Share

Chapter 5

last update Last Updated: 2025-01-20 19:03:46

Sara walked briskly along the sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the office building ahead. She was already running late, thanks to a sleep-filled morning that had left her groggy and disoriented. Madison had specifically told her not to be late, and here she was, already 10 minutes behind schedule.

As she turned a corner, a black SUV sped past her, sending a wave of water from the road splashing over her. The water had accumulated on the road from the morning rain, and the SUV's tires had kicked it up, drenching Sara.

Sara's eyes widened in anger as she felt the cold water seep into her clothes. She let out a string of abusive words, her voice echoing through the morning air.

"Seriously?

The SUV sped past her, sending a wave of water splashing over her; Sara's anger boiled over. "Are you fucking blind, you rich bastard?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the morning air. "Can't you see people? Fucking dog!"

As soon as the words left her lips, the SUV screeched to a halt just a few feet away. Sara was still fuming with anger, her heart racing with indignation.

The driver's side door opened, and a man in a sleek black suit stepped out. He was wearing black goggles, which added to his already intimidating presence. He strode towards Sara, his long legs eating up the distance between them.

As he approached, he ripped off his goggles, revealing a pair of piercing bright blue eyes that seemed to bore into Sara's very soul.

"What did you just call me?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Sara stood her ground, her anger still simmering just below the surface. "I called you a rich bastard," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "And a fucking dog, for that matter."

The man's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "You have no idea who I am, do you?" He sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

Sara raised an eyebrow, her defiance unwavering. "No, and I don't care. You're just some entitled rich guy who thinks he can drive however he wants and splash people on the sidewalk."

The man's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're going to regret saying that," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Sara stood her ground, her eyes locked on the man's angry face. "I'm shaking in my boots," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The man took a step closer to her, his eyes blazing with anger. "You should be," he growled. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. I'm not some ordinary person you can insult and get away with it."

Sara's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't back down. "Well, excuse me for not recognizing your royal highness," she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

The man's face darkened even further, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're pushing your luck," he warned. "I'm not a person to be trifled with."

The man took another step closer to Sara, his face inches from hers. His eyes blazed with anger as he growled, "If you were a man, I would..."

Sara's eyes flashed with defiance as she interrupted him, "What you would, huh?"

Just as she spoke, her heel suddenly snapped, and she felt herself losing balance. She was about to fall forward, but the man's quick reflexes saved her. He grabbed her waist and hand, holding her upright.

For a moment, they were frozen in an awkward position, their faces still close together. Sara's eyes locked onto the man's, and she could see the anger still simmering beneath the surface.

But before either of them could say another word, a car sped past them, sending a wave of water splashing over them. The water drenched the man's face, and Sara couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight.

The man's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Sara with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Sara's laughter only seemed to fuel his irritation, and he tightened his grip on her waist and hand.

The man's expression changed, and he smirked at Sara, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. "Don't be so happy; right now you're under me," he said, his voice low and husky.

Sara's laughter faltered, and she sensed the double meaning behind his words. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the intimacy of their position. She quickly distanced herself from him, her face cold and expressionless once again.

"Bastard," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

She removed her broken heels and stood barefoot on the wet pavement. Without another glance at the man, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone.

The man watched her go, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure. A mixture of emotions played on his face—anger, frustration, and a hint of admiration for the feisty woman who had just walked out of his life. For a moment, he stood there, frozen in thought, before finally turning and walking back to his SUV.

*** Madison's eyes widened in shock as she took in Sara's disheveled appearance. "Sara, you're late," she said, trying to hide a smile. "But first, let's get you cleaned up."

Madison led Sara to the washroom, where she quickly fixed her hair and washed her face. After a few minutes, Sara emerged looking more composed, although her clothes were still damp from the earlier encounter.

Madison nodded in approval. "Okay, now you look presentable. Let's go meet Christopher."

As they walked to Christopher's cabin, Sara's nerves began to flutter. What would he be like? Would she make a good impression?

When they arrived, Christopher smiled warmly at Sara and invited her to sit. He scanned her profile, his eyes narrowing as he read.

"I must say, I'm impressed," he said, looking up at Sara. "You've had some impressive roles in the past. So, I have to ask, why are you looking to work as an assistant here? People usually strive for promotions, not demotions."

Sara hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "It's just personal issues, sir," she said finally.

Just then, the door to the cabin opened, and a man walked in. Christopher looked up, a hint of annoyance on his face.

"Austin, you're late," he said.

The man, Austin, shrugged. "Don't ask," he said. "I met a stupid woman today," he muttered.

As soon as the words left his lips, Sara's eyes snapped to his, and she felt a jolt of recognition. Austin's eyes widened in surprise as well, and they both said in unison, "You."

