Chapter 188: Family Undercurrents

Chapter 188: Family Undercurrents

Aviah's POV

The next day, Skyline Group.

Morning.

"A cup of coffee, now." Griffin's voice came through the receiver with an unquestionable commanding tone.

I got up and walked to the break room, my fingers pausing on the coffee machine for a moment. In the end, I didn't put in any laxatives. After all, it was too obvious - he'd know immediately after drinking it that I did it. Plus, he's been behaving pretty well lately. I'll consider it later if he makes me angry.

As I carried the coffee into the CEO's office, I deliberately lightened my steps.

Griffin stood with his back to me in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his suited figure looking particularly upright in the morning light.

He looked incredibly handsome. I was mesmerized and couldn't help but stare for a few extra moments.

As the sound of me setting down the coffee rang out.

He turned around, and the instant I placed the coffee on the desk, he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.

The next moment, I was already pressed against the wall, trapped between the wall and his embrace with nowhere to escape.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages last night?" Griffin moved closer, staring intently at my face. "I called you over ten times."

I froze for a moment, only then remembering the phone I'd smashed last night. So he hadn't failed to contact me - I just hadn't received anything. My heart quietly softened, but seeing his accusatory look, my stubborn temper flared up again.

"I was helping Ethan and Diane with their studies and didn't hear it." I turned my head away, making up the most ordinary excuse.

Griffin let out a low laugh, clearly not believing me.

He leaned down, and before I could react, he was already kissing my lips.

This kiss carried a punishing quality - rough and full of aggression.

My hands pressed against his chest, but in the end, I didn't push him away.

I wanted to bite him, but I couldn't bear to.

"Next time you do this," he said in a husky voice as he released me, "I promise you'll face much worse punishment."

I straightened my wrinkled collar, feeling shy inside but glaring at him irritably on the surface.

Blaming him for wrinkling my clothes.

Only then did Griffin get to business. "Chloe is being transferred to the new company as general manager. The chief secretary position is opening up. I want you to take over."

I stood there stunned, not processing it immediately. Chief secretary? I got promoted again?

"What about Chloe?"

"Promotion." Griffin turned and walked back behind his desk. "She's going to be the big boss at the new company. She's capable and very suitable. I originally wanted to send you, but considering your IQ..."

Griffin shrugged, the implication obvious.

The little bit of joy in my heart immediately disappeared. So it wasn't that Chloe had fallen out of favor - she was actually getting a bigger promotion.

It's not that I dislike Chloe, I just felt uncomfortable that this was her leftover position.

"Got it."

"Chloe is still here today. Have her show you the ropes. Official handover starts tomorrow."

Leaving the office, I angrily kicked the wall. That damn Griffin did it on purpose. What should have been a happy promotion, he had to say it like that, ruining my mood.

And to think I didn't put laxatives in his coffee just now. I really regret it. I should have done it!

I adjusted my mood and walked straight to the chief secretary's office. Chloe was organizing files, and when she saw me come in, she gave me a perfectly appropriate smile.

"Aviah, you're here." She pushed up her glasses and pointed at the thick folders on the desk. "These are the files the chief secretary needs to handle daily. I've sorted them by urgency."

I sat down in the guest chair, listening to Chloe explain the work details clearly and methodically. I had to admit, Chloe was truly capable. She explained every process clearly, even going through possible emergencies and response plans one by one.

"Most importantly," Chloe closed the last folder, "the chief secretary needs to keep track of Griffin's schedule at all times to ensure—"

Before she could finish, my phone rang. It was Cooper.

"Aviah, there are still some details about the partnership that need confirmation. Can you come by again?"

I checked the time, then looked at Chloe. Chloe nodded understandingly. "If you have something to do, go ahead. We can continue tomorrow. It doesn't matter if I start a day later."

I thanked her and arranged to have dinner together tonight to celebrate her promotion. After all, she's been good to me, so I needed to show my appreciation. Chloe happily agreed.

Leaving the company, I drove to The Allen Villa.

The whole way there, I wondered about the purpose of Cooper's call. All the partnership details had already been settled - what needed to be confirmed in person?

Could he be backing out?

At The Allen Villa, Cooper warmly welcomed me in. Tea and snacks were already prepared on the coffee table in the living room, clearly a formal reception.

"Aviah, sit." Cooper personally poured tea for me. "Actually, I asked you here today to confirm some details about the supply schedule again. You know we have very high requirements for timeliness."

I took the teacup, growing more suspicious.

These details were already clearly written in the contract. There was no need to specifically call me over for this.

I kept my expression neutral and patiently explained everything again.

The conversation went on for half an hour, all about trivial details.

Just as I was about to lose patience, Juniper came down the stairs.

"Aviah!" Juniper walked over with a smile. "Are you done talking business? I'd like Aviah to go shopping with me."

Cooper smoothly followed up, "That's fine. You young people go relax. We're pretty much done with business."

I readily got up and left The Allen Villa with Juniper.

After the car left the estate, Juniper suggested, "Aviah, how about we get coffee first? I have something I want to talk to you about."

The two of us sat down in a quiet nearby café. Juniper stirred her latte for a long time before finally speaking, "Aviah, do you know about our family's situation?"