3

Hazel's thoughts kept returning to Zen's words. 

Benjamin really wasn't in love with her. 

But she was already lost the moment she saw Benjamin for the first time. After being obsessed for three years, how could she possibly let go? 

Hazel saw Benjamin receiving some sliced fruit from Yvonne when she got back to the office. Her eyes burned from the smiles on their faces. 

They had the option to behave more closely in the president's office, but they purposefully stayed in the assistant's office. 

Beneath Hazel's arms, more blood seeped down her hands. 

Yvonne grinned and said, "Miss Stewart, it's still lunchtime," as soon as she saw Hazel enter. "Instead of resting on the couch with Benjamin, how about spending some time in the lounge?" 

"This is my office," Hazel declared, remaining motionless in her spot. 

Yvonne continued to behave as if she owned the space, even though it was obvious that she was a guest in this office. 

With a dejected expression, Yvonne took Benjamin's hand and said, "Benjamin." 

Benjamin raised his head. His face was unhappy as he raised his eyebrows to look at Hazel. "You must go where I tell you to go; I own this whole company." Should you decide you no longer want to work here..." 

Hazel finally lost her temper before Benjamin could say anything more. "Benjamin, is this the only thing you can scare me with?" she exclaimed. You said to me back then that I could work for the company and that if I left against my will, you would not fire me. I would, in exchange, refrain from meeting with you and Yvonne whenever she visited the company. I would like you to consent to another requirement now that she is employed here as your assistant." 

"Hazel Stewart, when did you become so obstinate?" Benjamin could not help but notice the anger on Hazel's face and give her another look. 

This woman has never dared to defy me,' he thought to himself. She's interacting with me now? 

"I am aware of your hatred for me, and there is nothing I can do to stop you from wanting to add Yvonne to the team. But before me, neither of you may publicly express your love for each other. Otherwise, I'll do it." 

Benjamin snorted before Hazel could say anything more. Otherwise? Most likely, all you'll do is whine to my grandma." 

"You're exactly right," Hazel affirmed. She pulled out her phone at those words and gave Benjamin a straight look. "If you don't agree to my condition, I'll call your grandmother right now and tell her that you gave Yvonne a job in the company." 

Benjamin regarded Hazel's hands and scowled slightly, taken aback by her wound. 

But all he could feel for Hazel was hate and disgust. He obviously didn't give a damn that she was injured. 

"Benjamin ..." Yvonne feared Benjamin would accept it at that exact moment. With a flirtatious expression, she said, "I just want to hang out with you for a little longer." 

The atmosphere had become very tense. 

The three individuals in the office remained silent. There was an uncanny silence throughout. 

For the first time, Hazel was openly haggling with Benjamin. 

Her requirement, as his spouse, was that they cease engaging in sexual behavior in front of her. Still, she felt afraid. She was worried that in a fit of rage, Benjamin would demand a divorce and drive her out of the company. 

Hazel thought she was both pitiful and depressed. 

Benjamin got up and left the building after a while. 

Hazel breathed a sigh of relief that Benjamin had not exploded. 

Yvonne smiled and said, "Hazel Stewart, don't assume that Benjamin's departure means that he has agreed to your condition." "For the time being, you can frighten him with his grandmother, but I doubt you'll be able to do that forever. I'll make sure Benjamin fires you from this company, so just wait and see." 

Yvonne drew no attention from Hazel. She bowed her head and went back to her own desk, immersing herself in her work. 

She was aware that Yvonne was unbeatable. 

Benjamin's heart did belong to Yvonne, even though she refused to acknowledge it. 

*** 

Yvonne and Benjamin continued to stroll around the company together in the days that followed. But they never again lodged at the assistant's office. 

Hazel was aware that they were carrying on their private lives in areas she was unable to see. 

With a quiet sigh, she organized the documents on her desk and proceeded to deliver them to Benjamin. 