---

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 6

    "What is she doing here?" he demanded, his eyes never leaving Sara's face.Christopher looked up from the papers on his desk, a hint of surprise on his face. "Sara is here as my new assistant," he explained, his voice calm and even.Austin's eyes widened in incredulity, and he took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "You can't be serious," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "This woman is rude, arrogant, and completely unprofessional. She can't work here."Sara's eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step forward, her chin held high. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice icy cold. "I'm standing right here, and I don't appreciate being talked about like I'm not even in the room."Austin's eyes locked onto Sara's, and he sneered at her. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "I forgot that you're so fragile and delicate. Please, do go on. I'm fascinated by your... unique perspective."Sara's face flushed with anger, and she took another step forward, her

    Last Updated : 2025-02-01
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 7

    Sara and Madison settled into their favorite spots on the couch, eager to unwind and share stories about their day. Sara, still buzzing from her interview, couldn't stop raving about Christopher."Oh, Maddy, he's such a great guy!" Sara exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "He's so respectful and kind, and he really listens to what you have to say. I feel like I can totally trust him."Madison listened attentively, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She had heard Sara's glowing reviews of Christopher before, but she was more interested in hearing about Sara's encounter with Austin."And what about Mr. Reed?" Madison asked, her voice laced with amusement. "How did that go?"Sara's expression darkened, and she let out a dismissive snort. "Ugh, don't even get me started on him," she said, rolling her eyes. "He's so arrogant and condescending, and he doesn't know the first thing about respecting women. I swear, he's got a chip on his shoulder or something."Madison chuckle

    Last Updated : 2025-02-02
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 8

    Sara fidgeted with her short dress, adjusting the hem for what felt like the hundredth time. She shot Madison a dirty look, still annoyed that her friend had convinced her to wear such a revealing outfit."I hate you, Maddy," Sara said, her voice low but firm. "I told you I'm not comfortable in this dress. It's too short, and I feel like I'm flashing everyone in this club."Madison laughed and playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Sara! You're such a grandma girl. At least try to stop talking like your mom for one night. Everyone wears dresses like this to clubs. What did you want to wear, a sweater set and pearls?"Sara scowled, feeling a bit self-conscious about her conservative taste in clothing. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being classy and elegant," she said, trying to defend herself.Madison chuckled and wrapped an arm around Sara's shoulders. "I'm just teasing, girl. But seriously, you need to loosen up and have some fun. We're in a club, not a library."The two friends

    Last Updated : 2025-02-03
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 9

    Sara's eyes widened in panic as she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out and checked the screen, her heart sinking as she saw her mom's name flashing on the display."Oh no, oh no, oh no," Sara muttered to herself, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her. She knew that if her mom found out she was at a club, she would be in big trouble.Without hesitation, Sara grabbed her phone and quickly made her way towards the exit, trying to push her way through the crowded dance floor. Madison and Christopher called out to her, but she just waved goodbye and kept moving.Austin, who had been watching Sara from afar, noticed her sudden departure and felt a pang of curiosity. He wondered what had caused her to leave so abruptly, and his eyes narrowed as he watched her hurry towards the exit.As Sara reached the exit, Austin saw a group of boys following her, their eyes fixed on her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. Austin's eyes flashed with anger, and he fe

    Last Updated : 2025-02-11
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 10

    Madison and Sara walked into their apartment; Sara slammed the door shut behind them and let out a frustrated scream. "I'm going to quit this job, Maddy! I just can't work with that asshole!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage.Madison quickly sat down beside Sara on the couch, concern etched on her face. "Sara, calm down."Sara's eyes blazed with anger as she recounted the events of the evening. "He broke my phone, Maddy! Can you believe it? And then he had the nerve to lecture me about being an attention-seeker. I mean, who does he think he is?" She spat, her voice venomous.Madison listened attentively, nodding her head in understanding. "I'm so sorry, Sara. That sounds incredibly frustrating," she said, putting a comforting arm around Sara's shoulders.Sara looked down at her broken phone, her eyes welling up with tears. "And now my phone is broken. How am I supposed to buy a new one? I'm already struggling to make ends meet," she lamented, her voice cracking with emotio

    Last Updated : 2025-02-12
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 11

    Austin stormed into the office, his confident stride halted abruptly as Sara bumped into him. The cup of coffee in her hand tipped over, spilling its scalding contents all over Austin's expensive suit.Austin's eyes blazed with anger as he glared at Sara. "Don't you have eyes, huh?" he spat, his voice venomous.Sara stood her ground, despite the trembling of her hands. "Well, you came out of nowhere. It's not my fault," she replied, her voice steady, but her eyes flashing with defiance.Austin's anger boiled over, his face purpling with rage. "Look, you cheap girl, don't mess with me all the time. I'm bearing you doesn't mean I can't do anything. Fuck the company policy; I'll kick you out of this company and make sure you don't get a job anywhere. No wonder why your old boss kicked you out. Must be you tried to seduce him, because you're a fucking attention seeker."Sara's eyes welled up with tears, her face stinging from the verbal slap. She didn't say a word, just turned and walked

