Chapter 14: Chapter 14
728 words<html><head></head><body><p>Adrian Sinclair's voice was cold as ice.</p> <p>The manager's heart dropped.</p> <p>He cursed internally, wondering which fool had chosen today of all days to cross him.</p> <p>Being late was one thing.</p> <p>But being late when the Taskmaster was present?</p> <p>That was sheer idiocy.</p> <p>Then he saw who it was.</p> <p>Cold sweat instantly soaked through his dress shirt.</p> <p>Anna Ross.</p> <p>The daughter of the company's head.</p> <p>How was he supposed to discipline her?</p> <p>He couldn't afford to offend Adrian.</p> <p>But Howard Lowell?</p> <p>That was an even greater risk.</p> <p>Adrian's frown deepened when no one responded.</p> <p>He turned his head slightly toward the manager.</p> <p>His fingertips tapped the desk lightly.</p> <p>"Is this how lax discipline is at your company?"</p> <p>"A late employee doesn't even warrant a reprimand?"</p> <p>The managers' legs trembled.</p> <p>They stumbled over their words.</p> <p>"S-Sir Adrian, it's not like that..."</p> <p>One man bowed his head, not daring to meet his eyes.</p> <p>Adrian remained standing.</p> <p>His gaze drifted casually toward Anna.</p> <p>Anna happened to look up at that moment.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_3 --> <p>Her eyes met his bottomless ones.</p> <p>She quickly lowered her head, her fingers twisting her clothes.</p> <p>The manager forced himself to intervene.</p> <p>"Go report to HR," he said sternly, though internally panicking.</p> <p>He needed to get her out of there, fast.</p> <p>Anna felt a wave of relief.</p> <p>She nodded quickly.</p> <p>"Alright. I'll go right now."</p> <p>She turned to escape.</p> <p>"Stop."</p> <p>Adrian's voice cut through the air again.</p> <p>Anna pretended not to hear and quickened her pace.</p> <p>Adrian's expression darkened.</p> <p>He strode after her and blocked her path.</p> <p>They nearly collided.</p> <p>The managers gasped collectively.</p> <p>Adrian looked down at her, a cold smirk playing on his lips.</p> <p>"Did I say you could leave?"</p> <p>"Didn't you want to punish me?"</p> <p>Anna frowned, her tone urgent.</p> <p>"What's wrong with me going to HR?"</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_4 --> <p>Adrian chuckled lowly.</p> <p>He leaned in close, bending toward her.</p> <p>"I said I would punish you," he murmured, his breath brushing her ear.</p> <p>"I didn't say you could leave."</p> <p>Anna bit her lower lip.</p> <p>She had thought he was letting her go.</p> <p>He was just waiting for this moment.</p> <p>"What do you want?"</p> <p>Adrian straightened up, pretending to consider.</p> <p>The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.</p> <p>After a moment, he raised an eyebrow playfully.</p> <p>"I want you to be my Executive Assistant."</p> <p>His Executive Assistant?</p> <p>He just wanted to keep her close to torment her.</p> <p>"I refuse!" Anna said firmly.</p> <p>Adrian's eyes darkened.</p> <p>"The pay is much better than your current job," he said.</p> <p>He emphasized the word "current" deliberately.</p> <p>Anna froze instantly.</p> <p>He was threatening her about her mall job.</p> <p>Adrian turned away, satisfied.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_4 --> <p>"From today onward, she's my Executive Assistant."</p> <p>"Remove her from her previous position."</p> <p>The managers exchanged uneasy glances.</p> <p>Their faces were pale with sweat.</p> <p>"Sir Adrian, we need Mr. Lowell's approval for that..."</p> <p>Adrian's expression turned icy.</p> <p>The temperature in the room seemed to drop.</p> <p>"Are you saying my word carries less weight than a branch manager's?"</p> <p>He stood tall, his presence overwhelming.</p> <p>No one dared to look up.</p> <p>They could only swallow hard.</p> <p>"What's going on here?"</p> <p>Howard Lowell's voice suddenly rang out.</p> <p>Everyone breathed a silent sigh of relief.</p> <p>Howard shot Anna a glare before smiling at Adrian.</p> <p>"Adrian, you should have told me you were coming."</p> <p>"Join me for dinner tonight?"</p> <p>Adrian's face remained expressionless.</p> <p>"No need. I was just looking around."</p> <p>Howard's fist tightened, but he kept smiling.</p> <p>"Uncle," Adrian said, pointing at Anna.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_5 --> <p>"I want her as my Executive Assistant."</p> <p>"They say I need your approval."</p> <p>Anna's heart stopped.</p> <p>He actually dared to say it.</p> <p>Howard's smile stiffened.</p> <p>He glanced at Anna, his eyes shifting.</p> <p>What game was Adrian playing now?</p> <p>"Adrian, Anna isn't capable enough. She might hinder your work."</p> <p>Anna relaxed slightly.</p> <p>Thankfully, Howard hadn't agreed.</p> <p>Adrian's eyes darkened.</p> <p>"Uncle, you should reconsider."</p> <p>"Although I'm only here to inspect, taking over this branch wouldn't be difficult."</p> <p>Howard's head snapped up.</p> <p>He met Adrian's cold gaze.</p> <p>He was right.</p> <p>If Adrian wanted, he could take everything away at any time.</p> <p>Howard narrowed his eyes at Anna.</p> <p>Maybe this was a good thing.</p> <p>She could keep an eye on Adrian for him.</p> <p>"If you want her, take her," Howard said, forcing a smile.</p> <p>He walked over to Anna.</p> <p>"Anna, be perceptive and work hard," he said, patting her shoulder heavily.</p> <p>He emphasized the word "perceptive" distinctly.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_1 --> </body></html>