I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 125: Deepening

The ride back to the office was quieter than before, though the tension from earlier had softened. Angel leaned back against the passenger seat, scrolling through her phone while Matthew drove. Every now and then, she would glance at him—probably making sure he wasn't about to bring up last night again—but Matthew simply focused on the road, a smirk still playing at his lips.

When they arrived at Sentinel Systems, Angel got out quickly, eager to escape any more teasing.

"See you inside, boss," she said dryly before heading toward the entrance.

Matthew chuckled, locking the car behind him and following at a more leisurely pace.

The moment they stepped into the building, the atmosphere shifted back into the usual controlled chaos of corporate life. Employees moved efficiently through the halls, reports were being exchanged, and the weight of decision-making settled back onto Matthew's shoulders.

Angel, now fully in work mode, grabbed her tablet from her desk and glanced at him. "You have a meeting with Juliet and the legal team in twenty minutes."

Matthew nodded. "What's the update?"

Angel scrolled through her notes. "Contracts for the Singapore R&D facility are finalized. We're waiting on the last round of approvals before we start construction. Also, the final investor call is scheduled for this afternoon."

Matthew glanced at her. "Still the same holdouts?"

Angel sighed. "Yeah. They love the concept, but they want hard proof before committing the last $600 million."

Matthew smirked. "Then let's give them proof."

Angel gave him a suspicious look. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Matthew leaned against her desk. "A prototype."

Angel frowned. "Matthew, we're months away from having a working exoskeleton."

Matthew shrugged. "Then we push faster. Show them a functional model—even if it's not combat-ready yet. Once they see it, they'll sign."

Angel exhaled. "You make it sound so easy."

Matthew smirked. "It is easy. We just need to remind them that if they don't invest now, someone else will."

Angel narrowed her eyes but didn't argue. "Fine. I'll notify the engineering team."

Matthew pushed off the desk and straightened his sleeves. "Good. Anything else?"

Angel hesitated for a moment, then flipped to another screen. "Oh. Juliet also said the President's office reached out again."

Matthew's smirk vanished. "What do they want?"

"She didn't say. Just that they asked if you were available for a 'private discussion' soon."

Matthew exhaled. He knew this was coming. The government had been watching Sentinel BioTech closely—too closely. It was only a matter of time before they made their next move.

He glanced at Angel. "Schedule a call. Let's see what they want."

Angel nodded, making a note. "I'll set it up."

Matthew checked his watch. "Alright. I'll be in the meeting room. Let me know if anything urgent comes up."

Angel saluted mockingly. "Yes, sir."

Matthew smirked but said nothing, heading toward the conference room where Juliet and the legal team were waiting.

By the time Matthew wrapped up his final meeting, the sun had already dipped below the skyline. The office had thinned out, most employees heading home for the day.

He loosened his tie slightly as he walked out of the conference room, rubbing his temples.

Angel was still at her desk, typing away, her focus locked on the screen in front of her.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You're still here?"

Angel barely glanced at him. "Obviously."

Matthew leaned against her desk. "You know, most people clock out when the workday ends."

Angel snorted. "Most people don't work for you."

Matthew smirked. "Touché."

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Just finishing up the scheduling for tomorrow. You have a meeting with the investors first thing in the morning, then a progress check with the engineering team."

Matthew nodded. "Noted."

Angel let out a small yawn, stretching her arms above her head. "God, I need coffee."

Matthew glanced at the time. "Or dinner."

Angel shot him a look. "You just ate."

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Matthew shrugged. "It's been hours. I'm hungry again."

Angel rolled her eyes but hesitated. "Where?"

Matthew smirked. "See? I knew you'd say yes."

Angel groaned. "I didn't say yes."

"You didn't say no, either."

Angel sighed, pushing back from her desk. "Fine. But no teasing me about last night."

Matthew raised a hand. "Scout's honor."

Angel gave him a suspicious look before grabbing her bag. "Alright. Let's go."

This time, Matthew didn't pick a crowded place. No flashy steakhouses, no noisy bars. Instead, he drove them to a small, tucked-away restaurant in a quieter part of BGC. A place with dim lighting, warm wooden interiors, and soft jazz playing in the background.

Angel gave him a curious look as they walked in. "Didn't peg you for the cozy restaurant type."

Matthew smirked. "I like variety."

They took a table by the window, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

The moment the waitress left with their orders, Angel leaned back. "Alright. Be honest. Are you really trying to wine and dine me?"

Matthew smirked. "Why? Is it working?"

Angel scoffed. "Not even close."

Matthew chuckled. "Relax. This is just dinner."

Angel studied him for a moment before shaking her head. "You're impossible."

Their food arrived, and for a while, they simply ate in comfortable silence. No business talk, no teasing—just a quiet meal between two people who had spent years working together but rarely took a moment to actually breathe.

At one point, Angel set down her fork and exhaled. "Okay, I'll admit. This is nice."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You're saying you enjoy my company?"

Angel rolled her eyes. "Don't push it."

Matthew smirked. "I'll take what I can get."

She shook her head, but there was a small smile on her lips.

As they finished up, Angel glanced at her watch. "It's late."

Matthew leaned back in his chair. "Want me to take you home?"

Angel hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "I'll take a cab. My car's still at the office."

Matthew studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

They stepped outside, the night air cool against their skin.

Angel stretched slightly. "Well. Thanks for dinner."

Matthew smirked. "See? You do enjoy my company."

Angel groaned. "I swear, if you bring this up tomorrow—"

Matthew chuckled. "No promises."

Angel shook her head, stepping toward the curb.

Just as she was about to call for a ride, she hesitated.

Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she turned back to him.

"Hey, Matthew."

He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

She paused.

Then, with a smirk, she said, "You were tempted, weren't you?"

Matthew exhaled, chuckling softly. "Goodnight, Angel."

And with that, he got in his car and drove off, leaving Angel standing there, smirking to herself.

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Because she already knew the answer.