    Last Updated : 2025-02-13
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 12

    The elevator doors slid open, and Sara and Madison stepped inside. Just as the doors were about to close, Austin strode in, his confident stride commanding attention.Madison smiled brightly and wished him a good morning. "Good morning, Sir!"Sara, on the other hand, remained silent, her eyes fixed on the elevator floor. She didn't even acknowledge Austin's presence, let alone offer a greeting.Austin's eyes narrowed, his ego pricked by Sara's deliberate snub. As her boss, he was used to being treated with deference and respect, especially from his employees. Sara's silence was a subtle but clear challenge to his authority, and Austin didn't like it one bit.Austin's voice cut through the tense silence, his words dripping with condescension. "Don't you know how to respect your boss, Sara?" he asked, his eyes glinting with annoyance.Sara's gaze snapped up, her eyes locking onto Austin's with a cold, hard glare. She still remembered the hurtful words he had spoken yesterday, and the me

    Last Updated : 2025-02-17
  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 13

    Austin struggled to regain his composure; Sara seized the opportunity to steer the conversation towards the project. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she began to speak."After reviewing the project plans, I have to say that I'm concerned about the potential outcome. Despite the team's efforts, I believe there are several critical errors and miscalculations that could ultimately lead to the project's failure."The room fell silent, with all eyes turning to Sara in shock. Madison's eyes widened in alarm, and she gestured frantically for Sara to stop talking. But Sara was undeterred."I understand that this may not be what you want to hear, but I have to emphasize that the project's current trajectory is likely to result in significant financial losses for the company. As a construction company, we can't afford to overlook these critical issues."Austin's face turned beet red with indignation. "How can you say that?" he spluttered. "You don't know anything about this project

    Last Updated : 2025-02-18

Latest chapter

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 36

    Austin sat inside the car, his face twisted in anger. He took a deep breath and answered the phone, trying to compose himself. "Hey, Dad," he said, trying to sound normal.His dad's excited voice was on the other end of the line. "Austin, I just talked to your girlfriend, Sara. She's lovely. I had no idea you were seeing someone."Austin's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Sara, who was watching him with a smug expression. He felt a surge of anger towards her, but he tried to keep his cool."Yeah, Dad, we're...uh...getting serious," Austin stammered, trying to play along.His dad's enthusiasm was palpable. "That's great, son! I'm so happy for you. Your mom will be thrilled to meet Sara. When are you two coming over?"Austin felt trapped. He couldn't deny the lie that Sara had told, not now that his dad was so excited. "We'll be there in a few hours, Dad. I have to go now."He quickly hung up the phone, his anger boiling over. He turned to Sara, his eyes blazing with fury. "Y

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 35

    Austin's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated the car through the heavy rain. The windshield wipers swished back and forth, struggling to keep up with the deluge of water.Sara sat beside him, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on him with a piercing glare. Austin could feel her gaze on him, and he knew she was still seething from their earlier argument.Without looking at her, Austin said, "Stop staring. Outside is rain, but inside the car, the temperature is high because of you."Sara's gaze didn't waver, but her jaw clenched in anger. She gritted her teeth, the sound audible in the tense silence."How can you be so cool? You're crazy for doing this," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "We could have waited for the weather to clear up, but no, you had to insist on driving. And now we're stuck on the road for the next 8 to 10 hours."Austin's eyes remained fixed on the road, his expression neutral. He didn't flinch, didn't react to Sara's outburst.But S

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 34

    The sleek black car, provided by Ryder, glided smoothly through the rain-soaked streets, its windshield wipers swishing back and forth in a steady rhythm. Sara sat stiffly in the backseat, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on the window, her anger and hurt still simmering.Austin sat beside her, his face set in a grim mask, his eyes fixed on the back of the driver's head. He hadn't spoken a word since their argument, and Sara hadn't expected him to.The driver pulled up in front of the airport, and Sara and Austin got out, dodging umbrellas and scurrying travelers as they made their way into the terminal. The airport was chaotic, the sounds of frustrated travelers and harried airline staff filling the air.Sara and Austin walked up to the check-in counter, their eyes scanning the screens for their flight information. And then they saw it—a big, red "CANCELLED" sign flashing next to their flight number.Austin's face darkened with anger. "What the...?" he muttered, striding up to the

