Chapter 14
“Julian, what are you looking at?”
Rita’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She tugged on his sleeve, but he barely reacted. The trees had already obscured the view, and Olivia was gone.
“Nothing,” he muttered, looking ahead. But his thoughts were heavy.
I followed Evan into the forest. He stood by a tree, phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and unreadable. From time to time, his gaze flicked toward me.
I hesitated before retreating to a nearby gazebo. Pressing my fingers to my temples, I felt utterly foolish.
When he finally hung up, I approached him—awkward, but trying to sound casual.
“Guess your sharp eye saw right through me,” I admitted with a strained smile. “Clearly, I’m not cut out to be your secretary. My bad for bothering you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that all you wanted to say? To prove I was right?”
In his presence, I was completely defenseless. I let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. “I came here to fight for this opportunity. But between my terrible first impression and today’s… circus act, it’s clear I’m not what you’re looking for. I just wanted to end this without burning bridges.”
His expression remained impassive. “You think those are my reasons for rejecting you?”
I frowned. “What else?”
He stepped closer, his deep voice dropping. “You showed up dressed like this for a secretary interview. If I hired you, people might assume I choose my employees based on looks.” His eyes darkened. “Even if that were true… I’d have more discretion than to advertise it.”
Heat rushed to my face. My ears burned with embarrassment.
He saw right through me. He knew I had tried to use my appearance to secure the job—and he found it contemptible.
I felt too ashamed to stay. Hastily, I bowed my head. “I understand. I’ll go now. Goodbye.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I just walked away.
Gloria and Mark returned, only to find Evan sitting alone.
“Where’s Olivia?” Gloria asked, glancing around.
“She left.”
“What?!”
Gloria’s heart sank. She had hoped Olivia would at least have a chance.
“Mr. Jones, Olivia is incredibly capable…”
Evan cut her off. “She doesn’t seem that way.”
Gloria fell silent.
She had always believed that beautiful women could charm any man—but Evan was different.
Feeling guilty, she admitted, “I’m really sorry. Olivia wasn’t dressed like that when she arrived. I wanted her to look more attractive, so I made her change.”
Evan said nothing.
Back home, I changed out of that ridiculous outfit and sat dejectedly at my vanity.
Leaving Shaw Corp. Leaving Julian.
Had I… become a loser?
When the fog of self-pity lifted slightly, I reached for my phone. It had been on silent mode since the interview.
Countless missed calls filled the screen—Julian, Gloria.
Ignoring Julian’s calls, I dialed Gloria instead. “I’m really sorry. I wasn’t feeling well, so I left early and forgot to tell you.”
Gloria sighed. “I’m the one who should apologize.”
Smart people didn’t need details.
“It’s fine,” I said lightly. “I was just trying my luck. You’ve already helped me a lot—I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.” Gloria hesitated before adding, “I explained the outfit thing to Evan, but he didn’t say anything. I got his number from Mr. Keller. Do you… want to try again?”
I considered it for a few seconds before shaking my head. “No, maybe Jones Group isn’t meant for me.”
Gloria didn’t press further.
After hanging up, I crawled into bed, exhaustion weighing down my body. My mind felt like it was sinking into quicksand.
Through the haze of sleep, I heard the door creak open.
“Mmm…” I stirred, my eyes fluttering open to see Julian standing beside the bed. His face was cold, unreadable.
I didn’t want to deal with him. Turning over, I pulled the blanket over my head.
“Were you home all day?” His voice was oddly tentative. “You didn’t go out?”
I stayed silent.
“I saw someone who looked like you at the golf club today.”
My eyes snapped open. He was there?
The irony was suffocating.
I had heard him and Rita together over the phone, yet he still had the audacity to question whether I had left the house.
I wanted to tell him the truth.
That was me at the club.
But I thought of Gloria—if Julian knew, he would harass her for details.
So instead, I lied.
“I didn’t,” I murmured. “I spent the afternoon cleaning the yard. I’m going to sleep. Stop bothering me.”
His gaze flickered to my exposed neck. No suspicious marks.
His expression softened slightly, but there was still unease in his eyes. “Did you go out or not?” he insisted.
“I didn’t.” I pulled the covers tighter around me, my voice filled with exhaustion and resentment.
After a long pause, Julian finally relented.
Night fell over the city.
In his penthouse apartment, Evan dined in silence.
Gary, his personal manager, poured him a glass of wine.
“Any updates from the headhunters?” Evan asked casually.
“Zach just sent a list of candidates. He wants you to review it,” Gary replied. Then, after a brief hesitation, he added, “Funny thing—Ms. Olivia Frost, the woman I rear-ended, is on the list.”
Evan’s fingers paused against his glass.
“Oh.” He set the wine down, his tone indifferent. “Get me my iPad.”
Gary obeyed immediately.
Though Evan’s voice was calm, Gary knew—this was definite interest.
As Evan scrolled through the list, Gary continued, “Sir, Ms. Frost looks young, but her resume is quite impressive. She went from an employee to project manager in just four years at Shaw Corp. Its recent success? Half due to her efforts. Many companies tried to poach her, but they all failed—because the CEO, Julian Shaw, was her boyfriend.”
Gary glanced at Evan before adding in a lower voice, “But rumors are that Shaw is planning to marry Rita Crowe. Ms. Frost resigned in a fit of anger. What a shame…”
Evan’s fingers hovered over her name.
For a long moment, he didn’t move.
Then, slowly, he tapped the screen.
Gary didn’t need to ask.
He already knew.
Evan had made a decision.
