Chapter 2

In the two months since arriving in Jesseltown, I managed to earn a decent amount at the nightclub by using my looks, my ability to entice men, and techniques to make them part with their money.

It was enough to cover my living expenses for an entire semester.

I cherished the opportunity to study at the college now that I had a fresh start in a new place. In addition, the program didn't provide housing to postgraduate students, so everyone had to look for their own accommodations. No one here knew anything about my past.

To my classmates, I was just a beautiful, exotic-looking, and reserved eccentric. However, I was careful to craft my image. I was willing to eat and live modestly, but I would spend some of my earnings on stylish yet alluring clothing, second-hand designer bags, and luxury skincare.

These helped accentuate my charm and allure, which I subtly showcased to the men around me when the opportunity was right. Many male students, including wealthy heirs and sons of high-ranking officials, pursued me, but I rejected them all.

I disliked things that came too easily. Moreover, I detested their arrogance and overconfidence, barely concealing the lust in their eyes.

Of course, I knew what people in Jesseltown were like. Relationships here wouldn't lead anywhere. I would only end up as a fleeting lover in their youth and nothing more than a toy in bed.

The weather in Jesseltown had started to cool by autumn of 2022. Unlike the predictable skies in Westernia, the sky here remained gray and gloomy for a few days without a single drop of rain. It was enough to make me irritated.

Fortunately, the college hosted the annual "Journalism and Communication Academic Forum" this year and invited renowned scholars in the field.

I had been paying attention to the portrayal of women in the media for some time and started research on the topic early.

I completed my thesis on "A Study on the Changing Representation of Women in Television Public Service Advertisements", which earned recognition from my professors. So, I was fortunate enough to be selected to present it at the forum this time.

I hadn't expected that day to be the second time I would meet Zack. That day, he thoroughly humiliated me.

Zack turned out to be the panel judge for the subforum I was presenting at. It was then I learned that his name was Zack Spencer. He was a guest lecturer at our college and the CEO of Zander Group, Jesseltown's most prominent media company.

I vividly remembered that Zack was wearing a black, tailored trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses. He exuded the intelligence of a scholar and the elegance of a noble.

After my presentation, the other judges pointed out areas to improve in my research with polite and encouraging words. They were like mentors giving constructive feedback to a novice.

However, Zack showed me no mercy.

Leaning back in his chair, he fixed his gaze on me and spoke deliberately, "Your topic is cliched, your sample selection lacks representativeness, and your research methods are poorly chosen. Most importantly, can you really study the portrayal of women in the media with your poor personal image?"

Murmurs erupted around us before Zack even finished speaking. Puzzled gazes darted between me and him as I stood on the stage awkwardly.

Others might not understand, but I knew exactly what he meant. It was his preconceived judgment of me after seeing me at the nightclub.

Zack must have thought I was a loose woman steeped in nightlife, selling my smiles and my body. He thought I was destined to dwell in the shadows instead of standing in the academic arena, talking about women's representation with my questionable reputation and personal character.

After receiving such a humiliating critique from Zack, I couldn't shake off my annoyance at his lack of chivalry. Nonetheless, I learned from this bitter experience and revised my thesis carefully. After two months of hard work, I managed to get it accepted by a reputable journal.

I didn't return home during winter break. My supervisor, Joseph Warren, was aware of my family situation and knew that I was funding my studies on my own.

He used his connections to help me secure an internship at a renowned media company. According to him, they pay quite well for their interns.

I hadn't expected that company to be Zander Group. Initially, I thought about skipping the interview as I knew how poorly Zack thought of me. I wouldn't pass the interview, so why bother embarrassing myself?

But then I remembered that the company was enormous. Even if I'd worked here my whole life, I wouldn't run into the CEO often. Plus, the high pay was enticing. In the end, I decided to give it a shot.

To my surprise, the interview went smoothly. I received an offer to work in the journalism department. Unfortunately, I realized things wouldn't be so easy when I reported to work the next day.

The HR staff told me that I was initially going to be an intern journalist in the journalism department. However, she had no idea why a certain Mr. Spencer rejected it during the approval process and reassigned me to intern at the CEO assistants' office.

I thought, "Great, just my luck."

Ultimately, I fell into his trap. I couldn't understand why he had moved me into the CEO assistants' office despite his obvious disdain for me.

I knew he had a bad impression of me, so he would likely try to find ways to make my life difficult. But I wasn't one to back down. Zack might appear to be very proper and indifferent to women, but no man could ever escape the sway of my charm.

Since he insisted on keeping me near him, it could only mean he was attracted to me. Still, I vowed not to let him have his way. As payback for his humiliation, I decided to seduce him and keep him wanting.

On my first day, I wore a sexy outfit. Many men at the office couldn't take their eyes off me. Two of them even asked for my number.

Pleased with the attention, I figured handling Zack would be just as easy.

However, my plan fell through, as I didn't see Zack at all. He didn't appear for five days. One of the other assistants mentioned he was in Elgerland attending an international communications forum.

I finally saw him on the sixth day.

He seemed to have just gotten off a flight as he looked slightly tired. His hair was messier than usual, and there was a faint stubble on his face. Yet his expression appeared distant and composed, radiating a forbidden allure.

Zack called me into his office. I stole a quick glance at myself and admired my waist-length hair as I walked past a mirror. I was dressed in a light blue, fitted dress that accentuated my curves.

Although I had a white blazer on, my chest was teasingly on display. My full hips swayed sensually with every step, like a seductive and lively sprite.