“Their divorce… what does it have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you.” Carter smiled faintly. “The Lynch Group has already withdrawn the money invested in The Scott family, and made a profit. Queenie no longer has any value… After Cameron divorces her, he’ll definitely come after you! Then you’ll see how correct my words were!”
“Everything is for the will. Cameron will do anything for that inheritance! Laura… you’ll soon see his true colors!”
“Let go of me!” I pushed him away forcefully.
He staggered back, hitting the conference table, glaring at me with cold eyes.
“Carter,” I looked at him, a cold smile on my face, “Why are you telling me about Cameron’s affairs? Who he marries and divorces has nothing to do with me. I’m here today because of the professor’s recommendation, because I’m capable of this job! I’m here to work, not to listen to your boring gossip.”
“You still can’t forget about Cameron, Laura.”
“Whether I can forget or not is my business.” I approached him, feeling his presence now very unfamiliar.
“As for us, from now on, in the company, we only have one relationship: you’re my boss, I’m your subordinate, and I’ll do everything you assign me to do. Privately, we can be siblings, friends, but please, have some boundaries! Those disgusting words, don’t say them again!”
After saying that, I glanced at him and walked out of the meeting room.
It doesn’t matter… The Lynch Family’s affairs have nothing to do with me anymore!
Whether it’s Carter or Cameron, they’ve been left behind by me three years ago. The present Laura isn’t as fragile as before, and won’t be easily broken.
HR guided me briefly through the company environment.
I sat at my desk, everything was brand new. Surrounding colleagues were busy with their tasks, and the whole office had a busy yet organized atmosphere.
I took a deep breath and took out a small mirror to smile at myself – Laura, starting today, you’ll begin a new life.
“Hello!” Someone suddenly tapped my shoulder, “Are you Laura?”
“Yes.” I smiled at the person who turned out to be a sweet-looking girl with big eyes.
“I’m Vice President Lynch’s assistant, Elsa.”
I nodded, “Hello, Elsa. Is there something you need?”
“Vice President Lynch instructed that you should accompany him to tonight’s dinner with clients.”
“Dinner?”
“Yes.” She checked her watch and flipped through her notebook, then said to me, “It’s about the negotiation of the new building project in the South Lake District for Glory Construction Company. This project requires a huge investment, so we need to collaborate with Fly Construction Company to develop it. Tonight we’re hosting their CEO, Edward Baker.”
“The dinner starts at six o’clock. It’s four o’clock now, and Vice President Lynch will depart directly from the company at half-past five. He said if you go home to change clothes, you might not make it in time.”
Elsa handed me a paper bag, “Laura, you should be satisfied with this outfit.”
I glanced down at it – a black and white business suit, designed with both elegance and professionalism.
It seems Carter’s taste has also improved over the years.
Elsa smiled, “Laura, remember to leave with Vice President Lynch at half past five, don’t forget to change your clothes beforehand.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I stared at the paper bag, sitting at my desk lost in thought.
What did Carter mean by having me attend the dinner on my first day at work?
Several colleagues around me were already casting curious glances in my direction.
I understood that this was not in line with the protocols of a large company. A conglomerate like The Lynch Group valued individual capabilities, but no one’s abilities were strong enough to overlook the fact that they were still a newcomer.
However, for Carter to do this, having a newcomer like me accompany him to such an important event, what was his intention?
Perhaps he wanted to set up a barrier between me and my colleagues from the very beginning, making it difficult for me to integrate!
I bit my lip. Regardless of Carter’s tactics, I had nothing to fear!
At half past five, I stood punctually downstairs at the company. Carter’s car pulled up, the driver stepped out to open the door for me, but Carter wasn’t inside.
“Where’s Vice President Lynch?” I was taken aback.
The driver handed me a folder, “He had an impromptu negotiation, so he won’t be joining you for the dinner. Please proceed to the banquet alone. This folder contains the agreement with Fly Construction Company. Vice President Lynch emphasized the importance of getting Mr. Baker’s signature tonight.”
“I go alone?”
“The project manager is also going, he’s already heading over there.” The driver handed over a stack of papers. “Miss Campbell, these are the documents about Edward Baker. Vice President Lynch instructed that you should be prepared beforehand, so you’ll be at ease when you meet him later.”
I checked the documents, he is a divorced man in his fifties, still looking decent.
However, upon meeting him in person, I realized that the photos had probably been excessively retouched. Edward, with his beer belly, slightly balding, had a pair of sharp and cunning eyes. His smile resembled that of a big bad wolf eyeing Little Red Riding Hood.
He edged closer to me with his drink in hand. I shifted my chair sideways, and he followed suit. His hand even pretended to casually brush against my thigh.
I warned him with my gaze, but he paid no heed, continuing, “The Lynch Group has recruited new members? I heard Miss Campbell graduated from a prestigious overseas university? Recommended by a professor from the University of California…”
“Yes, Miss Campbell completed two master’s degrees in three years, which is quite impressive,” chuckled the project manager beside us.
“Mr. Baker flatters me. There’s still much for me to learn,” I replied. “The Lynch Group provides me with a great platform, and I cherish this job, eager to contribute to the Lynch Group.”
“So, I came today to ask Mr. Baker to take a look at this agreement…”
“No rush on the agreement!” Edward snatched the papers from my hand and tossed them aside. “Let’s have a drink first… We’ll discuss work later!”
“Mr. Baker…”
“Bottoms up!”
Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulder, offering the glass to my lips.
He forced me gulp down three drinks.
I wasn’t a drinker, and soon felt dizzy… In the end, I coughed and spit the alcohol onto my skirt, staining the white fabric with red blotches.
Edward suddenly became excited, bending down like a dog, his nose brushing against my skirt… He uttered some disgusting words, “Miss Campbell, let me help you… lick it clean, haha…”
I was nauseated to the extreme, constantly signaling to the project manager with my eyes. Yet, he looked away, pretending not to notice.
The others at the table, all drunk, began to cheer, urging Edward to lift my skirt. Edward’s lecherous gaze locked onto me, “Miss Campbell, why don’t you bring the agreement? Let’s head upstairs to the private room and discuss there?”
A burst of laughter and whistles erupted. Feeling both ashamed and angry, I summoned all my strength and pushed Edward forcefully, causing him to stumble and fall off the chair. Then, I poured a full glass of wine, drenching every inch of his bald head. The red wine streamed down his greasy face, and he instantly sobered up a bit. He stood up from the floor aggressively, glaring at me with fury.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” he cursed loudly, “I’ll fuck you right here today, let’s see how arrogant you slut still dares to be!”
With that, he lunged towards me. The people nearby were too scared to speak.
I lifted my high heels and delivering a swift kick to his lower abdomen. He screamed in pain, his face contorted with rage, his hands reaching for my throat…
But suddenly, a man stood between us.
Bang!
The sound of a bottle shattering.
After a brief silence, came Edward’s screams…
It felt like a dream, and it took me a few seconds to snap out of it.
Cameron…
Edward was writhing in pain on the ground, his companions huddling around him, trying to stop the bleeding and calling for an ambulance in panic.
Then, a cold and stern voice rang out, “Who dares to help him?”
Those people stood frozen, hands hanging limply by their sides, no one daring to make a move.
Edward shouted, “Which bastard dares to hit me? You bunch of worthless trash! Come to help me!”
“Ah…”His chest was stepped on by Cameron. After a while, he managed to utter a few words through gritted teeth, “Vice President Lynch…”
I stared at the man before me, dumbfounded. He is tall, heroic, stern, and masculine. It seemed like every word used to describe a hero was fitting for him.