In the West Mansion, Jackson was eating with his mother, Summer, when his phone dinged. He was in no hurry to check it but Summer could not help reminding him, “Son, are you not going to take a look? What if it’s something to do with the company?”It was only then that Jackson fished out his phone and was greeted with Tiffany’s resignation email. Faced with the table of delicacies, he suddenly lost his appetite. He did not reply to the email either, merely chucking his phone aside.Summer registered the changes in her son’s expression. “Is it something difficult? You’re still young, there’s a lot in business that you don’t know about. You can ask mom. It’s not a shameful thing to ask for advice.”Jackson remained silent for a moment before he said, “I have an employee resigning, but I don’t really want to let the employee go. What should I do?”Summer mulled over Jackson’s question before she replied, “Well, find out the reason for the resignation. If the person is unhappy with their c
Saturday and Sunday passed in just a blink of an eye.Tiffany did not show up in the office on Monday. She assumed Jackson had gone partying during the weekend and did not see her email. He would probably reply to her once he went to work on Monday. If it was not necessary, she did not want to go into the office and speak to him face to face. Whenever she met his gaze, she felt like running away. It was truly perplexing.At Bright Incorporated, Jackson was made aware of the situation when he passed by the working space and saw Tiffany’s desk was vacant. After he sat down in his office, he turned on his computer to reread her email. After considering it for a moment, he called her. “The company rules state that resignation requires the employee to show up in person.” He hung up as soon as he finished speaking, not waiting for her to reply. He was certain she would show up. After all, she would not abandon her salary that had yet to be paid.Just as expected, Tiffany arrived half an hour
Tiffany pondered over Jackson’s offer. If Lillian knew Jackson made such an offer, she would never allow her to resign. This was truly an appealing incentive. However, once she recalled that it would be awkward since they would still meet in the office if she stayed and the rumors that had once spread online made her feel like hiding in a hole, she felt this was not a matter that could be resolved with money.“Thank you, but I decline.” Tiffany decided despite her aching heart. She could almost hear her heart weeping for her. After all, she was honestly in need of money.Jackson fell silent. He knew he was acting out of character. He was retaining a newbie who wanted to resign with a double increment in pay. It was unprecedented. He was also shocked that his offer had been declined. He did not want to force the matter, but he could not help the feeling of frustration that clawed at him. After a while, he finally said, “As you wish. Claim your salary from the general accounting departme
A barely noticeable smile tugged at Jackson’s lips. “Sure, I’ll take it that she didn’t mention anything about resigning. I’ll keep my words and double her salary. However, please keep this to yourself since it’s unprecedented.”Tiffany placed the cash that she had just retrieved from the general accounting department on Jackson’s desk. “Here’s the wage that I took earlier.”Jackson shook his head. “Hold on to it. Your salary will still be remunerated this month. These will be considered as your annual bonus. We’ll subtract them at that time. Take the day off and come back to work tomorrow. Adjust your state of mind for now.”...Noontime. Arianne called Tiffany. “Why aren’t you here? You didn’t complete your resignation in time?”Tiffany sighed. “My whole life is a mess because of my mom. I won’t be able to work with you. I’m sorry, Ari…”Arianne knew what had happened without needing Tiffany to go into details. “It’s okay. Jackson’s company is not bad at all. You’ll have a lot of opp
God knew why she was still unable to get used to the deed after so long. She was not particularly fond of it so she would rather not do it. However, her rejection was usually futile.Mark lowered his head and softly bit her lips. When Arianne recalled his naked state, she stiffened, no longer dared to move. She was afraid she would unintentionally touch something forbidden. She could only try to evade his kisses. “Don’t…”“You don’t like it?” Mark’s breath was puffed against her ear, making it feel itchy.“Mm… It feels strange,” Arianne answered honestly.“Strange? How?” He asked patiently.“Um… I always feel like we shouldn’t be doing this. To me, you’re not a man…”Before Arianne could finish her sentence, a murderous expression appeared on Mark’s face.She quickly said, “I don’t mean it like that! I’m saying, I was only eight back then, and you were already an adult. You’re like a brother figure to me… That’s why I feel strange…”Mark’s expression darkened even more. “It’s been so l
It was really bothersome!Arianne regretted it after sending the text. Was she close enough to Mark that they could discuss such a topic? They looked like they were getting along, but they had yet to reach that stage!Just as she put her phone down and was about to head for lunch, her phone suddenly rang. She thought it was Mark but discovered it was Will when she picked up her phone. She did not hesitate to accept the call. Will would not look for her for nothing.Will’s blurry voice came from the other end of the line. “Ari… I don’t feel so well. I’m in room 205 at the Summer Hotel. It’s near your office. Can you come over for a bit?”Before she could reply, the line was cut. Arianne was puzzled, but she did not put much thought into it. Since it was lunchtime, she had time to go out for a while.While she was on her way, she could not help but feel suspicious. It was only her second day of work in the new company. How did Will know she was here? Summer Hotel was very far from Glide
Outside of the room, Mark spoke coldly, “If any of those photos you took are leaked, you know what the consequences are.”Aery was shocked. Mark looked as though he came from hell at this moment. This was the first time he had spoken so harshly to her. She instinctively said, “Don’t worry… I’m only keeping the evidence for you. I worry that she’ll extort money from you when you divorce her. I won’t put it on the internet…”Arianne teared up. She had no idea what had actually happened. She trembled as she dressed herself. Then, she shook Will to wake him up.Will looked as lost as she did. “Huh? Why are you here, Ari?”With a sob, she replied, “You called me in the afternoon and asked me to come here because you weren’t feeling well. The door was ajar so I came in. As soon as I stepped in, someone drugged me. When I woke up, we’re both lying on the bed naked. Moreover, Mark and Aery were here as well… I don’t know if anything actually happened…”Will blanched immediately. He flipped the
When they arrived at the hospital, Mark communicated with the doctor regarding what tests Arianne would take. She only had to obediently cooperate. She was immensely nervous when she was in the theater. Gynecological examinations were always awkward. When the ice-cold apparatus was inserted into her, she broke out in cold sweat from the pain.After a series of tests, the doctor said emotionlessly, “It’s done.”After putting on her pants, Arianne waited for the results quietly. She involuntarily glanced toward Mark and Aery seated together on the bench outside the room, looking like a couple. However, Mark’s expression was incredibly cold.Around twenty minutes later, the doctor called Mark in. Arianne was beside them. She could feel Mark deliberately keeping a distance from her, as though disgusted by her filth.“There’s sexual intercourse within a day. There’s obvious blood flow and swelling on this part. The swelling is slightly too much.” The doctor announced the result in a profess