THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.-Chapter 76

At that moment, Robert stood up from his seat, his expression still calm but now carrying a warm hint of satisfaction. The air in the room had shifted, something important had just taken place, something bigger than just the numbers or the ink that would soon touch paper. To him this wasn’t just a partnership; it was the start of something that would shape legacies.

"Well then," Robert said, his hand stretching out confidently, "let’s seal the deal the right way—with a handshake, before preparing the documents."

Cora didn’t hesitate. With equal grace and composure, she rose from her seat, reached out, and placed her hand in his. It wasn’t just a business gesture. It was a silent agreement of mutual respect, two giants recognizing each other’s strength. Their hands met with a firm, unwavering grip. It was brief, but the weight it carried was undeniable.

"We’ll make history with this project," Cora said softly, her eyes holding his with calm certainty.

Robert smiled, his grip firm but respectful. "And I’m looking forward to every step of it."

Malisa, watching the scene from the side, couldn’t help but feel both impressed and amused. She had expected the meeting to be intense, perhaps even rigid, but what unfolded was fluid, authentic, and dare she admit it, kind of beautiful. There was a rare harmony between Cora and Robert.

Clapping her hands together lightly with a small grin, Malisa then chimed in, "Okay, okay, a handshake is good and all, but come on... This kind of partnership? This kind of magnitude? You both seriously want to close it with just a handshake?"

Cora and Robert turned toward her with curious expressions.

Malisa continued with a playful but pointed tone, "How about we seal this deal over dinner? Something proper. Something memorable. The kind of dinner anyone will tell their grandkids about when they ask how the city was built."

She raised her brows dramatically, adding, "Because honestly, if I was involved in a deal like this, I’d want to celebrate it with more than just palm-to-palm contact."

At that moment, Cora’s lips parted slightly, her eyes narrowing with polite hesitation. She wasn’t particularly thrilled about the idea Melissa had just thrown into the air. A dinner to celebrate the deal? It felt unnecessary, at least to her. Her mind was still focused on numbers, timelines, negotiations, and the weight of expectations surrounding the mega city project. She didn’t see the point in dressing up for smiles and wine over something that should remain strictly professional.

However, before she could politely decline the suggestion, Robert leaned forward, wearing that same calm, gentlemanly smile that seemed carved into his face.

"Well," he said in that smooth, composed voice of his, "I actually think that’s quite a good idea. Deals like this one, of this magnitude shouldn’t end with just a handshake in a meeting room. They should be commemorated. Celebrated. A dinner sounds just right."

Then He turned slightly to face Cora, still standing across from him. "Nothing too elaborate, of course. Just something quiet and respectable. Something to mark the beginning of what I believe will be a very fruitful partnership."

Cora, caught off guard by Robert’s tone and sincerity, blinked once.

At that moment she sighed softly. "I would have loved that, really," she said, her voice cool but not dismissive, "but the truth is I’m a bit pressed for time. I have a lot on my table right now, and this project is not the only one I’m handling."

Robert didn’t even flinch.

"Then we don’t need to do it now," he replied smoothly. "It doesn’t have to be tonight or even this week. We’ll fix another date. At your convenience. I’m not in a hurry. The important thing is that we mark this milestone properly."

Before Cora could respond, Malisa, who had been watching the exchange with mild amusement, suddenly clapped her hands together with glee and jumped in. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Well, since both of you have agreed," she said with a grin, "leave the dinner to me. I’ll take care of it. I’ll fix the time, the place, everything. You both will just show up and enjoy yourselves. No stress."

Robert raised a brow, amused. "Is that a promise?"

Malisa placed a hand on her chest in mock seriousness. "A promise and a guarantee. Consider it done."

At that moment, Cora simply gave a quiet, resigned nod, her expression unreadable. She wasn’t entirely convinced this was necessary, but clearly, she had been outvoted. Besides, there was something about the way Robert handled things—steady, sure, and smooth—that made it difficult for her to object further.

At that moment, after everything had been discussed and sealed at least for now, Cora and Malisa decided to leave. The air in the elite room still held a sense of weight, like it knew something significant had just happened.

Robert, ever the gentleman, stood as well and walked them to the door, bidding them a respectful goodbye. He didn’t overdo it, didn’t try to linger or force any unnecessary comment. Just a polite nod and that ever-steady look in his eyes that gave away very little, but hinted at a depth most people would easily miss.

As they stepped out of the restaurant and headed toward their car, Malisa was the first to break the silence. She gave Cora a look one of those teasing, knowing glances that only close friends exchanged and nudged her gently with her elbow.

"So," Malisa began, stretching the word like she was easing into a good piece of gossip, "I think I quite like Robert."

Immediately Cora shot her a sideways glance but didn’t respond. She simply kept walking, her heels tapping against the tiled ground in rhythm with her thoughts.

"I mean it," Malisa added with a little more enthusiasm now. "The way the media paints him the whole ’cold businessman who doesn’t smile, who only cares about profit’ honestly, I was expecting a robot in human skin. But no. The Robert I just saw? That’s a whole different person."

Cora raised an eyebrow, finally giving in. "So you’ve become a fan now?"

Malisa chuckled. "No, I’m just being honest. He’s actually... calm. Respectful. You can tell he’s sharp, but not the type to throw his weight around unnecessarily. He listens. And did you see the way he dressed? Classy but not loud. He knows his place. Doesn’t need to prove anything."

Again Cora gave a slight smile but said nothing. She didn’t want to admit it, but she had noticed those things too.

But Malisa wasn’t done.

"Look," she said, turning to face Cora fully as they approached their car, "maybe I’m reading too much into this, but something about the way he looked at you, the way he talked... I don’t think this is just business for him."

At that moment Cora paused. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Malisa shrugged, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I don’t know. Just a feeling. Woman to woman. I’ve seen men talk business, and I’ve seen men talk business with women they like. There’s a difference. And something tells me that Robert... he kind of likes you, Cora."