Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Cordelia was surprised. Jesse blocked her way with a sneer, and his gaze was hostile and disdainful.
“Hah, my dear junior, you’re learned and skilled now! You even have your eyes on my position, huh?”
Cordelia did not want to argue with him and went around him, but Jesse spoke up again behind her. “You think that sly old fox Michael sincerely wants to promote you? He’s just using you!”
Cordelia turned to look at him.
Jesse tugged his tie in annoyance. He slowly paced to her, but she could not help being nauseated by the pungent tobacco scent on him.
“Cordelia, if you like my place so much, I’ll give it to you! Why come at me like this?”
“I’ve never coveted your place.” Cordelia looked at him coldly. “Mr. Johnson asked me over and said that—”
“Those who are capable work more?” Jesse scoffed. “That fox used me the same way back then!”
Cordelia’s gaze dimmed as she leaned back to put some distance between them.
“Centrolis is a piece of meat so hard to chew that the director is powerless. And you? You want to score it?”
“We’ll have to try to know if that’s possible,” Cordelia answered clearly, as clear as her gaze was. “The company has never taken seniority into account. If you’re so scared of me taking your place, compete with me fair and square!”
Jesse laughed.
“Cordelia, you’re so silly it’s cute! Fine, since you’re set on trying to chew this rubber meat, let me tell you what I’ve picked up over the years!
“There are four major families in Centrolis. Win over any one of them, and you won’t have to worry for the rest of your life!” Jesse’s gaze was dark. “Don’t even think about the top of the four major families, the Hamertons. You can try the Bayers! The heir is known for being a womanizer anyway. Who knows? He might take a liking to you!” Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
Cordelia was scowling with clenched fists. She took a deep breath and smiled at Jesse after a few seconds of silence. “You always like talking about women and their beauty.”
Jesse paused and studied her with a squint.
“Jesse Ford,” Cordelia called him with his full name and a cold gaze. “To you, women must have exchanged whatever achievement they got with themselves, is that it? Women must sell themselves and take such shortcuts if they want to achieve anything?”
Jesse looked at her and snorted in disdain.
“Hah! Looks like you must be envious of women’s innate advantage since you talk about it so much, right, Mr. Ford? You must hate that you’re a man and can’t take a woman’s ‘shortcut’ when you fail to sign a deal!
“That’s okay, though.” Cordelia crossed her arms and said, “There’s a country excelling in transgender surgeries. It’s not too far, and it’s cheap. Return tickets will only cost half a month of your salary. You can totally free up a weekend to get the surgery done.”
“What!?” Jesse gnashed his teeth. “Cordelia, you—”
“You’re good-looking, Mr. Ford. You’d definitely look better than me if you became a woman! The company will rely on you for its sales then!”
The people around them who heard it chuckled behind their hands as they whispered about Jesse’s loss.
Cordelia smirked and left.
Jesse stood rooted, dazed for a long moment. The sharpness that gleamed from Cordelia’s impassive gaze was chilling and exactly like Marcus, who had beaten him up the other day.
…
Cordelia looked up information on the computer right after returning home and having dinner.
Marcus was curious and peeked behind her only to see Josiah’s photo on Cordelia’s screen!
Cordelia studied the information and photo the whole night, memorizing Josiah’s preferences and such.
Marcus’ gaze darkened, and he silently went to the balcony, closing the door. His sandbag and boxing gloves were there, and he spent some time boxing. The longer he did it, the more frustrated he felt. He glanced inside the house and saw that Cordelia was still focused on the computer.
He punched the bag and went to stand at a corner of the balcony. He pulled out his phone, gave it a thought, and called Josiah.
“Z?” Josiah was at the bar, surprised at receiving the call. “How may I help you?”
The other end of the line was silent.
Josiah checked his screen. The signal was fine, and the call was connected, so he asked again, “Z, what’s up?”
Marcus was still quiet.
“Z, tell me anything, I’ll surely—”
The speaker suddenly boomed with a growl, “Don’t appear in front of me for nothing!”
Josiah shuddered. When he checked the screen again, the call was cut. He could not believe it. Marcus, who had never contacted him first, called him at night just to shout this at him?
Perplexed, Josiah looked at Fredric. “How did I offend him again?”