The Martinez Family and the Johnston Family needed to discuss business, the Rhodes Family refused to join but helped resolve the Pharmaceutical Factory’s troubles, which left Carson Flores suddenly with some free time on his hands.
Being a security guard was indeed a comfortable job; either sitting at the sentry post or strolling around the factory area on patrol, and the rest of the time was spent chatting and shooting the breeze, carefree and at ease.
It was Carson’s day off on Saturday.
Lydia Howell drove Shirley Miller back to Polgel, after all, as the company president, there were still some group tasks she needed to handle in person.
So, Carson decided to go keep Samantha Tate company as she, like on workdays, only had free time in the evenings and on weekends.
Just as Carson got out of the car, he saw Samantha Tate waving at him from the roadside, her face brimming with happiness.
Today, Samantha was dressed simply, in a white low-cut T-shirt paired with denim shorts and high-heeled sandals—understated yet fashionable. Especially the neckline, that profound white view, was mesmerizing.
Samantha, hooking her arm through Carson’s, smiled and said, "It’s been several days since we’ve seen each other, did you miss me?"
Carson laughed, "I’ve been busy blowing smoke with the security guards, drinking, no time to miss you."
Samantha playfully smacked his arm and hummed, "Can’t you even bother to tell a little white lie to flatter me?"
Carson chuckled, "What I just said was a fib, the truth is that I came as soon as I got off, didn’t I?"
Samantha laughed, "So fake, if you really missed me, you could’ve come to see me on weekday nights too."
Carson gazed down at Samantha, his eyes slightly mischievous, "The temptation at night is too great, I’m afraid I couldn’t resist and dared not come."
Samantha noticed where Carson’s gaze fell, feeling a mix of shy pride, "That’s your own timidity, it’s not that I disagree, right?"
Carson let out a feigned, heavy sigh, "That’s why the temptation is great."
Samantha was amused, her mood lifting, after all, any woman would be happy to be indirectly complimented by the man she liked on her charm.
Samantha smiled, "Let’s go shopping first, then have lunch, and in the afternoon I’ve arranged to go bowling with a few classmates."
Carson cooperatively replied, "You call the shots."
Samantha pulled on Carson’s arm and smiled, "Let’s go, first to the mall to shop, buy some clothes—the seasons are about to change; we need some autumn outfits."
After roaming the mall for a while, Samantha bought Carson several sets of clothes, all quite pricey, from head to toe.
"Isn’t it a bit excessive for a security guard to dress this nicely?"
Samantha laughed, "Your colleagues all know you’re not short on cash. Being a security guard is just for show, right? Don’t worry, the brands I picked for you aren’t the well-known ones everyone’s familiar with, but rather some more niche, luxury brands. They’re good-looking, comfortable, and not flashy—very much in line with your low-key personality."
After selecting clothes, they went to have a meal, and then headed to a nearby bowling alley.
"Brother, do you know how to bowl?"
Carson shook his head, "I’ve never played before."
Samantha smiled, "I’ll teach you, it’s very simple."
Once they arrived at the bowling alley, Samantha’s classmates were already there—a woman and a man. The woman was Daisy Schneider, owner of a chain of big restaurants, and the man’s name was Matteo Compton, owner of a small but famed cinema chain.
"Matteo and Daisy are both divorced, and it seems Matteo has taken a liking to Daisy..."
Carson glanced around and said, "Business owners pairing up, that’s a power couple right there. Is it just us four?"
Samantha replied, "Henry White will come too, and he’s bringing a lady friend."
Carson raised an eyebrow, "Has he made any more moves on you since last time?"
Samantha lowered her voice, smiling, "But the way he looks at me is still a bit different—I guess he still has thoughts, but since I deliberately keep my distance, he hasn’t made a move. He does seem very polite, though."
Carson laughed, "So today, you’re doing this on purpose?"
Samantha smiled, "Assert your ownership a bit more, to make sure he gives up hope on me. After all, you’re the security guard, and I suppose he does have some pride, thinking he’s better than you."
Carson blinked, "How do I assert ownership?"
Samantha giggled, "Just hug me and kiss me a lot, right? Seeing it firsthand, the impact is different."
Carson laughed, "Okay, you call the shots."
Carson greeted Matteo and Daisy, and the four of them split onto two bowling lanes; Samantha began teaching Carson the rules and techniques of bowling.
As a Grandmaster with terrifying coordination, Carson got the hang of it after a couple of tries and soon looked quite professional.
While the two were playing, Henry White arrived, with a young woman in a T-shirt, white skirt, and sneakers walking alongside him. She was in her twenties, quite pretty but seemed somewhat haughty.
After exchanging pleasantries, Henry introduced her, "This is my friend, Harper Miller; this is Samantha Tate, her boyfriend, Carson Flores."
From the moment Harper appeared, she had been staring at Samantha and then coldly said, "Your surname is Tate, so you must be Shirley Miller’s cousin, right?"