Chapter 8 Provocation

Burning with disappointment and anger, Ashley stalked out of Charlie's office. She took the elevator down to her floor and headed to the ladies' room to calm herself down. She was about to splash some water onto her face when Lina, an employee in her department, walked up to her. With an indifferent glance toward Lina, Ashley straightened up from her stance over the wash basin to exit the bathroom. To her surprise, Lina blocked her way.

"Miss Guzman, did you just see Mr. Synder? What did you say?" Lina, who wore full, heavily applied make-up, slowly approached Ashley.

"Miss Graham, I am sure our conversation has nothing to do with you. Ah, and I'm afraid your foundation couldn't cover up your pores," Ashley remarked in a cold, calm voice.

Lina's face turned green at the cloaked barb. How dared Ashley imply that she had large pores? Her skin was smooth and fair! She didn't want to admit it, but her skin was actually not as good as Ashley's. Even so, she was famous for the beauty of her flawlessly made-up face. She was much better than the dull Ashley, who didn't even wear any makeup, not even a dab of lip gloss.

"Don't be so arrogant, Ashley. Last night, Mr. Synder and I spent a wild night together," Lina boasted in a sweet voice.

Lina came to see Ashley today specifically to gloat about what had transpired between her and Charlie last night, as well as to warn the other woman to stay away from Charlie. Only then could she take her rightful place by his side. Lina had been harboring a crush on Charlie for two years, ever since she had first joined the company. She was obsessed with his good looks and gentle, elegant bearing. Then, after finding out that he was the heir to Synder Group, her fascination with him deepened by the day. Later, when Charlie got together with Ashley, Lina still paraded herself in front of the man, intentionally or otherwise, whenever he came to look for his girlfriend in their department. However, he seemed to be indifferent to her wiles. Lina could only helplessly watch them walk in and out of the office together. She had always been jealous of Ashley's good fortune. However, last night, she finally got what she wanted.

During Charlie's birthday party, she paid close attention to him and found out about the suite he had booked beforehand. After Ashley left, she quietly went upstairs and slipped into his suite. She then took a quick shower to prepare herself. In the last two years, tonight was the only chance she had to get intimately acquainted with the man. Lina had jealously guarded her virginity for Charlie, so that he would become ensnared by her.

To carry out her plan successfully, Lina decided to show up naked in front of Charlie in order to seduce him. However, after a long time waiting in bed, she dozed off without him making an appearance. After a while, she was awakened by a strange feeling and saw Charlie, who was in her mind day and night, grinding crazily on top of her. His fierce side and endless lust held her captive. The next morning, Lina woke up with the other side of the bed empty. Even so, in the cold, sobering light of the morning, she could still see a bright future as a senior executive of Synder Group.

Eventually, Lina got up, put on her clothes and left the hotel to go back home. After taking a shower, she quickly donned her clothes and headed out to work. Oddly enough, Ashley wasn't in the office when Lina arrived. Despite her confusion, Lina remained in a good mood and resolved to declare war on Ashley. When Ashley came in the afternoon, she was immediately told to report upstairs. Lina knew that Ashley went to see Charlie, so she prepared to confront the other woman as soon as their meeting was over. If Ashley were a smart woman, she would give up Charlie on her own. If the woman would still chased after him after last night, Lina would make it her personal mission to have Ashley give up.

Ashley heard Lina's saccharine tone and finally noticed the changes in the other woman. Lina was dressed more conservatively than usual, but there were some hickeys, just like hers, peppering her neck. Ashley was sure that Lina told her the truth. 'Charlie is so shameless. He not only set me up, but also found another woman to sleep with. I've been so blind all this time.' However, it was a small comfort that she found out what the scumbag was really like before it was too late.