Chapter 4

Dean POV

This floor was a duplex area. The legal department and secretarial department were on the lower floor, where I had a full view of everyone.

I headed toward Tim’s office but stopped halfway on the stairs. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I texted him to come near the stairs. However, before we started our conversation, I overheard something amusing.

Secretary Suarez giggled and nudged Celine. “Is your blind date tonight?”

Celine flashed her a gentle smile. Really? She was going to sit at one table with another man!? It got on my nerves, but the next question made me even more curious.

“Is he handsome?”

Celine shrugged and pouted. “The photo of him was alright, but that’s not what I care about the most.”

What did she care the most if not appearance? Ah, I forgot it was endless money. The reason that she left me was that, wasn't it?

Honestly, she didn’t seem that interested in going, so why bother to go? I gritted my teeth. If the guy set an eye on her curves, I'd be taking them off and hanging him off his balls. She shouldn't go there.

While I was away, she had met many men, yet she hadn’t developed feelings for any of them. Could it be that she was still attached to me, maybe she wants sex? All humans wanted it!

Let’s find out, then. I told Tim to go back to his office. He sneered but quickly collected himself. I walked down the stairs toward her desk and drummed my forefinger on it.

“Secretary Simons, bring a cup of coffee to my office.”

She paused for a moment, clearly stunned, stared at me, and I held her gaze. Damn, I should kiss her lips soon or I wouldn't survive.

Anyway, it irked me that she was so afraid? Only someone hiding something important would react like that. She couldn’t fool me.

“Can Miss. Suarez…” She was trying to avoid me and push others on my way. Sorry, baby, I want you! And I dare you choose another man.

I cut her off, “I said you!”

“Yes, sir!”

I nodded and trudged back to the stairwell before ascending to my office. I saw the expression on her face. She couldn’t believe I was her boss. But that was only the beginning. I had a lot to take back… or win. Celine, if you were truly planning to go on that blind date, then keep dreaming.

I smirked and entered my office. I wasn’t trying to tease her. I wanted to understand and test then, taste this new Celine. She was completely different from before, yet somehow even more captivating, sexier.I wondered what, or who, had made her become this outstanding.

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Celine POV

I was going insane. When I saw him from the corner of my eye, he was upstairs, wandering around and watching us like a hawk.

When did he even come down there!? Did he hear us? I didn't want him to think I was sleeping with other men when he wasn't around. I ran to the pantry, screaming internally.

Pouring him the sugar-free, bitter coffee he loved, I carefully climbed the stairs. After knocking on the door, I waited for his permission.

“Mr. Harper, I brought you the coffee you demanded.”

“Come in.”

His tone was stern. When I entered, he was already on the phone and had just hung up.

I placed the cup on his desk, then turned around and was about to sneak away, but he stopped me.

“Wait. I didn’t dismiss you.”

Shit! He wouldn't let go easily! Why was it so hard to be in the same room with him? My body kept sweating and tingling. The damn girl between my legs grew wet.

He took a sip of his coffee, looking like he was testing whether I had actually brought him the amazing bitter coffee he demanded or something fake to kill him.

“Your coffee-making skills have improved, but your manners have regressed.”

My knees almost buckled. Was he insane?

First of all, it was the coffee machine, not me! Secondly, I was much more humble than before. If this had been the old Celine, that coffee would already be all over his perfect, expensive suit. Then came the thudding sound of a stack of reports being thrown onto the table.

My shoulders jerked back.

“The reports you prepared contain countless errors that gave me a headache. Recheck them and bring them back to me when you’re done.”

I was baffled! No one could organize records the way I could, and I had checked them three times beforehand. Not only had I simplified them and made them easier to read and comprehend, but I had also made sure not even a single dot was missing.

Why hadn’t he fired me if he was already dissatisfied!? Ah, I got it.

He wanted to torture me. This was how he had planned his revenge.

“Mr. Harper, which item has a problem? Could you please clarify it for me?”

I had to be obedient at work, but he was pushing me over the edge. His expression grew more intense, and his jaw tightened when I questioned him. This wasn’t the Dean I knew before! He was careless back then.

“Do you mean I have to correct or highlight your mistakes? Isn’t it your job to hand me the results?”

I shook my head, completely disturbed. This could take the entire day.

On the other hand, I had promised to buy Miky a strawberry cheesecake and spend time with him. Besides that, I had a date to attend.

I had to bargain, even though it made me look pathetic. “May I return this tomorrow?”

I could stay up tonight and revise them all. It wasn’t an urgent project. They were just the retailer’s summer financial reports.

He let out a mocking chuckle.

“Celine, don’t even think about skipping this task before you finish it today. You can leave once you’re done, and it better be on my desk.”

I clenched my fists and closed my eyes. My entire body went rigid. I wasn’t going to be his obedient doll.

I held my breath and continued, my voice turning defiant.

“Dean Harper, you are deliberately targeting me! What are you up to?”

He arched his brow and leaned forward, resting his fist under his chin.

“Targeting you?” He looked completely entertained. “What do you take me for? Do you remember how old I am?” His tone became even more casual, completely different from how stiffly he had been ordering me just moments ago.

A stubborn child disguised as an adult! That was what I saw in him.

Tsk! This jerk was definitely messing with my nerves on purpose.

He flashed me a faint smirk and leaned back.

“Before getting started on this task…” He pointed at the files. “Mark another one for tomorrow morning before coming to the office. You should go to the Zurich Auction House and fetch a very valuable asset.”

He opened a drawer and took out an envelope.

“I want this necklace safe and sound in my office. If you lose it, you won’t be able to afford the compensation. Even if you sell yourself to me for the rest of your life.”

I grabbed the envelope, ignored his tantrum, and peeked inside.

The moment my eyes landed on the item, my heart raced in terror. I immediately refused.

“Sir, such a valuable item should be picked up by you or someone else. Not me! This requires a level of caution that I might not be able to provide.”

I didn’t want to touch it. Refusing was the safest option.

“Ms. Simons.” His voice turned cold.

“If I do everything myself, what is the point of having you here? Could you please enlighten me? Will your only contribution be causing trouble?” He glanced at the reports, then his eyes shot back at me. Why was he doing this to me?

My back went cold. Did he just threaten me? Maybe I should bite him so he would remember who I was!