Chapter 0007

In the CEO's office, Willow leaned back in her executive chair. Her eyes were filled with tears of frustration.

She was so furious about what had just happened.

She had gone to Alan's office. However, he actually asked her to sleep with him in the lounge!

Otherwise, he made it clear that his investment was off the table.

Willow stormed out of the door. She would never allow herself to do such a thing.

Throughout her career, she relied on her own abilities to build her business. Similarly, Willow felt regretful.

Inwardly, she scolded herself for being so naive.

During her negotiation with Alan, she failed to write the details of the contract in black and white.

Now, she only had two options. She could either give in to Alan or watch her company go bankrupt because of a shortfall of eight million dollars.

She would never choose the first option.

However, was she really going to watch the company she had worked so hard to build go bankrupt?

As Willow was in a dilemma with tears streaming down her face, there was a knock on her office door.

Someone walked in.

Willow wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and tried to compose herself.

She suppressed her emotions and swiveled around to find that it was Caspian who walked in.

Willow did her best to calm herself down and looked up at Caspian with a smile. "Mr. Lynch, have you made a decision? Can you start working today?"

Caspian did not reply.

When he saw the tears on Willow's long eyelashes, he reached for a tissue from the coffee table and handed it to her.

Stunned, Willow took the tissue and wiped away her tears, feeling embarrassed.

Caspian couldn't help feeling sorry for Willow. She had gone through a hard time, and now she had to put on a brave front before her employees.

He comforted her, saying, "Although the world claims to uphold gender equality, women face more challenges in their careers as compared to men.

"Women are always tempted by honey traps in the face of financial interest. Ms. Stewart, it is admirable that you have kept yourself pure until now."

As Willow wiped away the tear stains on her face, she whispered, "You say that like you know all about it."

Caspian shook his head. "I have no idea, but I could guess. Seeing as your eyes are so red, I must have hit the nail on the head."

Willow looked up and forced a smile. "Even an employee like you could guess, but I failed to do that. How can I call myself a CEO of a company?"

Caspian replied, "Don't underestimate yourself. You just temporarily lost your way in the face of enormous financial gain."

Willow nodded in acknowledgment. Caspian's analysis was in line with her own thoughts.

She spoke to Caspian, "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

Caspian retorted without hesitation, "Why should I have told you this?"

His unexpected response took Willow by surprise.

Caspian was right.

She only paid him a salary.

There was no reason for him to tell her this.

Willow thought for a moment and continued, "Then why are you telling me all this now? Are you trying to console me?"

Caspian sat down across from Willow nonchalantly. "Consoling you is just one of my aims. What I hope for is that my future business partner will not be blinded by profit and learn from this experience."

Business partner?

She only intended for Caspian to be her company's project manager.

She was going to offer him a base salary plus project commissions.

She wasn't going to offer him any of the company's shares.

Caspian had his head down as he played with his phone. He spoke casually to Willow, "My rough estimate is that the company needs another 8 million dollars to complete the project. With your abilities and an addition of 2 million dollars for promotional funding, I'm sure this project will be a success."

Willow was taken aback by Caspian's words.

The budget that Caspian told her was nearly identical to her own private estimates. She had never discussed this with anyone, so how did Caspian know?

Willow looked at him with suspicion. Caspian put his phone aside and stared into Willow's eyes. "If I invest 12 million dollars in the company, will you give me 51% of the company's shares? You will retain 49%. Ms. Stewart, do you agree to these terms?"

Stunned, Willow jumped out of her chair and exclaimed, "Are you kidding me? Caspian, are you here to mock me? Do you think 12 million dollars is something you can come up with by mere talk?

"With your current salary, you couldn't earn that amount in a lifetime. Even if you worked two or three lifetimes, you wouldn't even be able to accumulate that sum."

Caspian spoke calmly, "It's only 12 million dollars. To me, it's just a drop in the ocean."

His indifferent demeanor infuriated Willow. She had never seen someone so arrogant.

Willow had always thought of Caspian as a hardworking and humble young man. However, the words he was saying now completely contradicted the image she had of him.

