“You’re right,” Sean concurred with Lexi’s assertion.
Believing she’d staved off further questions, Lexi started to relax, but Sean’s shift in tone took her by surprise. “However…”
Lexi’s heartbeat accelerated, and she gave Sean a wary look, questioning, “However, what?” Sean shrugged, sighing. “Ordinarily, assistants keep things confidential. But what about the dynamic between your boss and Mr. Larson?” Lexi, a relative newcomer compared to Sean, was momentarily thrown off by his question and blurted, “They’re a couple?”
Sean clicked his fingers. “Precisely! Since they’re together, shouldn’t there be transparency? And with Mrs. Larson’s current heightened emotions, shouldn’t we be extra vigilant about her welfare?” Dumbfounded, Lexi conceded, “Your argument seems… solid.”
A smirk of tnumph danced on Sean’s lips. He clapped Lexi’s shoulder, his tone grave. “And as Mrs. Larson’s right-hand woman, can you stand by while she’s being hurt?”
Lexi descended into introspection, grappling with her feelings.
Slowly, she was swaying towards Sean’s perspective.
Despite being unaware of the full picture, Lexi had observed Natalie’s low spints. Today’s events had only intensified her gloominess.
If she shared what had transpired with Mr. Larson, he might be able to restore Natalie’s happiness. But if she spilled to Sean, she’d fail as an assistant.
She had promised Natalie that as her assistant, she’d put her interests above all else. A premature disclosure could let Natalie down. Seeing Lexi’s struggle, Sean added, “Lexi, relax. We won’t let Mrs. Larson know you shared anything. We’re only looking out for her, nght?” Just as Lexi was nearing a breakdown, she retreated and offered an awkward smile. “I need a restroom break. I’ll consider what to do when I return!”
“Wait!” Before Sean could protest, he watched Lexi dart into the restroom.
Ducking into the bathroom, Lexi took a breather on the toilet, tapping her chest and feeling grateful for having barely dodged a tricky situation. She mumbied to herself, “No wonder Sean is Mr. Larson’s right hand. His powers of persuasion are so strong, he nearly got me to spill the beans.”
After a moment’s thought, she decided her first move would be to text Natalie and fill her in, before pondering on whether to let Sean in on the secret.
Moments later, Natalie noticed a new message from Lexi pop up on her computer screen as she worked at her desk.
Lexi wrote, “Boss, Sean was inquinng about what occurred at the studio today that frustrated you. Should I spill?”
Natalie raised an eyebrow and let out a soft laugh, stealing a glance at Brandon, who sat by the couch, wearing a grave expression.
She couldn’t deny that Brandon’s concern had a soothing effect on her. She typed back promptly, “No, let me deal with this.”
Then, propping her chin on her hand, Natalie shot Brandon a playful smile and said, “Are you interested in my day’s run-through?”
Confronted with Natalie’s teasing look, Brandon felt an uncommon flush of embarrassment. However, he denied it and retorted, “I have no idea what you mean.”
For Natalie, it was a rare sight to see even a trace of embarrassment on Brandon’s usually stoic and handsome face, which only added to her amusement. She taunted, “If you’re curious about my day, it’s simple. Keep me in good spirits, and I’ll share. No need to pester my little aide.”
His small slip exposed, Brandon blushed a little more, contrasting his usually impassive face.
While internally damning Sean for his ineptitude, Brandon feigned nonchalance and played along with Natalie, asking, “Even though I’m lost, I’m more than willing to do whatever it takes to keep you cheerful. So, what should I do to keep you in high spirits?”
His obstinacy brought a wider smile to Natalie’s face. “That’s for you to figure out. You can’t just ask someone what makes them happy.”
A slow smile crept across Brandon’s face as he rose. He adjusted his tie elegantly and said, “Then I’ll find my own ways to keep you cheerful.” Standing tall and upright, Brandon’s features, sharp and distinguished, looked almost dreamy in the dying sunlight, making him a sight for sore eyes. As he adjusted his tie, his well-defined jaw lifted slightly, accentuating the attractive bulge of his Adam’s apple. Caught in his allure, Natalie found her heart fluttering. She swallowed hard and lightly clenched her fist. “What… What are you planning to do?” As soon as the words escaped her, Natalie chided herself. His simple move had rendered her a flustered mess, stuttering in her speech.
Brandon’s thin lips curled into a dangerous smile, his voice deep and inviting.
