At this moment, Chairman Han and Mrs. Han were already approaching. Cecilia Gu couldn't push Charles Yin away, so she jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow, forcing him to move away a little.
Otherwise, she couldn't guarantee that she would remain calm when Chairman Han and Mrs. Han came over.
Charles Yin had already guessed that Cecilia Gu would be embarrassed and angry, so the moment she made a move, he straightened up immediately.
Although Cecilia Gu missed her target, she managed to completely free herself from Charles Yin’s restraint and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Charles Yin walked over to Chairman Han and Mrs. Han, saying, "It looks like Cecilia is almost ready. We can start the meal soon."
"The strength of Yin Enterprises truly lives up to its reputation," Chairman Han said with satisfaction. "Even the staff cafeteria is so elegant and luxurious."
Charles Yin smiled proudly and said, "Only the best employees work at headquarters—they’re all elites. Grandma Evelyn Yin taught me never to neglect any talent! Chairman Han, Mrs. Han, this way please..."
Chairman Han and Mrs. Han were even more pleased with Charles Yin’s response.
Chairman Han was thoroughly impressed by Yin Enterprises—its financial strength, status, and influence, as well as the decisiveness and attitude of its leadership toward employees.
Cecilia Gu didn’t keep everyone waiting. She quickly finished preparing a large hotpot feast.
The chef arranged all the dishes in order.
"Thank you for your effort, Mrs. Yin." Mrs. Han said to Cecilia Gu with a warm smile, "Charles is truly lucky to have a wife who loves to cook. You must really enjoy coming home."
"Yes, the happiest thing every day is having dinner with Cecilia. Chairman, Mrs. Han, please!" Charles Yin immediately took Cecilia's hand, smiling gently.
At this moment, Charles Yin’s smile and gaze were filled with tenderness and affection. It seemed that joy and happiness radiated from his eyes and brow, as if he were a loving husband and father.
Cecilia glanced at him. If she didn’t know they were only contractually married, she might have been fooled by Charles Yin’s smile.
Let alone Chairman Han and Mrs. Han, who have no idea about the real situation.
Cecilia sighed inwardly. No wonder so many women in the world want to be involved with this man, even if only for a night. He really is too perfect.
Any woman facing such a handsome, striking, wealthy, high-status man—who is also loyal to his family and free of scandals—would find it hard to resist.
Fortunately, I know my place. I know that all of this is just an act.
Cecilia cooperated with Charles Yin and didn’t withdraw her hand. Smiling warmly, she introduced the special features of today’s hotpot lunch to Mrs. Han.
Thanks to the hotpot, Cecilia and Mrs. Han found a common topic and became more and more engaged in their conversation.
Seeing his wife enjoying the meal, Chairman Han felt satisfied.
After exchanging a satisfied glance with his wife, Chairman Han turned to his assistant and asked for the contract, planning to sign it right at the table.
Cecilia saw this and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Great, it finally worked!
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared at the restaurant entrance, and a discordant voice rang out: "Charles, how can you treat me like this? I’m supposed to be your wife, right? Why did you marry my best friend?!"
The smiles on Charles Yin and Cecilia Gu’s faces froze instantly.
Dina!
How did she show up here?
Cecilia turned around abruptly and saw Dina, dressed in a Yin Enterprises cleaning staff uniform, stumbling toward her.
Charles Yin’s expression suddenly changed!
He hadn’t expected Dina to sneak into Yin Enterprises like this, especially at such a critical moment!
What is she up to?
Damn! Where’s the head of security? How could someone sneak into the headquarters of Yin Enterprises? If you can’t handle such a simple task, you’re fired!
Chairman Han and Mrs. Han, who were about to sign the contract with Yin Enterprises, were clearly stunned by the sudden situation and immediately stopped the signing.
Chairman Han and Mrs. Han stood up together, turned to Charles Yin and asked, "Mr. Yin, what’s going on?"
"Chairman, Mrs. Han, this is just a misunderstanding..." Charles Yin hadn’t finished speaking when Dina stumbled over.
Charles Yin knew it was too late to stop Dina, so he said to her, "If you have something to say, do it later!"
After saying this, Charles Yin decisively said to Cecilia, "Cecilia, take Chairman Han and Mrs. Han downstairs to rest."
"Yes." Cecilia immediately turned to Chairman Han and Mrs. Han and said, "I’m very sorry for disturbing your meal with personal matters. Please come with me, and we will explain everything to you later."
