About ten seconds passed.
On the other end of the line, it seemed the man had stopped whatever he was doing. His pleasant voice gradually grew husky, leaving no trace of emotion at the end of his sentence. "Should I have Linden bring you some hangover pills?"
Zoe Lancaster was left speechless. Even though she had anticipated this response, it still managed to stir waves in her heart, shattering her wishful, girlish hopes. He probably thought she was losing her mind in broad daylight, asking such an unrealistic question.
Zoe blinked, hiding the bitter realization in her eyes as she asked a question she already knew the answer to. Her voice was light and clear. "Just a joke. After all, Mr. Hawthorne has such a discerning eye. Nothing ordinary could ever catch your attention."
Simon Hawthorne’s tone finally darkened. "Zoe, why are you being so sarcastic?"
"I wouldn’t dare. I just found it strange. Who bought it? Were taxes paid? Where’s the receipt?" She tactfully changed the subject.
"Just keep whatever it sold for. Why ask so many questions? If you don’t want it, transfer the money back, but you’ll cover the handling fees yourself." Simon couldn’t be bothered to argue with her over such a pointless matter. Dropping that sentence, he hung up—true to his usual style.
Zoe stared at the disconnected call and couldn’t help but massage her temples. "What a temper."
This was over five million! She wasn’t crazy enough to transfer it back. The handling fees alone would cost her an arm and a leg.
Gradually, her mood brightened. If she deposited this money into her mother’s hospital account, it would cover at least half a year’s expenses! This completely solved her urgent crisis. More importantly, there were only about eight months left until the agreed divorce date. The Lancaster family was currently fronting the medical bills, so with this extra money, she could easily hold out until the divorce.
For once, Simon had acted decently. What he gave her was hers; even the money from selling it went to her. Now, even if she had a falling out with the Lancaster family, she wouldn’t have to worry about money.
Zoe patted her cheeks and let out a long breath. "Fine, I’ll forgive him for showing off yesterday."
For over five million, she could afford to set her pride aside. However, her joy was short-lived.
Director Carter called, his tone grave. "Zoe, something’s happened!"
Zoe rushed back to the company as fast as she could.
When she arrived at the PR department, Director Carter called her into his office. At that moment, Zoe saw her mother-in-law, Ken Lowell, sitting on the sofa. Zoe’s heart tightened for no reason. Ken rarely visited the company. Why was she here today?
Director Carter cast a glance at Ken. She was Mrs. Hawthorne, the wife of the Hawthorne Group’s chairman. Back in the day, Ken had planted her own people in the PR department, so the balance of power naturally leaned in her favor.
"Director Carter, what’s going on?" Zoe asked quietly, pretending not to recognize Ken as she walked over.
Frowning, Director Carter tossed a newly published news flash at her. "You took over the reputation management for Integrity Realty. The PR contingency plan was leaked ahead of time, along with detailed information about their accident, causing them even greater reputational damage! You’ve been in this industry for so long—don’t you know how serious this is?"
Zoe’s face paled as she looked at the news buzzing about the real estate accident. "That’s impossible! I never leaked it!"
She was stunned precisely because she knew the gravity of the situation. This was considered the most severe type of workplace incident in the industry. If not handled properly, losing her job would be the least of her worries—she might even face a lawsuit!
But she hadn’t leaked a single word of the plan she drafted! How could this happen?
Director Carter sneered. "You’re the one who took over this case and revised it over the past two days. The final draft is on your computer. If the problem didn’t come from your end, then whose?"
Zoe’s lips turned white, but she couldn’t refute him, nor could she prove her innocence.
"The PR department doesn’t keep employees who take a salary without doing real work," Ken said slowly. Her elegant, poised face showed no sign that she knew Zoe personally, and her tone carried the coldness of someone in power. "No one can trust a one-sided story. The company will intervene and investigate. No one will falsely accuse you!"
Zoe felt like she had been plunged into an icy cavern. Ken had never liked her as a daughter-in-law. Especially recently, with the scandal involving Ken’s favorite, Stella Joyce, it was inevitable that Ken harbored some resentment. Running into her today meant suppression and punishment were unavoidable.
Understanding Ken’s stance, Director Carter immediately said, "While this blows over, go home and wait for the investigation results. If you didn’t do it, you won’t be wrongly accused."
