Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Even more unbearable
Vance felt really pained that his boss kept showing off. It wasn’t his fault that he was single!
He had been trying to date, okay?!
It just wasn’t working out.
What was so great about dating anyway?! Ever since his boss started dating, he’s become even more unbearable.
Such a love sick puppy.
“Look at you, you change your outfit every day, never repeating a single look, but that red tie around your neck? You wear it every single day. You won’t even take it off even when it’s worn out, and the tie is the cheapest of all your ties. Does love do that to people too?” Vance finished his work report with a calm demeanor, but left muttering curses under his breath.
Luckily, Stephan had no idea what Vance was thinking; otherwise, he would’ve sent him off to space for a round of “re-education” without a second thought.
After Vance left, Stephan was just about to get back to work when his eyes narrowed, as if something had suddenly occurred to him.
Something’s off. Alana has been working overtime a bit too often lately. She was already working late frequently before she took her leave.
Now that she’s just returned to the office, she has to work overtime again to attend social engagements...
She was just an intern, where were all these work coming from?
Stephan recalled that someone had once brought her dinner the other time, wasn’t it Manager Cole or something like that?!
A man’s intuition told him something was off about this.
Besides, business dinners might involve drinking, and her period hadn’t ended yet. He furrowed his brow and couldn’t help but send another message to her.
Alana had been busy for a while and, out of habit, glanced at her phone again.
She noticed that Stephan had sent her two new messages.
Stephan: [I guess you can’t say no to the dinner, but your period isn’t over yet, you can’t drink too much.]
[Let me know when the event is over, and I’ll come pick you up.]
Alana’s lips curled into a smile as she replied.
Alana: [Okay.]
Stephan: [My girlfriend finally replied me.]
She couldn’t help but chuckle. Sensing that the man might be getting upset, she
sent him a cute and adorable emoji to appease him.
************
The event was held at Spring Banquet.
Alana sent Stephan a message in advance.
When Stephan saw it was at Spring Banquet, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Gary and his friends were having a gathering at Spring Banquet tonight, and they’d invited him.
He’d go to join the fun; maybe he’d run into her.
Sounds good.
After work, Alana got into Cole’s car and headed to their destination.
In the car, Cole chatted with Alana in a casual, off-the-cuff manner, trying to get
closer to her.
He asked how she’d been doing these past few months.
Alana remained as aloof as ever, replying, “I’ve been okay.”
Cole’s expression didn’t change; he remained gentle, showing concern for her
like an older brother.
“Where are you staying now? You moved out from your previous place. We might stay out late so I’ll drive you home when we’re done.”
Alana declined again, “No need. My boyfriend is coming to pick me up.”
Cole didn’t take it to heart.
Or perhaps, he simply didn’t think much of her boyfriend.
So what if she has a boyfriend?
It wouldn’t stop him from winning her back.
Ever since he found her, he was determined to have her.
The two arrived at the private room they’d reserved at Spring Banquet.
Alana followed Cole inside and saw several CEOs or executives from listed companies.
They were surrounded by a crowd of beautiful women, grinning from ear to ear.
Upon seeing Cole enter, they all instinctively composed themselves.
“Mr. Cole, you’re here!”
“Mr. Cole, please come sit down. We’ve reserved a spot for you here.”
Cole nodded and murmured a soft “Mm-hmm,” then led Alana to the empty
seats and sat down.
Several executives also noticed Alana standing beside Cole. She was wearing an off-white silk blouse paired with a matching pencil skirt; the hem of the blouse was tucked into the skirt, accentuating her slender waist, while her long legs and graceful figure exuded an extraordinary charm.
Combined with her stunningly beautiful face, her looks, her figure, and her pure, innocent aura, she instantly outshone the vulgar beauties in the private room.
A CEO smiled and asked, “Mr. Cole, this is a rare treat. How come you’ve brought such a beautiful woman along with you?”
Cole replied casually, “My new assistant, Alana.”
“Alana, this is Mr. Evan...CEO Gabriel, CEO Sergio...”
Alana politely greeted the executives.
Although she was new to the workplace and hadn’t experienced many high-profile events, she kept in mind the principle of “say less, do more,” doing her best not to cause any trouble.
President Evan smiled broadly. “Cole, your assistant isn’t just beautiful, she’s also quite well-behaved.” His gaze lingered on Alana with obvious interest, after all, who wouldn’t be intrigued by a beauty, especially one as stunning as her?
Cole pressed his lips together and said nothing; after all, Alana had indeed always been quite well-behaved.
But then he thought of her recent rebellious streak...it had suddenly become so hard to manipulate her.
President Evan looked at Alana and raised a glass of wine. “Alana dear, do you drink? Care for a glass?”
Alana felt a bit awkward. “Sorry, Mr. Evan, could I have tea instead of alcohol?”
It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to drink; she simply couldn’t hold her liquor.
Mr. Evan smiled. “Alana, we’re out socializing. It wouldn’t make sense to have tea instead of wine. Right, Mr. Cole?”
After a brief pause, he turned to Cole, testing his reaction.
Alana pursed her lips and instinctively glanced at Cole.
Cole’s expression remained calm, and he didn’t speak for a moment.
This only emboldened President Evan to become even more arrogant toward Alana.
He smiled broadly. “Alana, have a drink. You’re not going to embarrass me by rejecting my offer, are you?”
Alana paused for a moment. “Alright, I’ll drink.”
Then, without hesitation, she picked up the bottle and glass and poured herself a drink. Cole watched her concession and couldn’t help but frown.
Why?
She clearly didn’t want to drink. Why didn’t she do what she was supposed to...turn to him for help when she was in trouble?
If she asked for his help, he would have done anything to stop her from drinking.
But now, she’d rather drink something she didn’t like than ask him for help...
Alana poured a glass of wine and raised it to Mr. Evan. “Mr. Evan, please.”
Mr. Evan smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it against Alana’s.
As their glasses clinked, he even reached out and lightly tickled the back of her hand. Alana instantly looked up, her clear eyes brimming with disgust.
This Mr. Evan, it was one thing for him to be surrounded by women, but he wouldn’t even spare her.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t encountered workplace harassment before, but every time, the disgust had been overwhelming.
Why must women suffer and be humiliated in the workplace?
Why can’t they enjoy the same respect as men?
Mr. Evan hadn’t failed to notice the displeasure in her eyes, but he merely smiled, unconcerned.
She was just a lowly assistant, easy to manipulate.
“Alana, bottoms up.” Alana took a deep breath, preparing to drink the wine.
Suddenly, Cole reached out and snatched the glass from her hand. “Sorry, my assistant isn’t feeling well today, so I’ll drink it for her.”
Before Alana could react, Cole gave a slight toast to General Manager Evan, then tilted his head back and downed the drink in one gulp.
Mr. Evan hadn’t expected Cole to ultimately step in to protect his young assistant.
He was no fool; he guessed that Cole might have special feelings for her. He gave an awkward smile and didn’t continue giving her a hard time.
Alana watched as Cole drank her drink, and her brows furrowed slightly.
But given the situation, she didn’t say anything. After all, she hadn’t asked him to drink it for her.
After Cole finished the drink for Alana and set the glass down, he couldn’t help but look at her.
He had expected to receive a grateful look from her. But to his surprise, she remained cold toward him.
His lips twitched slightly.
Huh, who would’ve thought his help would go completely unnoticed?!
She wasn’t even touched!
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