I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: I’ll Go Block a Few

Asher Keating tried to pull away at first, but Leah Sinclair persisted, hooking his pinky a few more times. The teasing made his palm itch, and the corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile. He enveloped her hand with his, turned it over, and traced a ”5” on her palm.

It took Leah Sinclair a moment to understand what he meant, and her face instantly flushed red. Thankfully, Zion Sawyer and Todd Coleman were in a state where they wouldn’t dare look around carelessly, otherwise they would have seen her crimson face.

After tracing the number, Asher Keating smoothly kept her hand in his. Feeling the warmth of his palm, Leah Sinclair’s already blushing face grew even hotter. It wasn’t until they got out of the car that she found a moment, when no one was looking, to fan her face with her hand, which only then started to cool down.

Mr. Langdon, noticing the three hadn’t arrived, had just stepped out of the private room to call them when he saw them emerging from the elevator with Asher Keating and heading his way.

He gave the trio a suspicious glance, but not one of them dared to meet his eyes. Suppressing his confusion, he followed Asher Keating back inside.

Asher Keating sat at the head table, along with Mr. Langdon and the other senior staff. Sean Yates had booked the three largest private rooms at The Paramount, and with the partitions between them opened, it was just enough space for everyone from Project Departments One and Two.

But since Leah Sinclair and her two companions had arrived late, the adjacent tables were already full. The three of them stood there awkwardly until Asher Keating noticed and motioned for them to sit at his table.

Sean Yates had the servers begin bringing out the food. The cuisine at The Paramount was exquisite. Zion Sawyer kept nudging Leah Sinclair excitedly under the table. Leah, too, felt like her eyes had been opened. She never knew food could be presented so beautifully. The series of delicate dishes looked incredibly appetizing. A single thought popped into her head: ’I feel like a pig that’s stumbled into a gourmet meal.’

Only after Asher Keating picked up his chopsticks did the others dare to begin. Chester Hughes was the first to rise, a smile on his face. ”With all our colleagues from Project Departments One and Two here today, let’s start by raising a glass to President Keating to welcome him.”

Everyone rose to their feet. Asher Keating stood up as well, smiled, and said, ”Please, everyone, eat and drink your fill tonight.”

After the first toast, everyone sat down and the atmosphere livened up. Some ate, some drank, and the managers at the head of the table took turns toasting Asher Keating. He accepted every single one, refusing no one.

Leah Sinclair noticed he had barely eaten, yet she’d already lost count of how many shots of hard liquor he had drunk. She watched him with concern. It wasn’t that she feared he’d get drunk—she knew Asher Keating could hold his liquor well—but she was worried it would upset his stomach.

Todd Coleman raised his glass to Leah Sinclair. ”Leah, thanks for what you did earlier.”

Leah Sinclair snapped back to the present and quickly clinked her glass against his. Zion Sawyer grumbled at Todd Coleman from the side, ”Hey, why aren’t you thanking me? I was helping you argue back there, too.”

”Alright, alright. Thank you, too.”

Todd Coleman drank a glass with Zion Sawyer, then asked, ”Shouldn’t we go thank President Keating, too? If it weren’t for him, we probably wouldn’t have even made it here this fast.”

”We definitely should!”

Zion Sawyer nodded emphatically. Colleagues from the other tables had already started making their way over to toast Asher Keating, so the three of them wouldn’t look out of place.

So, the three of them each poured a glass of red wine. To show their sincerity, they all poured generous glasses.

”President Keating, thank you for your help earlier. This glass is for you.” Todd Coleman led the charge, raising his glass to Asher Keating first.

Asher Keating drank with a smile. ”It was a small matter.”

Zion Sawyer hurried up next. ”Thank you for what happened earlier, President Keating.”

Asher Keating drank with another smile. Meanwhile, Mr. Langdon pulled Todd Coleman aside to ask what had happened, and Todd quietly explained the incident.

When it was Leah Sinclair’s turn, she held up her glass, her eyes curving as she smiled. ”Thank you, President Keating.”

This time, however, Asher Keating didn’t drink. He simply raised an eyebrow at her. She flushed slightly and added in a near-whisper, ”Thank you... Asher.”

Only then did the corners of Asher Keating’s mouth lift into a smile. He clinked his glass against hers and drank.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chester Hughes decided the time was right. ”President Keating,” he began, ”I heard the old Mr. Keating still hasn’t decided who will get that plot of land in Southwood. I hope you don’t mind my asking, but does Aevon stand a chance?”

Asher Keating lit a cigarette with a smile. ”I’m not entirely sure myself at the moment.”

Chester Hughes grew anxious at his reply. ”How could that be? You’re the one who secured that land, President Keating. At the very least, you should get first dibs, shouldn’t you?”

Asher Keating gave a languid reply. ”I may have acquired the land, but the development rights aren’t in my hands. Besides, I looked over the documents today. Everyone here at Aevon already has projects on their plate. The Southwood project is no small undertaking. Who would be able to take it on?”

”President Keating! As long as the Southwood project comes to us, I guarantee we can handle it, no matter which department it falls to. Isn’t that right, Langdon? And Yates! You two, say something!” Chester Hughes urgently motioned the two department managers over.

”Of course, President Keating,” said the manager of Department Two, stepping forward to offer a toast. ”We in Department Two are ready at a moment’s notice!”

Seeing this, Mr. Langdon knew he had to say something, especially with Chester Hughes shooting him meaningful looks. He too went up to offer a toast. ”President Keating, you can rest assured. Regardless of which Aevon department the project falls to, Department One will offer its full and unwavering support.”

Asher Keating frowned, looking troubled. ”As you all know, the final decision on this matter rests with the old Mr. Keating. I can’t make you any promises right now.”

”That’s alright, that’s alright! Just giving it a try is enough. What if the old Mr. Keating agrees, right? Besides, everyone knows you’re his favorite,” Chester Hughes said, seeing an opening and laying on the flattery.

”Don’t say that,” Asher Keating said with a smile and a dismissive wave of his hand. ”If my two older brothers were to hear that, I’d never hear the end of it.”

”But it’s true! Third Young Master, you’re being too modest.” Chester Hughes had now started addressing him as ”Third Young Master.”

”Well... I could give it a try? But let’s be clear,” Asher said. ”If I can’t secure it, you can’t blame me.”

”Of course not, of course not! As long as you agree to try, Third Young Master, we’re already halfway there!” Chester Hughes quickly raised his glass, and the two managers joined him in toasting Asher Keating, kicking off yet another round of drinks.

After that, the toasting grew more chaotic. Leah Sinclair watched as Asher Keating downed one glass after another. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore. She picked up her own glass, ready to go over and take a drink for him.

Zion Sawyer saw her about to get up and asked what she was doing. Leah whispered, ”President Keating has had way too much. I can hold my liquor, so I’m going to take a toast for him. Besides, he helped us earlier.”

”Don’t get involved,” Zion warned. ”That’s how these execs are. Once they find out you can drink, you’ll be the one they start targeting.”

In the brief time they had been speaking, Leah Sinclair saw Asher Keating down another two glasses. Anxious, she steeled herself. ”I don’t care.”

She first made an excuse to go over and drink a glass with Mr. Langdon, then she smoothly moved to Chester Hughes’s side. ”Director Hughes, I’m Leah Sinclair, an intern from Department One. I’d like to propose a toast to thank you for giving me the opportunity to join Aevon.”