Only then did Ken stand up. "The company cannot afford to keep useless deadweight." She gave Zoe a faint glance, then turned and left.
Zoe’s fingers were ice-cold. From the day she was parachuted into this position, she knew her future rested entirely in Ken’s hands. Ken would never tolerate her climbing too high, but now, she was actively trying to drag her down into the abyss.
Displeased that such a major incident had occurred under his watch, Director Carter harbored a deep grudge against Zoe. "Alright, go back and think carefully. It would be best if you confessed on your own."
Zoe was practically chased out of the office. Walking silently to her cubicle, she felt the stares of those around her—many watching the spectacle, others outright gloating. Taking a deep breath, she ignored them all and began packing up her desk.
Her mind rapidly reviewed every suspicious detail. She had taken quite a bit of time off recently, mostly working from home and coordinating with colleagues online. Where exactly did things go wrong?
Lost in thought, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her finger. She looked down to see that she had accidentally sliced her left ring finger on the box cutter lying on her desk. Beads of blood welled up. Distraught, she grabbed a tissue and wiped it carelessly.
She already had no way out, and now she was potentially facing a lawsuit. Was this what they meant by extreme joy begetting sorrow? She had just received five million, and in the blink of an eye, she was about to lose her job. Zoe felt a splitting headache coming on, her entire being in a daze.
Stepping out of the company building, a gust of cold wind brushed against her face, scattering her hair and clearing her mind for a moment. She looked toward the Hawthorne Group skyscraper a few hundred meters away. Her legs felt as heavy as lead; every step was agonizing.
As things stood, the only person who could help her was Simon Hawthorne.
Zoe called Linden in advance. Linden notified the front desk, and Zoe was given a free pass all the way to the CEO’s office. As soon as she stepped off the elevator, she saw Linden waiting to receive her. "Miss Lancaster, please come in."
Unable to muster a happy expression, Zoe could only nod. She pushed the door open and entered Simon’s office. This was her fourth time here. It seemed that every visit was tied to bad news.
Upon entering, she saw the man sitting behind his desk. Today, he wore a black suit vest over a white dress shirt, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The faint outline of muscles beneath the fabric of his sleeves proved he worked out regularly. Paired with his gold-rimmed glasses, he exuded the aura of a cultured yet dangerous mobster in a suit.
No one understood better than her just how fierce and forceful this seemingly noble and elegant man could be.
Simon looked up, giving her an indifferent glance. "What’s with that expression? Who bullied you?"
Zoe suddenly found it hard to speak. Swallowing dryly, she slowly walked over, avoiding his gaze. "I... I ran into some problems at work. A document was leaked, and the company says they are going to investigate. I’m worried there will be trouble..."
"So you’re here to beg for my help?" Simon set down his fountain pen and leaned back lazily against his chair, his scrutinizing gaze devoid of much emotion.
Zoe choked up. "I only ask that the investigation results are based on the truth."
"Zoe," Simon slowly interrupted, his dark eyes capturing all her emotions. "The workplace is not child’s play. If it’s your responsibility, you shoulder it. White won’t turn into black."
Zoe’s tightly clenched heart slowly loosened. Then, it plummeted completely, shattering into pieces. He was right. Why should Simon help her? Why had she subconsciously come to him for help? What gave her the right?
Zoe pursed her lips. "Alright. Sorry to bother you."
"Come back." The voice behind her was neither light nor heavy, but it carried an intense, oppressive weight that left no room for refusal.
Biting her lip, Zoe intended to pretend she hadn’t heard him. Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed from behind. With a gentle pull, she tumbled into a firm embrace.
A muscular arm wrapped around Zoe’s slender waist. The man’s body heat was scorching, like molten lava. Being so close, his breath brushed entirely against the sensitive base of her ear. The tingling sensation made her tremble uncontrollably, a flush rapidly spreading from the tips to the lobes of her ears. Her eyes rippled with a mixture of shock and an unmistakable softness. "What... what are you doing? Someone might come in and see!"
Simon narrowed his eyes, his arm tightening. The woman was immediately pressed flush against his chest, her soft curves flattening against him. He could faintly hear her erratic heartbeat, but he acted as if he hadn’t noticed. His eyes locked onto her delicate lips, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
"Is this the kind of attitude you have when begging someone for help?"