Benjamin was being briefed by Mr. York at that moment regarding his work schedule for the remainder of the day. "You and Mr. Collins will be meeting to discuss your partnership in thirty minutes. We have scheduled a meeting at Hotel J. The secretary assigned to this position is Miss Zendaya. You should prepare to depart right now as it will take you approximately fifteen minutes to get there." 

Yvonne had been using her phone while seated at the side. Her expression changed as she saw Hazel enter the space. She got up and said, "Let me go with you," turning to face Benjamin. Benjamin, I'd like to take advantage of this opportunity to find out how I can support you with your work." 

Regarding that, Mr. York remarked, "Miss Taylor, you're not experienced with these kinds of things." Why don't you hold off until you have more experience with the procedure?" 

The best assistant to Benjamin was Mr. York. He had worked diligently and carefully for Benjamin for the previous five years. 

He was also someone who was very good at keeping work and family matters apart. 

"Will Benjamin and you also be present? All I want to do is follow you around in order to get some experience. "I swear I won't be a burden," Yvonne uttered. In actuality, Yvonne was not busy; all she wanted to do was annoy Hazel. 

"If she wants to accompany us, then let her. Benjamin turned to Yvonne and said, "Go look for Miss Zendaya and have her hand over the papers to you. After all, the talk is almost finished." 

"I'm grateful, Benjamin," Yvonne said. With pleasure, she headed out to find Miss Zendaya, but not before proudly brow-raising Hazel. 

Mr. York, wearing a rather unhappy expression, stared at Yvonne's running back. 

"Mr. Lucas, you shouldn't let Miss Taylor have her way like that," he said in an attempt to persuade Benjamin. Whatever you do in your personal time is irrelevant, but when it comes to work-related matters, it's best to set boundaries." 

With discontent, Benjamin lifted his head. He responded, "Are you letting how much I pay you get to your head?" 

Mr. York was aware that his words would be of no assistance. As such, he said nothing more. 

When they got out of the office, Hazel packed up his desk. 

The phone on her desk rang just as she got back to her own workspace. 

"Good afternoon, this is the assistant's office of MC Enterprise ..." 

"Miss Stewart, we forgot to bring one of the papers," Yvonne's voice could be heard over the phone before Hazel could say anything more. Would you kindly bring it over for us, please? When you approach my desk, you will notice the box there." 

When Hazel heard what Yvonne had to say, she could not help but frown. 'This woman wants me to deliver a folder?' she thought to herself. 

There was something off about this. 

Benjamin's voice could also be heard over the phone, saying, "Why are you asking her to do that, you can just get someone else." 

"She works in the same office as and since the folder contains the business plan for this project, I don't feel at ease having someone else deliver it." 

A business strategy? 

"How can Yvonne say she wants to do a good job and then forget to bring such an important document?" Hazel wondered. 

With a chilly response, Hazel said, "I'll send it over right away." 

Hazel ended the call, went to Yvonne's table, and saw the folder exactly where she was supposed to. 

After picking it up, she headed to Hotel J. 

Outside the private room was where Yvonne was waiting for her. After handing Yvonne the folder, Hazel turned around and walked out. 

She'd barely gotten two steps in when she heard Yvonne's irate voice behind her. "Miss Stewart, you ought to maintain your objectivity at work, notwithstanding your animosity toward me. The conversation we have with Mr. Collins today is really crucial. How could you... how could you accomplish this?" 

The footsteps of Hazel stopped. 

Benjamin hurried out of the private room upon hearing those words. 

Yvonne handed Benjamin the folder and said, "Benjamin, look, this is the folder that Hazel delivered to me." "It's filled with blank paper." 

Hazel turned her attention to the folder that Benjamin was holding as soon as she heard those words. 

It was, in fact, stuffed with blank paper. 

"What is going on?" Naturally, Benjamin started by asking Hazel questions. 

Hazel gave an honest response, saying, "She told me that the folder was on her desk, and this is what I took from her desk."