Chapter 6

Jasmine jumped, her whole body trembling. She quickly said goodbye to the employee and hurried back to Neville's side.

"Mr. Cooper, what did you need?" Jasmine asked carefully, lowering her head so her thick bangs hid most of her face.

Neville pulled out the proposal Jasmine had submitted yesterday and tossed it in front of her. "Redo this. I want it before you leave today," he said coldly.

"Yes, Mr. Cooper."

Jasmine picked up the rejected file, sighing inwardly.

Just as she turned to leave, Neville stopped her. "Do it here. Don't waste time."

Seeing Jasmine about to leave, the iris flower scent growing fainter, Neville once again inexplicably found an excuse to keep her. "Sit over there." He cleared his throat, casually pointed Jasmine to a spot, then lowered his head to continue reviewing documents.

Jasmine obediently sat where Neville had indicated, pushed up her black-framed glasses, and carefully considered how to create a proposal that would satisfy him.

Just as she was deep in thought, her phone rang at the worst possible moment.

It was Simon calling, probably asking if she'd received the gift and about dinner tonight. The timing couldn't have been worse. The office's quiet was instantly shattered. Jasmine could clearly feel Neville's icy glare stabbing at her. The back of her neck went cold as she quickly silenced the call and put her phone on mute.

Once the oppressive feeling passed, Jasmine stole a glance at Neville. Seeing him focused on his documents and not paying attention to her, she secretly pulled out her phone and hid it under the desk. She carefully opened her chat with Simon and quickly typed—the boss seemed to be in a bad mood today, she'd probably have to work late, tonight's dinner would likely fall through.

Just as she hit send, a cold, low voice sounded overhead.

"Jasmine."

Neville had appeared at her desk without her noticing, his expression stern.

Jasmine was so startled she hunched her shoulders. Her phone nearly fell to the floor.

Neville curled his knuckles and tapped the desk twice, pointing out the problems in her proposal and instructing her on how to fix them.

Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief. Neville truly lived up to his reputation for achieving so much at such a young age—he'd hit the nail on the head identifying her issues. Things became instantly clearer, and problems she'd been wracking her brain over suddenly seemed simple.

With such a dedicated boss, Jasmine didn't dare get distracted again. She threw herself completely into revising the proposal. Her thick bangs and large frames made her look somewhat clumsy, but couldn't hide her earnestness.

Neville noticed, and his previously cold expression softened slightly.

They both worked peacefully, and before they knew it, the sky outside had turned pitch black.

Her stomach growled.

Jasmine awkwardly pressed her hand to her stomach, stole a glance at Neville's stern profile, and didn't dare get up. It was well past quitting time and she was starving, but with the boss still here, how could she dare leave first?

Seeing Neville still had no intention of leaving, Jasmine quietly sighed and miserably continued working.

Neville caught all of Jasmine's little movements. He glanced at his watch—it really was quite late—then stood up, walked to Jasmine's desk, and knocked on her desktop.

"Time to go. You're coming with me to a party."

"It starts at eight. Hurry up."

Having said that, he turned and left, giving Jasmine absolutely no chance to refuse.

Jasmine stood up in a daze, not understanding why Neville suddenly wanted to take her to a party.

Was he planning to make her block drinks again?

Still, at least she could leave. She wouldn't have to stare at documents on an empty stomach anymore. At this thought, Jasmine relaxed, rubbed her nearly flattened stomach, and quickly hurried after Neville.

Only after entering the private room did Jasmine belatedly realize that unlike yesterday's banquet, tonight was Neville's private gathering.

The entire room was filled with Neville's acquaintances. Their dress and manners were all extraordinary—clearly from Neville's circle. The whole table was full of people with status. By contrast, Jasmine in her plain appearance stood out even more.

"Nev, you finally decided to knock off work! I've been waiting so long my stomach's about to cave in."

A guy with brown curly hair and big, round eyes joked with a smile. Unlike Neville's sternness and Lance's rakishness, this guy looked... sweet. Jasmine couldn't think of a better word to describe him. This was her first time seeing such an adorable guy.

After thinking for a moment, she realized with a start that this adorable man was the Seasons family's only son, Wally—someone with quite a background.

Seeing a woman following behind Neville, Wally started ribbing him again. "No wonder you're so late. Too busy with your girlfriend to pay attention to your bros?"

"Nev, get in here and let your girlfriend show herself!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Neville was long used to his chatter and didn't really acknowledge him, just walked in and took a seat.

Wally didn't believe him at all. He looked expectantly behind Neville, only to see Jasmine in her old-fashioned outfit, with thick bangs and black-framed glasses, quite plain-looking. His jaw nearly dropped.

So this was Neville's type?

That was quite a... unique taste.

Jasmine followed behind Neville. Afraid of being misunderstood, she quickly explained, "You've got it wrong. I'm just Mr. Cooper's secretary."

"Secretary?" Wally was even more confused. Neville had always kept his distance from women and always kept work and personal life completely separate. Why would he bring a female secretary to a private gathering?

Still, with so many people around, he tactfully kept his thoughts to himself and said with a smile, "So Nev, when are you going to bring out that one from your place for everyone to meet? Don't tell me there isn't anyone—I heard you've got a girlfriend now."

Neville took a sip of his drink and shot Wally a cold glance. "Is your mouth asking for trouble again?"

Wally's back went cold. He instantly remembered how Neville had ruthlessly dealt with him the last time he'd made a racket, and quickly shut his mouth.

Once everyone had arrived, the dinner began.

Wally only behaved for a short while before getting restless again. He couldn't shake the feeling that Neville must have unusual feelings for that plain secretary. Otherwise, why would he do something unprecedented like bringing her to a gathering—and not just any gathering, but their inner circle's private dinner?

Wally's eyes gleamed. He didn't dare pressure Neville, so he started urging Jasmine to drink.

Jasmine absolutely didn't dare get drunk again, especially around Neville.

She quickly waved her hands in refusal. "No, no, I really can't hold my liquor."

Neville, sitting beside her, heard this and turned to look at her, holding his glass, his brow furrowed. "What, are you afraid if you drink too much, I'll take advantage of you?"

The entire room instantly fell silent. The looks directed at them were quite telling.

"Mr. Cooper, you've misunderstood." Jasmine gave an awkward laugh and, with everyone watching, made an outrageous statement. "I'm afraid if I drink too much, I'll take advantage of you."