Chapter 3 There's Something Fishy
[Mr. Williams has something going on with this woman!]
[When has Mr. Williams ever looked at anyone that way? Never!]
[Any news from Ms. Wilson's side? Dying to see what this mystery woman looks like!]
Meanwhile, Elaine was irritably flipping through interview resumes when her eyes lit up at one particular candidate.
Her office phone rang. Her assistant informed her that Ronald hadn't arrived at the company yet.
Elaine clicked her tongue. "Start the meeting without me. I'll go find him."
Arriving at Ronald's office, she pushed the door open without knocking. "Where did you two disappear to last night?"
Being both colleagues and cousins, she naturally spoke to him without much restraint.
Ronald completely ignored her question, responding coldly, "Need something?"
"The meeting!" Elaine glared at him through gritted teeth. "Even without a secretary, you should at least have some concept of time. Your phone was off?"
Ronald lowered his gaze and replied calmly, "Sorry, my battery died last night. How's the search for a new secretary coming along?"
His previous secretary had worked for him for three years, deluding herself into thinking she had a chance to become his wife, only to be fired by Ronald, causing quite a scene.
Since then, he'd refused to hire another secretary.
The fact that he was now bringing it up made Elaine's heart leap. "Have someone in mind?"
Ronald's gaze fell on the resumes in her hand. He immediately recognized Adeline. "A newcomer would be fine."
A newcomer?
Elaine glanced down at the resumes in her hand and passed them over. "These candidates all have good qualifications, but none of them applied for the secretary position."
Adeline's was the first resume.
She'd sensed something between them yesterday, and now with Ronald being so proactive, something was up!
Ronald casually scanned the resumes, his finger lightly tapping on one name. "Adeline. Interesting name."
He stood up and left the office.
Elaine pursed her lips. The way he'd looked at her yesterday was suspicious enough, and now this? Was he planning to make a move already?
Adeline felt nervous as she was escorted to the top floor. The HR staff member led her to the door, then scurried away.
The top floor of Opulent Treasures was off-limits to regular employees—this was the territory of the company's two bosses: Ronald and Elaine.
No one dared come up here except their trusted confidants.
Adeline nervously clutched her phone, ready to call for help if things went south.
"Adeline, come in," a cheerful female voice called out.
Adeline looked up to see Elaine and startled, then felt awkward. "It's you?"
"Small world, isn't it? Come on in." Elaine smiled warmly, which helped Adeline relax a bit.
Last night was just a one-night stand, and that guy probably wouldn't mention it to anyone.
Adeline didn't know what relationship the two had, but noticing the slight resemblance in their features, she guessed they were relatives.
What she hadn't expected was Elaine offering her the position of executive secretary.
"I'm sorry, but I applied for a design position," Adeline firmly declined. "Besides, I've never been a secretary before. I'm afraid I wouldn't be up to the task."
"I've reviewed your resume. You're extremely qualified, and the secretary position wouldn't be a problem for you," Elaine maintained her smile. "Plus, Mr. Williams is quite satisfied with you."
"Mr. Williams?" Adeline looked at Elaine in confusion. She didn't know any Mr. Williams.
Elaine shrugged. "Can't help it. These are Mr. Williams' orders. But don't worry, your starting salary will be calculated at the senior secretary level—four times that of a junior designer."
"What?" Adeline's eyes widened in disbelief.
Four times? At that rate, she could be financially independent in just a few years!
"And you can participate in design department projects with additional commission. What do you say?"
Elaine's offer was incredibly generous, but Adeline still maintained her composure. "I'm sorry, I—"
"Why don't you meet Mr. Williams first before deciding?" Elaine didn't give her a chance to refuse and pulled her toward the CEO's office.
Just as they reached the door, they heard the sound of a cup shattering.
Adeline's heart skipped a beat. No wonder they were offering such a high salary—there was something fishy going on!
As she debated whether to flee or knock Elaine out first, the office door opened, and Ronald's cool voice rang out, "Adeline, start immediately. Get the car ready. We're going to Valor Auctions."
"What? Me?" Adeline stared at him in shock, her voice trembling.
Ronald was the CEO of Opulent Treasures?
Her one-night stand was about to become her direct boss?
Ronald looked down and noticed her panicked expression and the barely visible hickeys on her neck. He paused.
When he didn't respond, Elaine quickly explained, "Today, Queen Valorian XII's sapphire necklace is the highlight of the auction. It's our company's target acquisition."
"The Nebula's Heart?" Adeline's eyes instantly lit up.
This jewelry auction had been promoted for months, and royal jewelry design was the focus of her graduation thesis.
The chance to see such a legendary piece up close made her forget all about any potential dangers or problems.
She awkwardly ran toward the elevator, then turned back, looking embarrassed. "Mr. Williams, I can't drive."
"I'll drive. Let's go." Ronald strode toward her.
Elaine stared at the two with wide eyes. One phrase immediately popped into her mind—something's going on!
After they left, Elaine remained standing there until her assistant Molly Clark approached and whispered, "Ms. Wilson, is everything alright?"
"I want everything on this Adeline. Remember, everything."
Elaine clenched her fists tightly, an unlikely thought forming in her mind. Could the ice king finally be melting?
Meanwhile, Adeline fidgeted uncomfortably in the passenger seat.
On her first day, having the boss drive her around—who would believe that?
Even more terrifying was the fact that her boss was her one-night stand.
The pain in her lower body constantly reminded her of what had happened last night.
Adeline pressed her throbbing temples, feeling like the world had gone mad.
Earlier, when she'd heard about the Nebula's Heart necklace, she'd instinctively forgotten to decline the secretary position. Now that she'd come to her senses, she felt the need to clarify things. "Mr. Williams, yesterday was a misunderstanding."
"I apologize. I didn't realize it was your first time. I hope I didn't hurt you?" Ronald kept his eyes on the road, his tone softening slightly.
On his way to the office, he'd thought about it. Adeline had been enthusiastic but inexperienced—she couldn't even kiss properly without forgetting to breathe. Recalling the bloodstain on the bed, Ronald understood everything.
Adeline was about to lie and say it wasn't her first time when Ronald made a turn.
"Mr. Williams, we should go straight here," Adeline quietly reminded him, glancing at the navigation.
"Taking you to the hospital first."
Ronald's casual statement sent waves of panic through Adeline. Was he taking her for a medical check-up, or to confirm if she had any diseases? Or worse, was he planning to force emergency contraception on her, afraid she might try to trap him?
With these thoughts racing through her mind, Adeline quickly explained, "Mr. Williams, I said yesterday—"
"That you wouldn't take responsibility for me." Ronald pulled over to the side of the road. His face was shadowed by tree branches, making it impossible for Adeline to read his expression.
"So, you don't intend to take responsibility for me?"