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 33

    Sara paced back and forth across the room, her anger and frustration pouring out of her. She had had enough of Austin's insults, enough of his condescending attitude. She was done.As she paced, her mind flashed back to the conversation she had with Ryder on the dance floor. He had been charming and charismatic, and he had seen something in her that no one else had—potential."You're an amazing woman, Sara," Ryder had said, his eyes locked on hers. "I think you'd make a fantastic business adviser. Would you consider joining me?"Sara's heart had skipped a beat at the offer. No one had ever seen her as more than just a pretty face, but Ryder had looked beyond that. He had seen her intelligence, her drive, and her passion.And now, as she stood in her hotel room, fuming with anger, Sara knew what she had to do. She was going to leave her job, leave Austin and his insults behind, and take a chance on Ryder's offer.A sense of determination washed over her, and Sara felt a weight lift off

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 32

    The party continued, Ryder seemed to be in his element, laughing and chatting with the guests. But what caught Austin's attention was the way Ryder was fawning over Sara, introducing her to everyone as a "close friend" and singing her praises.Austin's eyes narrowed as he watched Ryder monopolize Sara's attention, barely acknowledging his own presence. It was as if Ryder had forgotten that Austin was even there, and that the whole reason for the party was to celebrate their business deal also.But what really triggered Austin's anger was the way Sara seemed to be enjoying Ryder's attention. She laughed and smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and Austin could sense a growing connection between them.Ryder was touching her arm, leaning in close to talk to her, and Austin's jaw clenched in annoyance. He didn't like the way Ryder was flirting with Sara, and he especially didn't like the way Sara was responding to him.Sara, however, was oblivious to the undercurrents. She was simpl

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 31

    Sara's eyes fell on the shopping bag that lay abandoned near her door. At first, she thought nothing of it, assuming it was just a discarded bag from one of the hotel staff. But as she gazed at it more closely, she realized that it was a high-end designer bag, and it looked eerily familiar.Suddenly, it clicked. This was the bag Austin had been carrying earlier. She remembered seeing him walk towards her with it, but she had been too distracted by their argument to pay much attention.Sara's curiosity got the better of her, and she walked towards the bag, her eyes fixed on it. She reached down and picked it up, feeling the weight of its contents. It was surprisingly heavy.She turned the bag over in her hands, examining it more closely. The designer logo was emblazoned on the side, and the material felt luxurious to the touch. Sara's eyes narrowed as she wondered what could be inside.Without thinking, she reached for the zipper and pulled it open, revealing the contents of the bag. H

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 30

    Austin walked towards the ice cream truck, still trying to process what was happening. He saw the owner, a friendly-looking man with a warm smile, and a group of kids cheering and laughing as they received ice cream cones.The owner approached him, a curious expression on his face. "Ah, Mr...?""Austin," he replied, still confused.The owner smiled. "Mr. Austin, I believe your wife just purchased all the ice cream on my truck."Austin's eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing.The owner continued, "She said it was nothing in front of your wallet, sir. I quoted her $20,000."Austin's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "$20,000?" he repeated, his voice incredulous.The owner nodded. "Yes, sir. I need to settle the payment with you, if you please."Austin pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for $20,000. As he handed it over, the owner smiled and thanked him."Thank you, sir. Your wife certainly has a generous spirit."Austin nodded, still trying to process what had just hap

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 29

    Sara walked reluctantly beside Austin, her feet carrying her to the luxury boutique on Rodeo Drive. She hated Austin's company, hated his condescending attitude and his arrogant smirk.As they entered the boutique, Sara's eyes widened in shock. The clothes on display were exquisite, but the prices were astronomical. She felt a pang of discomfort, feeling out of place among the opulent surroundings."Austin, can we please go somewhere else?" Sara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Austin turned to her, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I know it's expensive, but I'm not cheap like you," he sneered. "So be happy that you at least get to wear these clothes."Sara's face burned with anger, and she felt a sting from Austin's insult. But before she could respond, the store manager approached them, a warm smile on his face."Good afternoon, welcome to our boutique," he said, his eyes flicking between Sara and Austin. "I see you're looking for something special. Are you finding everyth

  • The Art of Hating You   Chapter 28

    Austin cleared his throat, his eyes locked on Ryder's face. "Ryder, I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said, his voice smooth and confident.Ryder raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Oh? What kind of misunderstanding"?Austin smiled, his eyes glinting with condescension. "I'm the one who's been working on this project, Ryder. Sara here is just my assistant."Sara's eyes flashed with anger, her face burning with indignation. She couldn't believe Austin was taking credit for her work, belittling her contribution in front of the client.But she couldn't show her anger, not now, not in front of Ryder. So she forced a smile onto her face, her lips curling upward in a bright, fake smile.Ryder's eyes flicked to Sara, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "Well, in any case, the presentation was excellent."Austin smiled, his chest puffing out with pride. "Thank you, Ryder. I'm glad you liked it."Sara's smile grew wider, her eyes flashing with ang

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status