Eranthe smiled coldly."Joke's on you. I dared to confront Dylan; hitting you is nothing! Ever heard of 'he who provokes first is shameless'? You must be unfamiliar with it!""I'm not someone with a good temper. Dare to provoke me again, and you'll see." With that, she pushed Galina against the wall, looking down at her. "Did you understand my words? Mind your own business."Galina looked at Eranthe in horror. Her makeup was now smudged, and her clothes were wet. Unable to fight back against Eranthe, she grabbed her makeup bag and fled.Eranthe found it quite amusing. In this world, there were plenty of those who were fierce on the surface but timid inside. The weaker you showed, the more they thought you were easy to bully.As if realizing something, Eranthe took a deep breath and turned around.Unexpectedly, the first thing she saw was a pair of finely crafted leather shoes, followed by the impeccably tailored trouser legs of a suit.Eranthe felt a sense of familiarity with those lo
It was Morris, Colin's assistant.Galina suddenly lost her voice, and Mr. Harris was quicker to react, rushing to the front."Morris, long time no see," he greeted, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket.Morris waved his hand and looked at Eranthe. "Miss Eranthe Taylor, if you have any business needs, you can contact the number on this business card."Eranthe was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. "Morris, may I schedule a meeting with Mr. Rodriguez to personally express my gratitude?""I will inquire with Mr. Rodriguez," Morris replied.Seeing that he didn't refuse, Eranthe breathed a sigh of relief. "Goodnight, Morris."She watched the luxury cars leave, leaving her colleagues in stunned silence.Acacia rolled her eyes and, looking at Galina's pale face, said, "A clown jumping around."Eranthe held Morris's business card. Although it was Morris's personal number, at least it was a step given by Colin.Galina couldn't stay any longer and left immediately.Acacia stayed with
The atmosphere in the car fell into a dreadful silence.Colin, unlike before, didn't make any ambiguous moves towards her. Instead, he closed his eyes, seemingly to rest.If Eranthe weren't sitting on his lap, the current distance between them would be quite satisfactory for her.Unfortunately, she dared not move now. Even when the car stopped at a red light, she remained tense, trying to figure out what explanation Colin might accept.She thought that he had given her an obvious way out tonight.Eranthe never believed that someone would help another person for no reason. Besides, Colin was well-known for his lack of compassion in the business world. Considering all this, she couldn't find any reason why Colin would extend a helping hand to her multiple times.Fortunately, Sharon No. 3 was not far from their current location. When they reached the entrance of the residential area, the driver stopped the car.Eranthe wanted to move, but she unconsciously looked at Colin.The light from
Dylan's face appeared, and he forcefully grabbed her hair, slamming her head against the wall."Ah!—" Eranthe screamed, muffled by Dylan's hand covering her mouth from behind."You're only coming back now? It seems you intentionally came home early before, just to avoid me, huh?" Dylan's breath brushed against her neck."I've been waiting for you so patiently. Where do you think you can escape? Didn't I say I'd make you die in a gruesome way?"Eranthe wanted to resist, but Dylan took the initiative, holding onto her hair and pressing his body against hers."How did Colin handle you?"Eranthe struggled with all her might."Bitch! Today, I'll deal with you. I'll send a video to Colin and plaster your photos all over the world! Let's see how you act then."Dylan dragged Eranthe, who was trying to break free out of the door, towards the bed.At this moment, only thoughts of Colin waiting outside occupied Eranthe's mind. She had been lying on the sofa for so long that she wasn't sure if Co
What followed was a one-sided act of torment. Dylan's mouth was muffled by the guards who rushed in. Through the crack in the door, only faint moans and pleading sounds from his throat could be heard.Eranthe hurriedly packed her belongings into the suitcase, trying to tell herself to stay calm, but her hands couldn't help trembling.She had no idea what Colin would do to Dylan, but right now, she just wished that scumbag would go to the police station and disappear from her sight immediately. The thought of having his traces on her made her nauseous.After a while, the living room returned to a calm state.The door suddenly opened, and she instinctively flinched, turning to see Colin standing outside the door."Are you done packing?" he asked.Eranthe nodded.Colin approached her, and with the shadows elongating behind him, he suddenly enveloped her in his arms. His large hand gently stroked her hair. "Don't be afraid. He won't come back."With just that sentence, Eranthe's heart ine
