Elliott said understandingly, “That makes sense. It's not something you can decide. But now that our companies are partners, if Mr. Longbottom hosts a banquet, I'm sure clients like us will be on the guest list."
After all, he was now a major client of Longbottom Corporation.
Manny smiled without saying anything.
Seeing Manny clearly in a bad mood, Elliott did not stay in the office for long and soon left.
After casually looking around the building, he returned to the VIP lounge to wait for Laurence.
Once Laurence finished his work, he came to meet him. They chatted for another ten or so minutes before Elliott finally left.
Laurence offered to treat him to a meal, but he declined, saying there was plenty of work waiting for him back at his own company.
Thus, Laurence did not press the matter.
After seeing Elliott off, several elders of the family, including Tony, arrived.
There were eight in total. It was rare for so many elders to visit the company together.
The employees started speculating about the purpose of their visit.
When Laurence received a call from Misty via the intercom, he calmly said, "Show them in."
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom," Misty replied sweetly.
Less than two minutes later, Misty led the elders into the office and invited them to have a seat.
With eight of them, every seat on the sofa was taken.
There was not even a place for Laurence to sit.
Misty quickly went outside and brought back a chair.
One of the elders stood and said to Laurence, "Here, take my seat. I'll use that chair."
Although they were older, the family still acknowledged Laurence as holding the highest authority. It would not be proper for them to remain seated while the head of the family was standing. Besides, the chair was far less comfortable than the sofa.
"No, please stay seated. The chair is perfectly fine for me. There's no need to stand on ceremony in private."
Laurence spoke warmly, motioning for the elder to sit back down, then took the chair Misty had brought in. As always, Noelle quietly stood behind him.
Tony's eyes flickered when he saw that Laurence still kept Noelle by his side even in the office. He had to admit that the young man was extraordinarily cautious.
Then again, if he were not, he would have died countless times already.
Misty turned toward the pantry to prepare refreshments and said to Noelle, "Come help me serve the tea."
Noelle did not move.
She was Laurence's personal bodyguard. No one other than he had the authority to order her around.
Who did this woman think she was, giving her orders?
Entertaining guests was a secretary's responsibility, not a bodyguard's, whose duty was to protect their boss.
Laurence said in a low voice, "Ms. Tindall, that's your job. Noelle is neither your subordinate nor your assistant. You have no authority to assign her any tasks."
Misty froze for a moment before hurriedly explaining, "Mr. Longbottom, I was only asking Ms. Noelle to help pour a few cups of tea. I wasn't ordering her around."
"The moment you asked her, you were assigning her work. Her job is to protect me. She's my personal bodyguard!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "personal bodyguard".
Misty had originally been Manny's secretary. Since Laurence had only just taken over the company, he had not had the time to replace her.
Perhaps Manny spoiled his young, pretty secretary too much, letting her think she could order Noelle around.