"Linda, are you deaf? The Aleen Group's bidding meeting is only two or three days away! We finally got the qualification. Do you want to throw it all away?" Amber was highly displeased with Linda's silence.
"The effort was put in by Miss Rovella and us. It has nothing to do with you!" Kevin couldn't hold back any longer. How could someone be so shameless? No one had believed in them initially. Weren't they just trying to drive Miss Rovella out of Blue Whale Co., Ltd.? Now that Miss Rovella had finally gotten the project off the ground, they wanted to snatch it away.
Amber stared at Kevin, her eyes full of warning. With Janelle absent, who gave him the audacity to speak to her like that?
"What? Did I say something wrong? How can you be so shameless? Always thinking about stealing other people's hard work!" Kevin felt immense gratitude towards Miss Rovella. If something really happened to her, he saw no reason to stay on this project.
"Kevin, go wait for me outside first," Linda said, seeing Amber's anger, hoping to defuse the situation.
Kevin refused. "If I leave, they might bully you. I'm staying with you." He wouldn't leave Linda alone here; he'd caused the trouble.
"Linda, is this the kind of person you manage? Daring to openly insult company executives?" Amber was furious.
Westin, however, said nothing. He just wanted to leave work early to see his young secretary. Since she resigned, meeting her had become difficult under Amber's watchful eye.
"Alright, let's discuss this in a couple of days. Let's see what's really happening with Janelle first." Janelle was unreachable; things likely didn't look good for her. There was no need to make things ugly right now.
"Linda, come to my office later." Amber felt even more uncomfortable that Westin wouldn't speak up for her. What's wrong with Westin lately? He used to be so patient with me. Now he flies off the handle at the slightest thing. Is he seeing someone else? Could it be that secretary who resigned?
Linda nodded. Regardless, Amber was management; she couldn't refuse.
After Westin and Amber left, Linda and Kevin went out to search for Janelle.
Erik's Villa
Janelle woke up to find her phone dead. She got out of bed and, barefoot, went looking for a charger. Her phone was the same brand as Erik's; the chargers were compatible.
Just then, Erik knocked. "Come in."
Erik entered and saw her walking barefoot on the floor. He frowned. How could the girl be so careless with her health? He walked over and scooped her up into his arms. Janelle instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. This man, why does he keep picking me up?
"Erik, your back isn't healed!" Didn't he have any awareness? Didn't he know this could worsen his injuries?
"It's fine. Why no slippers? The floor is cold." The villa was newly bought and didn't have carpets yet. Couldn't she feel the chill?
Janelle wore only the black shirt, which barely covered her bottom. Him carrying her like this threatened to expose her.
It was simply alluring. Erik couldn't help but swallow. Damn it, I've truly become a beast. But last night hadn't been enough, and now it was morning... losing control was understandable.
As Janelle tried to tug the shirt down, Erik had already placed her on the bed.
"Looking for something?"
Both wore matching black shirts, creating an intensely intimate atmosphere.
"A charger. My phone's dead." Many people probably tried to reach her last night. Erik retrieved a charger from the bedside drawer and handed it to her.
"Next time you need something, just ask me." He didn't want her straining herself.
Janelle didn't reply, plugging in her phone instead. Seeing the time – nearly 10 o'clock! Had she slept that well last night? Usually, she rarely overslept. No matter how tired, she always woke early without an alarm.
Seeing her frown, Erik asked lazily, "What's wrong? Didn't I tell you exercise aids sleep? Janelle, if you ever can't sleep, you can always come find me." He could ensure she slept soundly.
"Clothes are ready for you. Want me to help you dress?" Erik offered considerately. The girl must be exhausted after last night; she probably didn't want to move.
"No need. You can leave. I'll get dressed and come down." She wasn't helpless; she didn't need his assistance.
"What a shame. I really wanted to help." Janelle rolled her eyes at him. Being beautiful meant even an eye roll was adorable.
"I'll wait downstairs. Breakfast is ready." The phone charged quickly. As soon as it powered on, a flood of missed calls poured in – over a dozen from Linda and the others.
Remembering last night, Janelle called Linda back. Before she could speak, she heard Linda's frantic voice.
"Miss Rovella! Where are you? Are you okay?" Linda was immensely relieved the call finally connected.
"I'm fine. My phone died last night, and I overslept this morning. Go to the office and handle project matters. I'll be there soon."
"Really okay? Not hurt?" Linda's heart finally settled.
"Really fine. I'll be at the company soon." After giving Linda instructions for the morning's work, Janelle hung up.
Linda then returned to the company with Kevin.
Blue Whale Co., Ltd.
Linda gathered the project team members and assigned tasks. Soon, Amber's secretary arrived.
"Linda, Mrs. Evans requests you bring over all the project documents. From now on, she'll be taking over this project."
"..." It was truly infuriating. Amber remained utterly shameless.
"This is Miss Rovella's project," Linda stated bluntly. Some people's lack of shame was truly staggering.
The secretary shrugged. "Linda, you've been with the company long enough. Don't you know who owns it? Why offend Mr. and Mrs. Rovella for the sake of Miss Rovella?"
"Everyone knows why Miss Rovella came back. But before choosing sides, shouldn't you think carefully? Miss Rovella is just a girl barely in her twenties. What can she really achieve?"
"In the end, isn't this company Mr. and Mrs. Rovella's?" The secretary rambled on, but Linda tuned her out.
"Let's go." The only reason Mrs. Evans wanted to steal this project was because she thought Miss Rovella was gone. But their Miss Rovella was fine and would be at the company soon. Until she arrived, Linda would guard over this project. No one would take it away.