Chapter 106
Chapter 106
Natalie froze in disbelief. Her doe eyes widened, unable to process what she’d just heard.
Leif’s face twitched slightly.
Wasn’t Zarek supposed to be the perfect gentleman? Shouldn’t he be protecting her right now–if not offering his lap, at least finding her a chair to sit beside him?
Squat? Was she a dog or something?
The room went painfully silent.
It was like a theater production where one actor suddenly went off–script, leaving everyone else frozen, unsure how to proceed.
Charlotte thought: Classic boss–cold as ice!
She felt a wave of relief.
For a moment she’d actually worried he might be interested in the girl.
Honestly, if he had taken the bait, she would have privately judged his lack of judgment for falling into Leif’s obvious trap… but ultimately, his personal life was his business.
Natalie remained standing, looking unsteady on her feet.
“Claire, get Natalie a chair,” Leif ordered, clearly displeased.
Claire quickly found a chair and placed it in the small space between Zarek and Leif, then guided the young woman to sit down like a protective older sister.
Natalie sat.
Knees together, hands folded neatly in her lap, completely different from the other nine women with their flirtatious poses and confident sensuality…
Or perhaps they only seemed different through men’s eyes.
Charlotte suspected that apart from Claire, the other eight women weren’t acting at all. That contempt was genuine. They were probably thinking: I might be forward, but at least I’m not fake!
The group resumed drinking and chatting.
Zarek completely ignored the girl beside him.
Leif was growing visibly anxious.
O
But if he directly suggested Zarek could take Natalie back to his villa, the cunning young CEO would certainly refuse.
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Leif was convinced Zarek had noticed her–otherwise, why would he have been watching her outside?
“Mr. Hara,” Zarek said, mimicking Leif’s wine–swirling gesture, his tone deceptively casual, “what’s the deal with Natalie?”
“Ah, Natalie,” Leif perked up, slapping his knee. “She’s truly a heartbreaking case. Daughter of one of my employees, such a good girl. Her father died in a car accident a few years ago, her mother has serious health issues, and she has a troublesome brother. She just started college last year, but she’s juggling caring for her mother while trying to earn tuition. Now her mother’s condition has suddenly worsened, and the surgery costs $200,000, so that’s why…”
He sighed dramatically, feigning sympathy.
Natalie’s face turned crimson, her chin nearly touching her chest.
Zarek fell silent after listening.
Charlotte thought: …This storyline…
She glanced at Claire, strongly suspecting she had helped Leif craft this narrative.
Dead father, critically ill mother, useless brother, poverty–stricken protagonist, when it rains it pours, expensive
medical bills, innocent girl forced to sell herself for money.
It was Storytelling 101: stack these conditions and supposedly any powerful man would lose all critical thinking
skills.
Wait.
Maybe Zarek didn’t recognize the formula.
Everyone appeared relaxed, but they were all listening intently for Zarek’s reaction.
“I think…”
Zarek began with a furrowed brow. Leif watched him with eager anticipation. Go on, kid, admit you want to “save” the pretty girl. All that posturing just to end up with the same basic instinct.
“This bottle of Romanée–Conti is worth about a million, right?”
“…What?” Leif was caught off guard. Why bring up the wine again?
“Ah, us evil capitalists,” Zarek said, placing his glass on the table with exaggerated regret. “One bottle of wine could save her family several times over.”
Leif’s face froze.
Zarek seemed to have another thought and asked with mock concern, “Mr. Hara, do you need an exorcist? I’m worried Natalie’s father might come strangle you in your sleep.”
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Leif nearly choked.
Charlotte cycled through every funeral she’d ever attended to keep from laughing.
Her boss was savage enough to criticize himself in the process. And so concerned about the older generation’s safety! What a thoughtful man.
She wasn’t the only one struggling–several others looked physically pained from suppressing their amusement.
Natalie couldn’t even lift her face now.
By this point, Leif finally got the message.
This kid was playing him like a violin.
No wonder Steven had warned him this young man was craftier than a fox, more venomous than a cobra, and
impossible to manipulate.
If he wouldn’t respond to the friendly approach, then Leif would have to get creative.
“Mr. Weasley, you certainly have… quite the sharp tongue,” Leif said with a forced smile, desperately salvaging the situation. “I never said I wouldn’t help Natalie. I’ve offered before, but this girl is proud and doesn’t want charity. But you’ve made me feel quite ashamed. Tomorrow I’ll personally arrange for her mother’s medical bills.”
Zarek replied, “I misjudged you, Mr. Hara. I’m sure you wouldn’t coerce a young woman into this kind of situation. I should punish myself.”
He picked up his wine glass again and took a small sip.
Leif challenged, “That’s your punishment? One sip? Not exactly severe, is it?”
Zarek countered, “Gulping fine wine would be sacrilege.”
Leif pressed, “It’s just a bottle. Are you making excuses to avoid drinking?”
Zarek grew slightly serious. “It is just a bottle, but thinking that half a glass is worth about $100,000, and a proper toast would be $200,000… I’m genuinely concerned Natalie’s father might haunt us tonight. Aren’t you?”
Leif: “.
”
He rubbed his throbbing temples, abandoning the verbal sparring.
This kid needed his mouth superglued shut!
Charlotte decided Zarek must have dominated debate competitions in college.
She was starting to feel sorry for Leif. Why provoke someone like Zarek in the first place?
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—~ing the Forbidden Past.
Chapter 106
If Leif had deflated, the others were downright end of Zener
This young executive was abielutely rufiles.
He was like someone watching from a height fully aware of her patient games in finding directly, instead raying with them like a car with mice
Only at the end did the mice realize they’d been played all thing
Tr’s 9:30 already. Getting late, and I need to rest Zarsh sau sing from the
Leif stood up, and everyone else scrambled their for
“9:30 and headed to bed. Mr. Weasley?” Leif asked incredulandy
“Early to bed, early to rise, Zarak smiled pleasantly ten afted with faben He Bae nage code some damage control”
Damage control my ass!
Leif barely contained his fury. “Zarek. I’m practically family you ever felt you when you were inle Ton should show more respect to your elders or you’ll break or heart
His eyes even glistened with fakte emotion.
Charlotte thought: Give the man an Oscar!
Zarek replied with a cryptic smile: “How exactly should I show respect. Unde Lart
Everyone looked confused: they’d been on formal terms all evening why die sutten sift Zace and Tnce
Leif‘?
Leif collected himself. “Since we have this rare oppormity, let’s forget the wine and have a late super fer
Without waiting for Zarek’s response, he directed everyone toward the dining room exianging a meaningful glance with one of the men.
