Chapter 7 The Scheming Mary

Rose immediately coughed. "Okay, the subject of today's meeting is the competition that we're participating in. First, congratulations to the two shortlisted designers, Ella and Samantha." Samantha raised her head and met Ella's provocative gaze. If she won this time, the company would give her a large bonus. Hence, they were rivals. Rose immediately analyzed the situation of this competition. As an experienced designer, she was very confident in her work. While Samantha was staring at the table, she suddenly felt eyes on her. Judging from the direction, it was undoubtedly Joseph's. Is this man really so free? Why is he staring at me all day long? Samantha's mother sacrificed her life for him. To be honest, Samantha really didn't want to see him. Although he was only five years old at the time, and she couldn't blame him for anything, she still had a kind of resentment in her heart. "Samantha, tell me your opinion." Rose suddenly cued her. Samantha was daydreaming just now, and now she had no idea what Rose was talking about. She raised her head and looked at Rose in confusion. "Uh... Which aspect are you referring to?" Rose's face immediately turned ugly. How dare someone daydream at my meeting? "Samantha, although you are a designer dispatched from the headquarters, you shouldn't be too arrogant and disregard me. You didn't listen to what I said just now, did you?" Rose was a harsh woman and wanted to teach Samantha a lesson. The other designers looked at Samantha as if they were watching her make a fool of herself, while Samantha's face was also a little hot. While she didn't know what to say, a low male voice sounded. "Tell me what the unique selling point of your design is." Joseph was giving her a reminder. Samantha immediately became confident when it came to her area of expertise, speaking fluently about materials and the value of collectibles. Once she was done saying her piece, she once again encountered the deep gaze of the man across from her, causing her to shy away. Soon, the meeting finally ended. Joseph only came to listen and did not express his opinion too much. "Samantha, stay here. The others may leave," Joseph said suddenly. Samantha was about to take a sip of water to moisten her throat when she almost choked on hearing this. She was instantly surrounded by envious and hateful gazes, especially Ella, who glared at her resentfully as if she had seduced Joseph by some dirty means. Samantha was also lost for words. Can't this man see my situation in the company? I'm being scorned by other people, and he still has to fan the gossip by doing this! After everyone left, Samantha leaned against her chair and said coldly, "Is there something you need, President Xylon?" "Why didn't you accept the house I gave you yesterday?" Joseph narrowed his eyes and stared at her. "Why should I? I already said that I will not accept any repayment from the Xylons." Samantha emphasized again. “You should think about your son. The place I chose has great facilities that can support him. There is a much better kindergarten for the elites in the community. It is also safer and more suitable for you to live with your child." "You should think about your son. The place I chose has great facilities that can support him. There is a much better kindergarten for the elites in the community. It is also safer and more suitable for you to live with your child." He set aside his high-profile president persona and transformed into a salesperson, continuously highlighting the advantages of the house to her. What he said was very attractive to Samantha because, as a mother, it was her biggest wish to provide her son with the best education and environment. "No need. I can give my son the best." Samantha disagreed. For a businessman like him, he couldn't realize that the most precious thing was not material wealth but emotional companionship. As long as her son was with her, even if she lived in less than stellar conditions, she would be happiest. Frowning, Joseph stared at the ruthless woman and felt troubled. "In the future, if it's not for work purposes, please don't look for me again." After Samantha finished speaking, she picked up her documents, then got up and left. Joseph could only watch with a sigh as her graceful figure left his line of sight. In the afternoon, Samantha received a call from her father, who asked her to go home for dinner tomorrow. He also said he wanted to see her. After some hesitation, she finally agreed. It's about time for me to go home. At the president's office, Joseph sat gracefully in his seat, listening to the work report of the assistant beside him. "Go check the information regarding the father of Samantha's son for me." Since material compensation did not impress Samantha, Joseph could only start in other areas. "Very well." Andrew immediately went off to investigate. At that moment, Joseph's phone rang, so he picked it up and saw that it was from Mary. "Hello," he answered as gently as possible. "Joseph, are you busy with work? Can I have dinner with you tonight?" “Okay, I'll book a restaurant." Joseph agreed. "Then I'll wait for you to pick me up." Mary was excited. "Sure." Joseph hung up the phone while Mary's face appeared in his mind. For some reason, Mary didn't feel anything like the woman from that day to him. He remembered the woman's lips from that night. They were unbelievably soft, and her body exuded a faint fragrance. Even though she sobbed throughout the encounter, her voice was enchanting. He also couldn't deny that every moan that left her lips heightened his desire. In contrast, Mary's voice was somewhat too sharp. Five years had passed, and perhaps a person could change significantly. Now, he simply wanted to make amends to her, as that one night had caused irreparable damage in her life. At a fine dining restaurant, Mary came in a new Janel dress, dressing to the nines. Using expensive cosmetics and the skill of a makeup artist, she enhanced her rather average looks, but she was still not eye-catching enough. She belonged to the category of an average pretty girl. She was not ugly, but not stunning either. However, tonight, she was the most enviable woman in the entire restaurant. Sitting opposite her was a top-level man who was handsome, elegant, charming, and exuded a regal aura. "Joseph, cheers." Mary took the initiative to raise her glass and looked at the man opposite her eagerly. Although she had known him for almost three weeks, Joseph had always treated her civilly and politely. Yet, what she desired was far more than that. She wanted him; she wanted to marry him and become his wife. Now, because she had gotten his attention and everything he gave her, she was absolutely terrified of losing it all. She felt delighted to be wealthy. What she wanted could be delivered to her in the next second. Her favorite new Janel dresses could be delivered directly to her door for her to choose from. If she wanted a specific bag, she could get one in every color available. If she wanted diamond jewelry, all she needed to do was pick her favorite. This feeling was like floating in the clouds, and Mary never wanted to fall back to the ground again as long as she lived. However, Mary had a bad feeling that Samantha would suddenly return home and learn the truth about what happened that night. If that happened, she would lose everything and be forced to live her life like she used to. At the thought of that, she told herself that she would never let something like that happen. Thus, when Joseph took her back to the mansion after dinner, Mary coyly invited the man into the house. "Joseph, would you like to come inside and have a cup of tea?" "No thanks. I still have things to attend to." "But I'm scared of being alone. I want you to keep me company." Mary immediately tried to play on the man's sympathy by pretending to be scared. "I'll get Edith to accompany you." Joseph reached for his cell phone. "No! Please! I only want your company." "But I really have something to do at work. Next time, perhaps." Joseph gently looked at her. "Rest well. Good night." Mary was disappointed upon hearing the man's reply, but the man's meek attitude prompted her to stop insisting coyly as she bitterly nodded. "Alright then." Setting her eyes on Joseph's car, she bit her lip while wishing she could be in the man's embrace. I swear I will make him my man one day!