"Natalie, did everything on the ind go smoothly?" Matthew asked with a smile.


    Natalie met his concerned gaze and smiled back. "It went very well. I made sure everything was settled before I came back. Zenobia had a healthy baby boy. He''s adorable."


    "Congrattions to your good friend on her new son! Well, I''ll continue to look after you while you''re here. Wayne calls me every single day, worried someone might bully you."


    Matthew was telling the truth. Wayne really did call daily, asking him to take care of Natalie.


    He had already promised he would, but Wayne was still anxious.


    Natalie smiled. "Wayne is very caring. Thank you, Mr. Monroe, for putting up with him."


    "Of course. He''s busy with his overseas project right now, and we happen to be coborating. He handles things on his end, and I push them forward here. It''s been very effective. We usually discuss it when we talk about work at night, so it''s not a bother. In fact, I find it quite nice."


    Matthew spoke with an easy elegance, his voice calm and steady, making him infinitely likable.


    Soon, the waiter brought their food. Natalie''s eyes lit up.


    She had been eating seafood on the ind and was really craving pork ribs.


    "Wow, that smells amazing!" Natalie picked up a piece and took a bite. It was delicious.


    Seeing how much she liked it, Matthew''s smile grew warmer.


    "Natalie, eat more. You''re too thin."


    Matthew ced a few more pieces of pork on her te.


    "Thank you, Mr. Monroe! I absolutely love ribs prepared this way."


    "Good. Eat up," he said with a smile.


    After enjoying a few more pieces, Natalie said, "Mr. Monroe, I have a proposal for an Al-powered medical system. I''ve been developing it for two years, and I''ll be forming research team with my senior partner soon. We expect it to be ready for market in about six months. Would you be interested in a partnership?"


    Matthew was stunned. He hadn''t known she had this kind of expertise. "Natalie, is there anything you can''t do?"


    Natalie paused, thenughed. "Mr. Monroe, if you''re willing to partner with me, I won''t have to go through the trouble of seeking other investors and coborators."


    "My senior partner''s team and I have been working on this system for two years. It was put on hold for a while, but I''ve recently picked it up again. Over the next six months, if you have the time, you could participate in the development. Once the system is ready tounch, what I really need are your resources. I have enough R&D funding for now."


    "In six months, there''s a major business conference. I''m nning a presentation- styleunch and was hoping you could help me with that."


    She knew how extensive Matthew''swork was.


    Natalie handed him a USB drive. "Mr. Monroe, this drive has all the information. Take your time to look it over. You still have six months, so you can give me your answerter. No pressure."


    "I know yourpany has a division in this field, so really, don''t feel obligated."


    Matthew smiled. "Natalie, there''s no


    pressure. I know how talented you are. The designs you created have been selling incredibly well on our live streams. We used to have small audience, but now our daily sates are beyond anything you could imagine."


    "Give me the drive. I''ll review it seriously when I get back. I would be thrilled to work


    with you." He felt a sudden desire to build a future with her.


    Natalie smiled and passed the USB drive toward him, but it was suddenly


    intercepted by arge hand.