Chapter 3 Late For Work

The stench of corpses was everywhere in the secret dark, damp room. The walls were stained with blood on all sides. People sat silently in the locked room, as if in a trance. Their expressions were numb; they had long lost hope of life.

And there was one person in the dirty, dark room-someone who didn't fit in. His gorgeous clothes were so in contrast to the filthy surrounding.

"Stop struggling, Carl. You have been poisoned. If you forcefully exercise your internal force, it will only accelerate the poisoning and eventually push you to death. If you can give up the skill you are proud of, you may be able to live another year or so. Of course, it will only be more painful to live like that."

Carl was hung on an instrument of torture inside the locked room, bloodstains all over his body. He lifted his head to look at Allen Nangong, who was sitting not too far away from him. Although he had long known that his half-brother wanted to get rid of him, he had never given him the opportunity to seize him. But here he was, and Carl had no idea how it had happened.

"Allen... When did you...poison...

How..." Allen Nangong clapped his hands lazily, and a woman in a water-green cheongsam slowly walked over to him and sat on his lap. She put her slender arms around Allen Nangong and looked at Carl with a smile.

"It was me, Carl. It was the kiss. Did you enjoy it?"

Carl stared at the woman who had betrayed him. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly into a disappointed smirk. No one could be trusted these days.

"Lois... I didn't think that you would betray me."

The charming woman raised her eyes to meet his and said with pity, "It was your fault, Carl. You forced me to do this. I was nothing but a tool to warm your bed at your will. You've never loved me. But Allen is different. He gave me his tender heart and his love. Allen..."

As she spoke, she bent down to kiss him. A smirk appeared on Allen Nangong's lips, and he slyly avoided Lois Yang's lips. Instead, he pressed her head against his chest.

"That's right, darling."

The broken images devoured Carl's thoughts as his head ached again. He couldn't believe that he was betrayed by the one he had once trusted.

"Damn it! Damn it all!"

Seeing the man struggle in pain, Linda's anger dissipated. She didn't understand why this man, who had just looked like he was about to devour her, changed so quickly into a ball of agony. But if she let his emotion go out of control at this pace, her home would be destroyed in no time.

"Hey, listen to me,"

she said, cautiously approaching his side. She tentatively grabbed Carl's hand to stop him from hitting his own head.

She assured softly, "It's alright. It's okay now. Listen to me. I saved you from whatever it was that hurt you. Calm down. You are safe here. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you..."

Seeing that he didn't shake off her hand this time, she stretched out her fingers to feel his pulse. His chaotic pulse made her frown slightly.

He seemed to be injured internally, but after witnessing his skill earlier, she assumed that he was among one of the best fighters she had ever seen. Who could have injured such a man so seriously? She wondered if she should call her brother.

Carl gradually calmed down. The woman made him feel at ease-something he had never felt from anyone before. Her voice was seeped in magic, and it relaxed his tensed body.

"Who are you?"

Carl asked. He wanted to examine the woman in front of him, but he couldn't see her clearly since he was still dizzy.

"My name is Linda. I saved you last night," she said again.

Carl sighed. "Go to the Xiang Prince's mansion and find Jeremy. Tell him that Carl is still alive."

Linda groaned almost inaudibly, "What Xiang Prince's mansion? Who is this Carl and Jeremy? Did this guy hit his head in the fall?

If it was a slight concussion, he might recover soon." She decided to get him some Chinese medicine for his wounds after work.

'Work...' Her beautiful eyes widened in horror. WORK! Linda jumped up from the bed. How could she forget that she had to go to the YC Company at nine o'clock?

"Francis, that Linda hasn't arrived yet. Should I go ahead and cancel her appointment order?"

Dressed in a neat black suit, Jim looked respectfully at the beautiful young man in front of him. Francis was reading a document in his office.

He raised his head from the file. His angelic face looked like a fully bloomed white lotus, attracting everyone's attention. His eyes were as soft as the moonlight, making it difficult for anyone to look away from them.

'Linda...'

