Chapter 5
As I moved past them to return to my desk, Harlan suddenly grabbed my wrist.
1 looked up at him. His gaze was cold, his entire presence sharp–edged. “Don’t you think you should explain?”
“Explain what?” I countered. “Did 1 say anything wrong!
Tamara’s eyes turned even redder. She lowered her head, tears clinging to her lashes, making her look especially pitiful.
If I were a man, I might have felt bad for her.
Harlan studied me for a long moment, but to my surprise, he didn’t seem as angry as I had expected.
I thought he would stand up for Tamara, but instead, he simply said, “Attend the partnership meeting this afternoon”
I didn’t respond, bui Tamara suddenly looked up, tugging at his sleeve with a grievance.
Harlan patted her hand in reassurance. “Do you want me to change your desk?”
Tamara wiped her tears pitifully. “There’s no need, Harlan. I believe Charlene and I will get along well from now on
Then she looked at me expectantly, “Isn’t that right, Charlene?”
I averted my
gaze. “If you say so.
Harlan glanced at me and simply said, “Get ready”
I did pr
need to get ready–after all, knowing Ashton’s character, there was bound to be a good show later.
Sure enough, as the meeting began in the afternoon, the Regal Corporation’s representative had changed to Ashton
Upon seeing him. Harlan’s brows furrowed slightly.
Tamara, on the other hand, gave him a sweet, polite smile.
Ashton ignored her and instead focused on sorting through the meeting materials, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Moments later, he spoke. I’ve gone through the proposal, and I have some questions
Tamara’s face turned pule. Instinctively, she glanced at Harlan.
From where I sat, I could are Harlan reach out to hold her hand reassuringly,
Ashton remained unfazed. “Ms. Tatum, you were the one who created this proposal, right?”
Tamara sudly nodded
Ashton amord. “Gerat. I get straight to it. First, where did you get the activity data for the west district? What was the objective of this approach? If initial results are achieved, what’s the follow–up strategy!”
Ashton had a naturally gentle appearance, but his thin lips gave him a sharp edge when serious.
Now, his pair borr into Tamara with undeniable intensity, making it impossible for her to withstand his scrutiny.
wer cold sweat forming on her forehead. She stammered, lat couldn’t form a coherent response.
Harlan frowned and tumed to me “Charlene, answer the question?
Larlan said this. Tamura viully exhaled in relief
coolder. Flipping through the documents, he scoffed, “These questions s
were clearly outlined in i
Life proposal. Why can
- en. Mur lowered her volor. “T–Tim not feeling well coslay-
ai masih besaying it. He slammed the document shut. “And what does that have to do with your memory? You don’t remember your owll work?”
as he stepped in “Mr. Hopkins, Charlene can answer on het
at Harlan “Me Tatuarı has claimed star completed the proposal independently Logically,
„that incinna
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Chapter 3
Harlan hadn’t expected Ashton to be this bhunt. His expression darkened. ‘Does it matter?”
“Not really” Ashton smirked. “Alright, then I have one more question. Ms. Tatum, what’s your opinion on our product!“
Seeing that the topic had shifted, “Tamara’s expression improved slightly
Hearing Ashton’s question, she immediately answered, “I think this type of lens is perfect for students—“
Before she could finish, Ashton sneered and slammed the proposal onto the table. The sound wasn’t loud, but it was enough to make Tamura’s face turn deathly pale.
“Ms. Tum, the target users for this lens are seniors” Ashton said icily.
Tamara bit her lip, panic flashing in her eyes.
Harlan blocked Ashion’s gaze and said calmly. “Tamara meant that younger people can use it too.”
Hearing Harlan’s words. Tamara seemed to find a pillar of support. She clung to his sleeve, her eyes reddening, staying silent.
Ashton scoffed outright. “I didn’t expect that a brge company like Lunaris Corporation would tolerate nepotism. Tell me, Mr. Shannon, how can someone who doesn’t even understand the product draft a proposal?”
His words were direct. Under the weight of the judgmental stares around her. Tamara couldn’t bear it any longer. She whispered, “Tarlan, I–Don’t feel well I’d like to have some rest.
Harlan frowned, but before he could speak, Ashton cut in, “Mr. Shannon, I suggest you figure out who’s actually responsible for this proposal. Well talk about this collaboration in a couple of days.”
With that, Ashton walked out directly
The executives who had come with him sighed, and one of them leaned closer to Harlan, lowering his voice. “Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hopkins is used to getting his way. He doesn’t hold back what he wants to say. Please don’t take it personally”
Then he quickly followed Ashton out.
Now, only Lunaris Corporation’s team remained in the conference room
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, the secretary quickly ushered everyone else out and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Now, it was just me. Harlan, and Tamara
After a long silence, Harlan finally said to Tamara in a gentle tone. “You should go rest. I need to talk to Charlene.”
Tamara nodded, looking aggrieved. In a soft voice, she pleaded. “Talk to her nicely. Don’t fight”
Harlan gave a brief nod. “Don’t worry”
Tamara left
Harlan turned hus gaze to me, his expression indifferent. “What did you say to Aslsion!”
1 had expected this question. Without hesitation, I answered, “I just asked if the proposal had been approved”
Ha eyes darkened slightly, then he took a step closer.
His presener loomed over me. The faint scent of him mixed with Tamara’s lingering sweetness, making it hard for me to breathe
Iroke Charlene, why can’t you just do as I say? Now you’ve made things difficult for all of us.”
angrily “how you feel bad because things are difficult for you and your sweetheart got humiliated! But when you took my proposal did you ever consider whether the could even handle ur
sason instantly darkened Lcontinued. “Besides, from start to finish. I never said anything. Tamara was the one who couldn’t keep up
What, that’s my fauli too!”
Harlan kouk a deep breath and rubbed his temple.
talde, trapping
een him and the desk. The proximity was suffocating–Dould even feel the heat radiating
ed my gate, unwilling t
distan in the face boner loved an derply
Chapter 5
As I subconsciously tried to back away, he asked in a low voice, “Charlene, do you still love me?
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