Chapter 22: Mr. Watson’s New Assistant Lead

“But… this is the chairman’s order,” Austin said carefully, hesitating before continuing. “It’s also Mr. Watson’s instruction. The chairman doesn’t even want Mrs. Watson to return to her hometown—just stay home and focus on the pregnancy.”

“No,” Cora replied, searching the table for the house phone. “I’ll call the chairman myself. I already have a job; I can’t just sit at home doing nothing.”

Austin froze, then quickly messaged Julian to report the situation.

Julian, in the middle of signing contracts, let out a short laugh.

“She thinks she can work? What could she possibly do? If the chairman insists, fine—let her come to my office as an assistant. Let’s see how capable she really is. Since she’s so eager to prove herself, I’ll give her the chance.”

Austin relayed that message straight to the chairman’s aide.

Meanwhile, Cora had already found the number and dialed the old madam.

“Chairman—uh, Grandma, it’s Cora. Could I discuss something with you? My health’s perfectly fine now, and there’s no need for me to rest at home. The company even has its own medical unit; if I feel unwell, I can call a doctor immediately. I already have a position—if I stay away too long, people will gossip. That might hurt the company’s image. Grandma, please—may I return to work? I promise nothing will go wrong.”

The old lady chuckled softly through the receiver. “What’s wrong with staying home and enjoying life?”

“Grandma, I just… feel suffocated doing nothing all day. That kind of stress isn’t good for the baby either.” Cora hesitated, then added in a low voice, “I won’t overwork. I just need a familiar environment, something to take my mind off things.”

The old lady thought for a moment, then said, “If it’s just to keep yourself occupied, then go to Jule’s office. He’s the only one I trust to keep an eye on you.”

If the two spent more time together, she reasoned, maybe they’d finally develop some real feelings—and that could only be good for the child.

“Go… to Julian’s office?” Cora stammered. “To be his assistant?” She had no idea how to do that kind of work.

“It’s settled,” the old lady declared. “Either you assist Jule or you stay home and rest.”

“I’ll go! I’ll go!” Cora said immediately. At this point, any job that paid was good enough.

A short while later, Austin returned from the company carrying a glossy new ID badge.

A new badge? So fast? She had barely finished her call—how could they have printed it already?

For a brief second, she wondered if Julian had predicted she’d call. No, impossible. She was overthinking it.

She took the badge and froze when she read the title: Assistant Team Leader – Office of the President.

Assistant team leader?

Cora gave Austin a weak smile. “So… we’re colleagues now?”

Austin grinned. “More like my boss. You’re now the lead assistant, Mrs. Watson—the heart of our team.”

And, he thought privately, with the boss’s wife right next to him, guessing Mr. Watson’s moods just got a lot easier.

Breakfast was served shortly after. Once she finished, Austin escorted her to headquarters.

—

The moment Cora stepped into the lobby, she felt dozens of eyes on her.

Whispers rippled through the office like wind through glass.

“Isn’t that Cora? Why is she with Austin?”

“Come on, use your brain—she’s with Mr. Watson, obviously.”

“Really? Then why doesn’t he make it official?”

“Exactly! If he truly cared, she’d already have a title.”

By the time the elevator doors closed, Cora could still hear the laughter and envy echoing behind her.

She sighed. Of course there would be gossip. Disappearing for weeks and then showing up with Austin was bound to stir rumors.

Let them talk, she thought. They can say what they want. I don’t love him anyway, and titles don’t matter.

When the elevator doors opened onto the top executive floor, she was struck by how surreal it felt.

This was once forbidden territory—only senior staff were ever allowed here.

Now, she was one of them.

“Mrs. Watson,” greeted the assistants stationed outside Julian’s office, their tones noticeably respectful.

Everyone knew she was pregnant with the Watson heir. Whatever her standing with Julian, mother of the fifth-generation heir was untouchable status.

“Please, just call me Cora,” she said quietly. “This is still a workplace.”

When she stepped into the office, Julian was bent over his desk, pen moving swiftly across the page.

She hesitated, then approached. “Mr. Watson.”

The pen paused for a fraction of a second, then finished its line. Julian tossed it aside and looked up at her.

She was dressed simply, a tailored blouse and flat shoes—sensible now that she was pregnant.

He approved. Good. She’s learning to protect the child.

“Starting today, you’ll be the assistant team leader,” Julian said coolly. “You’ll handle internal coordination. Think you can manage that?”

“I can,” Cora answered without hesitation.

Julian’s brow lifted slightly. He hadn’t expected her confidence. Without a word, he tossed a folder onto the desk in front of her.

“Review this report.”

Cora took it to a side table and got to work. Julian watched quietly.

So this was her working face—focused, steady, the curve of her brow soft but precise.

It was the first time he’d seen her like this: not crying, not angry, not afraid. Just calm and capable.

A knock came at the door. His secretary entered, carrying coffee.

She set one cup in front of Cora, but before Cora could thank her, Julian spoke:

“Remove the coffee. She only drinks warm milk now—heat it before serving.”

The secretary blinked, stunned. Did I hear that right? Mr. Watson caring about milk temperature?

“Is there a problem?” Julian’s tone sharpened.

“N-no, sir. I’ll change it immediately.” She fled the room.

By the time the milk arrived, Cora had finished her report. She placed it neatly in front of Julian.

“Mr. Watson, the review’s complete.”

Julian didn’t take it right away. He nodded to the secretary to set the milk down first. Then, to Cora:

“Drink it.”

Cora frowned. “Mr. Watson, I’m really not fond of—”

“Do you need me to feed you myself?” His voice dropped, ice-cold and dangerous.

Her pulse jumped. “No… I’ll drink it.” She grabbed the glass and took a quick sip.

“Sit. Slowly,” he added, eyes still on the report but watching her from the corner of his gaze.

Cora bit back a sigh. Control freak, she thought. Is he secretly a Virgo?

“I’m a Scorpio,” Julian said evenly without looking up.

“Pfft—” She nearly choked on her milk, coughing violently.

He glanced up, unimpressed. “You can’t even drink milk properly. I overestimated you.” Then, almost lazily: “What’s your sign?”

“Cancer,” she muttered under her breath. Why are we even talking about this at work?

Julian rested his chin on one hand. Austin, who had just entered, leaned close to whisper,

“Sir, Scorpio and Cancer—compatibility one hundred percent.”

A faint curve touched Julian’s lips, so brief that Austin almost doubted what he’d seen.

Mr. Watson, Austin thought, hiding a grin, spring has officially arrived.