Chapter 408


    Vera paused for a moment before she did as instructed.


    She and Minerva had typed up a quotation that day but had not finalized it yet.


    She handed the printed quotation over to Maddox politely.


    "Please have a look at our quotation. We''ve offered you a special discount as ourpany is


    rtively new. If you like our designs and rmend us to more clients, we will send you a


    complimentary design on your birthday every year."


    Minerva spoke calmly. Even Vera could not resist ncing at her with a hint of surprise.


    She could not figure out how Minerva could be so calm about all this.


    Maddox looked at the quotation before him as she spoke.


    Even though he did not show it, he was inwardly mad at her.


    Maddox did not speak a word even after Minerva''s introduction. She did not seem to think anything


    of it.


    An eerie silence fell upon the office. Maddox did not once look up from the piece of paper he was


    holding in his hands.


    No one knew what he was thinking.


    A momentter, he suddenly curled his lips into a smile.


    "Is that so? Well, do I get the privilege to set some conditions?"


    Minerva''s eyes flickered to his and asked for rification, "What do you mean by that?"


    Maddoxid the quotation on the table then. He tapped his fingers on the table and bore his eyes


    into hers as he said, "Can I pick the designer I want to work with?"


    Vera''s face paled a little at that and she held her breath.


    She was now sure that Maddox was after Minerva.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    In the beginning, she thought it might have been a coincidence. However, after acknowledging


    Minerva''s calm eptance towards the whole situation, it seems like that wasn''t the case.


    Maddox''s actions all indicated that he was there for Minerva.


    Minerva paused for a brief moment before she nodded at him with a smile.


    "That can be arranged. After you sign a contract with us, you can pick the designer you want to


    work with if you have one in mind."


    Needless to say, Maddox was trying to get closer to Minerva through work. With a final tap on the


    table, he decided, "Alright, let''s sign it now then."


    Vera could not believe her ears. The deal was done? Just like that?


    On the other hand, Minerva did not seem the least bit startled, "Don''t you need to think it over? After


    all, you''re still not familiar with ourpany''s work. What if..."


    "There''s no need forthat. I''m certain."


    Maddox stared intensely at Minerva as he interjected.


    He had already set his mind to this.


    "Alright then. Could you wait here for a moment? Well have to prepare the contract and bring it over


    to you. Can I have your ID card for identification purposes?"


    Maddox nodded, handing her his ID card ordingly.


    With that, Vera and Minerva excused themselves for a moment to get all the documents in order for


    the contract.


    As they had a limited number of employees in thepany, Minerva handled most of the work


    alone.


    When Minerva followed Vera, Vera pinched her in the arm good- naturedly, "What are you trying to


    do? You''re injured, I''ll handle it. Don''t worry..."


    Upon hearing this, Minerva snapped back to her senses, lowering her gaze to look at her bandaged


    hands.


    Vera was right. She was no help now that she was injured.


    It had been a force of habit to offer her help.


    On the other hand, Maddox was left pondering upon his interaction with Minerva. Throughout the


    conversation, he could not remove his gaze from her


    face.


    When she had gotten up to excuse herself, Maddox took the time to give her a thorough once over.


    Within five years, he thought that she had transformed into an extremely charming woman.


    She had light makeup on and wore a casual, tasteful outfit. She looked very unlike before.


    Evidently, the outfit she had put on was different from the one at the Decsonald Restaurant where


    they had previously met.


    On that day, she had looked particrly professional. However, this time, she gave off a more


    feminine vibe.


    After they finished with the contract preparation, Vera and Minerva returned to Maddox.


    "Mr. Yardley, please review the terms of the contract and let us know if you have any questions,"


    Vera said as she ced the contract in front of him.


    Without flipping through it, Maddox signed his name without so much as another nce and spoke.


    "May we begin now?"


    Minerva was a little startled but she nodded her head.


    She did not expect him to sign the contract in such haste. He hadn''t even gone through it properly!


    Had he been like that when he signed that agreement those years ago?


    "Yes, thank you. Let''s hope to have a happy coboration," Minerva answered politely, passing the


    contract over to Vera for safe-keeping.


    When Maddox stretched out his hand to her for a shake, Minerva was taken aback.


    "Shake on it?" Maddox suggested with raised eyebrows.


    Minerva pursed her lips and slowly began to stretch out her hand.


    When he caught a glimpse of her hand, he noticed that it was wrapped with thick gauze and stained


    with a little blood.


    He grimaced a little before rearranging his expression into a smile. He narrowed his eyes a little as


    he asked in a low voice, "What happened to your hand?"


    The sudden change in his demeanor shocked Minerva. Even Vera could not help ncing at him a


    little cautiously.


    "It''s just a minor injury, it''s nothing to fuss about. I''m sorry, Mr. Yardley, but I don''t think it''d be wise if


    we shook hands," Minerva retracted her hand as she said, smiling faintly.


    Maddox looked up at her as she did, catching the way her eyes did not bear the same warmth her


    smile did.


    It was obvious that she did not want to touch him at all.


    As she was injured, he willed himself to not feel petty over it.


    He smiled back at her as he replied.


    "Alright. Here''s to a happy cooperation."


    He ced strong emphasis on thosest two


    words.


    Vera wrinkled her nose at that as soon as she picked it up.


    Minerva then instructed for Vera to lead him downstairs.


    After Maddox left, Minerva settled into her seat and tried to calm herself down. She reached out


    towards the cup of coffee on her table, but to no avail. She could not hold the cup properly.


    She decided to give up on it at the moment.


    She would be back home in a short while.


    After Vera showed Maddox the way out, she walked back upstairs to inquire after Minerva.


    "Minerva, are you alright?" Vera asked with concern.


    Minerva was lost in her thoughts so she did not hear her.


    "Minerva?" Vera tried to catch her attention, louder this time.


    Minerva seemed to snap back to her senses at that, finally directing her gaze at Vera, "What is it?"


    "You seem a little absent- minded. Are you sure you''re okay?" Vera asked her.


    Minerva stayed silent for a short while before replying, "Yeah, I''m alright. If there''s nothing else I can


    help with, I think I''d better get home first. I''ll leave thepany in your capable hands for now."


    "Don''t worry, Minerva. You can count on me! I''ll let you know if anything importantes up. Please


    rest well at home."


    "Alright. Thank you, Vera."