went out on his own.
She glanced at the license plate. It wasn't his. She remembered every plate of his cars, but she had never seen this one.
So, the distant Bugatti wasn't his.
Luana felt a pang of disappointment and thought to herself how silly she was. Even in this situation, she still held onto a glimmer of hope.
He was about to marry his first love—what was she still expecting?
Luana gave a self-mocking smile and turned her gaze away from the car. She looked at Calvert, who was now in the driver's seat.
"Where is the celebration being held?" she asked.
"At the Beverly Hills Hotel," he replied.
It was the most luxurious hotel in Los Angeles.
Coburn Group was hosting this celebration mainly to mark their successful acquisition of the contract for the West City. Although it was just one area, it laid the foundation for their development in Los Angeles. It was certainly worth celebrating.
Luana had thought Calvert would take her straight to the hotel, but instead, he drove to Blue Bay Mall.
It was the same custom dress shop, only this time he bought her ten exclusive dresses, along with matching bags and jewelry.
Watching the staff place the shopping bags one by one into the trunk, Luana felt a headache coming on and massaged her forehead.
"Mr. Coburn, shipping fees are quite expensive," she remarked.
Leaning against the car door, Calvert looked at her with a tilt of his head and said, "You're not allowed to return these this time. Otherwise, I'll make you stay with me forever."
His unwavering tone left Luana stunned for a moment.
Albion used to be the same way, buying her things and insisting she keep them, never allowing her to refuse or return them.
He appeared gentle on the surface, but deep down, he was very obsessive. If he said it, he would do it, and he was particularly persistent.
Fearing that he might really make her stay with him, Luana didn't argue further.
As for these items, she would have Clarissa return them to him after she passed away.
Calvert drove her to the hotel.
Before entering the banquet hall, he asked her to link her arm with his.
Luana glanced at him, then reluctantly raised her hand and linked it with his.
Calvert looked down at her hand resting in the crook of his arm and couldn't help but smile.
The two of them walked into the banquet hall arm in arm. The guests, seeing the CEO with a date, quickly stood up.
Amidst the congratulations from the crowd, Calvert's smile grew more pronounced, and even his eyes seemed warmer.
The banquet hall was enormous and exquisitely decorated. The warm yellow lighting, coupled with the soothing music playing in the background, created an exceptionally upscale atmosphere.
Everyone attending the event were all dressed in designers evening gowns and tuxedos, holding flutes of champagne and chatting quietly among themselves.
From the executives to the regular employees, everyone at Coburn Group was well-mannered. They greeted Luana politely without any ridicule, showing her the same respect they would show anyone else.