Rebirth Swapped Bride; Married to the Ruthless Cursed Billionaire-Chapter 431: Let’s go out for a drink

At this moment,

in San Francisco.

"President Taylor," Kai approached the man who had just concluded hours of meetings, holding a file folder in his hand.

"The partner information you requested is ready."

Taylor, dressed in a tailored gray suit, had striking features and an air of refined elegance, exuding the unique charm of a mature man.

"Come in."

Kai nodded and followed Taylor into the office.

Taylor crossed his long legs as he settled into his chair, lifting his gaze to meet Kai.

"Let me see it."

"Right away."

Kai promptly opened the folder and placed it in front of Taylor.

Taylor flipped through the documents unhurriedly, his eyes skimming the pages with practiced efficiency.

Soon, he closed the folder again.

"As expected, it’s a cash flow issue," Taylor picked up a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it.

Pale gray smoke curled slowly from his mouth and nose as he spoke in a voice as smooth and pleasing as polished jade.

"Send word that the signing will be postponed." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Yes, sir," Kai nodded.

"But President Taylor... how long should we delay it?"

Taylor’s thin lips curved slightly, his expression as composed and refined as fine jade.

"Until they can’t wait any longer—and are willing to concede another twenty percent."

Kai understood immediately.

The other party’s financial situation was hanging by a thread, desperate for Taylor Group’s massive investment to turn things around.

If they stalled and held their ground, panic would inevitably set in.

And when that happened, negotiations would become much easier.

"Understood."

By now, Kai was well accustomed to his boss’s deceptively gentle demeanor—so at odds with his shrewd, calculating mind.

Taylor nodded without much surprise.

"I’ll make the arrangements right away."

Just as he turned to leave, Kai hesitated, pausing mid-step as another thought crossed his mind.

Taylor noticed Kai was still lingering.

Flicking the ash from his cigarette with a graceful motion, he spoke in that characteristically mild tone of his.

"Something else on your mind?"

"Well, sir, during your meeting..."

Kai hesitated, carefully gauging his boss’s expression before continuing with cautious deliberation.

"Miss Violet came by."

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have brought up such a trivial matter.

But Miss Violet... was a rather unique exception.

She actually came to the office?

Could there really be something urgent enough that she needed to see him in person?

Taylor’s fingers paused almost imperceptibly as he tapped his cigarette, though his composed expression remained unchanged—calm and unreadable as ever.

"Did she say anything?"

His voice, usually so smooth and gentle, carried the faintest edge of something colder.

"No.

Miss Violet only asked to see you," Kai shook his head, opting for honesty since he couldn’t quite decipher his boss’s mood.

"The receptionist told her you were in a meeting.

She waited in the lounge for over two hours before leaving."

"Mm."

Taylor’s lowered eyes were inscrutable, their depths unreadable.

"If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

"...Understood."

Kai stole a quick glance at Taylor’s expression before nodding and exiting with the documents in hand.

The spacious office fell into abrupt silence.

Taylor rose and walked to the window, lifting a cigarette to his lips.

Taylor took a slow, deep drag, then exhaled just as deliberately.

Pale gray smoke curled around him, veiling his refined, handsome features with an air of detachment and frost.

Ever since Voilet had returned, he had deliberately avoided her.

Taylor told himself it was unnecessary—but in truth, he was running away.

After exhaling the last wisp of smoke, he crushed the cigarette against the windowsill, his lips twisting into a sardonic smirk.

But why?

If anyone should be afraid to face the past, it wasn’t him—was it?

Some things had been left unresolved for far too long.

Taylor’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as if he’d reached some decision.

Taylor pulled out his phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Ring—"

"Ring—"

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable.

Please try again later."

The call rang through to the end, but no one answered.

A faint crease formed between Taylor’s brows, his gaze unreadable.

Was she ignoring him, or—?

Just then, the phone still pressed to his ear and suddenly vibrated.

"Buzz—"

"Buzz—"

The insistent hum snapped him out of his thoughts.

Lowering his gaze to the caller ID, the tension in his expression eased slightly as he swiped to answer.

"Where are you?"

A lazy, amused voice drifted through the line, tinged with faint laughter.

"Where else would I be at this hour if not at the company?"

Taylor’s voice was calm and smooth, his expression once again composed.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your call today?

Shouldn’t you be busy with your girlfriend?"

