Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Wearing a grim expression on his handsome face, Artemis took the phone from Dwayne, got up, and left the conference room.
Victoria nudged Stephen and asked in a low voice, “Stephen, since you and our domineering CEO are close, do you have any first-hand information? Share it with us.”
The latter glared at her as he replied through gritted teeth, “You better stop gossiping. I got wind that Ms. Rhonda drugged Mr. Luther at noon, but he did not fall for her tricks and chased her out of the CEO's office.”
“What happened after that?” Victoria asked eagerly.
D*mn! How can I miss out on such an exciting piece of gossip?
“After that...” Stephen glanced at her and asked a question instead of answering, “That designer from the Archulea branch office, Bailey Jefferson, is your friend, right?”
Victoria narrowed her eyes slightly, asking with a frown, “We are talking about Rhonda, that pretentious woman, so why are you shifting the topic to my bestie?”
Stephen gave her a somewhat sympathetic look and sighed. “The second Ms. Rhonda left, Bailey went to the CEO's office. If Mr. Luther truly couldn't restrain himself from sleeping with a woman, he must've slept with your bestie because she stayed in his office for half an hour.”
“My gosh!” Victoria jumped up from her chair. “Something like that happened when I made a trip to the recruitment agencies?”
After sensing her colleagues' scrutinizing gazes that were directed at her, she abruptly stopped the conversation.
Dang! I nearly sold my bestie out!
“Come with me and explain everything outside.”
After Artemis left the conference room, he returned to the CEO's office.
“Tell me. Who told you about it?”
The boy replied in an antsy manner, “Did you seriously sleep with her? D*mn you! I thought you have a strong sense of self-control. Yet you gave in after just a little dosage of drug?”
Artemis narrowed his eyes as a dangerous glint flashed in them. “So this means that you were the one who drugged the soup.”
That was a statement, not an inquiry.
Maxton hastily covered his mouth, but unfortunately, it was too late. Even through the phone, he could feel the chilly aura emanating from his father's body.
“Tell me. Who told you that I slept with Rhonda?”
Um... Judging from Daddy's tone, which sounds like he's about to swallow me alive, he probably didn't touch Rhonda. I think I should... shift his anger onto my stepmother. Maybe it would create a chance for them to hit it off.
“Bay told me about it. She's spreading rumors.”
Maxton hung up the phone immediately after that.
In the CEO's office, Artemis let out an angry snort when he heard the disconnected tone from his phone.
That d*mned woman... I shouldn't have held back. Now I've caused suffering to myself. I have endured it for the whole afternoon, and it's torturous. D*mn it! I've gotten her within my grasp, so why didn't I just do the deed? I truly regret it!
The city was brightly lit at night as Bailey drove the two boys to Pocket Guest Restaurant.
After parking the car, she instructed, “Edmund booked a private room on the third floor, Room 302. Go there first. I have something to take care of, but I'll meet you before eight.” Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
With that, she threw her sling bag over her shoulder and walked off.
“She's going to meet your father. Aren't you going with her?” Zayron asked.
Maxton pouted. “The drug issue hasn't been resolved yet. If I go along, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?”
Zayron snorted. “That's because you are stupid and can't keep your mouth shut. You've wasted my excellent strategy. Don't come to me when you have to deal with that pretentious Rhonda in the future. Having a useless comrade like you has lowered my IQ.”
Maxton was rendered speechless.
Zayron casually glanced at him and warned, “Let me remind you that Bailey is my Daddy Eddy's wife and is reserved for him, so don't set your sights on her. How can I allow my mommy to be your stepmother?”
“Fine, I won't let her be my stepmother. At the very most, I'll acknowledge Daddy Eddy as my father. Since he has already acknowledged you and your sister, I'm sure he won't mind having another,” Maxton remarked.
Zayron rolled his eyes when he heard that. This fool is acting stupid again. Isn't it better to be the successor of Luther Group with a net worth of hundreds of billions?
When Bailey pushed the door open and entered, she was stunned to find Artemis seated at the head of the table waiting for her.
She subconsciously looked down at the watch on her wrist. It was ten to seven and not yet the appointment time.
Shouldn't a big boss like him have a lot of work to do? I'm flattered that he spared some of his precious time to wait for me.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Luther.”
Artemis raised his eyebrows, and the corners of his lips curled up in a sinister smile.
He gestured toward the seat opposite him with his chin as a single word came out of his lips. “Sit.”
Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly at his response. She walked to the dining chair, sat down, and went straight to the point. “Mr. Luther, I'm sure Mr. Chandler has told you about my situation. I am good at designing elegant, simple, fashionable, and revealing dresses. Your sister is turning eighteen. Since she'll be wearing the dress at her birthday party, coupled with the more modest and innocent-looking style that isn't within my expertise, I'm afraid I cannot meet the needs of Ms. Caridee. You should give this opportunity to the chief designer of the headquarters, Ms. Tanner.”
Artemis made no response, but his gaze traveled down her fair neck and landed on her delicate collarbone. His eyes flickered with the predatory intensity of a beast.
Wicked images of pinning her under his body had occupied his mind for the entire afternoon.
Even he himself felt that he was lecherous. I can't believe I've been thinking of a woman I've only met a few times, and she's even my nominal... Sure enough, those guys weren't lying at all when they used the phrase “still waters run deep” to describe me. I think so too.
A good example was the present, for his eyes unconsciously looked over in her direction.
Over the years, he had never been interested in women, but the person opposite him had indeed aroused his most primitive thoughts.
His excessively presumptuous gaze made Bailey uncomfortable. Her originally composed gaze suddenly darkened, and she uttered coldly, “You come from a prominent and well-respected family, Mr. Luther, and your upbringing is admired by many. I'm sure you know the most basic manners. Don't you think your blatant stare is a little too much?”
Hearing that, Artemis coughed lightly and slowly retracted his gaze.
“It's already dinner time. You haven't had dinner. Am I right? I'll call the waiter to come in and order a few dishes. Let's talk after we've eaten.”
Bailey narrowed his eyes and refused, “No, thank you. I have an appointment at half past seven. We don't know each other well, Mr. Luther, so let's keep it professional.”
So much for we don't know each other well, and let's keep it professional. This woman was lying under me at noon.
“People say that men are fickle, but I didn't expect you to be such a heartless person, Ms. Jefferson. Fine, since you said that, I can only keep it professional.”
After saying this, Artemis cast her an icy glance before continuing, “You are the lead designer hired by the head of the Archulea branch office. Am I right? Since he recommended you to Luther Group's
headquarters, if you aren't capable of the job, I can only say that he doesn't have good judgment. I'll issue a dismissal notice tomorrow, and someone will take his place the day after.”