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Novel Catalog
Chapter 40
“Don’t be stubborn,” Marco said, his voice low but firm.
Loraine laughed bitterly, her eyes filled with derision. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Marco. What makes you think you’re a safer choice? Besides, why are you so desperate to give me a ride? If you want to act like a good man, get someone else to play your sidekick. I don’t have time for these games.”
Her words were laced with frustration. In the past, Marco had never done anything for her. He’d always dismissed her needs, never stayed home, and the only woman he seemed to care about—who he moved mountains for—was Keely. So why was he suddenly pestering her now, when she wanted nothing to do with him?
Marco’s jaw tightened at her words. “I’m acting like a good man? Didn’t you learn anything from what almost happened to you just now?” He grunted in frustration. “Universe Group isn’t a safe place for you to work. It’s bad enough that your superior sexually harassed you. Something like that would never happen in Bryant Group. My employees are good, morally upright people.”
He had an ulterior motive. Marco intended to persuade her to quit her job and join his company. He’d even planned to offer her a more suitable position in Bryant Group, where she’d be safe. But before he could finish, Loraine was already fuming with anger.
How dare he insinuate that her father’s company was bad? Was this some sort of provocation?
With a sneer, Loraine jerked her arm away from him and snapped, “Are you saying Universe Group is bad? Do you really think your company is better than it? The nerve of you, Marco! You used your company’s account for your selfish motives and slandered me. But now you’re here acting all righteous!”
Loraine’s voice dripped with bitterness. It had been Marina who had done all of those things, but Marco didn’t argue. He blamed himself for not managing his company better. He should have been more strict—then none of this would have happened under his watch.
“I’m sorry about that, Loraine,” Marco said, his tone softening, as if he truly meant it. “If you want, I can issue a statement to clear everything up. I promise you, this won’t happen again.”
Loraine stared at him, her eyes cold and unreadable. She didn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. In her mind, this was all just damage control for the scandal that was hurting his company’s stock price. He was likely apologizing to protect Keely, too.
“Spare me your lies, Marco. I’ve had it up to here with you and Keely. Stay out of my life!” Loraine shouted, her voice shaking with rage.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, not sparing him a single glance.
Marco stood frozen in place, watching her retreating figure, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt the sharp sting of rejection, but what surprised him most was the determination in her eyes. He didn’t know why, but in that moment, it felt like everything he had known was slipping through his fingers.
He stood there in a daze, staring after her for what felt like an eternity.
The next morning, Loraine went to work as usual, though her mind was still clouded with the conversation from the night before. She settled into her cubicle, trying to focus on her tasks when Barry approached her.
With a fake smile plastered on his face, he dumped a pile of documents on her desk, his voice dripping with insincerity.