His tone was laced with playful teasing.

"Tsk, tsk," Taylor wasn’t the least bit bothered by his friend’s ribbing.

Instead, he leaned into the joke with a laugh.

"Listen to that tone—sounds like someone’s jealousy."

Calvin sighed dramatically.

"If I didn’t know for a fact you’re into women, I’d start wondering if you had ulterior motives toward me."

The "woman" in question, of course, was Violet.

"Who says liking women," Taylor’s lips curved slightly, his unhurried voice carrying a hint of something deeper.

"means I can *only* like women?"

His gaze drifted to the window, a faint, careless smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Lately, I *have* been thinking you’re not half bad."

Calvin: "..." The friends around him were truly shameless, each more brazen than the last—there was no teasing they wouldn’t throw right back at him.

"Alright, enough," he drawled, the corners of his lips curling lazily.

"Whether you’re only into women or not, I can’t say.

But I definitely am, so you’re out of luck."

Taylor’s expression remained composed, the faint smile on his lips unchanged.

Yet after this playful banter, he visibly relaxed, the tension in his shoulders easing.

"So, what’s the call about?" "Drinks," Calvin replied, amusement lacing his voice.

"Feels like it’s been ages since we last had a proper drink.

Might as well squeeze one in before you head to E Country."

"Fine by me," Taylor murmured, his deep voice carrying over the distant hum of traffic below.

"But it’s pretty late—won’t Tiffany mind?"

After all, Calvin had been practically glued to Tiffany’s side lately.

"Your words seem to carry a hint of sarcasm," Calvin’s lips curled slightly.

"Fanny is recovering well. Grandma took her to the hot springs in the mountains, and they were staying overnight," Calvin paused, lowering his voice.

"Don’t worry, I’m all yours tonight."

Jey suppressed a smirk. If he didn’t know it was President Taylor on the other end of the line, he’d almost suspect Mr. Calvin was seeing someone else.

"The honor is mine," Taylor smiled faintly, glancing at his watch.

"See you at the usual spot in half an hour."

"Deal."

The call ended, and Taylor grabbed his coat and headed out.

—— KING Club, second floor.

By the time Calvin arrived, Taylor was already there.

Calvin pulled out a chair and sat down, taking a sip of wine to wet his throat.

A teasing smile played on his devilishly handsome face.

"Don’t tell me you’ve gone bankrupt—can’t even afford a private room now?"

The sight of two strikingly different yet equally exceptional men sitting together was nothing short of mesmerizing.

"Exactly,"

Taylor replied, leaning back in his chair.

His refined, slender fingers idly twirled the wine glass as

his faintly amused eyes settled on his friend.

"That’s why I’m here—to ask for a favor from CEO Calvin."

With a slight curve of his lips, he brought the glass to his mouth for a delicate sip, his voice as smooth and flawless as ever.

"I heard the Calvin Corporation recently secured—"

"Hold on, hold on," Calvin interrupted, the corner of his mouth twitching as an exasperated look crossed his devastatingly handsome face.

"Fine, I’ll punish myself with three drinks. Pretend I never said anything."

Taylor reached out and pushed the wine bottle toward him.

"Go ahead."

Without hesitation, Calvin downed three glasses in quick succession before setting his cup down and glancing toward the bustling scene below.

"Seriously though, you hate noise more than anyone. What are you doing sitting out here today?"

My friend’s preference for tranquility has remained unchanged since childhood.

Taylor’s gaze trailed downward, following Calvin’s line of sight, as the smile on his lips deepened.

"Just suddenly thought—it’s nice to have some liveliness around."

"Liveliness is nice?"

Calvin arched an eyebrow, his strikingly handsome face twisting into a smirk that was half-amused, half-mocking.

"Somehow, that gives me the impression of a lonely old bachelor."

Leaning back in his chair, he narrowed his mesmerizing, almond-shaped eyes—the kind that could charm anyone—and teased mercilessly.

"Now that I think about it, Sinclair married, I’m off the market, and even Melissa has a boyfriend.

Calling you a lonely old bachelor isn’t exactly wrong."

What are friends for, if not to tell it like it is?

Taylor picked up a cigarette and lit it, his slender eyes gliding to the corners as his voice, smooth as jade, remained calm and composed.

"If you don’t know how to speak, you’re welcome to stay silent.

No one would mistake you for a mute."