Because of Alexander Grant’s hurtful words, Charlotte Hayes spent the entire afternoon in a daze, constantly on edge, afraid she might accidentally run into him. She even held off going to the restroom all afternoon. Thankfully, she finally made it to the end of the workday. She never expected that being the secretary to the director would be so uneventful—so uneventful that she had nothing to do all day.
When it was time to leave, she deliberately waited for others to go first. Sitting at her desk, she idly scrolled through the emails that had come in. Most of them were daily schedules and some sharp internal matters she couldn’t understand. She was completely out of her depth. Her major in college had been marketing, so she felt a slight pang of regret for taking on this unrelated job.
As she was scrolling, a new unread email popped up in her inbox with the subject line, “Internal Recruitment Matters.” Her eyes lit up, and she clicked on it. The email, written in a very formal tone, stated that due to violations of company policy, Skyler Martinez and Scarlett Thomas had been dismissed. The business and sales departments urgently needed to hire professionals to fill the vacancies. If anyone had recommendations or was interested, they could apply at the HR department.
Charlotte skimmed through it, but just as she was about to consider it, she noticed a line in small print at the end: “Employees with less than one year of service are not eligible.” She pouted, deciding it was better to hold onto her current job for now.
Glancing around the nearly empty office, she finally packed up her things and grabbed her bag, ready to leave. Just then, her phone rang cheerfully from inside her bag. She pulled it out and saw it was her best friend, Emma Smith. She immediately answered, hearing Emma’s sweet voice on the other end, “Hey, busy bee, where are you?”
“Just got off work, where else would I be?” Charlotte laughed.
“It’s Friday, no work tomorrow. Let’s go karaoke tonight!” Emma’s voice was already brimming with excitement.
Charlotte had forgotten it was Friday, and with the weekend off, she had been feeling down all week. Without hesitation, she agreed, “Sure! You guys pick the place, and I’ll treat.”
On the other end, Olivia Johnson’s excited voice almost fainted as she snatched the phone from Emma and shouted, “Charlotte, you said it! We didn’t force you!”
“Who’s forcing me? I’m doing this willingly,” Charlotte chuckled. She hadn’t touched the medical fee from last time, and with her new job, it was only right to treat herself.
When the three vibrant young women got together, laughter never ceased. They teased each other relentlessly, drawing curious glances from passersby. Among the trio, Emma was the shy, conservative one, and also the most beautiful. She had a petite, delicate figure, a sweet, charming face, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice. When she got nervous, her flawless, pale skin would blush a soft pink, and her thin lips looked like delicate rose petals. In contrast, Olivia was bold and outgoing, speaking loudly and without hesitation. Her skin was the trendy sun-kissed tone, and she was often mistaken for a tomboy.
As for Charlotte, her personality was hard to pin down. She could be as gentle as water or as fiery as flames. She was timid like a rabbit but incredibly strong-willed, with a soft exterior but a fiery heart. The three girls, each with their unique charm, were a dazzling sight walking down the street.
After some chit-chat, they noticed Charlotte was still in her formal work attire. To prepare for the night’s fun, they decided to give her a quick makeover. They rushed into a small, affordable but trendy boutique, and after some styling, Charlotte stood in front of the mirror, completely transformed. Her figure was now accentuated by a fashionable blouse and a pair of mini shorts that showed off her long, slender legs. Her seven-inch heels made her waist look impossibly tiny, and her messy hair was tied up in a loose bun, exuding a casual yet alluring charm.
Charlotte wasn’t tall, but her proportions were perfect. And though her chest usually seemed flat, the slightly open blouse now hinted at a seductive allure.
“Wow, Charlotte, your waist is so tiny! Can I touch it?” Olivia teased, her hands playfully reaching for Charlotte’s waist.
Charlotte giggled, dodging her, while Emma stood quietly by, amused by their antics.
After some more wandering, the sky darkened, and the city lights began to flicker. The streets were alive with traffic, and after five days of intense work, the city was finally finding its release. The vibrant neon lights of the sleepless city stirred the restless desires hidden in people’s hearts, boiling, surging, and seeking an outlet. It was the perfect time for indulgence and temptation.
Friday night at the pub was the trio’s go-to spot for killing boredom. The place was affordable, making it a haven for young, middle-class workers. After ordering some drinks, the high-energy music and dazzling lights took over, acting like a catalyst for the pent-up desires of everyone there.
After a few strong drinks, the three girls watched the chaotic dance floor for a while before Olivia got restless. She grabbed Charlotte’s hand and pulled her toward the dance floor. Charlotte, still in a daze, hesitated, but with Emma’s encouragement, she reluctantly joined the crowd.
On the dance floor, everyone was lost in the music, their bodies moving with abandon, forgetting their troubles and losing themselves in the rhythm. Charlotte and Olivia quickly got into it, their bodies swaying to the beat. Charlotte tossed her messy hair, shutting out all her worries as she danced to the fast-paced music.
Young women like them were always a magnet for attention, and soon, a group of guys surrounded them. Olivia boldly danced with a tall, skinny guy, while Charlotte felt her face flush as a middle-aged man tried to press up against her from behind. She quickly slipped away and returned to their table.
Back at the table, she gulped down her beer, smoothing her messy hair as she laughed at Emma, “I can’t handle those people.”
Emma smiled quietly, sipping her drink and pushing a cup of milk tea toward Charlotte, “Here, drink this. Don’t drink too much; it’s bad for your health.”
