Chapter 44
It's 3 AM, but I keep tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Every time I close my eyes, scenes from that dream pop up in my head uncontrollably.
My boss suddenly confessed to me, and my ex wanted to take our child away...
I grit my teeth, crawl out of bed, turn on my computer, and start looking at job postings.
Whatever happens, I need to do what I can first.
Outside the window, the sky quietly grows light.
When it's time to make breakfast, I wash my face in the bathroom and head to the kitchen.
After breakfast, I drop Jessica off at kindergarten and go to work.
Getting out of the car, I look at the elevator doors opening in front of me, take a deep breath, and force myself to step inside.
It's the same heavy, busy workload as always.
On any other day, I would've done all these things myself.
But this time, for the first time, I call over other colleagues.
"Take this document to Mr. Ethan's office; he needs to sign it."
"David, can you make Mr. Ethan's coffee today?"
"And these materials..."
I distribute my work to other people.
My colleagues look at me strangely.
Though they don't refuse my requests, they whisper among themselves nearby.
"What's up with Ms. Wilson today? She always used to do these things herself, didn't she?"
"No idea. Maybe she fought with Mr. Ethan?"
"Keep your voice down, you can't say things like that. Everyone in the company knows Ms. Wilson is Mr. Ethan's most trusted assistant."
I keep my head down and focus on my work, ignoring their gossip.
What I need most is to avoid arousing suspicion with Brian.
Just as I finish part of my work, someone I barely recognize walks up to me.
I glance at his badge. It's Terry's secretary.
"Ms. Wilson, Mr. Terry Ethan wants you to work for him from now on."
I freeze. Terry wants me to be his assistant?
That would definitely help me avoid any awkwardness with Brian, but why would Terry do this?
Is he trying to weaken Brian's control over DT Corp?
Before I can speak, an angry voice rings out, "No! I don't agree!"
Terry's secretary looks at Brian awkwardly, hesitating before speaking. "Mr. Ethan... this is Mr. Terry Ethan's order."
Brian turns and looks at me deeply. "You stay here for now."
He strides toward Terry's office. "I'll go talk to him."
Watching Brian's retreating figure, I frown slightly, a bad feeling settling in my chest.
In the year since returning to DT Corp headquarters, Brian has been keeping a low profile, never openly confronting Terry before.
But now...
I look away, shake my head, and force myself to focus on work and not overthink things.
An hour later, Brian emerges from Terry's office.
He walks straight up to me and looks down at me. "You're still working here. Don't worry."
I open my mouth but don't know what to say.
Brian doesn't wait for my response. After dropping that line, he heads straight back to his office.
I don't know what Brian said to Terry, but I know Terry isn't easy to deal with.
A sense of unease lingers in my heart, making me restless.
In the afternoon, Terry's secretary comes to find me again. "Ms. Wilson, go to Glacier Corp and check the details of Friday's meeting with Assistant Samuel."
Though I'm Brian's assistant, as chairman, Terry can assign me work, and I can't refuse.
"Okay, I'll go right away." After agreeing, I get up and walk reluctantly toward Brian's office.
He's my direct supervisor, so I need to report to him about the work Terry assigns me.
"Come in."
Standing outside the office door, I take a deep breath before pushing it open.
As soon as the door opens, thick cigarette smoke hits me in the face.
I instinctively frown, fighting back a cough.
Brian usually doesn't smoke in front of me.
Looking at the ashtray piled high like a small mountain, my premonition of being fired grows stronger.
I haven't found a new job yet, so I need to keep this one for now.
"Mr. Ethan, Mr. Terry Ethan asked me to go discuss the details of Friday's meeting with Glacier Corp today."
I stand almost pressed against the office door, trying to stay calm as I speak.
Brian leans back in his chair, his brow clouded with worry that seems impossible to shake.
He stares at me with a complicated expression for a moment, then nods slightly. "I know."
Seeing that he doesn't seem inclined to say more, I feel relieved.
"Mr. Ethan, I'll head out then."
"Ms. Wilson."
My hand just touches the door handle when Brian's voice comes from behind me.
My body instantly stiffens. When I turn around, my face wears a distant smile. "Mr. Ethan, is there something else?"
"About yesterday..." Brian's voice is hoarse.
He lowers his head, then when he looks up again, his face shows the playful smile I'm familiar with. "Yesterday I was just joking with you. Don't take it seriously."
My eyes instantly light up! Great! My job is safe!
"Okay, Mr. Ethan! I understand!"
I nod vigorously, my smile becoming more genuine. "But please don't make jokes like that in the future. It's really scary."
"Am I that scary?" Brian tilts his head at me, his expression a bit odd.
He looks down at himself. "I'm a CEO after all, rich and handsome. What's wrong with marrying me? Would I treat you badly?"
I shake my head and answer seriously, "That won't work. In my heart, you'll always be a boss I respect."
"Boss..." Brian repeats my words in a low voice.
He waves his hand. "Alright, alright, you can go now!"
I respond and leave the office with light steps.
I leave so quickly that I don't see the bitter curve of Brian's lips.
I arrive at Glacier Corp with the documents and am told that Assistant Samuel is in a meeting with Jason.
I wait in the downstairs lounge for a while before Assistant Samuel hurries over.
"Ms. Wilson, sorry to keep you waiting."
Assistant Samuel says with a smile, "Come on, let's go upstairs to talk."
He's Jason's capable assistant, usually treated with respect wherever he goes.
Assistant Samuel being so polite makes me feel a bit overwhelmed.
"You're too kind. I should have contacted you in advance."
Assistant Samuel waves his hand repeatedly and doesn't say much more, going upstairs with me.
Discussing the meeting details goes smoothly. We're done in half an hour.
I gather my materials and stand up. "I'll head back then."
"Ms. Wilson, wait a moment."
Assistant Samuel glances at his phone and looks at me awkwardly. "Mr. Cooper says he has some concerns about Friday's meeting. He wants you to wait for him in his office and go over things with him in person."
I have a bad feeling about this, but I say, "I understand."
Once again, in Jason's office, I sit obediently on the sofa in the reception area.
Before long, Jason strides in, his burning gaze falling on me without any attempt to hide it.
"Mr. Cooper, do you have any concerns about the meeting details?" I force a smile and steel myself to speak.
"Quite a few concerns, actually," Jason replies. "First, walk me through the entire current arrangement."