Chapter 9 " Ms. Jordan , it's been a while . " Simon wore his usual black suit with a white shirt , the tie completing his polished look . His natural poise made him stand out in the café , drawing glances from other customers . " Mr. Quinn , what a surprise seeing you here . " Cecilia's eyes widened slightly as she took in his appearance . " Are you working nearby ? " Her voice carried a note of genuine curiosity . " Yes , just wrapped up a meeting . " Simon nodded toward her laptop and paperwork . " Looks like the exhibition is keeping you busy , Ms. Jordan . Mind if I join you for coffee , or would I be interrupting your work ? " His tone was polite , leaving the choice to her . Cecilia glanced toward Hall Group's building again . There was still no sign of Mr. Hall , but she wasn't ready to leave yet . " Not at all , " she said , straightening her papers . Then the thought of their dinner plans suddenly came to her . " Mr. Quinn , do you need to get back to work ? We did say dinner tonight , but I might be here till past six . " " No need to go back . I'm off work . " Simon ordered a black coffee . The late afternoon sun slanted through the window , casting a warm glow . When his eyes met hers , there was a quiet intensity in his gaze , like he had more to say but wasn't saying it . " You're lucky to be able to just leave like that , " Cecilia said with a tired smile , glancing up from her paperwork . " I've been pulling late nights all week with this project . " She kept sorting files as she spoke , but made sure to look up and meet his eyes whenever she answered . " You really throw yourself into your work ." Simon's eyes dropped , his voice lowering slightly . " Ms. Jordan , if you don't mind me asking , have you ever been on a blind date before ? " Cecilia's cheeks turned slightly pink as she shook her head . " No , this is my first time . " She fidgeted with her coffee cup , avoiding eye contact for just a second before looking back up with a shy smile . Simon noticed her reaction and casually asked , " So is this blind date your idea , or are your parents pushing you to settle down ? " He kept his tone light , but watched her response closely . Cecilia's fingers paused on her coffee cup as the question hung in the air . A shadow crossed her face before she caught herself . Seeing this , Simon immediately softened his tone . " We can skip that question if you'd prefer . " " It's fine . These are perfectly normal blind date questions . " Cecilia propped her chin on her hand , watching the street outside . " Truth is , I've had this silly childhood dream about the perfect age to marry and start a family . Mom's never pushed me , but now that I'm … " She hesitated , then gave a small shrug . " I used to think marriage was about timing , but now I know it's about the right person . " Her fingers tapped lightly against her coffee cup before she looked up . " What about you , Mr. Quinn ? " " Actually , this is my first blind date too , " Simon admitted with a quiet chuckle . " My family's been dropping hints about settling down lately . " His tone was open and sincere , without a trace of his usual professionalism . " Looks like your family's eager to see you married ," Cecilia remarked . Talking with Simon made the long wait much more enjoyable than staring at her paperwork alone . Simon checked his watch , then scrolled through restaurant options on his phone . " What would you like for dinner , Ms. 1/3 12:44 Tue , Aug 12 GG ס 94 % X + 15 / Chapter 9 Jordan ? I'll make a reservation now ." " Anything is fine with me , " Cecilia said with an easy smile , closing her laptop . " You pick . I trust your taste . " Then she stood up , " I'll go to the restroom first . " At that time , her phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming call . It was from a number she didn't recognize . Cecilia stared at the screen for a second before swiping to answer . " Is this Cecilia Jordan ? " The gruff voice sounded like a frequent drinker . " It's Henry Quinn . About last week's date , work got crazy and I completely forgot . My uncle just asked about it , so I figured I should call you myself ." Cecilia was instantly stunned . Her gaze turned toward the man sitting by the window . ' That's not Henry ? Then who is he ? Oh God , I've been talking to the wrong guy this whole time . But why would he play along ? " Henry's voice turned impatient on the phone . " Ms. Jordan ? You still there ? " He didn't wait for an answer . " Look , my Saturday evening's open . Let's meet then . " " Sorry , Mr. Quinn . I've been very busy lately . I think we should postpone . " She ended the call and returned to her seat , her mind still racing from Henry's unexpected call . Simon looked up , smiling warmly . " The steak at this restaurant is quite good . I've already reserved a table . Shall we head over now ? " " No need . There's no point in having this meal . " Henry . " She watched his face as she spoke , catching the briefest flicker of surprise before his expression smoothed into calm composure . becilia didn't want to waste any more time and said coldly , " You're not " Look , I made the mistake that night , but I don't get why you played along . I don't like being lied to . " Cecilia grabbed her bag , her face stone - cold . " We're done here . Don't contact me again . " " Ms. Jordan , wait . " Simon rose abruptly , a hint of urgency in his movement . He took a business card from his wallet . " Didn't you come here specifically to meet with me? " Cecilia halted , giving him a long , hard look . She took the card between two fingers , scanning it slowly . The name stared back at her . Simon Hall . CEO of Hall Group . The card nearly slipped from Cecilia's fingers as her eyes flew to his face . " Wait , " she swallowed hard . " You're actually Mr. Hall ? " Her tone hovered between accusation and stunned realization . Cecilia slowly sank back into her chair , her movements slightly rigid . What she had thought was just an embarrassing mix- up now felt completely different . This was Mr. Hall himself , the man she had been desperately trying to meet . Maybe this mistake was actually her lucky break . A slightly forced smile touched her lips, though inside , a wave of relief washed over her . " Mr. Hall , " she began , her voice steadier now , " I apologize . I had no idea I was speaking with you this whole time . " " No harm done . " Simon relaxed into his chair , casually draping his arm across the table . " I saw your message on the appointment list . You're the designer of A Wishing Girl . " Cecilia seized the opening . " Yes . That was my first and only creation , " she explained . " When my family went under , everything was sold off , including my designs . For this exhibition , I hoped to borrow back that one piece to represent my work . " 2/3 12:44 Tue , Aug 12 - 94 % X +15 Chapter 9 Simon flipped through her proposal , the silence making Cecilia uneasy . When she thought he was just her blind date , she had felt at ease . But now , knowing he was the Hall family heir , she tensed up . She didn't need explanations about his earlier act . Right now , all that mattered was getting his approval . " Ms. Jordan , this is a well - considered proposal . " Simon tapped the documents lightly . " As the original designer , you can borrow the piece ." He paused , his calm gaze holding quiet command . " As for the loan terms , we'll discuss those separately ." " Of course . I'll await your decision ." Cecilia exhaled quietly in relief . There would be no awkward favors involved , just straightforward business . With his status , anything less formal would raise eyebrows . This was the cleanest way forward . Simon's phone buzzed with a restaurant confirmation . He glanced at the screen , then offered casually , " Since it's our first time working together , why don't we continue this over dinner ? My treat . " " I'd be delighted , " Cecilia replied with a small but genuine smile . With the last exhibit finally secured , a celebratory dinner seemed fitting , especially with the man who had just made it possible . Over dinner , their conversation moved from the mistaken identity to business matters . But Simon's schedule was packed . A phone call cut their meal short . " The piece is at Hall Manor , " he said , rising . " I'll arrange delivery and be in touch . " Cecilia nodded her acknowledgment . After saying goodbye , Cecilia headed to the elevator while texting her team the good news . Scrolling through her contacts , she stopped and changed the name from " Henry Quinn " to " Mr. Hall . " Suddenly , someone called her name . Cecilia turned , surprised to see Xavier standing there . " What a coincidence ," she said , wondering what had brought him here . Xavier hurried over , his face confused . " Gavin's in the emergency room , " he said . " Didn't you get the message ? Why aren't you at the hospital ? "