Chapter 115
The Smith Group.
Nora rushed into the company after getting off the subway.
As Michael's assistant, she needed to arrive at the office before Michael came in.
"Nora! What a coincidence, what are you doing here?" In the company lounge area, Aria excitedly called out to Nora.
She was dressed beautifully today, her long hair falling naturally without much styling, her skin smooth, wearing just the right amount of natural-looking makeup, and dressed in a white dress. When she smiled, she looked like a blooming lotus flower.
Nora froze for a moment. Aria...
She suddenly remembered that Walter seemed to have mentioned something about some romantic entanglement between Aria and Michael.
Her heart tightened, and Nora unconsciously clenched her fingers. "Ms. Clark."
"Are you an employee of the Smith Group?" Aria asked with a surprised look on her face.
Nora nodded.
"Nora, you're so amazing! The Smith Group isn't a place just anyone can get into. Everyone's from top universities. Which school did you go to, Nora?" Aria looked at Nora with admiration.
Nora took a deep breath and glanced back at the employees who were gossiping among themselves.
It was work hours now, and there were many employees in the front lobby.
Aria's innocent expression made it hard to believe she was doing this on purpose.
But Nora had long stopped trusting people's appearances.
An innocent exterior doesn't necessarily mean a kind heart.
"What brings Ms. Clark here?" Nora asked politely.
"I'm here to wait for Michael." Aria said happily, grabbing Nora's hand. "Do you work at this company? Have you seen Michael? He's really handsome, the one I told you about."
Aria whispered in Nora's ear. "The person I like."
Nora's body stiffened, but she said nothing.
"Ms. Clark, you're here! Please come right in." Michael's secretary came to greet her personally, looking sternly at the reception desk. "From now on, Ms. Clark doesn't need to wait. Mr. Smith has instructed that she can come and go freely in the company."
Michael had given Aria special privileges.
"Nora, what are you standing there for! Go take care of Ms. Clark." The secretary scolded Nora for not knowing to receive guests as an assistant.
Nora snapped out of it and quickly stepped forward. "Ms. Clark, this way please."
"Our Mr. Smith has never given anyone special treatment. This Ms. Clark gets VIP treatment every time she comes, and several times Mr. Smith has personally come to pick her up. I bet she's going to be our future boss's wife."
"I heard that too. The Clark family and the Smith family are planning a marriage alliance. Our Mr. James Smith is already engaged to the young lady from the Adams family, so that only leaves Mr. Michael Smith."
Nora listened to the reception desk gossip, absentmindedly following the secretary and Aria into the elevator.
"Ms. Clark, this is Mr. Smith's assistant. If you need anything, just tell her to do it." The secretary said ingratiatingly.
Nora frowned. She was Michael's assistant, not everyone's assistant.
For some reason, she felt a bit unhappy.
"Nora! You're actually Michael's assistant." Aria looked surprised, then happily hugged Nora's arm. "We're good friends, you'll definitely help me keep an eye on Michael, right? If any woman tries to steal Michael from me, you have to help me."
Aria said it half-jokingly.
Nora remained silent the whole time, head down, emotions complicated.
"Nora, take good care of Ms. Clark. She might just be Mr. Smith's wife, the boss's wife of the Smith Group." While Aria walked ahead, the secretary pulled Nora aside and whispered. "Don't say I didn't warn you, make sure to get on her good side."
Nora's fingers nervously clenched, but she said nothing.
After her marriage with Michael ended, would he marry Aria?
Aria was pretty and pure, with no perfume or fragrance on her body. She looked exactly like the type Michael would like.
"Nora, I came this morning without eating breakfast, I'm a bit hypoglycemic. Could you help me buy some breakfast?" Aria asked softly, sitting in Michael's office.
Nora hesitated, wanting to refuse. It was almost work time, Michael would be arriving soon, and as his assistant, she couldn't be late.
"Ms. Clark..."
"Nora, I'm so hungry." Aria acted cute. "If I ask Michael to buy me breakfast, he'll scold me again. If he finds out I came out without eating breakfast, he'll definitely be upset. Please, please."
Nora looked at Aria and nodded. "Okay."
She turned and quickly walked toward the elevator. Nora looked at the time and hurriedly went to buy breakfast for Aria.
After Nora left, Aria looked down at her watch.
Michael hated people who weren't punctual the most. He had a very strong sense of time.
At exactly 8:30, Michael entered the office.
Seeing Aria there, Michael frowned, instinctively looking for Nora. "Mr. Smith, where's your assistant? There's a meeting at 8:40. Where did she put the materials she prepared for you?"
The secretary followed Michael in, anxiously looking for Nora.
This Nora was so clueless, running around everywhere.
"Michael, is it something important? Can I help you find it?" Aria looked at Michael with an innocent expression.
Michael said nothing. "Why aren't you resting at home? Why did you come here?"
Aria stood up and walked to Michael's side, acting cute. "Michael, I missed you."
Michael took a step back, keeping his distance. "Have David take you home."
Then Michael looked at the secretary. "Call Nora, where did she go!"
Michael was clearly displeased.
"Michael, is this your new secretary? How can she run around during work hours?" Aria looked innocent.
Michael glanced at the time. "The company's been very busy lately, I haven't had time to visit you. I was supposed to have time this Saturday, but the Shadow City project needs me to go there early."
"That's exactly why I came." Aria said happily. "Lyle from Sea Harbor International Company was my senior at Celestial University in Emerald City. We have a great relationship. I'll go with you on Saturday to meet him. I already talked to him about it."
Aria wanted to meet the business partner as Michael's female companion.
Michael frowned. "Work matters aren't child's play."
"I'm helping you. I heard James went to Shadow City early. He wants this project too. Of course I have to help you." Aria looked confident that with her there, everything would be fine.
"We'll talk about it later."
Outside the door, Nora received the secretary's call and rushed back anxiously.
She hadn't had time to buy breakfast and came back empty-handed.
Compared to Aria, Michael was naturally more important to her.
"Mr. Smith, I'm sorry. I didn't know Joseph's project was moved up. Here are the materials I prepared in advance." Nora ran into the office and quickly found the materials. "I'm sorry."
"Nora, what's wrong with you? As the CEO's assistant, why are you running around during work hours?" The secretary followed in, her voice full of reproach.
Nora glanced at Aria, then at the secretary, and understood what was going on.
But Aria looked innocent. "Nora, Michael has a very strong sense of time. As his assistant, you must work so hard."
Nora instinctively glanced at Michael and bowed in apology. "Sorry Ms. Clark, I didn't get the breakfast."
Aria's expression darkened. This move of Nora's was really...
Michael's eyes also darkened. He stood up and took the materials from Nora. "You're my assistant and only need to follow my arrangements. Why are you running around during work hours? Come with me to the meeting."
Nora was 'scolded' by Michael, and though she felt a bit wronged.
But Michael clearly wasn't really reproaching her. He was letting her know that she was his assistant alone and didn't need to listen to anyone else's arrangements.