Chapter 9
Chapter 9
A surge of electricity seemed to zap through them, making them both shudder simultaneously.
Aurelia was taken aback, her eyes wider than saucers, her body as rigid as stone, unable to move.
This was her first kiss!
The man’s lips carried a faint coolness, like a refreshing mint candy.
But her mind was not clearer, on the contrary, it was getting more and more muddled, as if she was
short of oxygen.
Leopold’s body also tensed up.
This was his first kiss too.
He had a severe germophobia and despised intimate contact with women, yet right now, he didn’t feel
nauseous at all.
This woman… she’s crafty!
A cold breeze blew in from the slightly ajar window. Aurelia, as if waking from a dream, quickly stood Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
up.
Her face was as red as a ripe apple, almost hot enough to catch fire.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Leopold, I didn’t mean to…”
Leopold instantly regained his icy composure, as if nothing had happened. “Is this another pregnancy
symptom?”
“No, I slipped on a coffee stain.”
Aurelia waved her hands and shook her head, looking extremely flustered. If only the ground would
open up and swallow her, to make her leave this place!
Leopold slowly stood up, suddenly pinning her against the wall with a powerful move.
“Stop playing these ridiculous games. I will never have the slightest interest in a low–quality woman like
you.”
His gaze was mocking, contemptuous, and disgusted, each word striking Aurelia like a bullet to the
spine.
She straightened her back, as if trying to hold onto her last shred of dignity.
“Mr. Leopold, I am a down–to–earth, sober–minded person. I just want to work hard. Even at night, I
don’t dream. You are a shining star in the sky, and I am a humble vessel on the ground. I will only look
up to you at a 45–degree angle. I will never have any overstepping thoughts, never.”
Her tone was humble, but beneath the humility, there seemed to be a subtle defiance.
Leopold heard it, his icy gaze sweeping her face.
His eyes were like x–ray. No matter what her level was, he could see through it at a glance, all her
schemes were futile.
He sat back in his executive chair, ignoring her, as cold as an ice sculpture.
She wisely left.
Her lips were a bit stiff, as if frozen by the man’s chill.
The less she saw people like this, the better.
The Personnel Department re–evaluated the performance, and Aurelia was promoted to a full–fledged
designer.
Kelly was demoted from director to manager.
The atmosphere in the Design Department became a bit strange.
Aurelia vaguely felt that she was being subtly excluded and given a hard time by Kelly.
It seemed that Kelly was holding a grudge because of the performance issue.
±±± 2 2 2 2 8 ± 382 283 2
However, she didn’t care much, as long as she didn’t make mistakes, after all, a new director would be
coming soon to take over.
On payday, the first thing she thought of was to repay her debt.
Her brother had been discharged from the ICU.
With her promotion and raise, her salary could cover the daily medical expenses.
So, she decided to repay five thousand first.
As she was about to enter the CEO’s office after getting off the elevator, her phone rang. It was her
mother.
“Aurelia, I met with Avery’s doctor today. He said that Avery has developed drug resistance. The
previous medication not only can’t control his
condition, but it could also worsen it at any time. There is a new imported medicine that is very
effective, but it’s extremely expensive, costing ten thousand for a box. You need to raise ten thousand
as soon as possible, so Avery can try this new medicine.”
Aurelia’s heart tightened.
Ten thousand was astronomical to her
She had sent all her salary, except for a meager living cost, back home every month, and had no
savings. Vihere could she get ten thousand?
Except.
Her eyes dropped, she bit her lip, and slowly withdrew her forward stride.
In the CEO’s office
Leopold just finished a international meeting
His assistant Kevin sent a message: Mr. Leopold, Ms. Aurelia just withdrew ten thousand from her
account.
A mocking chill flashed in Leopold’s eyes.
Being greedy and materialistic is okay, as long as she doesn’t daydream!
After work, Aurelia returned to her apartment. Seeing Laura was going to the supermarket to buy fruits,
she decided to accompany her
They had just picked out some apples when they ran into a “familiar face“.
Laura had been with the Stirling family for many years, and Elowen recognized her at a glance.
“Laura, what are you doing here? And with Aurelia? Did Leopold assign you to take care of her?”