"You're trying to embarrass me to death!" I punched his arm in frustration.

After laughing for a while, Derek quickly wrapped his arm around my waist, afraid I might really get upset. "Okay, okay, don't be mad. They'd have to meet you eventually."

"Besides, now you'll have free access to Grant Group."

Hearing this, I felt like a cat being stroked. "Couldn't you have done it differently?"

He replied confidently, "This was the most efficient way."

I was ...