The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

20: Chapter 20 You Can’t Even Afford a Bottle of Wine With That Salary_1 20: Chapter 20 You Can’t Even Afford a Bottle of Wine With That Salary_1 “Carson, come sit over here.”

Adan Gilliam was neither cold nor warm toward Carson Flores, but Samantha Tate’s mother, Emma White, was quite enthusiastic about him.

She wore a face full of warm smiles, exuding gentleness and kindness.

Naturally, Carson sat next to Samantha Tate.

Ethan initially wanted to sit by Samantha but got pulled by Vincent Ward and ended up sitting opposite Carson.

The dishes were plentiful and the wine was fine, a thirty-year-old Feitian, brought by the Newman family father and son.

While opening the bottle, Adan Gilliam laughed and said, “Thirty years and still preserved so well, that’s rare indeed.”

Vincent Ward laughed, “I have a friend who’s in the liquor business.

He has a big wine cellar and he stores a lot of good wine in there every year.

I bought two cases when I visited him.

If you like it, Adan, I’ll get you some more later.”

Adan Gilliam laughed, “If you can’t get used to this kind of fine wine, what else is there to drink?”

Vincent Ward laughed heartily, “Alright, I’ll get you a few cases later.”

Each of the four men had a glass, about a little over two ounces each, and a bottle of white wine was finished.

Ethan handed a glass to Carson while casually asking, “I heard you were in the army before, Carson?”

Carson nodded, “Yes.”

Ethan laughed, “Which branch?”

“The Army.”

Before Ethan could continue probing, Carson laughed and said, “Just an ordinary soldier.

Once my time was up, I retired.”

Ethan said cheerfully, “So you’ve served a few years and then retired, that must’ve been a waste of time.

After all, being a soldier you earn only a few thousand a month, not even enough to buy a bottle of wine like this one.

After retiring, there’s no job allocation, and the skills you learned in the army aren’t applicable in the city.

Many veterans can only work as security guards, earning just three or four thousand a month…”

That was sheer sarcasm.

Carson chuckled inwardly.

Ethan couldn’t contain himself; not a sip of wine or a bite of food had he taken, and he was already impatiently starting to step on him, subtly and openly.

This whole speech was just to say that he earned a low income, that he was incapable, and that he was good for nothing but security work.

Carson smiled naturally, not the least bit embarrassed by the mockery, “Yeah, arriving in Polgel, I still don’t know where to look for work.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up, feigning concern, “Do you have any professional skills?”

Carson shook his head, “What I know, these jobs don’t need.”

Ethan wholeheartedly agreed, “Isn’t that so?

I mean, what’s the use of being a sharpshooter or having great training scores, or being able to drive a tank well, once you enter society?”

Carson echoed, “Exactly!”

Samantha Tate felt annoyed upon hearing Carson’s agreement.

How could you let this guy look down on you?

By putting you down, he’s indirectly saying that my taste is poor.

If her father thought the same, wouldn’t he push her even more toward Ethan?

Samantha Tate stepped on Carson’s foot and gave him a gentle yet warning look, then she interjected, “Carson is actually very good at medicine.

Even the Divine Doctor, Vincent Ward, couldn’t cure Grandpa’s illness, but Carson stepped in and brought him back from danger to safety.

I think, if Carson opens a clinic, his reputation would rise rapidly.

He’d become a famous Divine Doctor, and all those high-ranking officials would have to beg him for treatment.”

Adan Gilliam played devil’s advocate, “Doesn’t Carson lack a medical license?”

Samantha Tate laughed, “He can just take the test.

With Carson’s medical skills, getting a license should be a piece of cake.”

Adan Gilliam didn’t want to be too obvious, so he lifted his glass and said, “Come on, everyone, let’s drink.”

As the dinner began, Adan Gilliam intentionally brought attention to Ethan by asking about his recent pursuits.

Ethan took the chance to boast about the business projects he was handling, talking animatedly and with great exaggeration.

Carson kept his head down, quietly eating and not offering toasts.

When others called for a drink, he’d raise his glass, and after putting his glass down, he’d continue eating, looking very comfortable and at ease.

Samantha Tate saw this and felt indignant.

She thought to herself ‘I know you’re not very capable, but you could at least put up a fight.

Surrendering so readily, what does that say about me?’

Even if you were bragging, you should say something.

It’s better than keeping silent.

It’s infuriating!

Before long, two bottles of white wine were finished, and everyone had drunk about half a catty.

Ethan had been boasting for a while and, noticing that Samantha seemed to be paying more attention to Carson, serving him food and pouring wine for him, felt even more jealous and decided to drop the facade.

“Carson, there are some things, I’m not sure if I should say them or not…”

Carson smiled, “If you’re not sure, then maybe don’t say them.”

Eh?

Ethan gaped, his expression momentarily stupefied.

Come on, aren’t you supposed to follow my lead and say something like ‘Go ahead, it’s fine’, or something?

How am I supposed to respond to that?

After an awkward silence of two seconds, Ethan laughed, “Actually, it’s just some heartfelt advice, don’t blame me for being too direct when we’re not that close.

I’m just looking out for you.

I feel that you and Samantha are not suitable for each other…”

Carson smiled, “I think we’re quite suitable.

I like her, she likes me, isn’t that enough?

Right, Samantha?”

You finally stepped up!

Samantha Tate inwardly praised Carson, then continued, “Yeah, love is between two people.

I love him, he loves me, nothing else matters.”

Ethan felt as if a knife had been plunged into his chest—raw, painful and suffocating.

“But love isn’t everything in life.

Life is about the necessities, not like in novels where love alone is enough.

To live, you need money, a lot of money.”

Ethan looked at Carson with a face full of pity, “Samantha has lived a life of luxury since childhood.

Her daily expenses are not trivial.

Can you afford that?

Buying clothes, cosmetics, handbags.

To put it mildly, one handbag of hers might cost you a year’s savings…”