Chapter 1194: Chapter 1194: There’s a Gathering Tonight, Will You Accompany Me?

Leah arrived in the Imperial City, intending to surprise Richard Shaw, but just as she got off the plane, a call from Hawk Howard came through.

"Caspian, did you install a tracker on me?" Leah laughed, pushing her suitcase and refusing countless offers from gentlemen eager to help. "I just got off the plane, and you’re already calling me?"

Hawk was slightly surprised as well and laughed, "I did consider installing one. How did you arrive in the Imperial City without a word? I’ll come to pick you up."

"No need, I’ll just take a taxi to Delphine’s little villa," Leah laughed.

This time, she hadn’t planned on staying at the Shaw Mansion in the Imperial City, especially since Griffith Squire had just returned from a trip. If she ended up staying at the mansion, it would probably make her feel uncomfortable, especially since she preferred sleeping in late until nine or ten every day.

Hawk paused and said with a light smile, "Miss Squire, there’s been a lot of incidents with taxis lately. Your appearance should increase crime rates by fifty percent. Get something to eat at the airport, and I’ll probably be there by the time you’re done."

With that, Hawk hung up the phone.

Leah could only leisurely go have afternoon tea, waiting for Hawk to drive over and pick her up. By the time they reached the villa, it was already evening.

Leah placed her suitcase down, opened the doors and windows for ventilation, and noticed the Imperial City was still experiencing a spring chill, unlike the warmth of the South Seas. She laughed, "The Imperial City is truly cold. Back in the South Seas, the flowers have already bloomed multiple times by now."

"It’s a bit colder compared to the south. I have an event tonight, and there’s nothing to eat at your place. Why don’t you come with me," Hawk suggested, a gentle smile on his handsome face. "Colleagues from my previous workplace insisted on setting me up. You could just help me out?"

Leah burst into laughter upon hearing this, "Hawk, you’ve got your turn today. No wonder you tied a little braid."

Looking at the small ponytail at the back of his head, Leah felt an itch to pull on it. Hawk was the elegant and refined type, with a touch of gentlemanly charm. Now that he was tying his hair, it exuded an indiscernible allure. Leah imagined someone like Richard Shaw, cold and stern, with a ponytail, and felt a shudder; clearly, different people have different styles.

Hawk, looking resigned, pressed his forehead and said, "The sorrow of a bachelor in his prime—I’ve turned down several of these setups, but this one’s unavoidable."

"Since you’ve cooked for me before, leave it to me. But if the girl turns out to be amazing, would you still say no?" Leah joked.

"Not interested in marriage," Hawk replied with a faint smile.

Having to attend a matchmaking dinner, with potential to play the role of a spiteful female antagonist, Leah made a point of changing into something more formal to show respect. Her typically cool demeanor made wearing pink, pastel yellow, or mint green seem too juvenile, so she opted for a vintage-inspired mustard blouse and a long white skirt, topped with a beret, instantly elevating her elegance and aloofness.

"Will I embarrass you like this?" Leah asked, coming down with her bag, having just lightly accentuated her features to make them more defined, with makeup so subtle it was almost unnoticeable.

A trace of admiration flickered in Hawk’s eyes. Leah usually preferred casual and lazy styles, rarely attending formal events, let alone wearing dresses. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

He smiled slightly and said, "You’ll be fine, just be yourself."

Because she was accompanying Hawk on the matchmaking, Leah postponed meeting Richard Shaw to the next day.

The matchmaking dinner was at a well-known French restaurant in the Imperial City. When the two arrived, it was precisely 7:30 PM. On the way there, Hawk had briefly mentioned that he was being introduced by Director Liu from a research institute, to a socialite, a Miss from a distinguished family in the Imperial City, supposedly of the Young Residence.

Hawk had been engaged in related research in the United States for the past few years. Director Liu wanted to entice him back to the country, organizing this event to both poach him and set up a meeting, a dual purpose.

"Does Director Liu know that you’re part of the Howard Family?" Leah asked with her strikingly bright eyes.

Hawk shook his head and replied casually, "My father passed away early, and my mother remarried. My records only list my career in the United States, with no mention of the Howard Family."

Leah gave a slight smile; that was interesting.

By the time Leah and Hawk arrived at the restaurant, Director Liu and his wife were already there. They looked to be in their fifties and exuded the aura of scholastic intellectuals. The couple greeted Hawk warmly.

"Young Hawk, come sit over here," said Director Liu and his wife, momentarily dumbfounded by Leah’s presence. They wondered why he brought such a beautiful girl when the girl from the Young Residence wasn’t as pretty.

Hawk smiled politely and went over to exchange brief pleasantries.

Leah was amused when she heard the "Young Hawk" moniker, and watching Director Liu and his wife bustling with enthusiasm, she thought a Chinese restaurant might be more fitting for tonight’s dinner event.

"This is my friend, Leah Squire. She just arrived in the Imperial City today, unfamiliar with the place, so I brought her along. Hope that’s alright," Hawk said with a smile.

"It’s not a problem at all. The Young Madam and Young Miss should be arriving soon," replied Mrs. Liu warmly. "The Young Residence is among the most distinguished in the Imperial City, and I met Mrs. Young through playing mahjong. Young Hawk, you really should seize this opportunity."

Hawk smiled.

Director Liu and his wife essentially ignored Leah, but she didn’t mind, lowering her eyes to browse through the menu, examining their special offerings and the chef’s introduction.

"They’re here, they’re here." Director Liu and his wife rose to welcome them with smiles.

In came a finely dressed noblewoman in her forties, accompanied by a young lady. Both mother and daughter wore small mink capes and carried H-brand bags. The sight amused Leah, reminding her of two penguins from Antarctica.

After a series of greetings, there was an awkward moment of silence.

Mrs. Young looked at Hawk and noted he was quite a handsome young man. However, she’d heard he was from a single-parent family, with his mother remarrying, and living with his stepfather in the United States—with no real roots in the Imperial City. If it weren’t for Mrs. Liu being her mahjong partner and her daughter having recklessly spoiled her reputation to the point where no one within their social circle dared to marry her, she wouldn’t have resorted to treating him as a last-ditch effort.

Upon seeing Hawk, Miss Young was quite pleased and thought to herself that she should have fun with such a handsome man first, marriage aside—she certainly wasn’t going to marry a man of modest means.

"I heard that Mr. Howard’s father passed away early, and your mother remarried, and you’ve been living in the United States?" Mrs. Young opened her mouth in an aloof manner, flaunting a massive emerald ring as she spoke, her eyes angled sharply.

Hawk’s smile remained unchanged, responding coolly, "That’s right. I’ve resigned from my job in the States and haven’t decided where to work next yet."

Because he needed to take care of Leah in Switzerland, Hawk had left his U.S. job last year and had been essentially unemployed since.