Chapter 98
“Going abroad on a business trip?” Aurelia asked, surprised to hear about this work arrangement from Ellison.
Joycelyn stood quietly to the side and couldn’t help but roll her eyes, her grace barely concealing her irritation.
“Mr. Grant, our group’s overseas business is usually handled by Joycelyn and me,” Aurelia reported. “But recently, we’ve been collaborating with the subsidiary on a new project, and we might not be able to leave.”
Joycelyn remained silent, standing there and observing Ellison, who reclined in the large, authoritative chair.
He wore a well-ironed black suit that made his face appear even more handsome and cold. His features were defined, like they had been painted.
Joycelyn had personally buttoned up every single button on that shirt.
It had to be said, when he wore that custom-made suit, he looked untouchable.
His expression was cold, dignified, and made people instinctively feel a sense of respect and awe toward him.
Even Joycelyn felt a bit intimidated seeing him this way.
Ellison closed the folder in his hand and spoke in a serious voice. “Joycelyn, what about you? I’ve seen your profile. Your foreign language skills are solid. Ms. Finch will stay behind to handle the work. You’ll come with me on the business trip to discuss matters.”
His tone left no room for argument, causing Joycelyn’s heart to skip a beat inexplicably.
“I… I have a lot of work to handle, too,” she said, refusing Ellison’s order.
At this point, she had already suspected that Ellison’s reason for bringing her on a business trip had more to do with the wedding photoshoot than work.
After all, he had pesteringly asked her the night before about where she wanted to take the wedding photos.
When Aurelia saw Joycelyn decline, she immediately turned and glanced at her. “Don’t miss out on such a great opportunity,” she said. “Mr. Grant, I agree on behalf of Joycelyn. She’ll definitely do a great job with the work.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to her again,” Ellison said, tossing the folder onto the table. He lifted his gaze and gave Joycelyn a firm look.
Aurelia smiled and nodded. “Okay, I’ll go ahead with my work then.”
With that, she left the CEO’s office.
The fact that Mr. Grant personally selected someone for the business trip showed how much he valued that person, she thought. Every employee would be proud of it, yet Joycelyn seemed to be the exception.
Joycelyn’s expression remained tense as she looked at Ellison, her eyes filled with quiet resentment.
“Close the door,” Ellison said seriously.
His deep, steady voice exuded the authority and confidence of someone in power.
Helplessly, Joycelyn walked over to close the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut, she puffed her face up with irritation. “Are we really going on a business trip? Where are we going, and what’s the plan?”
She asked three questions, but Ellison didn’t answer any of them.
Instead, he raised an eyebrow and leisurely regarded her angry expression.
“Virelia, Lephyros, or Malicoria,” he said. “Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Joycelyn said with a sulky expression.
“Joycelyn, you’ve gotten bolder, huh?” Ellison’s voice grew serious. His sapphire-like eyes locked onto hers, and Joycelyn’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
But she still pouted.
Deep down, though, she couldn’t help but feel nervous and tense.
“Come here,” Ellison’s voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable dominance.
Joycelyn, unable to resist the pull of his gaze, reluctantly moved toward him.
She slowly walked over to the big desk, but before she could reach it, Ellison pulled his chair back and gestured for her to come closer.
Reluctantly, Joycelyn moved closer, her steps slow and sulking. She looked like a wife used to being the outlet for her husband’s frustrations.
Ellison reached out to pull her in, but she quickly withdrew her hand, placing it behind her back as she stepped back. In response, he moved the chair closer and pulled her into his arms. “Where do you want to take the wedding photos?”
“I’m too fat. I’ll take pictures after I lose weight.” Joycelyn squirmed, trying to break free.
She thought, I knew it. The business trip is just an excuse. The real plan is for wedding photos.
“With your weight, holding you yesterday was the same as before, though it’s true you’ve had a second growth spurt. I can’t hold you with one hand anymore,” Ellison said, his cold face betraying no emotion, but his eyes lingered on her.
Joycelyn, feeling uneasy, looked down.
A subtle undercurrent of emotion stirred between them, even as he appeared cold and serious.
“Scum!” Joycelyn slapped the back of his hand.
No sooner had she spoken than there was a knock on the door.
“Mr. Grant,” William called from the other side.
Joycelyn froze, flustered and guilty. Her small body slid down like a loach, quickly hiding under the desk.
Ellison, left speechless, observed the situation with a mix of amusement and annoyance.
William opened the door and stepped in to report on the day’s work, but the awkward atmosphere was palpable.
He looked down and spotted the small figure hiding under the desk.
Joycelyn hadn’t realized that the underside of the desk wasn’t fully enclosed and was visible, but she still tried to make a shushing gesture, signaling Ellison to stay quiet.
William, sensing the awkwardness, said, “Mr. Grant, I’m here to inform you that there’s a meeting shortly.” He quickly left, closing the door behind him.
“Get up,” Ellison said with a chuckle. “You hid so poorly, you exposed yourself. William saw you.”
Joycelyn’s face went pale as she realized what had happened. She muttered under her breath, “It’s all your fault!” and punched him lightly before crawling out from under the desk.
“So, where are we going to take our wedding photos?” Ellison asked again.
“I don’t want to take any,” Joycelyn insisted, still resisting.
“Well, if you’re not going to take them, we’ll go to Virelia. The sea view there is beautiful. I’ll order the wedding dresses for you.” He picked up his iPad and swiped through luxurious haute couture wedding dresses from various brands.
Joycelyn was stunned. “So many wedding dresses?”
“Yes, we’ll stay for seven days. While we’re at it, we’ll have our honeymoon.”
Hearing this, Joycelyn suddenly felt a shift in her discomfort.
She thought, He’s serious about this! Didn’t we agree to have a simple wedding? Now he’s making it all so formal. I’m completely lost.
Joycelyn hesitated for a moment before speaking truthfully. “Mr. Grant, I just want to get married. I’ve never thought about the wedding or the dress. I don’t think it suits us. It’s too much trouble.”
She could go on business trips or have fun, but if Ellison was truly serious, she wasn’t sure she could handle it.
“Joycelyn, what exactly are you afraid of, huh?” Ellison’s patience wore thin. His expression turned colder as he faced her refusal.
