CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: SHE IS MY FIRST LOVE

Morgan Sloan thought for a moment.

Poppy Hale is indeed a good candidate.

She’s beautiful, efficient at work, speaks less, and doesn’t get involved in drama.

She’s also familiar with the clients, although those two partners haven’t been directly involved with her, she was responsible for previous projects.

Sending her, that’s suitable!

Morgan quickly put down his coffee and hurried off to apply to Declan Hawthorne.

After all, what gave him a headache was the female companion of Declan Hawthorne.

Declan Hawthorne is unmarried, and there’s no suitable candidate in the secretary team either.

If there’s anyone who’s both beautiful and competent, they all say they don’t want to attend a banquet with Declan Hawthorne.

What a joke.

They prefer work.

Morgan, in front of Declan Hawthorne, mentioned the arrangements for the banquet.

"President Hawthorne, you need a female companion, what do you think of Poppy?"

Declan Hawthorne said blandly, "Whatever."

Seeing him agree, the stone in Morgan’s heart finally dropped, and he went to tell Poppy.

At her workstation, Poppy frowned.

Banquet?

Why would Morgan think of her for such a thing?

Amber Yates reassured her, "My husband’s company is participating too, it’s just a dinner gathering, you can make an appearance, sign in, get some food, and leave."

In the industry, banquets are common.

Colleagues exchange experiences, seek cooperation, get to know faces, and exchange business cards as part of networking.

Rachel Rivers came over, glancing at Poppy.

"Miss Hale, you’re not planning to attend wearing this, are you? Oops, you’ll be embarrassed."

She subtly inquired with Mason Rivers.

Also learned about Poppy’s family bankruptcy.

Every time she saw Poppy in the office, the clothes on her were either outdated styles from years ago.

Or cheap online purchases costing tens of bucks.

It looked depreciated.

Rachel recommended Poppy to Morgan, knowing that she didn’t have suitable clothes for attending a banquet.

After speaking, she carried her coffee cup and left, returning to her intern workstation.

Amber Yates, having accompanied her husband a few times, knew a bit about the rules.

"Poppy, she’s right, don’t you have a formal dress?"

A formal dress.

The ones from the past don’t fit anymore.

It’s not that there’s nothing suitable, there’s a slightly sheer dress, which Poppy bought earlier to motivate herself to lose weight, intentionally buying a size smaller.

Back then, no matter what, she couldn’t fit into it, but now it fits perfectly.

Poppy spoke up, "I have one, I’ll go get it later."

"That’s good."

The banquet was scheduled for seven in the evening, Poppy informed Morgan and left work early to get her dress.

Morgan instructed her to head directly from home to the banquet.

The banquet was held at a five-star hotel near Arvum University.

After Poppy entered, she signed in and found a quiet corner to eat something.

A middle-aged man in a suit walked toward her.

He handed a business card, Ridgeview Technologies Inc., Julian Beckett.

Previously, Hawthorne Group collaborated with Ridgeview a few times, Poppy had heard of Mr. Beckett. However, as just a group leader in the marketing department, she didn’t have the scale to directly liaise with client company bosses.

She hadn’t interacted with him before.

Poppy greeted him politely.

Julian Beckett offered a glass of champagne, handing it to Poppy, his gaze wandering up and down the woman before him.

She was attractive and well-proportioned, with light makeup and fair skin, yet she had the right physical allure, carrying an air of cool charm that made one’s heart itch.

There was no luxury brand jewelry on her, it was evident she was some company’s small employee.

Julian Beckett eased his mind.

His gaze on Poppy was filled with a near-naked appraisal, as if he was surveying merchandise on a shelf.

This left a heaviness in Poppy’s heart.

This dress fit perfectly and hugged her curves, but his eyes held a light that almost reached an obscene level.

"Why aren’t you drinking? Which company are you from?"

As he spoke, his hand moved toward Poppy’s exposed back, but before touching her, it made her skin prickle with goosebumps.

She dodged aside, avoiding him, holding the champagne, she said, "I’m from Hawthorne Group’s marketing department. Here’s my business card..."

She hadn’t even opened her purse before being stopped by him, "Ah, no need, I’d rather you introduce yourself to me. A business card, it’s just a piece of temperatureless paper."

Poppy glanced up, catching his gaze lingering on her chest, with a few bare hints within his eyes.

Though her dress revealed no bare material, Julian Beckett continued looking with a gaze trying to see through the thin dress, closely fixating on Poppy.

Marketing department meant she was a small employee.

Giving some money afterward should be enough to solve it.

If she could amuse him, there’s no harm in keeping her around briefly; he didn’t mind being generous with women.

Julian Beckett took a sip of wine, his gaze never leaving Poppy’s face.

From afar, she wore a backless white satin dress, appearing like a beautiful porcelain vase, making one want to take her home as a display.

Close-up, her face, especially those eyes, was captivating, a frigid beauty.

Julian Beckett urged,

"Won’t you introduce yourself? We can sit down and talk slowly."

Poppy stepped back.

She felt a bit panicked.

Encountering such a person at this instance wasn’t fortunate, and if she turned away now, it’d only open opportunities for slander against her, should it escalate, even if unscathed, she’d lose her job and dignity.

This is how society works.

The weaker stand precariously.

She cares too much, unlike before, where she could recklessly vent.

Back then, Mr. Hale had her back.

Now, no one stands behind.

Poppy forced a bitter smile, suppressing the bitterness between her lips, preparing to introduce herself, when suddenly a jacket still warm with body heat draped over her shoulders.

The man beside her acted casually, as if performing a small favor.

Strolling casually, he twirled his fingers, taking the champagne from Poppy’s hand, raising a glass to Julian Beckett, "Mr. Beckett, pleasure meeting you."

"Poppy, go get some wine."

Declan Hawthorne spoke calmly yet affectionately, as he spoke he lightly tapped Poppy’s hip with his fingers, playfully raising an eyebrow, "You’re my companion; how could you arrive without waiting for me?"

Poppy didn’t know Declan Hawthorne would attend too.

Somewhat grateful, she quickly left to fetch wine.

Julian Beckett, seeing this, retracted his earlier lecherousness and desire, perked up to converse with the man before him.

Who doesn’t know Declan Hawthorne, the current Hawthorne Group power holder.

Despite his youth, he wields immense authority, ruthless and decisive, allowing no mistake, pulling the declining Hawthorne family back from the brink, not only revitalizing it but making it more vibrant.

He’s reached a level it’s hard to ignore, only to admire from afar.

Julian Beckett finished exchanging pleasantries, his peripheral vision spotting Poppy’s fair neck.

She lowered her head checking the wine, her posture more open, showcasing a neck that triggered inner restlessness.

Julian Beckett couldn’t help asking, "President Hawthorne, you and that lady are...?"

If it’s a subordinate relationship, it wouldn’t hinder him from pursuing Poppy.

After all, Declan Hawthorne might just be playing around.

Declan Hawthorne chuckled.

Hand in pocket, taking a sip of wine, with a carefree elegance, a profound look directed at him.

"She is."

"My first love girlfriend."