Chapter 4 Wasn't Entirely Useless

Forge documents?

The mere thought carried unimaginable risk. With his reputation, being associated with forgery would mean total ruin.

Elijah couldn't help but chuckle softly, amused. A teasing smile on his lips, he asked in a low voice, "What kind of charm do you think you possess that would make me willing to play along with such a performance?"

At his words, Adeline froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

She had put in so much effort, yet here she was, being dismissed simply because of how she looked.

But she wasn't going to accept defeat so easily. If subtlety wouldn't work, she would take a bolder approach.

Straightening her shoulders, Adeline inhaled deeply and glanced at Phillip.

"Would you mind preparing a basin of clean water for me?"

At Elijah's slight nod, Phillip moved quickly to carry out the request.

"He's very obedient," Adeline remarked meaningfully.

Elijah remained seated, watching her curiously. "I pay him to do his job. Nothing more."

Adeline asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Then if I paid you, would you listen to me as well?"

Elijah gave her no reply.

Just then, Phillip returned with the basin of water.

Adeline rose from her seat at once and took the basin. Enough of the endless talk; it was time to show him.

Men were visual creatures, after all. Perhaps this was the only way to break through his indifference. As Elijah watched on, the woman he had thought unattractive changed in an instant. With one quick move, she yanked out all the padding hidden in her clothes and bent over the basin, splashing her face with the water.

When she lifted her head, the transformation was breathtaking-luminous eyes, a delicate nose, and an elegant face that could easily draw one in.

Phillip gawped at Adeline, stunned.

Ugly? What nonsense.

The woman before them was a natural beauty.

She was slender and graceful, with not even a trace of fat on her frame. Her damp lashes clumped into soft strands, giving her a delicate, tender look that stirred sympathy in anyone who gazed at her.

Even Elijah was momentarily speechless as he gaped at Adeline.

"Mr. Lewis," Adeline began, "I understand we're strangers, so it's natural you wouldn't immediately agree to a partnership. That's fine. I can wait. What matters is that I prove my determination to work with the Lewis Group. I will not give up so easily. I'll come back here every single day if I have to."

Elijah scowled. "Every day? Are you planning to disrupt my company on a daily basis?"

"No, I'll be here to see you. It's hardly an inconvenience. It's just an extra stop on my way."

"I don't have that kind of time to waste."

"This isn't wasting time. I'm helping you prevent a looming crisis for both the Lewis Group and the Wright Group."

"The Lewis Group is one of the leading corporations in Waemery. Do you truly think we require your help?"

"You still don't believe me, Mr. Lewis? Take today's bidding meeting as an example. If I hadn't stepped in, you might have let those flatterers sway you into signing a reckless deal-one that could have harmed not only the Lewis Group but also you personally..."

Some lines were never meant to be crossed, given the consequences for doing so.

And right now, Adeline had crossed one of such lines and pushed Elijah too far.

This perpetually busy CEO had little patience to start with, and because of his short temper, he barely tolerated idle chatter.

Elijah had a displeased frown on his face and approached Adeline menacingly. Without warning, he wrapped an arm around her neck, his lips brushing against her ear. When he spoke, his voice was slow and cold and dangerous. "I don't need you to teach me how to do my job."

Adeline shuddered with terror. She darted a desperate glance at Phillip, silently pleading for help.

Phillip sensed the abrupt change in Elijah's mood and was just about to intervene when Elijah suddenly let her go. Casually, he adjusted his jacket, acting like nothing had just happened.

Just like the first time he had leaned close to Adeline, he caught that faint fragrance. It reminded him of the fresh mountain breeze drifting in through an open window at dawn or the biting cold wind on a snowy night-so pure and clean it was impossible to put into words.

And strangely enough, whenever that scent reached him, Elijah felt his restless mind settle.

It was more soothing than any medicine he had taken in years.

Perhaps this woman wasn't entirely useless after all.

He sized her up from head to toe, taking in her shaken form, though he still had no intention of giving in to her unreasonable demands so easily.

Finally, as Elijah decided to respond, Phillip's phone rang.

"Mr. Lewis, it's for you."

"Answer it," Elijah instructed, assuming it was a business call.

But he was surprised when he heard the familiar, nagging voice; it was his mother.

Worse still, the one pressuring him to get married was right here and could hear word of the phone call.

His mother began, "Elijah, how much longer are you planning to avoid me? When will you finally meet the two girls I introduced you to?

I've told you countless times, stop being so selective. You're nearly thirty! If you keep dragging this out, how do you expect me to face your grandmother? She's desperate for great-grandchildren!

I don't care about your excuses. By Friday at the latest, you must meet them. In fact, I have three more waiting. I'll arrange them all if I must. But you cannot marry if you won't even take the first step!"

Her voice carried loud and clear through the meeting room, and Elijah's face darkened considerably.

Adeline, meanwhile, watched him closely. His silence and rigid expression told her just how uncomfortable he must be feeling.

She smirked mischievously.

Elijah caught the glint instantly. He knew she was scheming again. This time, he decided to beat her to it.

"I'll get married," he declared into the phone.