---- Chapter 149 Tara grabbed the envelope and rushed back to the second row. As she moved, Jonah seemed to glance her way. However, he quickly looked away. She slipped back into her seat. Her coworker, Alice Clark, leaned over and whispered, "Let me see that big envelope. Tara didn't refuse and showed her the envelope. Alice let out a soft gasp, measuring the envelope's thickness between her fingers. "T'd say that's about eight thousand dollars," she said.

Tara took a quick look herself, but she couldn't really guess the amount. David overheard them and quietly chimed in, "It's ten thousand dollars." Tara stared at him in surprise. "Is it really that much?" David nodded. "Of course. In previous years, the bonus for outstanding employees was ten thousand dollars." Still, this envelope looked even thicker than the ones from past years. David figured he might have misjudged.

Tara quickly tucked the envelope into her bag, amazed at ---- how generous the Pearson Group was, even with their annual gala rewards. Turning to David and her coworkers, she said, "I'll treat you guys to dinner when we get back." David smiled and waved her off. "Don't worry about it. Just keep it for yourself." "A coffee at work will do just fine," Alice added. Tara didn't bother insisting. They all knew each other well enough to skip the formalities. "Okay," she said.

Every time Alice saw her make the "OK" sign, she felt like grabbing her and giving her a big kiss. She just couldn't resist how lovable Tara was. When the last performance wrapped up right at 6:30 pm, Jonah stood tall and graceful, leaving first as everyone's eyes followed him out. Tara followed the crowd downstairs to the banquet tables for the annual gala. She walked with David and her coworkers into a VIP room.

David had thought about inviting Alice, but then remembered Tara had just won the Outstanding Employee Award. She was the perfect person to bring along. ---- "Come on, Tara. You're coming with me." Tara looked confused, but Alice knew David was going to toast Jonah and quickly nudged her. "Go ahead, Tara. This is a good thing." Making an appearance in front of Jonah would only work to her advantage.

After spending time working with Tara, everyone had long forgotten the scandal that once made waves online. Tara followed David with no idea where they were headed. She wondered if they were going to claim the king crab for dinner. It wasn't until David headed straight for an opulent VIP room that Tara stopped short at the doorway. After David stepped inside and a staff member helped open the door, he turned to call out, "Tara, come in." But when he looked back, she was nowhere in sight.

David quickly stepped outside and saw her hesitating at the doorway. He sighed, frustrated. It was the first time he had encountered an employee so oblivious to promotion opportunities. "Tara, just say something auspicious to Mr. Pearson later. I'll do the drinking," he said. ---- It wasn't appropriate to have Tara drink, especially given how expensive the liquor was. David himself only got to taste it once a year. Hearing that, Tara knew she couldn't keep stalling.

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She'd already gone on stage to accept the award, and this wasn't much more. She took a deep breath, gave David a firm nod, and followed him into the room. David greeted Jonah and the other executives of Pearson Group at the table with his usual effortless charm. When the toast was done, he gave Tara a subtle look, signaling for her to come forward. Tara felt a bit nervous as she looked at Jonah's cool and elegant back.

Even the back of his head was so perfect that it made her want to see his face. She stepped forward and stood beside him. Jonah was dressed in a tailored suit, exuding an air of cold, untouchable elegance. He turned slowly to look at Tara standing beside him. They were close enough that her perfume drifted through the air around him, softening the commanding stillness he carried. Tara sensed his gaze and met his calm eyes for just a moment before quickly looking away.

"Wishing you continued success, good health, and all the best in the year ahead, Mr. Pearson," she said. ---- Jonah's deep voice was unhurried. "Same to you." Noah handed Tara an envelope. "From Mr. Pearson," he said. Tara's eyes widened at the heft of the envelope. Her face lit up as she accepted it, unable to hide her genuine delight. "Thank you, Mr. Pearson," she said. Jonah leaned back in his chair, relaxed and composed. His gaze flickered briefly over her smiling face, but he said nothing.

Tara tucked the envelope under her arm and trailed behind David. None of the executives teased her about toasting Jonah. It seemed the Pearson Group made a point of never putting women in uncomfortable situations. After a few drinks, David excused himself, and Tara promptly followed him out of the VIP room. The gala dinner had been extravagant, and Tara indulged in plenty of the pricey dishes. Once everyone finished their meals, they suggested heading to a karaoke bar.

Tara claimed she was tired and wanted to head back to rest. David didn't push her. He told her to take a cab home and ---- reminded her to stay safe. Everyone else went off for karaoke , and Tara was the only one who stayed behind. After the crowds dispersed , Tara found herself alone at the bus stop. Acab back to her hotel would cost over 15 dollars . Even with two fat bonuses tucked in her purse, she figured saving a few bucks couldn't hurt. Besides, she wasn't in a hurry.

She wore a black coat and brown ankle boots, and she was carrying a black handbag. Her dark hair was tousled by the evening breeze, making her look breathtaking. A luxury car eased to a stop in front of her. The front passenger window rolled down to reveal Noah's polite smile. "Ms. Thayer, are you heading back to the hotel?" he asked. Tara brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. "Yes," she replied. Now she understood why Noah had seemed familiar when she saw him at the flower shop that day.

She had met him. at the Bayhaven villa when he went to see Jonah. "We're headed the same way. Let us give you a ride," Noah said. Tara was about to raise her hand to politely decline. But ---- Noah, thinking she was being too courteous, had already stepped out of the car and opened the rear door for her. " After you, Ms. Thayer." She glanced inside and saw Jonah reclining in the shadows with his eyes closed. His flawless profile was impossibly striking.

At that moment, a honk from the car behind them sounded. She was startled and quickly slid into the seat. Noah closed the door and returned to the front passenger seat.