He remembered her fiery argument from the day before. 'I implore you to take a look at my resume. Your company is recruiting bodyguards-people with some good fighting skills, I assume? Does it matter if it's a man or woman? You are pretty conservative for a man of your position. You don't think a woman could be a bodyguard? You think I'm not as strong as all these men here? Don't you think you are being a little too unprofessional? You won't even look at my resume before dismissing me as unqualified.'

She had a beautiful face, flaming red hair, and an arrogant, domineering look. He was captivated.

"Never mind. Wait a little longer."

Jim frowned slightly and showed a trace of displeasure on his handsome face.

"Francis, is that really necessary? Why let a strange woman stay by your side?"

Francis smiled.

"Why do you think my uncle was so kind as to choose bodyguards for me this time? The death of my former bodyguard-it was a well-planned murder, and those men who had come for the interview yesterday were probably arranged by my uncle too."

"Aren't you worried that Linda could be a spy sent by him?"

Jim asked.

Francis turned to him. "She isn't. Her eyes were the purest I've ever seen. I don't believe that a person with such pure eyes would do the bidding of someone like my uncle. Moreover, if my uncle meant to send a spy, he wouldn't choose someone who would stand out from the crowd. Besides all that, I still have you. Even if she were a spy, you will protect me."

Jim shook his head, seeing the playful smile on Francis's face.

"Don't try to convince me with your charming smile. I'm not some lame woman. Besides, I don't think you need anyone else's protection."

'Francis may look like he is weak and needs protection, but he can defeat me easily.'

"And Jim... Did you check her background?"

Jim replied, "Yes. It's just like what was on her resume. Her parents are dead, and she used to live with her aunt. She lived a good life, and since she worships you, decided to be your bodyguard. Other than that, there's nothing much to say about her. It seems too simple, and it is quite disturbing that I can't find more about her."

"Oh?

There are things in the world that you can't find out?"

Francis asked, laughing. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Take your time. I don't believe she's a threat. She may be intriguing in ways, but she is not likely to be an enemy."

Linda stood in front of the huge building. It was not an easy task to own a place in the middle of this bustling city, not to mention, a twenty-eight level commercial building in the most prime location.

She gulped nervously, looking up at the magnificent building.

"Francis is able to run this big company at such a young age. He deserves to be a member of one of the three great families!"

"Wait! Do you have a permit?"

Two security guards in uniforms stopped her in front of the transparent rotating glass door. She was lost for a second, and then said, "Yes, I'm Mr. Francis's new bodyguard, Linda Xia. I'm here to report for work."

At this point, she was more worried about getting fired because of her tardiness on the first day than the suspicious looks given by the guards.

Her flaming red hair caught their attention, but other than that she looked completely ordinary. Nothing about her seemed good enough to be a bodyguard. She seemed so fragile, like she could pass out from a tight slap.

One of the security guards looked away from her and picked up his walkie-talkie. She was used to being underestimated by men. Her weak appearance was her best secret weapon.

"Come with me," the guard said finally.

Linda sighed with relief.

The elevator stopped on the twenty-eighth floor. Linda stroked her beating heart and quickly followed the security guard.

They were on the topmost floor of the building, where the CEO's office was located. The floor was unusually quiet; there was not a soul in sight.

The security guard knocked once on the wooden door. "Mr. Francis, she is here."

The name plate on the door which read "CEO's Office" looked particularly dazzling.

"Come in."

The voice from the other side of the door sounded like a cool breeze in hot summer.

"Yes, Sir."

The security guard opened the door and gestured for Linda to walk in. After she entered, he respectfully closed the door and returned to the elevator.

The office was a little different from what she had imagined. There was a big French window on one side, the walls were painted a light blue. There were two desks and a row of sofa. Simple, yet elegant.

"Ahem!" Jim cleared his throat with displeasure.

'Unbelievable! Why is she looking around so leisurely when she's already late for the appointment?'

Jim's eyes pierced her like a sharp sword, making her uncomfortable.

His black eyes overshadowed all other features of his face. Linda smiled awkwardly, looking at the cold, hard expression on the man's handsome face.

She had heard that the omnipotent full-time manager and assistant, Jim Han, was as serious as an old man.