Chapter 11

Sela Wash stood in the center of the office, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone. A faint smile played on her lips as she said, “Just now, I reviewed everyone’s work documents and recent performance. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge your abilities. You’re all extremely talented individuals.”

He suddenly changed his tone, becoming a bit more serious. After a pause, he continued, “But I’ve also noticed that some colleagues seem to be just pretending to be busy. I hope that these individuals will take their work seriously and not hold back the rest of us.”

After saying that, his gaze fell on the employees’ attire. His brows furrowed slightly. “Secondly, the company has long provided uniformed clothing for all employees. Why are some colleagues not wearing their uniforms to work?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he slowly turned around. His gaze fixed precisely on Evan Thorne. He nodded at her gently, then turned back and continued, “Finally, I hope that during Minister Zhang’s absence, everyone will maintain their usual level of productivity and complete their work conscientiously and efficiently.”

After saying that, he strode forward with his long legs, went straight to Evan Thorne’s desk, and tapped gently on her desktop with his finger. His tone was calm, yet carried an unmistakable sense of authority: “I’d like this colleague to come with me to the office, please.”

Evan Thorn sat on the chair, his body stiff, his mind blank. All that remained was endless regret. He wished he could just sink into the ground and disappear.

She never would have thought that the person temporarily taking over as her boss would be Sela Wash! The very same man whom she had kicked in the knee at the hot pot restaurant, called a sexless idiot, a “universal servant” with a prostate, and who was also forced by her to pay for meals!

How could she be so rude and impulsive back then? How dare she offend NK’s crown prince? Now, he’s her direct superior. Of course, he can do whatever he wants to her.

Evan Thorn prayed to God, Jesus, Buddha, and all the other deities in his heart. Under his colleagues’ sympathetic yet somewhat smug gazes, he forced himself to enter that “hellish” department head’s office, as if walking into death itself.

“Close the door.” As soon as she stepped into the office, Sela Wash’s cold, emotionless voice rang out, devoid of any warmth.

Evan Thorn silently turned around, closed the office door, and stood there neatly by the door, head bowed, too afraid to look at him. His mind was in complete chaos, and even his breathing became cautious.

Since Evan Thorn entered, Sela Wash had been staring at her with a smirking, teasing look in her eyes. How dare this foolish woman provoke him? Who gave her the courage? To dare touch what belonged to him, to hurl insults at him, and to expect him to pay for her mistakes as if it were perfectly normal?

He was still wondering where to go to settle accounts with her. To his surprise, it turned out to be effortless at all—she actually came right to him on her own. If he let her go this time, it would be too unfair to himself, and also too unjust to the suffering he had endured that day.

Evan Thorn stood by the door, hearing no noise for a long time. Unable to resist, he quietly raised his head. But the moment he did, he saw Sela Wash suddenly get up and take a few big steps toward her. The tall figure of Rowley Reeves instantly surrounded her, creating such a strong sense of pressure that she could barely breathe.

“Impotent, always the passive role, with a prostate that gets hard during sex?” Sela Wash lowered her head, getting closer to her. Her warm breath touched her face. Her tone was full of mockery. “Evan Thorn, tell me, am I really like you say I am? Want me to prove it to you in person?”

Evan Thorn stared at the suddenly enlarged, handsome face before his mind went blank. His cheeks turned red instantly, and he blurted out, “W-what are you looking at?”

Sela Wash watched her silly and flustered expression, and most of her anger subsided. Instead, she found it even more amusing. She raised an eyebrow and said in a suggestive tone, “What do you think?”

Evan Thorn was stunned for a few seconds before realizing what he meant. His cheeks turned even redder. He wished he could burrow into the ground. He avoided making eye contact with him.

“Never mind, I’m not teasing you anymore.” Sela Wash stood up straight, took a step back, and looked at Evan Thorn, who was still staring blankly ahead. A faint smile appeared on her lips. “In the future, don’t act so recklessly. Consider your own height before doing anything. And definitely don’t make jokes about a man’s physical attributes. Otherwise, it will only harm you in the end.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his expression became serious again, and his tone reverted to its usual sternness. “The matter regarding the hot pot restaurant is a personal issue. We’ll sort it out privately later. But as your temporary supervisor, I must first reprimand you—your appearance is unacceptable. Why aren’t you wearing the uniform provided by the company?”

After saying that, he walked back to the sofa and sat down. He crossed his arms on the table and looked at Evan Thorn, who was still staring blankly ahead. In a calm tone, he said, “I’m waiting for your explanation.”

Evan Thorn finally managed to snap out of his confusion and embarrassment from earlier. Hearing his words, his face showed utter disbelief, and he instinctively let out an “Ah”.

Sela Wash sighed helplessly in her heart—this woman was really slow to understand things! He spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of subtle malice: “As your temporary boss, I need to use certain tactics to get people’s respect. Don’t you think?”

Evan Thorn nodded eagerly, agreeing obsequiously, “Yes, yes, Minister Lin is absolutely right!” All she wanted now was to please him, hoping he would be magnanimous and stop pressing the matter regarding the hot pot restaurant, so as not to give her any more trouble.

“So,” Sela Wash gave her a gentle smile, but behind that smile lay deep scheming. “Since you’re a newly hired employee, I won’t hold you accountable for work-related matters for now. Let’s start with your appearance. Since you’re not wearing the uniform, you’ll have to write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for cleaning the office this week. Remember, the lounge and restrooms also need to be cleaned thoroughly.”

He paused, lost his smile, and spoke in a serious tone, his voice rising slightly at the end with a hint of threat: “I’ll check every day. If I find that the cleaning isn’t done properly or that the self-criticism isn’t thorough enough, you’ll have to face the consequences. Understand?”

Evan Thorn’s face fell instantly, filled with grief and anger. Ten thousand words of self-criticism? Having to clean for an entire week? And that included the lounge and restrooms as well? This was clearly revenge for personal reasons! She was there to work and make money, not to be a cleaner!

On the surface, however, she could only pretend to be obedient. She lowered her head and replied in a soft voice, “Yes! I understand, Minister Lin. I’ll definitely clean properly and write a thorough self-criticism.”

“Good, then go ahead.” Sela Wash waved her hand, her tone slightly impatient.

“Yes.” Evan Thorne lowered his head and turned to leave, cursing Sela Wash in his heart.

But as soon as she reached the door, Sela Wash called out to her, “Wait a moment.”

Evan Thorn stiffened, slowly turning around with a forced smile on his face. “Minister Lin, do you have any further instructions?”

Sela Wash looked at her, a sinister smile playing on her lips. “I forgot to tell you—this entire floor is filled with offices, not just the translation department. Do you understand now?”

Evan Thorne’s face turned pale in an instant. He pressed his left hand tightly against his right hand, which wanted to reach out and tear apart that smiling face. He kept telling himself, “Stay calm, Evan Thorne, stay calm!” He was his direct supervisor, the person who provided him with a job and a living. He couldn’t act on impulse! Without this job, how would he be able to buy a house or support himself?

She took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face: “Okay, I understand, Minister Lin.” With that, she rushed out of the office as if fleeing, desperate to find a place to calm her boiling blood.

In the evening, all my colleagues had left for home. The entire office was empty, with only Evan Thorn left behind. He was wiping the tables with a rag, making a rustling sound as he worked.

She stared at the pitch-black sky outside the window, unable to help but wail inwardly: Never provoke a petty-minded man! That jerk, Sela Wash, was clearly acting out of personal vendetta! How much longer would it take her to clean the entire floor of offices?