Chapter 65

“What?” Jolene and I exclaimed simultaneously. Her voice was sharp and disbelieving; mine, stunned and distressed. I had never agreed to such an arrangement.

“When is this taking place? Mr. Hastings, a business gala is a significant event! How can you casually bring a new hire as your companion?” Jolene screeched.

Alex, clearly irritated by Jolene’s questions, looked up, his expression hardening. “Do I need to report my decisions to you?”

Jolene’s sharp voice faltered. She turned to me in disbelief, and I quickly lowered my gaze.

“Leave,” Alex said curtly, dismissing her.

I raised my head, startled. What was this man’s problem? One moment he was dropping bombshells; the next, he was ejecting people without explanation.

But I was in no position to argue. Reluctantly, I followed Jolene toward the door.

“I didn’t tell you to leave,” Alex’s voice rang out, displeased.

Jolene and I stopped, turning to face him, confused.

“Have we resolved the issue we were discussing?” Alex leaned back, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on me.

Although Jolene didn’t want to, she had no choice. She turned, throwing me one last venomous glare before leaving the room.

I frowned. What did this have to do with her misfortune? If I had my way, I’d already be out of Alex’s office.

Once the door closed, I stepped closer to Alex’s desk. “Mr. Hastings, what gala are you talking about? You never mentioned this to me.”

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Alex spun an expensive pen lazily. “If I hadn’t given you this excuse, all those reports would have been dumped on you.”

So, he was helping me. I let out a small laugh, a touch of gratitude in my eyes. “Oh, I see. Thank you for looking out for me, Mr. Hastings. It must’ve been tough to come up with such an outrageous lie.”

“Who said I was lying? This is very much the truth.” Alex reached into his desk drawer and produced an invitation.

I stared at the invitation, my heart sinking. In my head, I was already cursing Alex. He was such an opportunistic, manipulative, shameless capitalist.

“Mr. Hastings, are you seriously suggesting I attend such an important event?” I forced a weak smile, clinging to a shred of hope.

“Why not? You’ve attended galas before. You’re not romantically involved with me, and your background won’t spark unnecessary gossip. You’re the perfect candidate.” Alex leaned back, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

I couldn’t understand how I was the perfect candidate. No one at the company knew about my connection to Alex, yet I was already the subject of relentless scrutiny because he occasionally spoke to me. Attending the gala with him would only trigger more gossip.

“Can—can I refuse?” I stammered.

“Then you can finish Jolene’s reports, and she’ll accompany me instead. If you want her work submitted on time, you’ll only be able to sleep five hours a night starting today,” Alex said casually.

I stared at him in shock. “This work is that important, and you’re willing to hand it off so casually?”