Chapter 32
I stared at that small line of text for a long time, feeling completely ridiculous.
I didn’t know how to reply, and the chat box on the other end kept showing “typing,” as though he was contemplating what to say.
After about ten minutes, his second message came through: [Just kidding. Helping you contact him is a small favor. As for the reward… how about treating me to a meal?]
I breathed a sigh of relief. Although I still couldn’t quite understand his intentions, treating him to a meal was definitely better than being his girlfriend.
I typed. [Thanks a lot then, Mr. Shannon.]
He replied, [Don’t call me Mr. Shannon; I don’t like it. Just call me Ivan.]
1 gave a perfunctory response and, after agreeing to meet up for dinner on Sunday, ended the conversation.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and had to light a magnolia–scented incense.
In that scent, I could find some sense of security.
I had a night of nightmares.
The next day, I went to the office as usual. As soon as I wheeled myself into the company, I noticed the young receptionist glanced at me with a strange look. I didn’t pay much attention and went straight to the elevator.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, I saw her whispering to someone nearby..
I felt something was off.
Sure enough, as soon as I entered the office, I saw a large bouquet of flowers placed at my desk, filling the whole office with fragrance.
I frowned instinctively. Who would send me flowers?
As I wheeled myself toward my desk, Tamara, wearing a mask, suddenly stood up and walked out of the room.
I ignored her and looked down. There was a card stuck in the flowers.
The handwriting on the card was hard to make out. To put it simply, it was ugly.
I stared at it for a while before realizing the card was signed by Ivan.
The handwriting was so bad it made my eyes hurt. I placed the card back in the flowers, intending to return it without a word.
But just as I left my office, I ran into Tamara and Harlan. Harlan’s gaze fell on the bouquet, and he seemed to pause for a moment at the card, his face instantly turning dark.
I knew immediately–Tamara had probably gone and complained again.
Sure enough, just as that thought crossed my mind, I heard Harlan coldly say, “Charlene, come to my office.”
I held the bouquet, turned my wheelchair, and followed him to his office.
Tamara seemed like she wanted to follow, but when her eyes landed on the bouquet in my hands, she stopped. In a whiny voice, she said, “Harlan,
I’ll head back first.”
Harlan nodded. “Open the window and get some fresh air. If you’re still not feeling well, take the day off and go home.”
“Okay.” Tamara’s eyes showed a slight smile. “Harlan, you don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
They lingered for a moment before Tamara left.
Throughout the entire process, I remained expressionless, staring at the flowers in my hands. Once Tamara left, Harlan let out a cold snort and said, “Let’s go.”
1 didn’t react, just turned my wheelchair and moved forward.
When we reached his office door, before I could enter, the bouquet in my hands was snatched away. He glanced at the card for a moment before tossing the flowers straight into the trash.
I frowned slightly. How was I supposed to return them now?
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Chapter 32
He turned back, noticing my expression and seemingly misunderstanding, immediately asking sarcastically, “What’s the matter? Can’t bear to part with those flowers?”
Before I could respond, he pushed me into the office and slammed the door shut with force.
The loud noise made my eardrums hurt.
He sat down in his chair, fixing his gaze on me. “Charlene, are you unhappy?”
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