Chapter 165: Augustine and Denis’s meeting

Words : 1098 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 165: Augustine and Denis’s meeting Nathan sat frozen, stunned. He couldn’t reconcile the Anne he had met with the image Megan was painting. She hadn’t seemed like that at all. Still, Megan’s confidence in her accusations made him hesitate. "Just stay away from her," Megan warned, clutching his hand tightly. "She’ll enchant you too if you are not careful." Nathan forced a tight smile, choosing not to argue further. "Let’s not talk about her anymore. I don’t want your mood spoiled. Come on, let’s enjoy the food." He pointed to the spread in front of them. "See? I ordered everything you love. Let’s eat." Though still simmering with anger, Megan softened slightly. She liked being the center of attention. With a pout turning into a pleased smile, she nodded and picked up her chopsticks. Outside the room... Audrey fumed, her face red in anger. "She just ruined the mood. Such an arrogant, pathetic bitch. I wanted to smack her on the face." "Leave it, Audrey," Anne said with a shrug. "Let’s get out of here first. How about we explore the street food like earlier?" Her words brought a smile back to Audrey. "That’s a good idea. I want something spicy. Let’s go." She led her out of the restaurant with a bounce in her steps. Anne and Audrey stopped by a crowded street vendor in the heart of the city, where the irresistible aroma of sizzling oil, crushed spices, and smoky grilled meat filled the air. The narrow street was alive with color and chaos—blaring horns, chattering locals, neon signs flickering above steaming food stalls. Anne and Audrey stood shoulder to shoulder at their favorite dim sum cart. "This smells yummy," Audrey grinned, nudging Anne playfully. "Remember that tiny stall near our college? The one with the crazy chili dim sums?" "How could I forget?" Anne laughed. "You cried and swore never to eat them again, but we were back there the next day!" They burst into laughter. Steam billowed from giant bamboo baskets as the vendor pried open the lid, revealing plump dim sums glistening with oil and stuffed to the brim with spicy minced meat and veggies. The tang of chili chutney hit them instantly, igniting memories like a lit match. The vendor handed them their plates – piping hot dim sums and a towering plate of noodles laced with red chili oil and spring onions. They took a seat on a low wooden bench nearby, balancing their food and plastic forks as they dug in. The first bite hit with a burst of chili, garlic, and hot steam. Anne gasped. Audrey coughed. Then broke into laughter. "God, this is hot!" Anne fanned her mouth. Audrey’s eyes watered, but her grin widened. "Hot as hell, but totally worth it." Anne stuffed another dim sum in her mouth and reached for the noodles. The spice burned and tingled, but it was addictive, just like the memories that came rushing back with each mouthful. "Selfie time!" Audrey declared, pulling out her phone. She and Anne squished their faces together, eyes bright and lips red from chili oil, both laughing as she snapped a few goofy pictures. "Wait, wait—get the noodles in the frame. This chaos needs to be documented." They took close-up shots of the food. "Posting this." Anne quickly opened her social media app. "Caption this: ’Spice, laughs, and old besties. Warning: tongues on fire." Audrey laughed, reposting it on her own feed. "You are a menace." They clinked their soda bottles together like champagne glasses. They sat there for a long while, eating slowly, sipping on chilled soda to cool the burn. At that moment, surrounded by noise and flavor and the sticky charm of city streets, they forgot about their bitter encounter with Megan. After sending Megan back to her office, Nathan dialed a familiar number. "I want all the information about Miss Anne as soon as possible. Find out what she has been doing lately." Ending the call, he drove away. Later that day... Augustine arrived at the nightclub where Denis had asked him to come. He strode into the private room and found Denis waiting for him, perched in the plush leather sofa, sipping his drink. The smell of alcohol hit his nostrils as soon as he entered. "My dear cousin," Denis drawled, smirking. "You are finally here. Come and sit here." He patted the sofa beside him. "Have a drink with me." Augustine wanted to roll his eyes. The Denis he knew had only mocked him, bullied him, and never allowed him to sit beside him. And now, he was offering him a drink. A sneer twisted his lips. He believed Denis wouldn’t call him without a purpose. He sat down beside him. "You really want to drink with me?" Augustine scoffed. "Planning to mock me?" Denis’s smirk widened as he made a big peg for Augustine and handed him the glass. "You are still mad at me for my past actions. Look, it was all in the past. We can forget the bitterness and start over." Augustine wanted to laugh. Forgetting the bitterness and starting over? That wasn’t going to happen. He wouldn’t forget that Gabriel and Denis had plotted to kill him the day he had returned from abroad. He wouldn’t forget the hardships he had endured because of them. And he would certainly not forget how he had died in his past life. "What do you want, Denis?" he asked sharply as he took the glass. Denis took a swig before saying, "Since you asked directly, I wouldn’t beat around the bush. I want to do business with the Sphere Group." Augustine smiled, finally understanding what his intention was. "You should reach out to them," he said casually, taking a sip of his alcohol. "Why do you approach me?" "Because you can help me get an appointment," Denis replied promptly. "How so?" Augustine countered. "Sphere Group is a giant. It has many small companies under its wing. I am just a small employee. Why would they listen to me?" "Don’t play word games with me," Denis snapped back, his tone turning cold. "You are in charge of this branch office. If you want, you can help me." Augustine snorted. "Yes, I can help you get an appointment. But why would I do that? We don’t share a good bond." "Augustine," Denis roared, slamming the glass on the table. "Don’t forget we are family. What’s wrong if you help me? I am not asking anything from you. All I want is an appointment with the Sphere Group."

Chapter 165: Augustine and Denis’s meeting

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