Chapter 35
“Traian, what are you looking at?“]
Evelyn Tugged at his sleeve, noticing his distraction
Trees along the path blocked his view, and Tristan reluctantly turned away. “Nothing.”
He stared ahead, his thoughts darkening
Meanwhile, Adeline followed Zarek
He was standing beside a tree, taking a phone call. He glanced back at his persistent shadow.[]
Sering he was on the phone, Adeline immediately stopped and retreated to a nearby mushroom–shaped gazebo.[]
She rubbed her forehead, feeling utterly foolish]
When Zarck finished his call, Adeline approached him, trying to mask her embarrassment with humor. “You have excellent judgment, Mr. Weasley. I can’t even read social cues properly. Clearly not secretary material Sorry for bothering you
“You followed me all this way just to confirm that you’re unsuitable? To tell me that?” Zarek raised an eyebrow, his voice rich with amusement.[]
Adeline found herself completely defenseless against his subtle teasing
She gave an awkward laugh and, since her job prospects were already shot, dropped the act. “Obviously I followed you to try to change your mind. But I’ve clearly made a terrible first impression, and today has been one embarrassment after another. I figured I’d end things on a somewhat dignified note without burning bridges.
Zarek’s expression remained cool, though his eyes held unexpected warmth. “You think I rejected you for those reasons?]
Adeline. What else?“]
You show up dressed like this for a job interview as my secretary. If I accepted you, wouldn’t people assume I hired you solely for your appearance?” He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice to a velvet murmur. “Even if I were interested in that, I wouldn’t be so obvious about it.]
Adeline’s face exploded with color.[]
From her cheeks to her ears, she turned bright red.]
w.0
He was mocking her for thinking she could use her looks to secure the position–something he clearly found beneath him. Yet something in his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely unappreciative of what he saw.
Adeline didn’t bother defending herself. She just wanted to escape the humillation. Lesson learned. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.“]
She didn’t even wait for his response before hurrying out of the forest, feeling a mix of embarrassment and regret washing over her. Another failure to add to her growing collection.
When Gloria and Charlie returned, they were surprised to find Zarek alone []
“Where’s Adeline?“[]
“She left,” Zarek replied simply.
“What?” Gloria was shocked, imediately realizing the job attempt had failed. But how was that possible? Everything had seemed to be going well. She couldn’t help single–handedly transformed Harmonex’s project department into their crown jewel. This outfit doesn’t represent her professional identity at all.”
saying
“Mr. Weasley,
Adeline
is an extremely capable person. She
Zarek cut her off, lus voice gentle but firm “She didn’t appear to be.”
Gloria, ever perceptive, understood the issue from those five words alone.[]
She had assumed that all men responded to the same tactics, never considering that Zarek might not be impressed
by such
an obvious approach.
“Oh dear, what a misunderstanding,” she quickly tried to salvage the situation, her voice taking on a protective tone, “This is entirely my fault, Adeline wasn’t dressed like this when she arrived–I thought her proper outfit was too conservative, so I forced her to change into my clothes. She’s actually quite brilliant and professional“]
Zerek had no response to that, though something flickered in his eyes.[]
Back home, Adeline immediately changed out of the borrowed clothes []
She sat dejectedly at her vanity table, her shoulders slumped with disappointment[]
Without Harmonex, without Tristen, was sheyeally nothing? Just another pretty face trying to use her looks to get ahead? The thought sickened her.
After wallowing for a while, she picked up her phone to apologize to Gloria. She had silenced it earlier to avoid distractions during her job pursuit []
When she checked it, she found numerous missed calls.[]
Some from Tristan Some from Gloria []
Sheygnured Tristan’s rossages with disgust and called Gibria back in su sorry. I wasn’t feeling well–low blood sugar I had to leave, and I completely forgot
tell
you
Gloria was silent for a few seconds. Im the one who could apologize. I set you up to fall with that ridiculous outfit
Smart people don’t need long explanations []
1 fine really I was just taking a shot in the dark anyway You’ve already helped me so much I wont forget your kindness” Adeline tried to sound upbeat, but the disappointment stal crept into her voice/
Stop with the gratitude sweetie Listen I explained the clothing situation to Zarek, though he didn’t realy react I got his murder from Charlie want to try reaching out again? A proper do–over?]
Adeline considered it for a few seconds before giving up with a sigh “No thanks. Dominiex and I just weren’t meant to be. Some days I wonder if I’m meant for anything anymore 1
Hearing the defeat in her voice, Gloria dropped the subject
Chapter 35
After hanging up, Adeline curled up in bed Emotional exhaustion always led to physical tiredness
In her drowsy state, she heard the bedroom door open]
“Mmm…” She rolled over, squinting to see Tristan standing by the bed, his face a mask of frost.
Not wanting to talk to him, she turned away and pulled the covers over her head, disgust rising in her throat at his mere presence[]
“Have you been sleeping at home all day? You didn’t go out? Tristan sat on the edge of the bed, his tone probing
Adeline remained silent, wondering how someone could go from moaning with another woman on the phone to interrogating her in less than 24 hours.[]
Today I saw someone at the golf course who looked a lot like you from behind
Adeline’s eyes snapped open.[]
He was at the golf club 100?]
How fucking rich. After sending her that live sex call with Evelyn, he had the audacity to question her whereabouts. The sheer hypocrisy made her want to vomit all over again.]
She wanted to tell him she’d been out, but worried he might harass Gloria, so she kept quiet.]]
Tristan leaned down and pulled back a corner of the blanket, his gaze falling on her pale neck. Finding no suspicious marks, he relaxed slightly.
Still, he needed to hear it from her. “Did you go out today or not?“]
“No, I didn’t. I spent the afternoon cleaning the yard. I’m trying to sleep stop bothering me with your pathetic jealousy. Adeline hated his proximity and yanked the covers back over her head, wishing she could suffocate him with them \instead
Istan, satisfied she wasn’t lying, let it go.
Zarek was having dinner in his penthouse apartment.]
Liam Morgan attended him, pouring perfectly decanted red wine into a crystal glass. As Zarek’s personal manager, Liam served as chauffeur, chef, and caretaker, occasionally helping his assistant Rex with work matters.]
“Any word from the headhunting agency? Zarek asked, sipping his wine]
Rex just forwarded a list of candidates, sir, He thought you might want to review it when you have time.
Liam replied, then added as if remembering something interesting. “I just glanced at it, and that Ms. Paige–the one from the car accident–is actually on the list.
“Is that so.
Zarek set down his glass. “Bring me the tablet.]
Though his tone was casual, Liam, who had served him for over twenty years, recognized this as significant interest.[]
Liam fetched the tablet from the study and handed it to him.]
Zarek opened the candidate list.]
He had rejected several rounds of candidates already.
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VAL D
He was looking for a chief secretary who understood management, had strong leadership skills, presented a professional image, possessed excellent social abilities, and could navigate between different departments and partners while handling his affairs large and smail]]
“Sir, this Ms. Paige is quite remarkable, despite her youth,” Liam said with genuine admiration
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“At Harmonex, she rose from project staff to department manager in just four years. Harmonex’s impressive growth over the past few years is half due to her efforts–she has quite the reputation in the industry. Several competitors have tried repeatedly to poach her without success, primarily because Harmoner’s CEO, Tristan Kelce, is her boyfriend. However, rumor has it he’s planning to marry the fourth daughter of the Grantham family Ms. Paige apparently resigned from Harmones in anger. Can’t blame her, really–she built that department from the ground up.”
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Chapter 36
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.