Charlotte gave her a warm smile, but then she noticed a light flashing in her bag. She quickly pulled out her phone and saw it was an unknown number. Just as she was about to answer, the call ended. Checking the missed calls, she saw it had rung twice. She quickly told Emma, “I’ll be right back; I need to take this call.”
Stepping outside the pub, she found a quiet spot and called the number back. A man’s voice answered, “Is this Miss Hayes? This is the secretary from Grant Corporation. Can you contact Mr. Grant?”
Hearing it was from Grant Corporation, Charlotte’s tone immediately became more respectful, “Yes, this is Charlotte Hayes.”
“Miss Hayes, is Mr. Grant still at the company?” The man sounded urgent, repeating the question.
“Mr. Grant? I don’t know,” Charlotte replied, her mind flashing to the handsome, cold face of Alexander Grant. Why would they ask her about his whereabouts?
“There’s an emergency board meeting tonight, and Mr. Grant hasn’t shown up. The meeting is extremely urgent, and we can’t reach him. Miss Hayes, could you please go to the Grant branch office and see if he’s still there?” The man’s voice was frantic, as if the world was ending.
“Of course, I’ll go right now,” Charlotte replied, sensing the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, she rushed back into the pub, quickly explained the situation to Emma, grabbed her bag, and left.
She hailed a taxi and tried calling Alexander’s number from her phone, but it was turned off. She then called his office, but though it rang, no one answered. It seemed he wasn’t there, but she still felt it was her duty to check.
Her footsteps echoed loudly in the empty lobby as she entered the elevator and headed to the 21st floor. She nervously rehearsed what she would say, but when she finally stood outside the large office door, her mind went blank.
She tried pushing the glass door and was surprised to find it unlocked. Peeking inside, she saw the office was dimly lit and silent. She was about to turn off the light and leave when her eyes caught a tall figure hidden in the shadows. The sight nearly made her faint. She gasped, realizing Alexander was indeed in the office.
For a moment, she was stunned. Her eyes scanned the messy desk, littered with empty bottles. He had been drinking. The smell of smoke hit her, and she saw the tall figure leaning against a pillar, a cigarette in hand. The man who had seemed so confident that afternoon now looked utterly defeated and desolate.
As she stood in the middle of the office, a sharp phone ring startled her. She stared at the figure, but he didn’t seem to hear it, still gazing out at the neon lights, lost in his thoughts.
Counting the rings, Charlotte quickly moved to answer the phone, but a low, hoarse voice stopped her, “Don’t answer it.”
Her hand froze mid-air, and she looked at Alexander, confused. Why wouldn’t he let her answer? She was sure it was the headquarters calling.
“Mr. Grant, someone from headquarters is urgently trying to reach you,” Charlotte said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Alexander turned around, his dark eyes, now bloodshot, fixed on her. His gaze was deep and turbulent, and Charlotte felt a wave of panic under his stare. She lowered her head and calmly said, “Mr. Grant.”
But in Alexander’s eyes, Charlotte’s flustered expression held a certain allure. Whether it was the alcohol, his frustration, or the betrayal buried deep in his heart, he felt a surge of pent-up emotions, a need to release them physically.
And Charlotte, standing there, fit the bill perfectly. Her slightly open blouse revealed her rapid heartbeat, her full chest rising and falling. Her delicate face was half-hidden by her dark hair, her lips full and red, and her fluttering eyes seemed to unintentionally tease him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and Alexander, already drunk, narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer to her.
Even a fool could see the desire in Alexander’s eyes. His intense gaze and handsome face made Charlotte feel vulnerable and powerless. She knew the man approaching her was dangerous, but her feet were rooted to the spot, unable to move.
“Mr. Grant…” she whispered, trying to snap him out of it. But in that moment, did she really think a simple call would bring him back to his senses? It was a joke.
“Mr. Grant…” Charlotte murmured again, feeling her body heat up under his gaze. She admitted the man was incredibly attractive, but she had never expected to catch his attention. She wasn’t the type to give herself away easily, and her chastity was something she held dear.
But then, his long fingers lifted her chin, and she looked up in shock, her panicked eyes meeting his deep, mesmerizing gaze. The next second, his thin lips, carrying the scent of alcohol, pressed against hers. Charlotte’s mind went blank, her soul seemingly leaving her body. Her bag fell to the floor with a thud, and her eyes widened as his lips claimed hers with a fierce intensity. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.
Charlotte felt her heart was about to burst out of her chest. She stood frozen, feeling his rapid breath. Her wide eyes took in his long, thick lashes, his straight nose. It wasn’t his wealth or power that captivated her—it was his sheer beauty that made her lose herself.
Yes, in the face of such a mesmerizing man, even a celestial being would willingly fall from grace to indulge in the earthly pleasures with him.
In the silent office, the large beige couch became the stage for a passionate encounter. Charlotte’s fear and panic gradually gave way to a haze of desire under Alexander’s dominance. She had never experienced true passion before, and her shy body responded to his rhythm, climbing the heights of ecstasy with him.
The pain of penetration made Charlotte furrow her brow, her forehead breaking out in a cold sweat. She gripped the couch beneath her, biting her lip against the tearing sensation. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she didn’t want to think about anything, leaving all consequences for tomorrow.
However, Charlotte didn’t notice that on the computer desk five meters away, the screen displayed a scene from the couch—except the man was a middle-aged, overweight man, and the woman was a beautiful, alluring woman.
The irony was that the woman in the photo was Alexander’s current girlfriend, Sophia Morgan.