The next morning, Darnell strolled into the office, greeting his colleagues warmly, but few responded to him.
Everyone knew that he and Phoenix Team would be dismissed by the end of the month, so they all acted high and mighty, even the second-to-last Moon Team.
However, three women were more enthusiastic towards Darnell, cleaning his desk, organizing files, delivering reports, and making tea for him.
They continued their playful banter to lighten the gloomy atmosphere of his impending departure. Shayla even gave Darnell a cactus.
In their view, everyone would go their separate ways in a couple of weeks.
Except for Darnell, everyone believed that Phoenix Team would definitely disband.
“Ladies, smile! Today is a good day,” Darnell said, taking out his phone to snap pictures of the three women and the cactus with a bright smile. “You should be happier.”
“How can we be happy when we’re about to get kicked out?” Shayla pouted. “Next month we have to pay rent for three month. My mom’s subsidy will be gone after that.”
Casey stuck out her tongue. “I almost forgot about that. Six thousand dollars! My poor wallet.”
Bailee looked frustrated. “See? I told you we should have rented a basement instead of a three-bedroom apartment.”
Her pretty face was full of worry. “I might end up sleeping on the street.”
“You three live together?” Darnell asked with interest. “Do you have a room available? My lease is also up. I could join you.”
“This way, I won’t be too lonely, and you’ll have less rent pressure,” he added seriously. “Don’t worry about me harassing you. I’m not interested in women.”
The three women scoffed in unison. Shayla, who had just made Darnell a cup of hot tea, poked his forehead with her finger and laughed, “If you’re not interested in women, pigs can fly.”
“Really, I’m not into women. Why does nobody believe me?” Darnell sighed as he picked up the tea Shayla made for him.
Just then, Bailee’s phone rang again. She glanced at the number and her smile stiffened slightly before she excused herself to take the call outside.
Darnell watched her leave and then stood up after taking a few sips of tea. He was genuinely concerned about Bailee, especially after hearing about her situation from Casey.
He walked over to the fire escape where he had seen her last time but found no one there. Curious about where she might have gone, he listened carefully and heard noises from the eighteenth floor of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.
Looking up, Darnell was stunned by what he saw.
Standing upstairs was Bailee on the phone. Due to her position and open skirt, he could see up her dress.
His eyes first caught sight of her smooth ankles, like ivory carvings. Then he noticed her shapely calves without an ounce of excess fat. Further up were her white thighs and deep curves.
Bailee had finished her call and was lightly sobbing again, causing her long legs to tremble enticingly.
“Bailee, what are you doing here?” A familiar voice interrupted as Eliezer appeared on the stairwell.
“What happened? Why are you crying? Did Darnell bully you?” Eliezer asked righteously. “Tell me and I’ll fire him.”
Bailee quickly wiped away her tears. “No, it’s not Mr. Halford’s fault. I just remembered something sad. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Izzard. I’ll go back now.”
“If it’s not Mr. Halford’s fault, then it must be about your parents,” Eliezer said with concern. “I heard about your family situation from HR.”
“Did your parents call again? How much do they want this time?”
“I have money here,” he continued maliciously, “As long as they promise not to bother you anymore and sell you off as my mistress for good, I’ll give them a million dollars.”
“So they won’t pester you every day,” he added insidiously.
Bailee was momentarily stunned that Eliezer knew about her situation but then spoke calmly, “Their demands disgust me, but I would never sell myself to you. Keep your million dollars for someone else.”
Eliezer’s lips twitched slightly. “Bailee, you know my feelings for you are genuine. Why don’t you consider it?”
Bailee clutched her phone to her chest to cover her ample bosom because she felt Eliezer’s gaze lingering there.
“Mr. Izzard, I’ve only been at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals for a short time and just want to work hard and achieve something quickly. I’m not considering relationships right now…”
Eliezer frowned slightly and tried to persuade earnestly, “It’s good that you’re focused on work, but love and work aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“Besides,” he added with a hint of pride, “I’m a director of the sales department backed by Mr. Gower. Being with me would benefit your future career greatly.”
Bailee bit her lip but remained unmoved. “Mr. Izzard, I’m still young and not thinking about relationships at the moment…”
“Stop pretending! You’re getting fired at the end of the month. Your family is draining you dry. If you don’t sell yourself now, when will you?” Eliezer snapped impatiently as he grabbed Bailee’s hand.
“If you’re not interested in love, then let’s talk business,” he said coldly. “Come with me to my office and sign an agreement. Two hundred thousand dollars for one year with me.”
“This is more than you’d made in ten years. All it takes is spreading your legs. Why refuse?”
“Mr. Izzard,” Bailee cried out in fear as she stepped back two steps in panic. Her high heels slipped, causing her to fall down with a scream.
Eliezer turned tail and ran away.
A figure flashed by, standing at the staircase and catching Bailee just in time before she fell.
Bailee looked up to see Darnell’s smile and the warm concern in his eyes.
“Are you okay?”
Held in Darnell’s strong embrace, Bailee felt a sense of security she had never experienced before. It seemed that as long as she was under Darnell’s protection, she would be safe. Unconsciously, Bailee’s hands wrapped around Darnell’s neck.
This was the first time being held by a man, and also the first time holding a man. Bailee panted, her body scorching hot, and her fair thighs trembled slightly.
Darnell smiled and said, “If you’re selling yourself, come to me. I’ll give two million to you.”
“Mr. Halford!”
Bailee uttered in a low voice, then looked up and nibbled on Darnell’s lips, the pleasant sweet scent entering Darnell’s mouth.
Almost at the same moment, through the swaying gap of the door knocked open by Eliezer, a pair of beautiful eyes appeared.
Areli, who happened to pass by, saw the two embracing and felt an inexplicable pang in her heart.
She thought about firing Bailee.