True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

Chapter 185

Winnie couldn’t see what was happening downstairs, but she could distinctly sense the awkward silence that filled the air the moment Drake finished speaking.

But it was fleeting.

Amber didn’t hesitate for a second before she corrected herself, her tone as casual as ever.

“Oh, I apologize, Mr. Patterson, It won’t happen again.”

Then she asked, “Mr. Patterson, is Winnie with you?”

Drake simply said, “I asked her to help me with some things. I’ll have someone take her home later.*

At that, Amber’s curiosity peaked, and she naturally continued the conversation, “Mr. Patterson, are you asking Winnie for help? Do you, by any chance, believe in something supernatural?*

Winnie stood at the top of the stairs, wondering if Amber was trying to chat with Drake until she came down. If that was the case, she couldn’t very well hide.

After all, Drake didn’t seem like the type to enjoy small talk.

But before she could make her way down, Drake spoke again from below, not picking up Amber’s bait, simply stating, “If there’s nothing else, Ms. Amber, you may leave now.”

With that, he didn’t wait for Amber’s reaction and stood up, adding, “Winnie is safe with me. If Horace is concerned, he can call me himself.”

The implication was clear: Horace, Winnie’s own brother, hadn’t come knocking, so it was inappropriate for a distant relative like Amber to show up uninvited.

Although Amber knew Drake was a tough nut to crack, she hadn’t expected him to be more direct than before. Previously, their families had at least some interaction, and he wouldn’t have been so blunt, effectively shutting down all her conversational avenues…

Feeling stifled, yet maintaining a façade of grace and politeness, Amber rose to leave. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that our family doesn’t trust you. I just came to check in. Now that I know she’s with you, I’ll be on my way.”

After a courteous exit, Amber didn’t linger and followed the butler out the villa’s grand entrance. Once she was gone, Drake paid her no more heed and started upstairs, just in time to see Winnie at the stairwell, obviously having been there a while.

His eyebrows lifted slightly, and he asked, “You’re up? Why not head back with her?”

Winnie, sensing no intention of sending her away in his voice, relaxed a little and was honest,

didn’t want to go back

between her and Amber since her

family, she didn’t believe for a second that Amber wasn’t behind the many troubles she faced from Hobson, Cutler, and even earlier, from Springer. So, in

seemed to find her attitude appropriate and nodded. “Well, then wait a bit longer, have something to

her hunger got the better of her and she followed Drake

table was laid with plenty of food, clearty dinner.

almost eight o’clock, it wasn’t too late for

the steam from the

explanation for the waiting meal simply gesturing for her to

dine at his home. Even Horace had only eaten at the Patterson family

were even less

and the chef had seen Drake instruct them to keep dinner warm for someone else,

the food and

the day’s events and the expenditure of

impeccable manners while eating, chewing slowly, quietly, without making a sound with

who also ate in

aversion to dining with others was largely

at dinner parties, he focused solely on eating, never discussing

business should be

meal passed in comfortable silence.

Drake, she was escorted back to the Bryant family

room, he

stroll after dinner, under the decorative streetlights. would have been romantic.

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clearly didn’t catch the butler’s hint, and turning his head, he asked. “Did Winnie Say something to

quiet and pleasant.

twinkling with amusement at the

said, “You must be mistaken.”

docile. She was just deceptively