Chapter 23: Game On

Chapter 23: Game On

Murmurs broke out in the area and all the employees gathered around to see what was happening.

“M–Mrs. Anderson.” Jessie’s eyes dampened with tears, and she shuffled forward on her knees, holding her cheeks. “Please don’t misunderstand Mr. Anderson and me. In the many years that I’ve worked as his secretary, Mr. Anderson knows that I’ve always acted professional. Y–You can ask me to do anything and I’ll fulfill your wish, but please don’t threaten me with my job.”

Ethan’s deep gaze bore through Eve’s back and she shuddered and turned around. His expression was as dark as a pit’s bottom.

“Evelyn!” He growled. “What is the meaning of this?”

Eve rubbed her forehead and sighed inside. The employees stared at her with skeptical looks. Ethan approached and glared at her. While Jessie knelt on the floor, pleading and crying.

“If I have angered you in any way, Mrs. Anderson, I beg you to please forgive me. But don’t make me lose my job, please don’t. I swear I’ll do anything!” Jessie sobbed louder, hitting her forehead on the floor.

“Evelyn–”

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Ethan.” Eve shook her head rapidly. But his expression told her wouldn’t believe whatever she said. The employees present also looked at her as if she was a villain from a horror movie.

“Actually, what happened was; I was coming out of your office when I bumped into Jessica.” She fiddled with her fingers, forcing a smile. “But Jessie here is frightened that I’m still angry with her. She thinks I’m going to ask you to fire her. Tell them, Ethan, do I look that evil to fire my husband’s employees?”

The murmurs continued and the employees’ expressions changed.

“It’s alright, don’t be scared, Jessie.” Eve leaned forward, attempting to help her up. “You’ve already made me feel bad, now I’m about to even cry.” She gripped the girl’s hand and her wrist snapped. “Now now, stop crying like a baby. Your job is safe, I promise!”

“Ahhhhh!” Jessie screamed for real this time, holding her wrist. “M–Mrs. Anderson, you—”

“Jessie,” Eve whined and grabbed her other wrist. “I swear your job is safe, do you want me to take an oath? Stop crying already. Even a baby stops crying after a lot of coaxing.”

“Ahhhhh! My hands!” Jessie’s scream was louder than before. “M–Mr. Anderson, p–please help.” She scrambled away from Eve and looked toward Ethan for help.

Ethan’s expression flashed with irritation and his eyes swept across the employees. “All of you, go back to your work. And you.” He glanced at Jessie. “Stop acting like a baby and stand up.”

Ethan stormed back into his office and the employees dispersed.

“Hehe.” Eve dusted her hands and approached the whimpering girl. “Jessie, Jessie, Jessie.” She shook her head. “I am known as the queen of justice in the province. I can’t even stand seeing others being bullied. Now, imagine what happens when someone tries to bully me.”

“Y–You.” Tears poured from Jessie’s bloodshot eyes as she held onto her wrists.

“You actually thought this cliched drama will work on me? Now I’m beginning to doubt your degrees. You seem to be so interested in coveting my Ethan, isn’t it?” Eve straightened up and put on her sunglasses. “As you wish. Game on.”

She sauntered away, heading for the elevator. And the employees whispered words of astonishment as they stared at her in awe.

After leaving Ethan’s company, Eve headed straight home and slumped down on the living room couch.

“Madam, you seem tired.” Elena brought her a glass of water. “I hope you had a great time with Young Master.”

Eve took the glass of water and sipped it. “Grrr.” She shuddered. “Don’t we have orange juice, Elena?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Madam. We ran out of orange juice. But I’ll send Camila to go grocery shopping later, she will get it on her way back.”

“No, please don’t trouble her.” Eve waved her hand and emptied the glass. “Tomorrow’s what?”

“Tomorrow is the weekend, Madam.” Elena took the empty glass from her.

“Oh.” Eve nodded tiredly. “In that case, forget the grocery shopping too. We won’t run out of food before tomorrow, right?”

“Absolutely not, Madam. There’s a lot of food in the storeroom. We only need some vegetables and other ingredients.”

“Alright.”

Elena walked away and Eve turned on the TV. She got bored with the show after a while and trotted upstairs.

‘Urgh’ She was damn tired. Did she have to repeat the same routine as last night? She even missed dinner because of that for goodness sake. And that ungrateful Ethan… ‘Ugh.’ he didn’t spare her even a glance in the morning.

Eve took her bath early, but she didn’t take very long getting prepared, unlike yesterday. She checked herself out in the closet’s mirror. The nightdress she wore wasn’t as revealing as that of yesterday. But this one accentuated her figure well. She couldn’t believe she had such a tiny waist.

‘Urgh.’ If Ethan failed her again tonight, the least she could do was strangle him with a pillow in his sleep.

The maid came in moments later and informed her that dinner was ready. Eve put on the silky robe that came with the night dress. Then she fastened its straps and left the bedroom.

In the middle of the stairs, she bumped into Ethan who was on his way up.

“Hey, Honey.” She grabbed his necktie and smiled sweetly. “You really kept your promise and returned early. Are you looking forward to what I promised to show you? Are you excited?”

“Dramatic.” Ethan nudged her aside and proceeded upstairs. And Eve’s eyes followed his back.

“Ah, I wonder what it’ll take to get one sweet word out of your lips for once, Ethan.” She clicked her tongue, shaking her head.

Eve skipped downstairs and arrived at the dining area.

“Madam, you look so good tonight.”

“Yes, Madam. I had to confirm twice before concluding it was you.”

“Awwn, thank you, girls.” Eve smiled. “By the way, where’s Elena.”

“She has retired to her quarters.”

“Oh, you girls should also go now. Forget about packing the plates. I want to be left alone with Ethan.”

“Ahem, as you wish, Madam,” The maids said in unison, giving her a knowing look. After setting up the table, they bid her goodnight and left.

And not long after, Ethan’s footsteps came from the stairs. Eve’s head flipped in that direction and her eyes lit up.