bNow /bthat Desmond had restored her bank bcards/bb, /bthis meal didn’t feel like a bbig /bdeal. Charlotte figured it was just money spent on bsocial /bgoodwill.

Halfway through dinnerb, /bshe bstood /bup to use the restroom.

Yasmine, once again using her fake–friendly tone, quipped, “Where are you going, Miss Riley? Don’t tell me the bill’s too much and you’re nning to make a run for it? Haha.”

Charlotte kept a straight face and replied calmlyb, /b“bJust /bgoing to the bathroom. What’s wrong, Miss Carter? Worried I’ll escape? Want toe with me?”

“Of course not,” Yasmine saidzily. b“/bbIt /bwas just a joke. No need to get so serious.”

Charlotte didn’t bbother /bresponding. She pushed open the door and stepped out.

As she passed the elevator on the way to the restroomb, /bshe suddenly met a pair of familiar eyes.

Sean was standing there, slightly surprised. “Lottie? What are you doing here?”

He was surrounded by a few men in sharp suits. Judging from their direction, they had just finished a meal upstairs and were heading down.

He walked up to her in a few strides.

Charlotte smiled. “What a coincidence. I’m here treating my coworkers to dinner.”

Sean already knew she had joined S&G Law. bHe /bbgave /bher a gentle nod. “How was your first day?”

“Pretty good, actually,” she said.

She didn’t mention how her coworkers were try

to

rip

her off.

“Is dinner wrapping up?” Sean asked. “I can drive you home.

Charlotte shook her head. “Not yet. You go ahead.”

“Alright,” Sean said. Then, as if remembering something, he addedb, /b“It’s a bit of a drive from here to your ce. Did you ask your driver toe bget /bbyou/b?”

“Nob, /bbI’m /bheading to bthe /bapartment near the university tonight.”

“Alright. Just be carefulb, /bokay?”

“Got it.”

Charlotte said goodbye and went back to the private room.

Laterb, /bwhen bshe /bwent to bthe /bfront desk to payb, /bbthe /bhostess told her the bill bhad /balready been settled.

Who else could it bbe /bbbut /bSean?

Charlotte pulled out her phone and sent him ba /bmessageb. /b

“Thank youb, /bSean.”

His reply came quickly.

“You don’t have to thank me.

“Are you finishedb? /bI’m waiting in the outdoor lot to bthe /bleft bof the /bentrance. I just don’t feel bright /bletting you go home alone thisteb./bb” /b

Warmth bloomed in Charlotte’s chest.

“Almost done. I’ll be there soon.”

bJust /bas she bput /bher phone awayb, /bthe others began filing out of the room. A few male coworkers were stumbling drunk, so Charlotte helped arrange rides for them.

Yasmine had driven herself and hadn’t been bdrinking/bb. /bShe rolled down bthe /bwindow bof /bher Honda Civic, smirking smugly at Charlotteb. /bb“/bI’m heading boff /bthen, Miss Riley. Hope byou /bcan find a ride home. Bye–bye.”

Charlotte just smiled politely. b“/bTake care.”

+25 Bonus

Most people had already bleft/bb. /bOnly bJenny /bremained.

Charlotte basked/bb, /bb“/bWhere bdo /byou blive/b? Want me bto /bbcall /bba /bcar for you?”

Jenny waved her hands quickly. b“/bbNo/bb, /bno, bit’s /bfineb! /bI’m renting nearbyb–/bjust a short walk.”

“bYou /bsure? bIt’s /bteb./bb” /b

“Totally. There are food stalls all along the roadb, /band bit’s /bwell lit. Only about b800 /bmeters. bI’ll /bbe fine, really.”

“Okay. See you tomorrowb, /bthen.b” /b

Jenny started walking, but after a few steps, she suddenly turned around and jogged back.

“Miss Riley, thank you again bfor /btonight.” Jenny looked a little shy. “You’re really kind. I heard you don’t have an assistant yet, so if you need anything–document drafting, organizing bcase /bfiles—just bsay /bthe word.”

Charlotte smiled. “bI’ll /btake you up on that.”

Once Jenny had left, Charlotte made her way to the outdoor parking lot.

She got in the car and gave Sean bthe /baddress. It was only a few minutes away.

At the entrance to the apartmentplex, she said, “I’m nning to stay here from now on. It’s easier for work.”

Sean nodded. “Alright. I’lle visit often.”

“Sure. I’m heading up. Goodnight.”

Just as Charlotte reached for the door handleb, /bher phone buzzed.

She nced at the screen, frowning.

“Charlotte, I’m in Jersey City. Can we meet?”