Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Amelia clearly wasn't listening to Stanley at all. She just kept nodding and agreeing.

"Don't worry, I know what to do."

Watching her look so pleased with herself, Stanley helplessly rubbed his temples.

If Amelia really knew what to do, how could things have gotten to this point?

Though he was angry at William, he knew deep down that William really didn't like Amelia.

They say love can't be forced, but with Amelia's domineering personality, this drama would probably drag on even longer.

Isabella stood in the restroom, silently listening to all this. She looked down, a self-mocking smile playing on her red lips.

Amelia was the Martinez family's daughter. No matter what she did, Stanley would always have her back.

But for Isabella, aside from William and a few friends who were good to her, whenever anything happened, she'd always had to handle it herself.

Isabella suddenly felt a bit envious of Amelia.

If she had a brother like Stanley, she'd probably wake up laughing in her dreams.

After Stanley and Amelia left, Isabella slowly came out of the restroom.

William must have thought she'd been in the restroom too long, because he came looking for her.

Seeing that Isabella didn't look well, William reached out and touched her forehead.

"Isabella, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?"

Feeling the coolness of William's fingertips, Isabella snapped back to reality for a moment and shook her head.

"I'm fine, Mr. Brown. Maybe I've just been here too long, and I'm not used to it. Mr. Brown, could I possibly leave early?"

She really didn't fit in here, and she was clearly aware of the gap between her and William, so naturally, she didn't want to get too involved with him.

William seemed to sense what she was thinking. He stared at her silently for a while, but didn't say much.

"I'll take you home."

As soon as he finished speaking, Isabella waved her hands anxiously.

"No need, Mr. Brown. I can get back on my own. There are so many people here. If you leave with me, they'll definitely gossip."

Isabella was about to leave when suddenly William grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

William pressed her against the wall corner. His warm breath hit her face, and Isabella could clearly smell William's unique cool scent. Her heartbeat instantly became erratic.

"Mr. Brown, what are you doing?"

William stared at her, frowning, clearly showing a trace of displeasure in his eyes.

"I just defended you in front of them, and now you want to shake me off. Isabella, what do you take me for? Your shield?"

Isabella's eyes widened.

"Mr. Brown, that's not what I meant. I just thought you still had your own things to do, so I asked to go back on my own. Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Brown."

Though she really wanted to keep her distance from William, whenever she was around him, she never seemed to have a choice.

William was her boss. As his subordinate, no matter how helpless she felt inside, she could only follow William's orders.

Thinking this, Isabella suddenly deflated. Before William could speak, she lowered her head and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Brown. It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked to leave early before you said I could. If you're angry, just dock my pay."

In Isabella's mind, only money mattered most, yet now she was voluntarily asking him to dock her pay?

What was wrong with Isabella?

William frowned deeply but didn't ask more questions. He just grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside.

"I said I'll take you home. If you refuse, that's insubordination, and I can still dock your pay."

Isabella silently followed behind him, looking at his tall, straight back. Not only did she feel no resistance, but warmth welled up inside her.

She understood—William was concerned about her, and he thought it wasn't safe for her to go back alone, so he decided to take her himself.

Actually, a question had been lingering in her mind all along.

Why would William like her?

She was just an ordinary employee. William had met countless women—how could he possibly like her?

Was it just because of what happened between them that night?

Isabella couldn't figure it out, so she stopped trying. She let William pull her into the car and take her home.

On the way, Isabella was exhausted and unknowingly fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes again, she was already on her bed at home, and William had long since left.

Isabella groggily sat up. Her eyes inadvertently glanced at the nightstand and noticed a note and a bank card that William had left.

The note had only a simple message—Bonus.

Though it didn't specify the amount, when Isabella saw the bank card, her eyes lit up.

Great! She hadn't attended that party for nothing! William actually gave her a bonus!

Isabella smiled.

Looks like she should put up with more of this kind of treatment in the future.

She didn't mind being wronged, as long as she got paid!

Then Isabella put away both the note and the bank card and went back to sleep.

When she woke up the next day, Isabella realized Saskia hadn't come home.

She called Saskia, but no one answered. She sent a few messages.

Saskia replied to the messages, just saying she'd stayed at another friend's place last night.

Since living with Saskia, Saskia was rarely around, so Isabella didn't think much of it and went to work as usual.

As soon as she entered the office, William gave her an assignment.

"The Brown Group and the Martinez Group are about to collaborate. I need you to put together a strategic partnership proposal. The sooner the better."

Isabella was shocked. Holding the relevant collaboration materials, she looked at William in disbelief.

"Mr. Brown, such an important collaboration—is it really appropriate for you to give it to me?"

William's gaze shifted from his computer to her. He looked her up and down and gave a light hum.

"I've seen the proposals you've done before. They were very good. I'm giving you this strategic proposal because I value your abilities. If you do well and can secure the collaboration with the Martinez Group, I'll give you triple the bonus."

Triple bonus?

When Isabella heard this, her eyes nearly popped out. At the same time, endless motivation surged within her.

"Mr. Brown, don't worry. I'll definitely get this proposal done!"

Watching Isabella's confident, upright figure, William lowered his eyes, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

He really wanted to see just how far Isabella's abilities could go.

That day, William was very considerate and didn't give Isabella any other tasks. He had Chase handle everything else.

Isabella worked alone until noon. Her colleagues all went to eat, leaving Isabella the only person on the entire floor.