Rosalind was abruptly awakened by his stern reminder.
How could she have been so naive to assume that Ulric would show leniency towards her application just because they had been intimate? She had to remind herself that it was a purely transactional arrangement, and emotions had no place in the equation.
“I apologize, Mr. Walters,” Rosalind quickly interjected, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I’m sorry for the disturbance.”
Without waiting for his response, she hung up the phone, feeling the weight of her own overestimation. It was a harsh reality check.
Outside, Mr. Chan received the notification and stormed into the room, seething with anger.
“I told you it wouldn’t work! Who do you think you are, Rosalind? Asking me to trust you just this once? I trusted you, and now look at what happened?!”
Tilda, rushing over with documents in hand, positioned herself in front of Rosalind, ready to defend her. “Mr. Chan, Rosalind’s mother had an accident. Can’t you show some compassion?”
“Compassion? And who will show me any compassion?” Mr. Chan slammed his hand on the table. “Fine, Rosalind, don’t accuse me of targeting you! You begged me for the Huayi project. If it doesn’t take off, pack your things and leave!”
Tilda was about to retort, but Rosalind grabbed her hand, signaling her to stop. She stood up and bowed deeply.
“I apologize, Mr. Chan. I won’t give up on the Huayi project.”
“You better not be bluffing again!”
Leaving those words behind, Mr. Chan stormed out, slamming the door.
Tilda looked even angrier than Mr. Chan. “Rosa, don’t be afraid of him! At worst, we’ll quit together. I’ll stand by your side!”
“I appreciate your support,” Rosalind replied, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. She turned her attention back to the computer. “I must secure the Huayi project.”
She was determined to reclaim the dignity she felt she had lost that day.
“Alright, I’ll help you,” Tilda offered.
Before Tilda could say another word, the office phone rang.
Rosalind picked it up and recognized the somewhat familiar voice on the other end.
“Miss Ruell? Mr. Walters would like you to come to the executive office.”
“…”
He was back from his business trip?
…
Expressionless, Rosalind made her way upstairs, walking in her high heels towards the president’s office.
She knew Ulric had no obligation to treat her differently at work, and she had no right to bring personal feelings into the professional realm.
“Knock knock-”
Rosalind knocked on the door, but to her surprise, she heard a woman’s voice from inside!
“Come in.”
She pushed open the door and entered, only to see a woman holding a wine glass instead of Ulric.
Rosalind was momentarily taken aback when she caught sight of the woman’s face.
She was stunningly beautiful, radiating confidence from within!
Dressed in a custom-made light purple gown that accentuated her graceful figure, every movement she made exuded the same air of nobility as Ulric.
Rosalind’s shock wasn’t solely due to the woman’s captivating appearance, it was also because of the striking resemblance between their faces.
“And you are?” The woman looked equally surprised upon seeing her.
“I’m Rosalind Ruell from Group Three of the Prosperity Holdings Investment Department. Mr. Walters asked me to come.”
Rosalind averted her gaze and stood upright.
“Oh.” Sirena regained her composure and gestured towards the lounge inside the executive office. “Ulric is changing clothes, please wait a moment.”
Rosalind nodded, and in the next moment, she heard Ulric’s cold voice emanating from within.
“She’s nothing more than a substitute.”