“What do you suppose? My precious wife…”
His drawn-out tone left room for interpretation, causing Natalie’s breath to quicken.
He was so enticing! Such an alluring man! Brandon sauntered towards Natalie, bypassing her desk and standing right in front of her with a mischievous smile. “I’m about to do something that will cheer you up.”
Before Natalie could regain her composure, Brandon suddenly bracketed her with his arms on her chair, looming over her.
It seemed as though Brandon was dissatisfied with their proximity. He pulled Natalie closer, reducing the distance between them.
“Brandon…” Natalie seemed to. grasp his intentions. She lifted her face slightly, her voice a blend of timidity and anxiety. “This is a workplace…”
“Isn’t the office suitable?” Brandon leaned down and whispered gently into Natalie’s ear, neatly tucking a few loose strands of hair behind it. His warm breath sent heat coursing through her body. “We haven’t tried it in the office yet.”
“Absolutely not!” Natalie stiffened immediately, pressing her hands firmly against Brandon’s solid chest. Her face turned a deeper shade of red. “It’s too scandalous to do it here! You mustn’t fool around!”
A smile appeared on Brandon’s lips as he pulled Natalie’s chair closer to him. “Well, that’s not for you to decide.” After saying this, Brandon steadied the chair with one hand and gently held Natalie’s chin with the other. He bent down and kissed her.
After their passionate encounter, Natalie confided in Brandon about the day’s events during their journey home.
Brandon was taken aback when he found out that Suzanne had requested maternity wear designs from Natalie, a move that seemed calculated to unsettle Natalie. This stirred him into deep thought.
Something was amiss!
The recent events were appearing less random and more premeditated!
Soon after Johanna accompanied Natalie for a medical checkup, Suzanne declared her intent to prepare for motherhood, specifically asking
Natalie to create her maternity wardrobe. This sequence didn’t seem accidental.
Brandon doubted the randomness of these occurrences, particularly involving Suzanne, who had previously been suspected of implicating Natalie in Vivi’s car accident.
Piecing together these so-called coincidences,Brandon deduced that someone must’ve leaked Natalie’s health information.
Opting not to cause unnecessary concern for Natalie, he decided to keep his suspicions to himself.
Upon reaching home, Brandon wasted no time and headed to his study to instruct Sean to probe the staff at Frank’s hospital.
Sean swiftly uncovered an individual of interest. The following day, in the CEO’s office at Larson Group, Sean revealed to Brandon that an assistant to Frank had been involved in leaking medical details. His wife had received a significant amount of money in her overseas account. Sean reported, “We traced the lead and confirmed that this assistant, through his wife, has been disclosing detailed information about Dr. Watson’s recent activities to an unknown buyer.”
Upon hearing this, Brandon’s anger surged, leading him to snap the pen in his hand.
“Very Well,” he spat out, his eyes blazing with fury. “Dig deeper! Bring that assistant to me!” However, when Sean and his team went to apprehend the assistant, they learned he’d taken annual leave three days ago and relocated his family overseas.
News of the assistant’s flight further chilled Brandon. “They’re quicker than I thought. They knew we’d probe the assistant and clear out the mole once their mission was accomplished.” Frank, having discovered the situation, called to express his regret, “I am to blame for this. I apologize.”
Brandon, twirling his pen, replied coldly, “Apologies aren’t what I need nght now. You should be hunting that elusive pharmacist.” Taken aback, Frank asked, “Do you think this situation is linked to that elusive pharmacist?” “Who else has the capacity to induce rapid conception?” Brandon replied icily.
Picturing the sequence of events around Natalie and Suzanne, he continued, “This individual is growing more audacious. They can’t lay low anymore.”
Frank’s face hardened. He knew the capabilities of this mysterious pharmacist who excelled in pharmaceutical expertise and was not to be underestimated.
With Natalie’s precarious health, caution was paramount.
Little wonder even the usually unruffled Brandon was finding it tough to stay composed. “I promise to assist in uncovering the truth.”
Without further comment, Frank ended the call and set out to investigate the elusive pharmacist.
Resting back into his leather chair, Brandon’s gaze fell on a picture of Natalie on his desk. His sense of urgency escalated.
It was evident to him that this elusive pharmacist was targeting Natalie. But the absence of any identification put him at a distinct disadvantage.
This state of affairs was untenable…
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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