Chapter 88
The elevator arrived.
Brian gave me one last deep look, said nothing more, and stepped out of the elevator first.
I returned to my desk and sat down. My colleague immediately came over, looking at me curiously.
"Ms. Wilson, is what they're saying online about you and Mr. Cooper true?"
"Is the child really Mr. Cooper's? What's your relationship now? Are you getting back together?"
I lowered my eyes, organizing my files, and answered calmly, "It's all made-up stuff."
"But..."
My colleague wanted to say more, but I handed her the files. "Today's work - let's finish these first."
It was almost lunchtime. As I tidied up my desk, I was thinking about getting ramen from downstairs.
The sharp click of high heels approached rapidly.
Mia stormed up to me, glaring viciously. "Ms. Wilson! How dare you seduce Jason! Do you know he's the man I have my eye on? You dare compete with me for a man!"
I frowned, my voice calm but with a hint of warning. "Miss Ethan, watch your words. I've never seduced Mr. Cooper."
"You think I'd believe that?" Mia sneered. She stared at me hard, as if suddenly realizing something, her eyes widening. "Now I get why you kept refusing to be with Brian - you've set your sights on someone richer!"
"Let me tell you! A woman like you doesn't deserve Jason, and he'd never be interested in you! Give up now! If I catch you seducing Jason again, I'll make sure you can't stay at this company!"
Nearby colleagues hadn't left for lunch yet. They all stopped in their tracks, glancing our way and whispering.
"Wasn't Miss Ethan arm-in-arm with Ms. Wilson going to lunch just two days ago? How did they suddenly turn on each other today?"
"No idea, but she was actually trying to set up Ms. Wilson with Mr. Ethan!"
"Actually, I think Mr. Ethan does have feelings for Ms. Wilson. After all, we've all seen how good Mr. Ethan is to Ms. Wilson."
Hearing these comments made me even more annoyed.
I'd already submitted my resignation, but Brian wouldn't agree to it. I only stayed to repay his kindness.
Now I'd become the subject of everyone's gossip instead.
"Mia, this is a company, not a place for your tantrums. Leave now."
Brian strode out of his office, staring coldly at Mia.
"Brian, you're just a bastard child - what right do you have to order me around?! Let me tell you, this is my family's company. You're just a dog we keep! Know your place, or I'll kick you, and that bitch Sue out together!"
Mia shouted harshly, without a shred of respect.
Brian stepped forward and slapped Mia cleanly across the face.
"You dare hit me?!" Mia screamed, covering her face. "You hit me for Sue?! I'm going to have Dad fire you right now and kick you out!"
Mia ran crying to Terry's office, covering her face.
Brian's expression was dark, the atmosphere around him frighteningly tense.
He looked around, then silently returned to his office.
I shook my head, thinking Mia was really stupid.
No matter what, Brian was now the president of DT Corp. She publicly insulted him in front of so many employees, using his background against him.
If she didn't get slapped, who would?
But none of this had anything to do with me.
If I didn't go downstairs soon, my favorite noodle shop would be full.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Jason calling. "Come downstairs. I'm waiting for you outside the company."
Without giving me a chance to refuse, Jason hung up.
I held the phone with its dial tone, feeling helpless.
As soon as I walked out of the company entrance, I saw a crowd gathered by the roadside in the distance.
The receptionists' chatter rose behind me.
"Mr. Cooper's been waiting downstairs at our company for quite a while, hasn't he? Wonder who he's waiting for."
Mr. Cooper?
Was the person surrounded by the crowd, Jason?
I stopped and looked over from a distance.
Through gaps in the crowd, I could barely see Jason leaning against a car door, the open trunk filled with roses.
This definitely wasn't for me. Jason must be here for something else.
I turned to run.
"Sue!" Just as I turned, I heard Jason's incredibly clear, loud voice.
He waved vigorously at me, his smile even brighter. "Over here!"
I tried to pretend I didn't hear, quickening my pace.
Even so, I couldn't outrun Jason's long legs.
He caught up to me in a few strides and grabbed my wrist.
"Sue, why are you running?" Jason looked at me, confused.
My lips moved, but I couldn't help blurting out, "Embarrassing."
"What?" Jason didn't hear clearly.
I shook my head, swallowing the words on the tip of my tongue, and asked instead, "What are you doing here?"
"Picking you up for lunch." Jason gripped my wrist tightly, his fingers rubbing the inside of my wrist.
My body stiffened. I tried to pull my hand back, but he held it even tighter.
Everyone around us turned their eyes on us; the chatter was endless.
"She's the person Mr. Cooper was waiting for?"
"She looks pretty, but she seems familiar."
"That's Mr. Cooper's ex-girlfriend from online!"
As the chatter grew louder, I frowned. "Let go first. What does it look like, us holding hands here?"
"Because if I let go, I'm afraid you'll run away." Jason looked at me pitifully.
My heart stirred. I stared at him expressionlessly. "Jason, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to win back my wife, not acting crazy," Jason explained seriously.
But under everyone's gossipy stares, I felt uncomfortable all over, wishing I could find a hole to crawl into right now.
"Let go of me first. Everyone's watching."
"Let them watch. We're doing nothing wrong."
"No, I still have to work here."
"Then get in the car with me, and we'll just leave."
He leaned in close, whispering in my ear, "Otherwise, I don't mind confessing to you publicly right here and letting everyone witness our earth-shattering love!"
My whole body froze. I glared at him and walked toward the car parked by the roadside.
Only now did I notice he'd driven a very flashy silver sports car today, paired with a trunk stuffed full of red roses.
As soon as I got in the car, I urged Jason repeatedly, "Drive! Now!"