Chapter 46: Chapter 46 At the office
Dane assured her, "Rest assured. You’ve secured such a crucial contract for the company this time. I certainly won’t short-change you. You’ll be well rewarded."
Vera, however, glared at Alana with pure envy.
She couldn’t fathom what was so special about Alana. Whether man or woman, both seemed to favour her.
Back at the office.
Alana reflected on the day’s events.
Dane had said that Jules had insisted on waiting for her arrival before signing the contract. She recalled that man’s promise to stand up for her.
Could it be that he had a hand in this too?
Alana picked up her phone, opened WhatsApp, and intended to message him.
But after hesitating for ages, she couldn’t bring herself to send a single word.
She recalled the morning, when he’d pinned her against a deserted corner, their kisses chaotic and urgent.
A flicker of heat stirred within her, making her feel even more ashamed to message him.
Forget it, she won’t ask!
She bit her lip and tossed the phone straight into the drawer.
***********
Stephan was busy with work in his office.
His phone screen vibrated.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise. Instantly setting aside his work, he reached for the phone beside him.
It was from Jules.
Jules: I did as you asked and only signed the contract after Alana arrived. And you lied to me about not being interested in her. If you weren’t interested, why go out of
your way to help her? I didn’t realise you were such a meddlesome person!
Stephan remained silent.
His slender fingers tapped the screen, inexplicably landing on Alana’s rabbit profile picture. He’d just done her a favour. By all logic, she ought to send him a message to say thank you, right?
And when she did, wouldn’t it be the perfect moment to casually ask her out for a meal?
After all, this morning’s favour hadn’t been nearly satisfying enough.
Alas, he waited for ages, yet the girl never sent a message.
Stephan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. What an ungrateful little woman!
And he was truly mad himself, abandoning a mountain of work to stare at that woman’s message box for ages?!
He couldn’t resist tapping into her status. Nothing to see.
Could it be...she’d blocked him?
Fine!
Blocked, so be it!
If he ever helps her again, he’s a bloody fool!
********
“We landed a major deal.” Dave announced he’d treat the entire department to dinner tonight.
“I’ve reserved a large private room at Spring clubhouse tonight. Everyone must come show support, no excuses!”
“Especially Alana, you were instrumental in securing this deal. Others might skip it, but you absolutely cannot!”
Dane singled out Alana with a pointed nod, grinning like a sly fox.
She felt awkward but reluctantly nodded in agreement.
**********
Around seven in the evening.
The entire department arrived at Spring clubhouse.
Dane had reserved a large private room equipped with dining space, karaoke, and billiards for entertainment.
It was a rare gathering for the department colleagues. After dinner, they naturally let loose and started partying.
Carla snatched a microphone and excitedly asked Alana, “Alana, wanna sing? Let’s go together!”
Alana had no interest in singing and waved her hand. “No thanks, you go ahead.”
“Alright, I’m off!”
Carla dashed to the stage to pick a song and sing.
Alana sat on the sofa, pouring herself a glass of plum juice.
Her mind was already calculating when she could head home.
Dane, hidden in the shadows, couldn’t help but watch Alana’s every move.
Seeing her sitting alone on the sofa, leisurely sipping her juice, his gaze lingered unabashedly on her graceful figure, stirring restless desires within him.
Vera noticed Dane’s fixed stare on Alana and couldn’t help but approach. “Manager Dane, are you...still interested in sleeping with Alana?”
Dane glanced at Vera.
Truthfully, Vera was also quite beautiful.
But compared to Alana, she was no match.
Besides, he already had Vera a lot of times, so he felt no strong desire to conquer her.
Men, you see, crave what they can’t have.
The harder a woman is to conquer, the more they want to conquer her.
Take Alana, for instance. She kept rejecting him.
As a man, how could he accept a woman’s repeated refusals?
Dane narrowed his eyes in a smile. “Yes, I want her. So, can you help me get her?”
Vera arched an eyebrow. “Of course I can.”
“But if you get Alana, don’t forget to give me a cut.”
This way, she could destroy Alana and gain an advantage over Dane.
A win-win situation! Dane agreed immediately.
“Alright, if you help me win Alana, I won’t shortchange you. I’ll help you climb the corporate ladder!”
“Leave it to me!”
Vera flashed a confident smile and walked toward Alana.
Alana was staring at her phone, noticing it was almost nine o’clock.
She was about to get up and leave.
Suddenly, a flicker caught her eye.
Alana looked up to find Vera approaching.
Vera held out a glass of wine. “Alana, I lost this bet fair and square. I admit defeat wholeheartedly. This drink is my toast to you!”
She raised an eyebrow at Alana before downing the wine in one gulp.
After finishing the drink, she addressed Alana again, her tone sincere. “Lana, these past few days, I admit I’ve been a bit harsh with you. I was arrogant. You’re generous, could you forgive me this once?”
Alana didn’t want to strain their work relationship. Since Vera was showing remorse, she offered an olive branch, nodding.
“Sure.”
Vera smiled. “Thank you. You’re such a good person.”
“Let’s clink glasses together to seal our reconciliation.”
Saying this, she picked up a bottle of wine, poured herself a glass, and then poured one for Alana.
Vera handed a glass to Alana.
Alana instinctively refused. “Sorry, I don’t drink.”
Vera smiled. “It’s just fruit wine. The alcohol content isn’t high. It tastes like juice, you won’t feel a thing.”
Alana glanced at the bottle Vera held. It was indeed fruit wine.
She’d tried this kind before; the alcohol content was genuinely low.
Vera offered the glass to Alana again. “Come on, drink up. I poured it for you personally. If you don’t drink it, you’re not giving me face.”
Eager to go home, Alana took the glass.
“Well then, I’ll drink up!”
Vera raised her glass and downed it in one gulp.
Seeing Vera drink first, Alana felt reassured and took a sip.
Unbeknownst to her, a subtle gleam of calculation flashed in Vera’s eyes when she saw Alana’s drink.
Alana stopped after just one sip, set down her glass, and stood up.
“It’s getting late. I should head back.”
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