"Have you slept?"It was Colin.Eranthe thought for a moment, tightened her nightgown, and asked, "Mr. Rodriguez, is there something you need?""If you have bruises, remember to apply the ointment. It's by the door." His voice was somewhat cold and stern.After realizing this, Eranthe walked to the door, and indeed, Colin was still standing there. When he saw her coming out, his gaze was piercing.Eranthe was not inexperienced, so she lifted her eyes and asked, "Just to deliver medicine?"Colin's hair was still slightly damp, not reveal his usual clean forehead as on regular days, and his attractive features were hidden beneath the black strands.Being tall, even at eye level, Eranthe could only see his chest. With his robe off, how would his well-defined chest emphasize the power of masculinity? She knew it all too well.The toes, painted in golden nail polish, were gently overlapping as she silently waited for his response.Colin raised an eyebrow slightly, lips parting, and his gaz
But perhaps due to laughable dignity and the fear of the unknown, she was never willing to leave the choice of the future to an unknown variable.Besides the physical compatibility, she knew nothing about Colin. Pleasure based on the flesh alone was not enough to shackle herself."Yes, if Mr. Rodriguez wants to continue this kind of relationship with me, I only accept the latter.""Do you refuse basic gifts as well?""Avoid if possible. What interests us is only each other's bodies, and gifts are exchanged for the sustainability of our relationship. Dealing with these gifts in the future, if we part ways, would be troublesome."Colin seemed somewhat displeased. "I'm not someone who likes to take advantage of others.""Does Mr. Rodriguez want to be in a relationship with me then?"Colin didn't say a word.But the cold expression on his face was enough to indicate his inner thoughts; he had no intention of discussing love with her!After careful consideration, Eranthe said, "Mr. Rodrigu
Colin finally raised his eyes and glanced at Frank, "Are you free right now?"Frank, not working in his own company, came to him at this time of day and said such a thing.He stared at Frank with a slightly displeased warning in his eyes. Frank immediately shifted the conversation away from what he had just said."I was also forced to do so. Your actions were so intense that you sent both the Millers father and son to the police station in one night. Many people came to inquire about it. The projects that Dylan pulled us into for investment, if they go south, although the money is not a lot, losing it still feels unpleasant. Give me a clear answer. What exactly is your intention, and what do you want?"Colin took a sip of his coffee. "If he breaks the law, he goes to jail. Do you need someone to teach you that lesson?"Frank tossed his car keys aside and settled onto the couch. "So, looks like this kid is going to spend quite some time behind bars?"Colin had intervened, and he wasn't
Eranthe replied, "If I had no conscience, I wouldn't give you medicine to take."Colin turned his head in frustration.Morris arrived promptly upon hearing that Colin was ill, and Eranthe happened to be handing over her shift to him."Follow the instructions on the medicine label for him. I've prepared hot water. Just remember to close the door when you leave," Eranthe said, aware that she had only half an hour for her commute and couldn't linger.Morris nodded repeatedly but then noticed the deathly stare from his boss."Miss Taylor.""Yes?""Today, I also need to take a day off with Mr. Rodriguez. Could you please take care of him?""Today's schedule is packed for me. I can't look after him," Eranthe replied, well aware of Morris's tactics. His loyalty was clearly with Colin.Morris was quick on his feet. "Miss Taylor, my mom is coming to Assyria City today. I was planning to take the afternoon off anyway. Mr. Rodrigue
Colin raised an eyebrow in disappointment, then spread out the sheets and lay down with the cat.But clearly, he couldn't sleep. The scent of the woman still lingered in the air, constantly tempting him and making him feel uncomfortably hot.He decided to take off his shirt, his long legs hanging off the sofa because it was too small for him to stretch out fully.Every time he closed his eyes, he pictured her exceptionally enchanting appearance.Inside the house, Eranthe tossed and turned, feeling like her territory had been invaded. She regretted not ignoring him.Why was this so troublesome? If only she had ignored him, she would have fallen asleep by now.After lying in bed for half an hour without feeling drowsy, she scratched her head, feeling the need to use the bathroom. But the bathroom was outside the room...What if that dog suddenly pounced on her?If he dared, she would punch him.Eranthe silently vowed, lift
Eranthe: ...She really wanted to smash this guy with the water bottle."Go home!"If she kept listening to him, she might start feeling a little soft-hearted.Colin smiled subtly and followed her casually, like a large dog.On the way home, Eranthe repeated multiple times not to take advantage of any opportunity to enter her home.Colin agreed readily, and when it came time to open the door, she insisted on watching him enter before she unlocked it, like she was guarding against a thief.Colin asked, "Are you really sure you don't need me to escort you home?""Mr. Rodriguez, I'm already home.""What if someone unwelcome shows up at your place?"Eranthe laughed, "Then I'll call the police. It's scarier letting you in. Maybe you should worry more about whether there's a headless ghost under your bed at night, or someone staring at you from outside your window."After saying this, Eranthe watched with satisfa
