Chapter 314


    Sonia froze when she first heard what he said. It took her a while to process it, then felt the urge to


    laugh right after that. He didn’t do it willingly, huh? Was someone controlling his actions? She didn’t


    take his words seriously, and she simply assumed that he was trying to im innocence. She


    pointed at her watch as she changed the topic. “It’s about time to start the meeting, President


    Fuller.”


    Once Toby heard what she said, he knew that she didn’t believe him. “Let’s go,” he uttered with a


    sigh. Both of them walked toward the meeting room without speaking to each other anymore. Tom


    tagged along behind them and shook his head as he nced at their backs. Tina’s the real reason


    the two of them are in this state right now!


    The meeting officially began as Toby took the floor and exined the use and abuse of the


    alternative energy technology. He fully captured everyone’s attention. All along, Sonia had been


    proactive in learning about energy technology— she even sneaked into university sses every


    now and then. Because of her efforts, she no longer found herself lost and confused as she had


    been during the first meeting.


    Two hourster, the meeting came to an end. Toby got to his feet. “I need Sonia to stay for a while.


    The rest of you can leave.” Sonia had been packing her stuff when she heard his words, and her


    actions came to a halt as she looked up at Toby. She didn’t understand why he wanted her to stay


    back. Everyone was just as curious, but no one had the guts to question him. They merely gazed at


    the duo thoughtfully before they walked out of the meeting room.


    Sonia could hear some of the people mumbling to each other as they walked out of the room.


    “Why do you think President Fuller got President Reed to stay back? They’re notmitting


    adultery, are they?”


    The corner of Sonia’s lips twitched a little.


    Adultery? These guys must have holes in their brains. I can’t believe they cane up with such


    ideas! She massaged her temples as she watched Toby walking toward her. “Why did you get me to


    stay back, President Fuller?”


    “It’s nothing much.” Toby stopped in front of her before he nced down at her notebook on the


    table. “Did you understand everything I said?”


    Sonia followed his gaze and quickly understood what he meant. She pulled her hand away from her


    notebook. “I understood some parts of it, I guess. I still need to do my research on the other parts.”


    Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be able to understand the operations of the alternative energy


    technology when we have actual field trips to the factories! All the other presidents wouldugh at


    me then.


    “Which parts did you not understand? I’ll exin it to you now,” Toby offered.


    “What?” Sonia blinked puzzledly.


    A hint of amusement surfaced in Toby’s gaze. “What? Take a seat.”


    Sonia finally understood the reason Toby got her to stay behind. He wants to teach me the parts


    that I didn’t understand. She bit her lip. “You don’t have to do that. I can go home and—”


    “The field trip to the factory is tomorrow. Do you think you’ll have enough time if you go home to do


    your research today? Furthermore, a lot of the data that you have isn’t updated, and it wouldn’t


    match with the research done in myb. There’s no point for you to read those


    reports!” Toby uttered as he looked at her.


    Sonia parted her lips to say something, but no words came out of her mouth. He’s right. The field of


    alternative energy technology is still in its infancy stage, and new information appears every day


    The past data can’t keep up with the development of this field, so I’m sure the data I have is


    different from the recent advancements. I don’t think it’d work if I went home to do research on my


    own. I guess I’ll have to ask him for a favor.


    “I understand now. Thank you so much, President Fuller!” Sonia bowed. Toby was about to get her


    to stand up when he saw her bosom under her low-cut cor. His gaze darkened as he gulped and


    shifted his focus away. “It’s fine. It’s for the sake of our partnership, so you don’t have to thank me.


    Also, you shouldn’t bow when you’re dressed in this type of shirt—men, especially. You shouldn’t


    bow to men,” he uttered in a hoarse voice.


    “What?” Sonia straightened herself puzzledly before she lowered her head to look at her own shirt.


    She understood what Toby meant immediately.