Before Cecilia could lead Chairman Han and Mrs. Han away, Lydia Lin suddenly rushed in front of Cecilia and slapped her hard across the face: "Smack—"
Caught off guard, Cecilia’s left cheek was slapped hard, and she almost fell to the ground from Lydia Lin’s blow.
“Ugh, Cecilia Gu, you’re shameless! I can’t believe you were my best friend and you stole my man!” Lydia Lin grabbed Cecilia’s collar and yanked her forward, ready to slap her again.
The sudden slap left Cecilia seeing stars, and her body was involuntarily pulled toward Lydia Lin, who was much taller.
Just as Lydia Lin was about to slap her again, her wrist was forcefully restrained.
Charles Yin, like a god of war descending from the heavens, suddenly stood in front of Cecilia and grabbed Lydia Lin’s arm: "Dina, are you done yet?"
Cecilia covered her slapped left cheek, tasting blood in her mouth.
Tears of grievance welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She had never done anything to wrong Lydia Lin, but Lydia had already slapped her twice.
Once was at her wedding, and once was today.
She had never coveted Lydia Lin’s man. Never!
All she ever wanted was a peaceful love and an ordinary life.
But everything was ruined on her birthday.
Lydia Lin, you were the one who gave me that room card, yet you claim I stole your man!
Where is your conscience?
Lydia Lin’s view was suddenly blocked by Charles Yin. She struggled but couldn’t break free from his grip, and then burst into tears.
“Charles, you can’t treat me like this! I should be your bride!” Lydia Lin cried loudly, “How could you marry my best friend?”
“Dina, I’m warning you again—enough!” Charles Yin’s eyes were stormy, and his patience was wearing thin.
But Lydia Lin seemed not to notice Charles Yin’s warning and kept sobbing.
“A, take Chairman Han and Mrs. Han to rest!” Charles Yin said coldly. “Clear the room.”
“Yes, President.” A immediately escorted Chairman Han and Mrs. Han out temporarily.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Chairman Han’s face turned ugly. He said stiffly, “I hope Mr. Yin can give us a satisfactory explanation! Our Korean company will not cooperate with a man who abandons his commitments! Let’s go, dear!”
Chairman Han snorted coldly, took his wife’s hand, and left.
Mrs. Han’s gaze passed over Lydia Lin and landed on Cecilia’s face.
For some reason, Mrs. Han felt that this girl with a clean smile and clear eyes could never be that kind of woman.
At this moment, her face was pale, full of grievance, yet she held it in. Even though her body was trembling and she could barely stand, she remained stubbornly upright, which made Mrs. Han feel sorry for her.
But given the situation, it really wasn’t suitable for outsiders to stay. Mrs. Han just sighed and left with her husband.
After Chairman Han and Mrs. Han left, the spacious restaurant, hundreds of square meters in size, was suddenly left with just the three of them.
Charles Yin shoved Lydia Lin away, his eyes dark as he said, "What’s wrong? Was Milan not attractive enough for you, so you came back?"
Lydia Lin suddenly lunged at Charles Yin, trying to hug him, but he mercilessly pushed her away.
“Charles, I was wrong, I really know I was wrong! I don’t want to go to Milan, I don’t want to be a model, I want to marry you, I want to have your children...” Lydia Lin gazed at Charles Yin obsessively, babbling, “Cecilia was just a gift I gave you. How could you marry a gift and ignore the giver? Charles, I’m back, I’m already back by your side. That gift can leave now.”
Gift? Cecilia’s eyes widened instantly.
What was going on?
Cecilia looked at Lydia Lin in disbelief.
Lydia Lin completely ignored Cecilia’s gaze and kept begging Charles Yin, “Charles, I really love you. Really! You know Milan’s runway has always been my dream. That day, I was really going to meet you, but Milan called and asked me to be the finale model. Charles, being the finale model in Milan has always been my goal!”
“And then?” Cecilia asked shakily. She felt she was touching a truth she could hardly believe.
“Then... I gave my best friend’s first night to you as a gift, as compensation for leaving without saying goodbye. Charles, you can’t treat me like this! That’s not fair! She’s just a gift, I’m your girlfriend!” Lydia Lin finally found a chance to rush to Charles Yin and say what she’d rehearsed countless times in her heart. She didn’t even notice that the question just now was asked by Cecilia, not Charles Yin.