Once they got on the overpass, the car sped up, and they returned to the northern part of the city.
“Miss Marsh, do you remember I once called you a seductress?” Jaquan got straight to the point. “Are you interested in working for me? I can offer you a better deal than Nelson.”
Callie continued to smile. “Mr. Scott, are you suggesting I draw two salaries? Unfortunately, I lack the ability and energy to manage both.”
If she dared betray Nelson, he would kill her.
“Don’t be so quick to refuse. Maybe right now you find Nelson charming and captivating, but you’ll soon realize he’s a very cold man. No one can get close to his heart.”
Jaquan spoke quickly but moved gently, placing the sketchbook back into her bag.
“Mr. Scott, do you know Mr. Oconnor well?”
“We’ve been rivals for years, naturally.”
“As you said, I’m important to Mr. Oconnor. But why? I’m sure you’ve done a background check on me. My family is ordinary, my looks are ordinary, my resources are ordinary. There’s no reason for him to take an interest in me,” Callie stated truthfully.
“In this world, men who achieve a certain level of success don’t care about the value of their women. Nelson is one of those men.” Jaquan leaned in close to Callie, his tone suggestive. “Miss Marsh, don’t underestimate yourself.”
Callie’s body stiffened even more as she asked calmly, “Since you know him so well, can you tell me if Mr. Oconnor has ever had a woman before?”
“He has,” Jaquan replied quickly.
Callie raised an eyebrow. “I’m not talking about casual partners.”
“The answer is still yes.”
Nelson had indeed had a woman before. It made sense; a successful man like him couldn’t have gone all these years without any relationships.
Callie’s smile faded for a moment. “Since he’s had someone before, it’s even less likely I’ll succeed. A cold person doesn’t value emotions much.”
“My demands are not high.” Jaquan leaned closer to her ear, slightly flirtatious. “Five percent is enough. As long as Nelson develops fifty percent affection for you, my goal will be achieved.”
Callie’s breath hitched, and she didn’t respond immediately.
The car had come to a steady stop.
Jaquan returned to his seat and opened the door for her again, his smile alluring. “I don’t know where you’re staying now, so I’ll have to drop you back at Oconnor Group.”
Callie quickly gathered her bag. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mr. Scott.”
“I’ll be waiting for you to join me for a drink anytime.”
Jaquan’s parting words made her back stiffen.
It was already night, and most of the company staff had left. The security guard greeted Callie warmly. “Back to work overtime this late?”
Callie forced a smile. “Yes, it’s tough being a corporate slave.”
She stood in the elevator for a long time, hesitating before finally pressing the button for the top floor.
Jaquan’s words lingered in her mind, leaving her restless and wanting to take a gamble.
When she reached the top floor, it was empty except for Nelson’s office, which was still lit.
She walked in; only the wall lamp was on, casting a dim light. Nelson stood tall and elegant in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, a cigarette between his fingers as he gazed at the dazzling night view outside, lost in thought.
Nelson exuded an aura of intense vitality and dominance, but it seemed forcibly suppressed, leaving only darkness and wildness with a strong possessiveness over everything.
But at this moment, his back did not radiate strength; it was as if he allowed himself to be lonely only in these secluded corners.
Callie’s heart tightened.