Chapter 211

I didn’t dare look back. I just wanted to leave that battlefield as quickly as possible. Suddenly, Reynaldo’s cold sneer came from behind: “Did you see that? Even if she was just doing odd jobs for me, she wouldn’t want to go with you.” This was said to Winston. But I couldn’t help feeling a clear sense of pride in his tone. Man, he really is competitive.

When I moved the table to the corner, I was so exhausted that my whole body was covered in sweat, and I almost fainted. I was lazily lying in the chair, catching my breath, when I saw Reynaldo and the others go to the conference room. Kimberly held the documents and followed them, her head held high. Before entering, she smiled at me proudly. I rolled my eyes, really not knowing what she was so proud of.

I hadn’t even rested when a colleague asked me to pour tea, another asked me to print something, and some even made me clean the trash under their desks. Fortunately, I’d done odd jobs at Winston’s company before, and these tasks, while tiring, weren’t difficult. On my first day, however, they’d taken pleasure in bullying me to the extreme, treating me like a servant. However, thinking about the 20,000 salary, I accepted it. What else could I do? Reynaldo clearly intended to humiliate me; resistance was futile.

After finally enduring until 5:30 p.m., I didn’t dare stay longer; I still needed to find a place to live. I checked my phone during a free moment; many single apartments were available nearby. But they were expensive—five thousand a month, plus a one-month deposit, meaning ten thousand upfront. I only had slightly less than ten thousand, so renting a bachelor apartment was unsuitable. So I decided to look for a cheaper stairwell house in the nearby residential area.

It was late autumn, and the nights were growing darker earlier. When I walked out of the company, dragging my suitcase, the sky had already completely darkened. I stood at the entrance, looking around in confusion, unsure which direction to go to find a cheap walk-up apartment. Forget it. I’d just hail a taxi.

I lifted my suitcase and carefully walked down the stairs. Suddenly, a black commercial van slowly stopped in front of me. I was stunned, staring blankly as the car window slowly rolled down. Next, I saw Reynaldo’s cold and indifferent profile. He didn’t speak, nor did he look at me; he just parked the car. So, was he offering me a ride?

But I didn’t want to take his car. I didn’t want him to see me desperate, searching for cheap housing, and I didn’t want him to know where I found a place. His patience was impressive. I said nothing, and he showed no sign of rushing me. He just leaned back silently, his slender, attractive hand casually resting on the steering wheel.

I pursed my lips and decided to speak first, “Thank you for your kindness, but I can take a taxi myself.” Reynaldo chuckled, pulling out a cigarette and tilting his head to light it—his posture surprisingly alluring. I took two steps back and watched him quietly. He never spoke, just smoked leisurely. I didn’t know what he meant. I frowned slightly and couldn’t help but say again, “I really don’t need a ride; I can take a taxi myself.”

“Reynaldo…” However, as soon as I finished speaking, Kimberly’s gentle, sweet voice drifted from behind me. I stiffened, my cheeks flushed. So, I was being overly sentimental? Wasn’t it Kimberly waiting here, not me, Reynaldo?

Reynaldo turned his head slightly and looked at me. He smiled, his gaze cold and slightly mocking, making me even more embarrassed. I lowered my head and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Humphrey. I made a mistake. I’ll leave first.”