Refusing to Remarry: Mr. Hawthorne, You Are Out-Chapter 23: The Real Childhood Friends!

Easton Yancy probably guessed how important the bidding was to Raine Sinclair, so he just smiled, put down his phone, and went off to make arrangements.

And it wasn’t just Raine who was eager—Leon Grant was just as enthusiastic; half an hour later, he arrived at Sinclair Group.

"Mr. Grant, you sure came fast. Don’t tell me you’re here to pick up your clothes?" Raine joked with a half-smile.

Leon returned a slight smile. "Not quite. But I guess you didn’t bring my clothes over today, did you, Ms. Sinclair?"

"Well... I left in a hurry this morning, totally forgot." Raine awkwardly tried to change the subject. "I’ll bring them over myself another day!"

Just then Mason Sullivan came in with coffee, glanced at Leon Grant in front of him, and couldn’t help finding everything about this guy annoying!

Especially when he thought about last night, when Leon had danced with Raine—Mason’s heart just burned with jealousy...

"Mr. Grant, you really do show up early!" Mason said, and it was so snarky it was almost asking outright: Mr. Grant, are you really that free?

Maybe all males have that killer crisis instinct—Leon immediately sensed Mason’s hostility towards him.

If he’d guessed right, this kid probably had feelings for Raine.

He hooked his thin lips into a smile and replied, "I’m here to do business with Ms. Sinclair. Of course I have to show my sincerity."

"What business?" Mason raised his brows; he hadn’t heard about Raine’s plan yet.

Surprised, he then heard Raine explain, "I didn’t tell you yet—I invited Mr. Grant to be our company’s host for the bidding this time. With him here, more people will trust it."

"..." Mason froze for a moment. Even though he was personally displeased, he didn’t show it outright.

After all, business is business. You can be unhappy, but you still have to save face.

Leon followed up smoothly, "The bidding event, I’m interested, actually. But I have to ask, Ms. Sinclair—how do you plan to handle the event? You’re not just going through the motions, right?"

"Of course not. Don’t worry, Mr. Grant. I’ve gone all-in on the promotion—there’s no way I’d fake it and ruin my reputation." Raine smiled confidently, knowing full well that most people consider bidding events anything but fair.

But she was set on being fair.

She wanted everyone to know, from now on, Sinclair Group would be totally fair in these matters!

If you have ability, you can rise up, and land better resources!

Leon looked at the woman in front of him, saw her resilient, independent gaze, and couldn’t help but have a touch of admiration in his eyes.

"With your word, Ms. Sinclair, I’m sold. Now let’s talk specifics."

Raine then beckoned Mason over. "You walk Mr. Grant through our process."

"Well... the process was settled with Assistant Yancy. Suddenly adding a host, I’m afraid..." Mason was deliberately picking holes; honestly, he just didn’t want Leon Grant showing up around Raine all the time!

Seriously...

He’d waited for Raine for so many years, finally, she got divorced, and he ran over here to play secretary, just to get more chances.

How could he let his chance just get stolen right under his nose?

Leon Grant was so obviously here with a hidden agenda!

A proper Grant Family heir, unlimited prospects, returning home should mean big ambitions, but he’s getting involved in this little Sinclair Group bidding? Any man can see what’s going on!

Leon caught Mason’s drift instantly; his eyes flickered, and just as he was about to speak, Raine chimed in, "I mentioned it to him this morning—he said he’ll update the plan soon, it won’t affect anything."

As soon as she said it, Leon shot Mason a calm look, as if saying: See? My hosting gig is a done deal.

Mason gritted his teeth, but could only switch tactics, "Mr. Grant, you must be insanely busy. Can you really spare time for us?"

Raine, hearing this, looked a little concerned too as she glanced at Leon.

She knew, compared to Sinclair Group’s trivial stuff, Leon definitely had plenty on his plate.

But the next second she heard Leon say, "I want to see Ms. Sinclair’s resolve for myself this time—see what she can do."

Which was crystal clear: even if he doesn’t have time, he’ll make time.

Raine was relieved at that.

"I won’t disappoint Mr. Grant."

She smiled frankly—not just confident in herself, but in Sinclair Group’s abilities too!

For the next two hours, Raine and Leon finalized all the details of the process.

Mason watched from the side, gritting his teeth, but didn’t dare openly chase Leon Grant out.

They talked all the way to lunchtime; seeing it was about time to eat, Raine invited Leon to stay for lunch—also a way to thank him for last night’s help.

Mason shamelessly tagged along.

No way was he letting Leon get alone time with Raine!

"Weren’t you supposed to have family plans?" Raine looked at Mason, who was glued to her side, puzzled.

"I’m not going! Bet it’s another round of blind date talk." Mason bluntly refused.

He hadn’t planned on going anyway, plus with Leon here, he was definitely sticking around!

Raine laughed, "Blind date? That’s a pretty major life event, you sure you want to skip it?"

"Raine, stop clowning on me!" Mason sighed, feeling seriously stressed!

He was still so young, no idea why his family was so anxious...

Leon was intrigued. "Raine?"

Just now, Mason called her Ms. Sinclair in the office—when did it switch?

Mason turned to Leon with a look that was practically bragging, "Raine and I go way back. In the company I call her Ms. Sinclair; outside, of course it’s Raine!"

"You go way back?" Leon frowned, repeating.

"Yeah! Proper childhood friends!" Mason said proudly. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Growing up with Raine was not just some ordinary fate!

Leon’s deep eyes were suddenly veiled with mystery; then he glanced up to see Raine, head down over her phone, seemingly replying to a message.

He suddenly really wondered what this woman was like as a kid.

Mason noticed Leon’s gaze, subconsciously took a step forward, blocking Leon’s line of sight, and started warning him, "Mr. Grant, you do know about first come, first served, right?"

Leon finally let his eyes rest on Mason’s baby-faced features, smiling thoughtfully. "Feelings aren’t so predictable, are they? Besides, Jonas Hawthorne came after you, didn’t he?"

Implying, Raine once picked Jonas over Mason...

"You!" A vein instantly popped on Mason’s forehead!