Chapter 16
Seeing that I was at a loss for words, Adeline smirked triumphantly and said, “I wonder if you’ll still be as arrogant as before.”
Adeline deliberately pulled back her collar, revealing a hickey. She sneered. “You can’t compare to me. If you think you can step on me, forget it.
“I’ve told you before. I’ve seen plenty like you. Mr. Stone is unshakable, but women come and go. Over the years, I’m the only one he truly can’t live without.”
She swaggered around the room, flaunting her dominance as if giving me a lesson. But how could I not want to leave Luther as soon as possible? I owed him a huge debt, and he refused to let me go.
I didn’t show any anger. Instead, I poured a cup of coffee and placed it on the table. “Ms. Larkin, as they say, age brings wisdom,” I said calmly.
Adeline snapped back, asking me in a challenging tone, “Did you just call me old?”
“I didn’t say that,” I replied with an innocent smile. “I’m just saying you have a lot of experience.”
Adeline was momentarily speechless. “You…” She began but couldn’t finish.
She hated hearing she was old. Her eyes widened in anger, and I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter.
I continued sincerely, “You’re much older than me, yet you worry so much and try to help me get favors from Mr. Stone. With all your experience, have you ever worked as a ‘sugar baby‘ before?”
“You’re the sugar baby!” she shot back angrily.
I watched her face flush with anger, and I wasn’t about to let her off easily.
“Ms. Larkin, I should learn from your wisdom, but I’m naturally stubborn and don’t like taking advice. Sometimes, I don’t know what’s good for me.
“From now on, please keep your suggestions to yourself. I have a bad memory and won’t remember them,” I said lightly.
I paused and continued, “This coffee’s instant, and I doubt you’re used to it. Wait here. I’ll go downstairs and get you a freshly brewed one.” “Where are you going?” she asked, looking at me.
After tidying up the desk, I picked up the documents that needed to be mailed along with my phone. Then, I walked out of the office, leaving Adeline there alone.
As I stood in front of the elevator, the doors slid open, and Matthew stepped out.
“Have you seen Ms. Larkin?” he asked.
“She’s in my office,” I replied casually.
He paused for a moment and looked me over.
“Where are you going?” he asked suspiciously.
I smiled and answered, “I’m going to get Ms. Larkin a freshly brewed coffee.”
Matthew frowned.
“Coffee? Mr. Stone is downstairs waiting for her. Tell her to hurry downstairs,” he said sternly.
Thinking fast, I lifted the file folder in my hand and said, “Mr. Stone asked me to deliver these documents.”
“I’ll go then,” he offered.
I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.
In the lobby, I waited until the courier arrived. Once he did, I handed over the documents. Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly saw Adeline and Matthew stepping out of the elevator. I instinctively turned around and quickly hid behind one of the support columns.
Adeline didn’t get into Luther’s car. Instead, she got into the white company van parked behind it and left.
I let out a long breath. Finally, I had some peace.
The fact that Matthew came upstairs looking for her confirmed one thing. Adeline had come to see me behind Luther’s back. All those things she said to me just now were clearly meant to pressure me into leaving him. There was no way she would ever dare say them in front of him.
With both of them gone, I decided to reward myself with that freshly brewed coffee across the street.
While waiting in line, I overheard some customers chatting about the owner’s background. Apparently, he had returned from overseas atter working at major international firms for years.
Now, the man ran this coffee shop to enjoy a laid–back life. I couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
When it was finally my turn, I glanced at the price list. Having never truly lived in luxury, I hesitated to spend that kind of money. But since I was already there, I gave in and ordered the cheapest option, which cost 48 dollars.
After scanning the code to pay, I received a number card and sat down to wait.
As I sat in the corner of the shop, listening to blues music, I finally felt myself relax.
Chapter 16
But before my coffee was even ready, my phone rang. It was Adeline.
“Ms. Miller, I’m at the Starlux Hotel right now. Go to the clothing store and buy me a business outfit. I’ll send you the size and address in a minute,” she ordered coldly before hanging up.
She ended the call before I could even ask how she planned to pay me.
Soon after, she sent me the information via WhatsApp. Just as the message came through, my coffee was ready. I grabbed it and jogged out to the roadside to flag down a taxi.
Following the address she gave me, I arrived at the store and glanced at the price tags on the suits. The prices were jaw–dropping.
Based on Adeline’s usual fashion style, I picked out a few outfits that suited her and even took photos to send her. However, she never replied. Left with no choice, I called her, only to have her hang up on me.
Time was running out. I asked the store assistant to pack up one of the outfits for me. When I checked out, I winced at the cost.
Luther had said all reception expenses would be covered by the card he gave me. Still, spending 18 thousand dollars on a single outfit felt painfully
extravagant.
I couldn’t hail a cab by the roadside, so I ordered a rideshare through an app. By the time I finally made it to Starlux Hotel, Adeline answered the phone without hesitation.
“Hello? Which room are you in? I’ll bring the outfit up to you,” I said.
“708,” Adeline replied curtly before immediately hanging up.
I took the elevator to the seventh floor and found room 708. Before I could even knock, Adeline opened the door.
“Why did it take you so long? You’re so slow just buying an outfit. Don’t you know Mr. Stone and I are on a tight schedule?” she snapped.
Adeline continued scolding as I entered the room. In the living room, Luther was seated on the couch. His expression was cold and stern. He was clearly displeased with my tardiness.
I addressed my explanation to Adeline, but my eyes stayed fixed on Luther. “I couldn’t get a cab, and the rideshare got stuck in traffic.”
Adeline took the outfit into the bedroom to change. That left just Luther and me in the living room. I licked my lips nervously and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.”
Luther didn’t even bother replying. He just raised a hand to dismiss me.
Just as I turned to leave, Adeline’s angry voice rang out behind me. “Ms. Miller, what on earth is this outfit you picked?”
I instinctively turned around. Adeline was holding the outfit and marching straight toward Luther.
“I told her specifically to buy a pantsuit, yet she showed up with a skirt set. How am I supposed to meet Mr. Yales dressed like this?
“He just informed me that his wife is accompanying him. She absolutely despises seeing women in short skirts around her husband, and he is extremely devoted to her. If I walk in like this, the deal will fall apart before it even begins.”
She continued, “I’ve seen it happen before. A female assistant once wore a short skirt to a meeting, and Mr. Yales‘ wife happened to see her. That one moment cost them a deal worth tens of millions of dollars.
“How could Sapphire make such a mistake? I gave clear instructions over the phone. Did she not understand a single word? What am I supposed to do now?”
Adeline suddenly shifted her tone and looked at Luther. “Mr. Stone, is this how your employee handles things? What do you suggest we do now?”
I tried to explain, “Mr. Stone, Ms. Larkin called and told me to buy a suit that was in line with her usual style, so I-”
Before I could finish, Adeline interrupted, “Did you not hear me? I told you again and again to buy a pantsuit.”
She turned to Luther and asked, “Mr. Stone, you heard that, didn’t you?”
Luther nodded with a dark expression. “Yes.”
“No, she never said that,” I protested helplessly, feeling completely unable to defend myself.
