Dangerous Desire The CEO’s Hidden Woman

Francis put down the pen and leaned back in his chair,

“Yes, you’re right. I wish I could be so blessed to have a niece like you.”

Scarlett nodded with a smile and was about to continue to brag. Francis stopped her in time and asked,

“How are you doing this month?”

“Great! The colleagues are amiable, and the canteen is terrific. But most importantly, the boss is the best!”

“Scarlett!” Francis didn’t buy her adulation.

“Honestly, there is nothing to complain about. Well, it would be better if I could go into the kitchen and see how the chef makes that sweet and sour fish!”

“So what impressed you the most after a month of work… was the canteen?” Francis’s voice deepened.

Sensing a change in the atmosphere, Scarlett changed her trifling attitude immediately and said,

“Of course not! I did get into some trouble at the beginning, but everything is fine now!”

“Your colleagues are not really nice to you, are they?”

“Believe me, they are nice, and I’m kind of popular now. So far, I’m satisfied!”

Francis could not see any sadness on her face, so he believed she was not lying. Suddenly, Scarlett moved her chair forward and said in a low voice, “Uncle Francis, do I look like… look like I’ve gone under the knife? Like getting plastic surgery.”

Francis didn’t expect that she would ask such an awkward question, so he just kept silent.

“They were saying behind my back that I’ve gotten all kinds of facelifts, injections, and procedures…”

Francis took a sip of the coffee, and it tasted much more bitter than ever before. He knew that it was not about the taste but his mood.

“Scarlett,” Francis broke the silence after a while. “There are quite a few of your predecessors in the company. They are much more experienced and skillful than you. You have to learn from these people and try to catch up with them instead of wasting your time on those meaningless comments. Have you ever thought about what you’re going to get from this internship? Did you regard it as a good opportunity to equip yourself with useful skills and enrich your experience?”

Francis adjusted his posture a bit and sighed slightly. He continued, “Scarlett, remember, only those who know exactly what they want will make full use of the chances they get. I just want you to be well prepared and well-equipped for society. Am I making myself amply clear?”

Scarlett hadn’t met this sincere, patient, and benevolent Francis before, so she was completely stumped. But Francis had changed her mind for sure. Regardless of his identity and status, his wealth, and family strength, Scarlett was now only impressed by his charisma. Scarlett began to realize that if she only regarded Francis as a boss or a good friend’s uncle before, then there had been a subtle change from that moment.

“Scarlett, you’re smart. But it can’t lead the way to success.”

Scarlett nodded, “I know.”

“You have to open your mind and broaden your horizons. This is like playing chess. Not only should you look at your own pieces, but also think about the tricks your opponent might have up his sleeve. Smart people can see three steps afterward, but a good thinker can see ten to twenty steps or more. As for you…your failure is fixed even before your next piece has yet moved!”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Scarlett found it hard to refuse any of his judgments. She lowered her head and fell into deep doubts about herself. “Am I really that bad?” Francis stood up and walked to the glass wall. With one hand in his suit pocket, he said, “You’re still young. I believe you can solve all these problems.”

“Do you have some suggestions for me?” Scarlett looked at Francis’s back as if she were admiring a statue.

“More listening, more observation, and less meaningless talk!”

“More practical suggestion?”

Francis turned his head and raised his voice, “Don’t expect that there will always be a shortcut! If you do everything based on my suggestions, you will not learn from failure. And when you encounter problems in the future, you will have no experience to get you through. Are you just trying to piss me off?”

Scarlett hinted at him with a witty smile and said, “Alright, alright, I will think about it! Can I call you if I can’t figure out some problems?”

Francis walked back to his seat and looked into Scarlett’s eyes, “What? When did I become your life coach or mentor?”

Scarlett looked back into his eyes and said, “Aren’t you?”

Francis couldn’t reject those captivating eyes, but he tried to lighten the mood. He made a joke. “As long as you don’t ask me to bail you out of jail in the middle of the night.”

***

After being inspired by Francis that day, Scarlett really began to change her attitude towards her job. She paid full attention to senior colleagues in the office and observed how they dealt with different kinds of tasks. She even took a pocket notebook with her and wrote down at any time what she learned from others, like practical tips about social networking and more.

In the past, if someone ignored her, she would just lessen her contact with that person. But now, she would take the initiative to help them with their tasks and make a good impression. Plus, she was always the first volunteer to help people buy coffee and afternoon snacks. Even Katy Lee, who had spread rumors about her, was now pleasant towards her.

“You have changed a lot, girl!” Leah saw Scarlett taking notes.

Scarlett winked at her, “Since I have come to the company to study, of course, I should do my duty as a qualified student!”

Leah nodded, “You should’ve realized this at the very beginning! But fortunately, it’s not too late!”

“Why didn’t you tell me at that time?!” Scarlett felt like she was the only one who had lost track of what was going on.

“You learn best when you learn by yourself.” Leah winked back at her.