Chapter 22 Losing the Game
Rhys was slightly stunned, he rarely met competitors like Calvin. Calvin accepted his kind words and his toast, and really sat down, invariably giving him great pressure. Rhys smiled politely at that moment, raised his glass and also drank it in one go, saying graciously, "I really didn't know that this is your restaurant, if I did, I should have invited you." The wine in the glasses slipped into their respective mouths.
At this moment, they were peaceful and friendly, as if they were reunited as friends.
But Belle thought otherwise, and even felt an invisible pressure made her feel difficult in breathing.
She was tempted to get up and slip away.
But Calvin, as if reading her mind, stretched out a leg and crossed it in front of her, as if on purpose, but his eyes did not even look at her.
Belle was confused and wondered what he wanted.
Can she have a dinner with Rhys? She worked for Harvey Group, but so what? What was his business?
Of course, Belle is aware of the sensitivity of her job, after all, she has worked in two companies in the same industry and quite a rival, which would make people wary and think about it.
Sure enough, Calvin, who never poured wine for others of his own accord, unexpectedly poured wine for Rhys, completely ignoring Belle and seemingly forgetting the confrontation between them last night! Since Calvin was polite with him, Rhys should be polite. And the atmosphere seemed cordial as they drank to each other.
Belle had never seen Calvin socialising in public before, and seeing them chatting about the usual topics and occasionally smiling politely, she felt relaxed.
Lexie sat across the table looking at them with a cold expression.
In public, with her beloved in attendance, she had to show respect. And this was Calvin's restaurant, she can't make a scene here.
"Mr. Atkinson, I heard that you are about to have a wedding." Calvin asked after downing several glasses of red wine in a row, seemingly carelessly.
Belle, who was cutting the steak with her head down, suddenly shook her body and with a bang, the fork in her hand fell off the plate!
Rhys is getting married soon? How come she didn't know.
Calvin's seemingly casual words fell on Belle's ears, and they were very harsh!
Ever since she met Rhys, she has never asked him about his personal affairs.
But today, when this statement was made, Belle was surprised! Although she had never been in love with Rhys, with her natural female sensitivity, she still felt sudden and even slightly disappointed. After all, they talked about everything, and he didn't even tell her that he was getting married. And she didn't want to get too involved with a man who was about to get married, for she didn't want to cause too much gossip.
"Rhys, don't forget to invite me to the wedding." Belle's panic-stricken and lost look fell into Calvin's eyes, his heart was a sneer, but his face floated a 'sincere' smile, even the sound of Belle's fork dropping into the plate seemed not to hear.
But Rhys's face changed!
Hearing the sound of the fork falling from Belle's hand, a hint of panic flashed across his face as he looked at her with a bit of shame.
"I'm sorry." Belle hastily picked up the fork, but through the corner of her eyes she peeked towards Calvin, who was glancing at her. When she met his eyes, Belle flushed and turned her eyes away.
The smile on Calvin's face became even stronger, and to Belle, it was a contemptuous and sarcastic smile, as if he was laughing at her for finding a married man.
Chagrin, displeasure, all sorts of feelings came up, and Belle felt uncomfortable.
This smug guy must have thought they were in some kind of relationship, but what did it matter to him? Why was he so cynical? "What's wrong with you, Belle?" Belle's face blushed, Rhys asked with concern, "The steak is already cold, shall we get a new one?" At this moment, when Calvin heard Rhys' question, he turned his head.
His smile laced with sarcasm and smugness as he looked toward Belle. Belle gritted her teeth and wanted to punch him in the eye.
"No need, I'm already full." She lowered her eyes and whispered, her eyes fell on Calvin's slender fingers tapping the red wine cup, which showed his smugness. She really couldn't stay there anymore.
Calvin smiled impassively, looking at Rhys who has always been extolled by the outside world as gentle, elegant, wealthy, young, promising, handsome man. But it was such a man who had panic, chaos, distress and pity in front of Belle!
This woman is really good at what she does!
Calvin's heart rolled with anger.
"I'll leave first." Belle stood up in due course and spoke politely.
"Belle, wait." When Rhys saw Belle stand up to leave, he stood up after her.
"Since you've finished your food, I am leaving." Calvin followed suit and stood up, smiling broadly and extending his hand towards Rhys like a gentleman.
Rhys hesitated, but had to extend his hand as well.
Rhys was so preoccupied with Belle that his eyes all fell on her, and seeing her heading outside, he was tempted to follow her.
But Calvin's grip on Rhys' hand was getting tighter and tighter, and Rhys wanted to shake his hand off, but his hand was so strong that he couldn't easily break free, but he could only keep being held by him, watching Belle's figure leave step by step.
His gaze was deep and sharp, understanding what Calvin meant and staring at him closely.
They saw hostility in each other's cold eyes.
Rhys' eyes gradually collapsed, he had completely lost in this game.