Chapter 582: Be His Secretary
It took Tia over half an hour to redress Manuel's wound. Afterward, she prepared to leave. Opening the door, she found Susan standing there. The blush still lingered on Tia's cheeks from their unexpected embrace earlier, a blush that had persisted throughout her tending to Manuel's injury.
Susan watched her calmly. She regretted witnessing the scene in Manuel's office. Though she’d stormed out moments before, she’d returned to wait patiently, reminding herself of her role as Manuel's assistant and the need to maintain composure. She waited a considerable time.
"Miss Phillip," Tia greeted Susan enthusiastically.
Susan nodded curtly, a hint of coldness in her expression. Her dislike was palpable, so Tia silently continued on her way.
"Why are you here?" Susan asked, her question betraying a hint of jealousy despite her attempt at calm.
"I brought Mr. Johnson's lunch," Tia replied hastily.
"What a diligent maid," Susan teased, barely concealing her feelings.
"If only it could help Mr. Johnson," Tia responded with a bright smile.
Susan recognized the signs of a woman in love. She found herself unexpectedly bored, consumed by others' relationships. From her time serving Susan, Tia understood her poker face, sensing Susan's unwillingness to converse. She politely bid farewell and departed.
Watching Tia go, Susan wondered why Manuel was attracted to her. While Tia was young and attractive, nothing seemed extraordinary about her. Perhaps, Susan mused, men preferred a certain innocence. Lost in her contemplation, Susan eventually felt a pang of self-disappointment. She shouldn't be concerned with Manuel's preferences; she was merely his assistant.
With a sigh, Susan turned to the door, reminding herself to knock before entering Manuel's office henceforth. She knocked.
"Come in," Manuel's low voice responded.
He was enjoying his lunch, his voice subtly different than usual. Susan suspected he'd lowered his tone to compose himself after his interaction with Tia. Manuel's substantial meal awakened her own hunger; she hadn’t yet eaten lunch.
"You will share an office with Lucy," Manuel stated emotionlessly.
"Understood," Susan replied.
Silence descended again. Susan watched him eat.
"Anything to report?" Manuel asked.
Susan shook her head. "Nothing." A blush crept onto her cheeks. She had to admit, the man possessed a certain charm.
"Then I'll move to my new office," Susan said, turning to leave.
Manuel nodded, returning to his lunch.
Susan left, sensing a surprising coldness in his demeanor.
Manuel watched her go. Since Tia had dressed his wound, a persistent pain in his back had plagued him. He'd feigned enjoyment of his lunch to distract Susan and encourage her departure. He wasn't certain if assisting him would truly benefit Susan, but it was the only course of action he could conceive.
Meanwhile, Henry raged in his office. News of Susan becoming Manuel's assistant ignited his long-suppressed anger. He suspected Edward's hand in the pairing, but what angered him most was Susan's acceptance without informing him. He felt her drifting away, and the thought terrified him. He couldn't allow it. He'd stop her from returning to Manuel. Phillips Bank, and Susan, would be his. He clenched his teeth, dialed a number, and barked, "Initiate the plan. Now."
"Now?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Now," Henry repeated, a cruel smile spreading across his face. He waited, anticipating Manuel's downfall.
It was 4 p.m. Manuel was briefing teams on an emergency plan when the door burst open.
"Mr. Johnson, the Chairman requests your presence," Edward's secretary announced, her face etched with worry.
Sensing something was amiss, Manuel handed his notes to Susan. "Continue the briefing," he instructed, then followed the secretary.
"Me?" Susan gasped, her eyes wide. Could he be serious? She'd been distracted, and now she was expected to lead the meeting. He gave her no chance to refuse, and he was gone.
Embarrassment hung heavy in the air as everyone looked to Susan.