Chapter 229 Intimate Relationships
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sky was turning white.
But the temperature in the lounge kept rising.
Tristan knew Harriet hadn't rested enough, so he held back and only made love to her once before carrying her to the bathroom to wash up.
When they returned to bed, it was already bright outside.
Tristan glanced at the time. "I have a meeting this morning. You keep sleeping, I'll go work first."
"You've only slept for three hours."
Tristan smiled and kissed the corner of her lips, his voice hoarse. "Mrs. Lancaster just rewarded me, so I'm feeling great right now."
Harriet's cheeks flushed slightly. "Then come back and rest after you're done."
"Okay."
After Tristan finished his meeting and returned to the CEO's office, he first went to the lounge to check on Harriet.
She was exhausted, sleeping deeply while hugging a pillow.
Tristan bent down and kissed her forehead, then left quietly.
In the office, Quinlan was already waiting.
"Tristan, here's last quarter's report. The numbers look great." Quinlan placed the documents on the desk. "But this month, because of Harriet, Apex Global Group has taken a major hit. You should be prepared."
"I was already prepared." Tristan didn't look closely at the report and said calmly, "I need you to stop whatever you're working on."
"Why?" Quinlan was shocked, then suddenly realized something and said angrily, "Did Harriet say something to you? She complained about me and wants to kick me out of Emberfall, right?"
Tristan frowned slightly and looked up at her. "Why would Harriet want to kick you out of Emberfall?"
"She didn't tell you the reason?"
"She did, but I want to hear it from you."
Quinlan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Last night when Harriet came to see you, you were asleep. I was wiping your face, and she misunderstood that we had an intimate relationship."
Tristan's eyes turned cold. "You were wiping my face? How come I didn't know about this?"
Quinlan quickly explained, "You've probably been too tired these days. When I came in, you were already asleep, so I wiped your face to make you more comfortable."
"If you were just wiping my face, how could Harriet possibly misunderstand that we have an intimate relationship?" Tristan's expression darkened. "What else did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!" Quinlan said urgently. "I really was just helping you wipe your face!"
"Did Harriet tell you to leave Emberfall?"
"She did say that, but I already apologized at the time, and she forgave me." Quinlan said with grievance. "How could she go back on her word?"
"From last night until now, Harriet hasn't mentioned you once." Tristan leaned back in his chair. "When I said she told me, I was testing you."
Quinlan's face went pale. "Tristan, how could you do that?"
"Who gave you permission to enter my office without asking?" Tristan's sharp eyes locked onto her face. "Not entering when no one answers your knock is basic courtesy. And you know I hate it when people enter my office without permission, don't you?"
"If you hadn't come in, Harriet wouldn't have misunderstood."
"You're my cousin in name only. As long as you don't cross the line, Harriet wouldn't tell you to leave Emberfall."
"Tristan, what could I possibly do that crosses the line?" Quinlan looked innocent. "At two in the morning, I was still working, rushing to report to you, so I came to find you. How did that become my fault?"
"As long as my people do their jobs well, I never require them to work overtime, and I certainly didn't ask you to be on duty at two in the morning." Tristan's expression grew colder. "Dr. Smith said my mom's treatment process will be very painful. I originally wanted you to take leave to stay with her during treatment."
"But since Harriet said this, do as she says and go back to work abroad."
Quinlan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Tristan, you want me to leave Emberfall? I just got back!"
"No matter how capable you are at work, you can't upset Harriet." Tristan said coldly. "You're my cousin in name, so I'm transferring you abroad. If you were a regular employee, you'd already be fired."
Quinlan bit her lower lip, holding back tears. "I told you, Harriet misunderstood."
"You did nothing and she misunderstood? Harriet isn't petty. On the contrary, she's very tolerant of most people." Tristan lit a cigarette. "After that incident at the restaurant, I knew you two had issues."
"I only gave you a warning then. Even though you hit her first, I didn't hold it against you because Harriet hit you back too."
"But clearly, you didn't restrain yourself and continued to provoke her. Since that's the case, you don't need to stay in Emberfall."
Quinlan's heart ached so much she could barely breathe. "Tristan, I've worked diligently for you for years. Even if I haven't achieved much, I've worked hard. Why are you treating me like this?"
"When have I ever treated you unfairly?" Tristan asked back. "You know how much money and resources I've invested in training you over the years, and your salary is at the top level of Apex Global Group."
"You are indeed a very generous boss." Looking at the elegant and handsome Tristan before her, Quinlan couldn't help but say, "But Tristan, I always thought we were different, that our relationship... shouldn't just be boss and employee."
"Of course it's not just that." Tristan said. "If you weren't my cousin, do you think I would have invested so much money training you and letting you into Apex Global Group's core management?"
Quinlan was smart, but far from genius level.
Gemma valued this niece from her family the most and kept asking Tristan to promote her well. He needed people, so he did.
Fortunately, Quinlan worked hard enough and didn't disappoint his investment.
It was mutually beneficial.
Quinlan held back her tears. "Tristan, in my eyes, you're someone who keeps work and personal matters separate, who wouldn't let personal issues affect work. But now you're sending me abroad because of Harriet!"
"Have you kept work and personal matters separate?" Tristan exhaled a smoke ring. "If you had, when you walked into this building, you should have called me Mr. Lancaster, and you shouldn't have entered my office freely. Go ask around - even Ryder wouldn't dare come in alone when I'm asleep, let alone wipe my face."
"Since you haven't done it, don't demand it from me. And I'm your boss - I don't need a reason to transfer you."
Tears streamed down Quinlan's face, and for a moment she was speechless.
Tristan was indeed someone who kept work and personal matters separate, and was especially strict at work. Otherwise, Apex Global Group wouldn't have achieved what it has today.
She had been testing boundaries - like calling him by his first name at work. He didn't say anything, so she assumed it was okay.
Or sometimes entering his office without knocking. He didn't point it out, so she became even bolder.
But she didn't expect that he wasn't indifferent - he just hadn't confronted her about these small things.
And just because he didn't confront her didn't mean he forgot. Now that he was pointing out these mistakes, she had no way to defend herself.
Quinlan's mind raced, and she spoke up. "Mr. Lancaster, I'm sorry, I really didn't notice these details. I'll pay attention from now on."
"But I really don't want to leave Emberfall. I'm all alone abroad with no family or friends. I'm so lonely and I really miss home. I really don't want to go abroad anymore."