The difference in strength between men and women was obvious, and with Joseph’s tall frame towering over her, the secretary felt an overwhelming pressure.
She thought for a moment that he had forgiven her and was about to thank him, but the next second, his hands clamped around her throat. Her head jerked up, meeting Joseph’s dark, icy eyes. His lips curved into a chilling smile. “So, you’re defying me while pretending obedience, is that it? Every word I say, you argue back. If you’re that good with words, why didn’t you join a comedy troupe instead of applying here as a mere secretary? Seems like quite a waste of your talent.”
“No… I didn’t…”
She struggled desperately, her eyes wide, her breathing ragged. It was the first time she had seen the general manager lose his temper like this. In the past, he might smash a few things, but his anger would quickly cool. Now, though, he had turned violent, and terror seized her. “Let me go,” she gasped, clawing at his hands, slapping at his wrist in desperation. But against Joseph’s strength, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree—utterly useless.
“Do you know what you did wrong now?” Joseph tilted his head, his voice maddeningly calm as he tightened his grip bit by bit. She still didn’t know what mistake she had made, but she nodded frantically anyway. “Please… please let me go,” she croaked. Her face had turned a sickly shade of purple. Only then did Joseph release her.
She collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, while he looked down at her with a twisted sense of satisfaction. See? As long as he willed it, anyone could be forced to their knees, bowing to him. Whether it was a mere secretary, Daniel, Aurora who had sent him to prison more than once, or Lucas the so-called pretty boy—Joseph would make sure every one of them paid the price.
After hanging up on Joseph, Daniel felt a surge of relief. Sure enough, working with that man could only end badly. With a temper that shifted like the wind and arrogance to match, he wasn’t worth the trouble. Better to look into other projects than waste time trying to please someone like him.
Just as Daniel was about to call for his secretary, his phone rang sharply. Without checking the screen, he snapped impatiently, “What now? Haven’t you had enough already?”
There was silence on the other end for a few moments before a cautious voice replied, “Mr. Lewis, didn’t we agree yesterday?”
The familiar female voice startled him. Pulling the phone away, he saw the name on the screen–Tessa. “My apologies, Miss Walton. I mistook you for someone else. I didn’t check the name.” Daniel immediately took responsibility for the slip. Tessa, with her good temper, didn’t press him on it. “It’s fine, I understand.”
“What can I do for you, Miss Walton?” Daniel asked, though he already had a good idea of her reason for calling. Still, he wouldn’t be the one to bring it up–he’d let her say it herself.
“Mr. Lewis, didn’t we agree yesterday?” Tessa said awkwardly, steering the conversation back to the project. “You mentioned you’d give me an answer today. Since it’s getting late, I thought I’d call and check in.”