"Merely 12 million dollars? Caspian, let me ask you. With your day job and delivering parcels part-time, how much money can you earn in a month?"

Caspian finally understood. Willow must have thought he was bragging by the way he made light of 12 million dollars. She was angered as she was struggling to make up for the enormous gap in cash flow.

Nonetheless, Caspian had no intention to show off. As Lord Caspian of Diadem Hall, even if there were a few more zeros involved, he could afford it. To him, 12 million dollars was pocket change.

Sitting on the chair, Caspian spoke to Willow in earnest, "Ms. Stewart, I'm not joking. I will provide 12 million dollars from my personal account. My condition is to exchange this 12 million dollars for 51% of the company's shares. Are you willing?"

Willow scoffed and sat back down. She had always valued Caspian as a diligent employee. Little did she expect to find out after talking to him personally that Caspian was actually a maniac who loved to boast.

She regretted wasting her time and effort in promoting him to the position of project manager in the company.

Luckily Caspian had not accepted her offer. Otherwise, the company she built up through sweat and tears would be ruined by this braggart.

Willow was feeling frustrated when Caspian asked again, "Ms. Stewart, have you thought it over?"

Willow was incensed. She picked up a folder next to her and slammed it onto the table.

"Caspian, that's enough! Please leave. I'm very busy and don't have time for your jokes."

Caspian said helplessly, "Ms. Stewart, I'm not joking with you. I'm being serious!"

"Fine, let's talk business. You want to talk seriously, right?"

Willow took off her coat. She was wearing a tight-fitting pink blouse underneath that showed off her curves.

Her voluptuous chest heaved up and down as she tried to suppress her anger.

Willow opened her computer. She searched for the contract she prepared for Alan beforehand regarding their collaboration on the project.

Her slender fingers flew across the keyboard as she made a few modifications to the contents of the document. In a few minutes, the printer nearby started printing.

Soon enough, a complete equity transfer agreement was printed out. Willow took a pen and signed her name decisively on the agreement.

She handed the agreement to Caspian. "Here, once you transfer 12 million dollars to the company's account, you will acquire 51% of the company's shares.

"In addition, I will add a supplementary term. If you fulfill the terms of this agreement, I will be your woman from now on!"

She pressed harder, "Sign it now! Do you think I'm a naive girl who would be deceived by your tricks?

"After fooling around with me, you'll dump me like garbage. No problem, I'll play along with you. It's clearly stated in this contract.

"As long as 12 million dollars of financing is transferred to the company's account by today, both the company and I will be yours!"

Caspian was taken aback.

The financing amount and ratio of shares on the agreement were correct. However, Willow's offer of herself in exchange for a mere 12 million dollars …

"Ms. Stewart, this is a little inappropriate …"

Willow's lips curved into a smile. She smirked with disdain. "What's inappropriate about it? I don't have a boyfriend and I'm still a virgin. You're getting the long end of the stick.

"Sign the agreement quickly. When you're done, transfer the money to the company's account. After that, we can check into a hotel.

"Otherwise, we can go to my place, or even yours. Don't waste time and sign the agreement."

Since Willow was willing, Caspian didn't see a point in resisting further.

He took up the pen and signed his name on the agreement without hesitation.

Then, he took out his phone. According to the account number on the agreement, he transferred 12 million dollars into the company's account.

Willow almost burst into laughter when she saw Caspian taking his act to such lengths.

After that, he even spoke to her shamelessly, "The transfer should be complete. Go and check the accounts."

Willow chuckled coldly. "Alright, I'll play along with your charade. I'll go and check the company's account right now. Let's see if you have the ability to back up the boasts you've made."

With that, Willow typed rapidly on the keyboard and logged into the company's financial accounts.

When she entered the account's password and pressed to log in, she glanced at Caspian and sneered, "We'll head to a hotel later."

Although Willow spoke casually, the moment she shifted her gaze onto the computer's screen, she was dumbfounded.

Four … five … six zeros …

There really was an addition of 12 million dollars in the company's account.

She immediately opened the transaction history.

The sender of this 12 million dollars was none other than Caspian!