"It's impressive that you're able to slack off, Ms. Jacinto," Hades stated."Apologies. You looked busy earlier," Alanna explained."Indeed. While your boss was drowning in work, you managed to have the time to drink water and enjoy the view. Do you think it's unnecessary to put in work for the salary I'm paying you?""Sorry." Alanna paused before continuing, "Mr. Florentine, may I know when Ms. Smith can start the shoot? I suggest switching her out for someone else if she's unable to recover soon. The new product launches next month. The promotional campaign will get affected if we delay this any longer."Hades finally met her eyes. "That only means you've failed to do your job. As for switching Melanie out, that's impossible. Don't bother considering that route, Ms. Jacinto. We can switch you out for someone else if you feel incapable of completing this task."Alanna's body stiffened. Hades wasn't planning on switching out the person responsible for this project planning. Inst
All at once, Alanna didn't know how to respond. Her smile tensed, and it took her a moment to speak up. "Please tell this Mr. Florentine on my behalf. Have Ms. Smith confirm her availability with me once she recovers. That way, I can schedule the shoot."She then turned on her heel to leave, not staying any longer after saying that. …Melanie looked around the CEO's office, her eyes scrunching with the utmost distaste. "Your office is too cold! Plus, the black, white, and grey color scheme is hideous!"Hades was currently flipping through a contract. His lips curved once he heard her words. "It's not like you're using this office. Why does it concern you if it's hideous?"That made Melanie bitter at once. "It's your office! How can it not have anything to do with me?"Hades glanced up at her and lightly chuckled. "How are you still as bossy as always?"Flashing a mischievous grin, Melanie leaned close to him and asked, "Why? You don't like it?"Hades didn't respond to her. Ins
Little did Melanie expect Hades to chuckle and say, "Indeed. You never had a say in this matter, anyway."That pissed Melanie off so much that she snarled through gritted teeth, "Get her up here. I want to discuss the commercial shoot with her!"Hades no longer looked at her. "You may look for her on your own. Be civil when discussing things instead of throwing your temper tantrums."Melanie huffed before leaving the CEO's office.…Alanna headed for the garden outside the company after leaving the top floor. The garden was specially designed as a space for employees to relax. Once there, Alanna sat beside the pond and felt slightly better. Hades had always been demanding when it came to sex. Because of that, Alanna had a hard time coping with it. Despite always screwing her to extreme exhaustion, Hades would still sometimes feel dissatisfied. That said, he was probably also picky about who he dated. That was why he never sought out another woman, even if Alanna failed t
Alanna's lips twitched.Terrence hadn't bothered softening the insult behind his words. In fact, he even sounded haughty, as if amused by the drama.Although Alanna always felt invincible and unfazed by others, Terrence's words made her blood run cold. Indeed, the people in the industry, including Hades, didn't respect her.She faced Terrence and tried hard to make herself seem perfectly unbothered. "The bitch who covets others' belongings? Why?""Naturally, it's because you stole Melanie's spot, Ms. Jacinto. I always thought you were sensible. Who'd have known you'd have such blurred boundaries between doing the right and wrong thing?"Alanna chuckled. "That's funny. If Hades wanted Melanie, do you think I'd be able to steal her spot? Or, do you believe I'm actually capable of controlling Hades? I have this current position because Hades kept me here. Aren't you people being too nosy? Also—"She paused for a breath before continuing, "If I'm a bitch, what does that make you? I s
Melanie didn't return to Hades' office. Instead, she gave him a call before leaving the company. After leaving the company, she made another call. "Dad, find me a pharmacist."…Alanna contacted Melanie's manager again, but nobody answered. She hung up and massaged her temples. It was too obvious Melanie and the manager were deliberately making things difficult for her."What do we do now, Ms. Jacinto? How about you speak with Mr. Florentine again?" Renee suggested.A scoff came from Alanna then. She knew there was no use talking to Hades about it since he'd never put his first love in a difficult position. After a brief silence, Alanna made a phone call that quickly went through. "Mr. Walsh, sorry to disturb you, but our company has a recent collaboration project. I'd like to speak about it with one of your managers, Heidi Zain. However, I don't seem to have her number anymore. Could you ask her to contact me? Yes, okay, thank you. Let's go out for a meal someday. It'll be on
Alanna looked at the private room ahead and then turned to face the waiter. "Excuse me. Have you made a mistake? I recall making a reservation for an open-air table."The waiter smiled. "It's not a mistake, Ms. Jacinto. The man who's dining with you has requested to have a private room instead."Alanna's eyelid twitched as she flashed a bitter smile. "I see. Sorry for the trouble. I'll head inside on my own."She headed for the washroom once the waiter left. Then, she immediately phoned Chelsey. "Where are you, Chelsey?""I'm at the hospital since I'm on duty tonight. What's wrong? Are you unwell?"Alanna was briefly silent before saying, "It's nothing. I wanted to ask you out for a meal, but it's okay. We'll meet up another day.""Okay."Alanna stood frozen for a long time after the call. Ultimately, she gritted her teeth and phoned Hades. She would rather put up with his ridiculing than face Blake alone.Alas, Hades didn't answer.Alanna's chest bitterly tightened as she wat
"Why would I be professional? You should already know what's about to happen since you chose to show up today, so quit acting innocent! I doubt Hades has never touched you before!" Blake's arms slithered around Alanna as he kissed her neck. The smell of alcohol on him made Alanna feel sick, and she immediately fought back. "You should just drink as told, Ms. Jacinto. Did you seriously think I didn't notice you swapping your wine for water? Who are you fooling? Huh?" While saying that, Blake picked up a glass of wine and poured it into Alanna's mouth.Alanna paled at once. She wanted to spit the wine out but accidentally swallowed a little out of reflex."You won't even drink the wine. Ms. Jacinto, this isn't the attitude one should have when asking for others' help!"Alanna coughed intensely.Blake grabbed the collar of her shirt and unbuttoned it by force. He unknowingly gulped when he saw her tempting collarbones. Yet, as he leaned down to kiss them, Alanna kicked his thi
"I won't." Alanna met Hades' gaze with red eyes. "I've never thought about sleeping with anyone.""Then why are you here?" Hades snapped.Alanna took a deep breath, trying to make herself seem less disheveled. "Ms. Smith refused to cooperate with me, and I couldn't contact her manager. I had no choice but to ask Mr. Walsh for help."Hades gripped her jaw. "Is it really just for work? Or is he your next wealthy sponsor?"Alanna's jaw hurt from how tightly he held it, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she smiled at him. "I have plenty of candidates for wealthy sponsors to choose from. As long as my eyes are functioning, there's no way I would pick him."The flames in Hades' eyes burned brighter. He grabbed Alanna's wrist so tightly that it was almost as if he wanted to snap it in half. Then, he dragged her out of the restaurant and stuffed her into the car.The car sped away like an arrow being shot from a bow. Hades didn't say anything else, and neither did Alanna. She didn't e