While I was panicking and at a loss for words, a ding sounded, followed by the opening of the elevator doors. Taking advantage of Michael’s inattention, I swiftly pushed him away.
Michael glowered at me in chagrin when he had gathered his wits about him, his gaze brimming with frustration. Nonetheless, he hadn’t the time to teach me a lesson right then since the representative from Benyx Corporation was already waiting in the conference room.
As he strode past me, he shot me a glare before entering the conference room ahead of me. Following behind him, I walked in as well.
The representative was a young and beautiful woman who was dressed fashionably. The moment she caught sight of Michael, her gaze remained riveted on him.
“You’re finally here, Mr. Shaw! I’ve been waiting for ages.”
At once, the woman walked up to Michael and extended a hand to him.
Arching a brow slightly, Michael shook her hand before taking his seat at the head of the table.
“You’re indeed young and beautiful, Ms. Linwood.” After complimenting her with a faint smile on his face, Michael took the contract from me and pushed it over to her.
“Here’s the contract. Let’s sign it right away if there aren’t any problems.”
Jane Linwood flipped open the contract. After roughly scanning through it, she looked back at Michael. “The contents of the contract are fine, but isn’t the price rather exorbitant? It’s just a small-scale advertisement, yet it costs this much?”
It was more than apparent that she wasn’t quite satisfied with the price proposed by our company.
“If it’s not to your satisfaction, you can collaborate with other companies. After all, my advertising company has endless projects with far higher prices than this.”
Michael stared at her impassionately, his voice firm without any room for negotiation.
Anyhow, he had the privilege of being arrogant. After all, Joyful Success Advertisements was merely one of his many companies across the various industries, yet it was already the biggest advertising company in Avenport.
Realizing that he wasn’t going to budge, Jane’s smile stiffened for a moment. Her gaze remained fixated on Michael’s face with an unfathomable emotion flashing in them.
“Alright, then. I’ll sign it.”
In the end, Jane relented. Taking out a pen, she promptly signed the contract. Subsequently, Michael signed it as well.
Handing the signed contract to me, Michael then extended his hand to Jane. “Looking forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.” Jane hastily shook his hand while gazing at him with stars in her eyes.
As a woman, I could sense that she was interested in Michael. Well, well… She must have taken a fancy to him!
Sure enough, her subsequent action proved me right. “I wonder if you’re free tonight, Mr. Shaw. How about having dinner together to celebrate our collaboration?”
Most men wouldn’t decline when a woman took the initiative to invite him out for a meal. The case was especially true if the woman was a beauty. Jane wore a confident smile on her face, probably certain that Michael wouldn’t rebuff her. However, Michael wasn’t the kind of man who played by the rules. He declined without an ounce of hesitation.
“I’m sorry, but I’m otherwise engaged tonight. I believe that you must have a lot of work pending, so I won’t keep you any longer, Ms. Linwood.”
Michael’s remark was an obvious dismissal. In the beginning, I was worried that he would agree to have dinner with her, but my heart finally settled back into my chest after hearing his demurral.
Having been rejected, embarrassment swamped Jane, and her smile turned awkward.
“Okay, then. We’ll have dinner next time since you’re not free tonight, Mr. Shaw.”
After saying that, Jane flashed him a smile and left.
While his demurral of her dinner invitation had nothing to do with me, my mood inexplicably took a turn for the better. Hmm… It seems that he’s not the kind of man who’ll accept any woman who comes on to him.
At that thought, a snicker escaped me. Hearing that, Michael abruptly pivoted and stared at me. “What are you laughing about?”
He glared at me irately, his expression as cold as ice.
“Oh, I’m just happy for you that you’re so popular among the ladies, Mr. Shaw.”
Flustered at his oppressive gaze, I quickly made up an excuse. Nevertheless, he could likely discern the mockery in my voice.
“You’re happy for me? I never knew that you’d ever be happy on my behalf, Anna.”
Michael stalked toward me with his long and tapered eyes narrowed a fraction, the look in his eyes inquisitive.
Every time I was confronted with his compelling gaze, I felt trapped. It was as though all my emotions were laid bare before him under his piercing eyes.
“Mr. Shaw, I just remembered that I have a few documents to handle this afternoon, so please excuse me.”
Not daring to tarry any longer with his penetrating gaze pinned on me, I swiftly moved around him and left after blurting that.
When I returned to the office, many envious gazes swung my way. Some were even jealous of me since Michael usually couldn’t be bothered to spare them a single glance. As such, the opportunity to interact with him closely was out of the realm of possibility.
“How was it when you were with Mr. Shaw alone in the office earlier? Were there any sparks between the two of you?”
Millie leaned close to me and looked at me with a nosy look on her face, her eyes dancing with glee.
Upon hearing that, I gaped at her speechlessly with disgruntlement in my eyes. “Don’t you know that he’s celibate? How could there possibly have been sparks between us?”
Despite my feigned calmness, I was actually panicking inwardly. Probably no one will ever guess my relationship with Michael, right?
“That’s true. I’ve never seen him with any woman. Logically speaking, there should be many women circling someone so handsome and rich like him. So why haven’t we ever seen him with any woman? Could it be that he can’t get it up?” Millie whispered into my ear.
As I was drinking water, the water spurted from my mouth when I heard her speculation.
What? She actually thinks that he can’t get it up? That’s simply preposterous! He’s such a beast in bed that no average woman can stand the torment. I wonder if he’ll be infuriated if he learns that someone assumes that of him. After all, all men will be humiliated to be regarded as such, much less an egotistical man like him.
“That’s impossible! He’s definitely not the kind of person who can’t get it up,” I countered in his defense without even thinking about it.
For some reason, I didn’t want others to have the impression that he had problems in the bedroom.
“How do you know that? Don’t tell me you’ve slept with him?”
As soon as my words fell, Millie regarded me skeptically with suspicion in her eyes.
“I… I simply deduced it. I mean, just look at him. He doesn’t seem like a man that has any problems getting it up,” I hurriedly explained, panic assailing me upon hearing her question.
