Chapter 17: Unique Taste
“Linda.”
“… Yes? ” Linda snapped back to reality, her look of admiration instantly replaced by a cool, professional demeanor.
“Take this document and personally make copies. Distribute them after the meeting starts; make sure everyone gets a copy.”
“Yes.” Linda took the document and walked out.
As she opened the door, Jack was about to enter. Seeing Jack, Linda merely nodded slightly before leaving with the document. The click-clack of her high heels underscored her aloofness.
Jack chuckled softly, “Your chief assistant really lacks warmth. Being around you for so long has made her just like you.”
“Linda and I were classmates in business school, isn’t it normal for her to be a bit arrogant?” Ethaniel looked at the document, not even raising his head, giving his friend no attention.
“Yes, yes, you two graduated first and second in your class. After graduation, you joined Goldenshore Group, and she followed you as your assistant. You climbed from a minor position to CEO, and she rose from a small secretary to your chief assistant. She’s dedicated ten precious years of her youth to you.”
Ethaniel’s long fingers turned a page, his sharp purple eyes scanning the dense data. “Linda’s current annual salary is five million dollars. I won’t shortchange anyone.”
“I bet Linda doesn’t care about your five million dollars. With her capability, she could easily start her own business and become a CEO herself. A beautiful CEO is far better than a beautiful assistant,” Jack remarked meaningfully.
Everyone knew that the number of wealthy heirs pursuing Linda could circle Goldenshore Group.
Yet Linda rejected them all, loyally staying by Ethaniel’s side, helping him build the empire that Goldenshore Group had become.
Linda’s contributions were significant and acknowledged, as Ethaniel rewarded her with a high salary and one percent of Goldenshore Group’s shares, making her one of the few women on the rich list.
However, insiders pitied Linda, loving a man for ten years without any reciprocation.
“What I can give her is only this.” Even though he knew Linda’s feelings, he wouldn’t accept her. Linda wasn’t the woman he desired, no matter how exceptional she was.
Jack feigned a sigh, “I remember when you announced you had Ollie, Linda was quite down for a long time. Fortunately, you only have a son and not a wife. Otherwise, even your five million dollar salary wouldn’t keep Linda around.”
“Don’t bring that up again,” Ethaniel’s fingers paused, his voice turning cold.
“That matter? Which matter?” Jack feigned ignorance, continuing to provoke, “Linda’s unrequited love for you? Your having a son out of wedlock? Or Ollie’s biological mother…”
Ethaniel’s gaze turned dangerously cold as he looked up.
“Alright, alright, I’ll pretend I didn’t say anything,” Jack grinned, handing a file to Ethaniel. “Here, Kayla’s profile you asked for.”
Ethaniel suppressed his cold aura as he took the file.
Watching him pull out the documents, Jack couldn’t help but remark, “This Kayla is something else. She startled me. Her background is quite troubled. Her father, Sam, is a wealthy man from Seatowne, but he abandoned his wife and daughter and never fulfilled his duties as a father. Her mother, Essem, has mental issues, and Kayla has been taking care of her. At fifteen, she was exceptionally admitted to Seatowne’s top police academy. She graduated early at eighteen with excellent grades and joined the North District Police Department. In four years, she’s solved major cases, maintaining the highest solve rate in the district. She’s consecutively won the police combat championship, outdoor training championship, and freestyle wrestling championship. Since she joined the North District, even the petty criminals have reformed.”
As Ethaniel read through the records, he alternated between frowning and smiling slightly. When he read that even petty criminals in the North District didn’t dare cause trouble because of her, his thin lips curved into a noticeable smile.
“And there’s something even more important,” Jack paused deliberately, seeing Ethaniel engrossed in the documents and not paying attention to him. “It’s not in the files, but I think you’ll definitely be interested.”
Just as Jack knew Ethaniel’s inherently cold nature, Ethaniel also understood that Jack’s seemingly gentle and elegant demeanor masked a mischievous streak.
Back at Veridian University, Ethaniel was the top student in the business school, and Jack was the top in law. Ten years of friendship made them well aware of how to provoke each other.
Ethaniel put down the documents and looked at Jack, saying simply, “Shoot.”
Jack laughed inwardly, amused by Ethaniel’s seriousness, and decided not to tease him further. “Kayla has had to work to support her mother since she was young. Later, she joined the police academy, focusing mainly on training. After graduation, she immediately plunged into solving cases. Her love life is completely blank-you’re in luck.”
As expected.
Ethaniel’s lips curved slightly. Just a kiss from him had left her flustered and that she had even forgotten to resist, given her fiery temper.
Seeing Ethaniel’s rare smile, Jack sighed, “It’s just a pity about Linda. Your taste in women is quite unique.”
Ignoring Jack, Ethaniel placed the documents into the shredder.
Outside, Linda entered the room. “Mr. Han, the meeting starts in thirty minutes.”
“Mm.” Ethaniel picked up his laptop and stood up to leave.
Jack followed him out, glancing at Linda before exiting, a thoughtful smile on his face.
……
Kayla was already feeling quite frustrated when she was called to the venue for duty. What made things worse was that she got lost. After coming out of the C2 gate for the fourth time, she was completely furious. Who on earth designed this place?Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
The exhibition center had five sections: A, B, C, D, and E. Each section had numerous exits, and each exit branched off into several paths. She just wanted to find Section E to carry out her security task, but after wandering around countless times, she still couldn’t find the right way…
The world is really unkind to those who are bad with directions!