The next day, when Elliana Lyle woke up, it was already close to noon.
She squinted at the opaque navy blue curtains, and with the mushroom bedside lamp on, she couldn’t tell if it was day or night.
Instinctively, she reached for her phone, but it wasn’t in its usual spot!
She sprang up and saw it charging on the dressing table at an angle across from her.
"It’s noon already!" Elliana was startled and quickly ran to the window, pulling the curtain open with one tug. Indeed, the sun outside was scorching hot!
Oh no! She had planned to transfer money to Joy Lyle as soon as she got ho!
When Elliana opened her phone, she saw a ssage from Joy Lyle, along with a transaction she’d made to her.
Sis: "Today’s event went smoothly, thanks to my good sister. You gave a hundred thousand, but I only needed eighty thousand. I really don’t need that much."
Sis: "Once I earn so money, I’ll pay you back. For now, I still have to stay at Roland for a year, and when the contract ends, I want to explore opportunities with another agency."
She transferred money to Joy? When did that happen?
Rushing to check her bank balance, there was no record. Elliana’s mind went blank for a mont, then suddenly realized — it must have been Norman Bennett!
Cat: "Sis, there’s no need to talk about repaynt between us. Take a rest."
After sending the ssage, she noticed a bunch of ssages from Shane Southwell this morning, but Elliana didn’t even want to read them.
Just asking if she had thought of a way to get money yet.
Taking a deep breath, Elliana responded to Shane with one line.
Cat: "I’m working on it. Yesterday, my dad and I had a big fight. He said he wouldn’t give money to outsiders, but I don’t consider you an outsider."
The sa words as before; back then, she thought Shane loved her. Now, she’s disgusted by the term "Brother Shane."
Paying him back in kind, she decided to string Shane along, giving him hope.
She knew Shane’s bank account was due early next month. It wasn’t a small amount, and although she knew Shane could repay, with her promise, Shane would spend money recklessly.
Elliana sent another line.
Cat: "I’ve been spending too much lately, and I don’t have money right now. I’ll give you money once I get Dad’s check, by the end of the month. Don’t worry."
Roland: "Great, I knew Elliana was the best. Once I’m done, I’ll co back to you."
Cari’s lip curled into a smile as she ssaged. Elliana, the reliable fool among all fools — that’s why she ranks at the top of them.
After mocking her, Cari quickly ssaged Shane Southwell.
Roland: Vice President, Elliana is all set.
Shane didn’t reply, probably with Eleanor Llyod right now. Alone with Eleanor, Shane never responds to anyone’s ssages.
But Eleanor isn’t simple, always playing hard to get, making Shane think she’s as pure as the moon. She only takes on roles as naive sweethearts, claiming she can’t act and can only play herself, unworthy of an actress’s title.
To Cari, it’s hypocritical and disgusting, but Shane loves her.
Ping! Ping!
Too many ssages; besides her assistant duties, Cari chats with a group of silly girls in her free ti.
These rich girls’ flattering words always make her laugh until it hurts. They only fancy Shane’s looks.
By now, Cari’s tired of these ridiculous ssages, just smiling them off.
anwhile, Elliana had gone downstairs, still in pajamas. Lana had prepared wontons and chestnut pastries for her.
Elliana absentmindedly ate, pondering how to pay Norman Bennett back. Would paying him directly affect the relationship? Would Norman think she’s creating distance?
But... they’re not even married yet. Not paying him back seed unreasonable.
Lost in thought, she sat there chewing, a wonton already swallowed, making Lana think today’s wontons weren’t good.
"Oh, right!" Elliana’s sudden exclamation drew everyone’s attention, and they all looked over.
Elliana thought of the best way: get a gift of equal value for Norman! Quickly downing the wontons, she went upstairs to change.
But as soon as she changed, Elliana thought of sothing else: she should hire a private investigator, at least to keep an eye on George Lyle!
She sat in the car — her driver was Norman’s prepared chauffeur.
And she had been lazy today, donning just a simple sporty outfit, shorts, a t-shirt, her high ponytail exuding youthful energy.
The car started; she planned to handle the private investigator in the evening. For now, she’d visit her mom in the hospital as a flood of ideas jostled in her mind.
Arriving at the hospital, she found her mom had been discharged. Calling Mr. Lyle, Elliana learned her mother was sent to the Lyle family estate to recuperate, with its tranquility and fresh air.
Besides, Mr. Lyle specifically instructed her not to disturb her mom or worry about anything else, just to stay put.
Her parents were always most concerned about her potential marriage to Norman. It’s what Norman’s mom entrusted on her deathbed. To soone traditional like Mr. Lyle, Elliana was already part of the Bennett family, just short of a marriage certificate.
Now Elliana was in a bind. She wanted to ask her mom in person about a gift for a man, but when she left the hospital, she found the driver, Li, waiting by the car, quickly opening the door for her.
Seated, Li respectfully asked, "Miss Lyle, where to now?"
"To... the mall!" Elliana barely finished before the car set off.
After a while, she suddenly asked Li, "Li, what do n like most as gifts?"
Li thought for a mont, guessing Miss Lyle wanted to buy sothing for the President, then smiled, "Our President likes everything Miss Lyle gives."
Being seen through made Elliana blush, so she stopped questioning Li, though his answer made sense.
Elliana diligently selected various items at the mall, including cufflinks, tie clips, ties, pocket squares — all accessories.
She figured Norman probably didn’t lack suits, but these small items could remind him of her from ti to ti.
Actually... it seed Norman didn’t lack these either. Realizing this, Elliana felt deflated just after swiping her card.
Li helped handle a few big bags, though they were mostly empty since the items were small but the bags large.
― lody Harmony Group.
Elliana’s timing wasn’t great; Norman was in a eting. However, everyone in the company recognized her, given she once made a scene.
Employees at lody Harmony were on edge, but fortunately, Raymond Wood, the assistant who got word, approached her with a smile and led Elliana to the elevator after a brief chat.
anwhile, the receptionists exchanged glances, following lody Harmony rules forbidding idle chatter during work hours.
Especially with a big cara overhead, constantly monitored.
In Zland, lody Harmony ranked within the top ten, and Norman was hailed as a business prodigy.
Raymond brought her to Norman’s office, her first visit, never having wanted to before.
At first glance, she wanted to collapse on the gleaming black leather sofa to ease her day’s fatigue.
The office’s style matched Norman’s perfectly, ticulous with a subdued black, white, and blue color sche, a pot of dark orchids on the desk.
Raymond bead, "Miss Lyle, there’s a resting area inside. The President extended his eting today. You can rest if you’re tired. I’ll head out, but just call if you need anything."
"Okay, you get busy." Elliana replied, and Raymond left.
Not keen on the resting area, she quickly lounged on the sofa, half reclined.
Soone knocked on the door; assuming it was Raymond, she said, "Co in."
In walked a stunning, tall, and curvy woman. Upon hearing the voice, she already sensed sothing was off. Seeing Elliana half-reclined, her expression grew puzzled and displeased.
"Who are you, daring to enter the President’s office?"
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