Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Lacking "Practical Skills
Her luck with this was unbelievable; as soon as she made a move, it was a copy of "The Ultimate Guide to Flirting Phrases". Sherry teased her for days.
She should’ve known better and thrown that book into the sea to destroy the evidence!
Ann Vaughn looked incredibly frustrated, suddenly raising her head and almost bumping into Cyrus Hawthorne, who unexpectedly leaned in close to her.
The unique chilly fragrance of his scent seeped into her breath, enclosing her from all sides.
"You’ve read quite a bit but seem to lack practical ability." Cyrus Hawthorne gazed into her clear eyes, his thin lips curving slightly, speaking with a hint of teasing before straightening and sitting back.
Ann Vaughn: "..." What was he implying?
Was she supposed to shower him with flirtatious lines for his instantly-ice-cold face?
Just imagining it made her shudder involuntarily.
Hawthorne Group Tower’s top floor.
The moment Cyrus Hawthorne led Ann Vaughn into the president’s office, the secretary’s room erupted in discussion.
"This is the first time President Hawthorne brought a woman to the company, right? Could a good thing be nearing?"
"You might not be aware as a newcomer, but the woman who just went in is President Hawthorne’s ex-wife. They divorced four years ago."
"Divorced, yet still allowed to follow President Hawthorne to the top floor? Those former socialites couldn’t manage that; they were all turned away. It’s all about having skill."
"I’ve heard she killed her own sister just to secure the sole position by President Hawthorne’s side. This woman is ruthless."
"Wow, it’s true indeed that people are not to be judged by appearance. The prettier and purer they look, the more vicious their heart."
"No way, President Hawthorne shouldn’t be messed around with by this type of woman..."
"Ahem." Mark Joyce stood behind the group, clearing his throat to assert his presence.
The once fervent discussion fell to a dead silence, turning heads in terror towards Mark Joyce, "Joe, Special Assistant Joyce, we were just casually talking..."
Now they’re afraid, but where was this awareness previously?
Mark Joyce’s expressionless face showed no emotion, knocking on a secretary’s desk, "The company hired you not for gossiping behind people’s backs."
"Especially spreading unfounded rumors; if they spread too much, you’ll be held accountable."
On hearing this, everyone’s face went pale, shame making them dare not meet Mark Joyce’s eyes.
"Special Assistant Joyce, we’ve realized our mistake, it won’t happen again!"
"Hmm." Mark Joyce nodded and then surveyed the secretaries in the room, "Who has snacks?"
"Me! I got some here!" A female secretary quickly opened her drawer and pulled out a bunch of snacks.
Ten minutes later.
In the spacious president’s office.
Ann Vaughn was half-laying on the rest sofa, munching on a bag of chips while reading "Herbs Collection", suddenly furrowing her brows.
Something’s not right.
She had taken leave from Shane Shaw and didn’t go to the research institute today, yet she felt like she was forgetting something important, as if it was right there at the institute.
What exactly was it?
Just then, a female secretary in business attire entered with hot cocoa, placing it on the table with a smile for Ann Vaughn, "Miss Vaughn, your hot drink."
"Thank you." Ann Vaughn lifted her head to thank her, then put down "Herbs Collection" and stretched lazily.
She wore a short knitted top today; stretching revealed a small, slender waist as if a cat stretching its body, quite compelling.
The secretary’s face flushed abruptly, quickly said "You’re welcome" and hurriedly exited the office.
As she went out, Silas Master Moore entered from outside holding a file folder, noticing Ann Vaughn sitting on the sofa, chewing on candy.
"Hey, Annie, why are you here alone? Where’s Cian?" He walked over and sat down, his mischievous face as annoying as ever.
"He’s busy, unlike you, idling around." Ann Vaughn shot him a cold glance, snorted, "Just ate too much."
Silas Moore was taken aback, "What did I do to offend you?"
"Your existence is an offense to me." Ann Vaughn said obstinately, "Stay away from me; I’m allergic to jerks."
Silas "Jerk" Moore hissed, wanting to argue, but just then Cyrus Hawthorne ended his meeting and returned to the office, prompting him to immediately stand up.
"Cian, control your woman, she personally attacked me!" Silas Moore stood with the file, angrily protesting.
To his surprise, Cyrus Hawthorne frowned, his gaze turning cold, "Did you bully her?"
Silas Moore was choked again, almost unable to speak, "Her sharp tongue, no one can bully her! I barely said anything and she nearly cursed me into the ground!"
Was he suffering amnesia or just being targeted? Why act so heartlessly toward him!
"Really?" Cyrus’s icy gaze warmed slightly, softly rubbing Ann Vaughn’s head over the glass table, "Well done."
Ann Vaughn instantly threw Silas Moore a smug look, like a child whose parent sided with them in a fight, looking cheekily triumphant.
Silas Moore was at a loss for words, feeling like there’s something stuck in his throat making him uncomfortable.
He handed the file folder to Cyrus Hawthorne, "Inside are the details and contacts of top neurology experts worldwide; you asked Mark Joyce to reach out."
"It’s not needed." Cyrus Hawthorne showed little interest in it, gazing down gently smoothing Ann Vaughn’s hair, "I only need to remember one person."
Silas Moore & Mark Joyce: "..." Can you not treat us as nobodies?
Ann Vaughn paused her candy-chewing, feeling inexplicably uneasy under his eyes glowing intensely until her candy-filled cheek tingled, snapping her back to reality.
They’re the only two left in the office.
Cyrus had already returned to his desk to continue work.
Ann Vaughn "snap" chewed her candy, suddenly acting as if burned, stood up, "Sister Quinn asked me to find her at the nearby film set, she must have something important. I need to go!"
With that, she didn’t wait for Cyrus to nod or shake his head, dashed out like she was escaping.
Cyrus shifted his gaze from the computer to her hurried departing figure, his eyes dimming, leaving only impenetrable darkness.
Just two streets away from Hawthorne Group Tower, at the entrance of the film city.
Ann Vaughn initially sought refuge to leave Cyrus’s side temporarily. Upon arrival, she thought might as well go inside.
However, entry required a work permit, and Ann Vaughn felt reluctant to bother Quinn, planning to stroll around instead, waiting until Cyrus was almost off work to return.
Passing by a fashion store, Ann Vaughn habitually glanced at the display window.
Seeing herself when she didn’t realize she had entered this store...