"..." Eranthe concluded that communicating with him was indeed asking for trouble.Eranthe opened the door to leave, and Colin followed.Eranthe cursed inwardly. She had let her guard down. It seemed Colin had taken advantage of the moment to change his clothes, and now he was accompanying her to eat."Mr. Rodriguez, someone of your stature shouldn't be playing the role of a tracker," Eranthe remarked."No, of course not," Colin assured her."Let's hope you stick to that," Eranthe responded skeptically."Agreed."The two entered the elevator. "Where are you headed, Mr. Rodriguez?""Depends on my mood.""..." What a watertight answer! Depending on his mood meant wherever she was going, he would follow!The elevator quickly arrived, and as luck would have it, they encountered the elderly lady downstairs again."Oh dear, finished your meal, young couple? Going out for a stroll?"Eranthe smiled awkwardly
Wasn't he just trying to make her insist he stay?"Forget it, sit down and eat. It's like I'm bullying you," she muttered.Colin moved closer. "Miss Taylor, are you inviting me?"He glanced at his watch. "During my working hours, I'm not allowed to eat with clients, but if a client requests it, I can provide additional services.""What additional services? Dishwashing?""A deep kiss.""Eh?" Eranthe gave him a deadpan smile. "You're fired.""My employer isn't Miss Taylor, so you don't have the authority for that, but you can complain.""And the solution to complaints—is it also a kiss?"Colin remained serious, adopting an austere expression. "Miss Taylor, I'm here for part-time work, not to sell myself."Eranthe couldn't stomach her meal after that.“Colin, are you even serious? Should I start a fundraiser to buy you a mirror?” Eranthe retorted, still seething.This guy had the audac
Then, as if in disbelief, the doorbell rang."I'm sorry, Miss Taylor, it seems the nutritionist has arrived. We've already paid, so it would be awkward to send him away."Eranthe: ...Why did you even schedule this?!It's just stirring up trouble for no reason!She didn't want to take it out on innocent people, so she hung up the phone and went to open the door, expecting to see a lady but finding a tall man at the door instead.Eranthe burst out laughing, "Mr. Rodriguez.""When did you start moonlighting as a nutritionist?" Eranthe crossed her arms, eager to hear what else he could come up with.Colin raised an eyebrow, "Just bored after work, making some extra cash."He gestured to come inside, leaving Eranthe speechless. She was also worried about leaving the door open and the cat suddenly darting out.Once Colin successfully entered, it was just like before—efficiently grabbing onions, ginger, and garlic
Most likely, Colin was just there as a witness the whole time.Eranthe adjusted her position, leaning closer to the car window, and closed her eyes again.When she woke up once more, it was to the sound of honking outside the window.She suddenly looked as night fell, turning her head abruptly to meet the man's dark gaze.She jumped slightly, and Colin said casually, "Awake?"Eranthe checked the time and realized it was already 7:40. She must have slept quite a while in the car. "Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.She opened the car door. "Thank you for driving me back."As she picked up her bag to head home, she noticed Colin was also getting out of the car.Eranthe halted her steps. "Are you planning to come to my house?"Colin admitted nonchalantly, "Yes."Eranthe was incredulous. "Mr. Rodriguez, don't play dumb. Wasn't I clear enough?"Colin replied, "Shouldn't a pursuer safely escort you to the doorst
Alexis wasn't under Mr. Hill Vice President Hill's jurisdiction, so he didn't react much either.After the meeting dispersed, Eranthe clearly noticed several leaders looking displeased.Just as Mr. Hill Vice President Hill was giving Eranthe instructions about which projects to prioritize next, Eranthe was taking notes with her pen when she saw the hotel manager rushing over to a group of leaders."What's going on?" Eranthe watched as the leaders headed towards the coffee shop, and shortly after, police cars arrived.It seemed they were trying to contain the situation and were ordered to return to the city promptly.Eranthe had already checked out and didn't want to get involved in others' affairs. She hoped to catch a ride with Mr. Hill Vice President Hill, but then she saw him being called away as well."Forget about it, let's all go back," Eranthe muttered to herself as she turned around, but then Colin's phone call came through.S
"Okay, if you really end up with Eranthe, I'll learn from you.""Does Oriel really want to be with you? Just flattering yourself," Colin, in a bad mood, retorted sharply.Frank sighed, "Ah, men without a sex life are truly terrifying."Colin ignored him.From behind the water feature, voices could be heard.Although not loud, with few guests around, the conversation was clear."That woman is really pretty, almost like those female celebrities on TV.""Were you trained with her before? Do you know what she's like? Is she easy to get? With looks like hers, she must have plenty of suitors.""I heard she has some connection with that Miller family whose son, Eric Miller, dated her for a few months. They've probably split up now, and there are quite a few guys chasing her in the company.""I think with a woman like her, you could win her over with a bit of money. Just a few dates and you could sleep with her.""Alexis,