    She had worn a rather loose-fitting, V-necked knitted sweater to match her trench coat. The knitted


    sweater was pretty, but its cor would hang loosely whenever she leaned forward. Furthermore,


    anyone who was taller than her would be able to see the view under her shirt if they lowered their


    heads. Sonia hastily pressed her hand against her neckline when she realized that Toby had seen


    what was under it. Her face turned so red—even the tips of her ears were the color of tomatoes.


    She felt rather angry at that moment, but she knew that she was in no position to criticize Toby for


    anything.


    She was the one who had chosen to wear this sweater, and she was the one who had decided to


    bow. He hadn’t meant to peep on her.


    Furthermore, he had reminded her not to bow to others if she wore this sweater in the future, which


    was kind of him. Her body might have been exposed to other, more perverted people otherwise.


    The air around them turned cold and awkward as the both of them were silent for a while.


    Eventually, Toby cleared his throat and began to speak. “Let’s start now so that we can get this


    done. You need to go to court, don’t you?”


    He was clearly trying to ease the tense atmosphere, and Sonia naturally yed along with him.


    “Yes, of course,” she uttered with a nod. She buttoned the top of her trench coat as she sat down


    and opened her notebook once more. Toby pulled a chair over and rested an arm on the back of her


    chair. They were seated close to each other, and it looked almost as if Toby had his arm around her


    shoulder.


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Sonia didn’t have the time or the mental capacity to realize the man’s subtle intentions— she was


    too focused on the contents of her notebook. Toby was d that she hadn’t noticed anything.


    Otherwise, I might never get the chance to be so close to her. He lowered his gaze to conceal the


    faint sadness that had formed in his eyes upon that thought.


    All of a sudden, Sonia’s phone began to ring, interrupting Toby’s exnation. He frowned as he was


    a little displeased. Who’s the idiot that chose to call at such a time? He looked toward Sonia’s


    phone to see the word ‘Charles’ on her screen.


    She swiped the green button across the screen to pick the call up. “Hi, Charles.” “Are you going to


    Norfolk this weekend, baby?” Charles asked once she picked the call up.


    “Yeah,” Sonia uttered with a nod. Toby, who was sitting right beside her, naturally heard the contents


    of her phone call. He knitted his brows. Why is she going to Norfolk? Right then, Charles asked the


    same question.


    Sonia didn’t bother to hide anything. “It’s for Carl’s fashion show. He invited me to watch it. But how


    did you know that I’m going to Norfolk? I’m sure I haven’t told you anything about it.”


    “Daphne was the one who told me. I went to Paradigm Co. to collect some documents, and I


    bumped into Daphne while she was making reservations for your hotel in Norfolk,” Charles


    exined.


    Sonia raised her chin a little as she gained rity over the situation. “I see.”


    “When will you be heading over, baby?” Charles asked again.


    “This Friday,” she replied.


    Friday... Toby’s gaze flickered as he seemed to recall something. On the other end of the line,


    Charles narrowed his eyes for a moment. “Okay, I’ll free up some time to go there with you, then!


    I need to keep an eye on Carl. What if he secretly kidnaps you?!” He wasn’t kidding when he said


    those words. In fact, he was certain that Carl was capable of doing such a thing.


    Sonia shook her head and chuckled as she had no idea what was going on in Charles’s mind.


    “What are you talking about? I’m not a kid. How could he kidnap me? Alright, I’ll talk to youter. I’m


    in a meeting now. Bye.”


    “Wait!” Charles called anxiously.


    Sonia put the phone against her ear once more. “What is it?”


    “Let’s have dinner tonight. Tina’s going to court today, and I think this is worth celebrating!” Charles


    uttered in a cheerful tone. Sonia nodded in agreement. “Okay. You can decide where to eat. We can


    ask Carl toe along.”


    “It’s a n!” Charles cheered.


    After her call ended, Sonia lowered her phone and turned to the man beside her before giving him a


    bashful smile. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.”