Chapter 34
"Get in." Michael, dressed to the nines in a sharp suit, spoke with a cold, detached edge.
Diana had zero intention of getting into that car; she just wanted to get out of there as fast as she could.
"Sorry, I have plans with a friend, so..."
"Friend?" Michael's eyebrows shot up as he glanced icily at Ethan, who was sprawled on the ground.
Those deep eyes of his looked like they were brewing a storm, sending shivers down Ethan's spine.
Desperate to save his own skin, Ethan shook his head vigorously. "We're not friends, and we didn't make any plans."
"You..."
"Get in the car. Don't make me say it again."
Michael's commanding tone left no room for argument.
Diana's face flushed with anger as she looked at Michael sitting in the driver's seat.
What was his deal?
Who did Michael think he was, ordering her around like this?
They were business partners, not boss and subordinate.
What was he trying to pull? No way was she getting into that car.
As Diana mulled over her excuses to refuse, Michael's deep, raspy voice cut through her thoughts again.
"Get in the car. This is the third time."
Diana shuddered. The words of refusal stuck in her throat as she met Michael's gaze. She couldn't bring herself to say no.
Fine, she'd get in the car. What was the big deal?
After all, everything that could happen between them had already happened.
Diana stomped her foot in frustration, shot Michael a cold glare, and reached for the backseat door handle.
But the door wouldn't budge.
She tugged at it a couple more times, then noticed Michael's face in the rearview mirror and realized what was going on.
"I want to sit in the back."
"Sit in the front."
Michael's tone was calm but firm, his face as icy as ever.
Diana's stubbornness flared up, and she stood her ground.
"Get in the car, or we can discuss compensation. After all, someone of my stature is worth quite a bit."
Diana felt a surge of anger and quickly walked around to the passenger side, opening the door and getting in.
"Why bring up the past? It's over. We're business partners now," Diana said defiantly, though she pressed herself against the car door.
Michael chuckled softly and floored the accelerator, speeding through the night.
The spacious car interior grew tense and cold.
Diana rolled down the window, letting the cold wind whip across her face as she took deep breaths.
Michael's long fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel, and he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
She had her moments of fear, too?
Just a moment ago, she'd been so tough at the bar.
She'd even brought Veda's fiancé, Jake, and congratulated them, then ran off after stirring up trouble.
Veda had a hard time calming Jake down.
Thinking about their conversation, Michael's eyes narrowed, a hint of coldness flashing within.
At a red light, Michael hit the brakes and reached over.
Diana, enjoying the breeze, was startled by his sudden movement and instinctively threw a punch.
Her hand was caught in Michael's firm grip.
Diana's eyes widened, and she glared at him. "Let go of me! What are you trying to do? I'll have you know it's illegal to force a woman."
Her words were fierce but lacked any real menace.
Michael's Adam's apple bobbed as he chuckled. "What are you thinking? I was just trying to help you with your seatbelt."
Diana realized she hadn't buckled up in her haste to get in the car.
With fumbling hands, she fastened the seatbelt and turned to look out the window, resting her chin in her hand.
The rest of the drive was silent.
Soon, they arrived at her building.
Diana was shocked. "I don't remember telling you where I live."
"Was it hard to find out?" Michael's tone was nonchalant, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of pride.
Diana gritted her teeth and asked, "You investigated me?"
"Considering we had a one-night stand and we're business partners, isn't it only natural?"
His tone was matter-of-fact.
Michael's gaze swept over her, assessing.
Diana crossed her arms over her chest instinctively. "You..."
"Relax. I'm not interested in you. Didn't you say we have nothing to do with each other and want to keep it that way?"
Just because he was interested didn't mean he had no temper.
Diana's face turned crimson. "I'll be going now. Let's work well together."
"What if I asked you to take responsibility for me?"
As she opened the car door, Michael's raspy voice stopped her in her tracks.
"I..."
"Forget it."
Michael's lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes indifferent. As soon as Diana stepped out, he shut the door.
The engine roared to life, and the car shot off like an arrow, disappearing from sight.
Michael drove his sports car like a race car.
In the Morning.
In the Studio.
Diana had only slept for two hours and couldn't stop yawning as she arrived at work.
Nora frowned. "Are you okay? There's an issue at Johnson Jewelry City that needs someone to handle it. I checked, and you're the best person for the job. Are you available?"
Diana paused mid-yawn. "I thought everything was settled and the contract signed. What's the problem?"
"They want to standardize the exhibition space and layout, but that would diminish the artistic value and weaken our product designs."
Each piece of jewelry was meticulously designed.
Only the designer knew how to best display the pieces to highlight their value.
But Johnson Jewelry City wanted uniformity for easier management and overall effect.
This would undermine the advantages of smaller studios.
Diana snapped to attention. "Alright, I'll handle it. You go ahead with your work."
Half an hour later.
After finalizing all the details, Diana arrived at the Johnson Group.
The same receptionist was there.
Diana walked over with a smile, handing her a newly bought lipstick. "This shade suits you. It's a gift."
"Oh, it's you! I remember you. And you won first place in the jewelry competition. That's amazing!"
The receptionist was thrilled to see Diana and even pulled out a photo for an autograph.
Diana obliged, signing her name.
Just as she finished, the phone at the receptionist's desk rang.
"Send her up right away. She only has ten minutes."