Caleb, confused by Mason’s question, answered truthfully, “Doesn’t seem like it.”


    Then, Caleb added, “I heard something before, not sure if it’s true. Half a year ago, a CEO of a listedpany tried to sponsor Le, but she directly rejected him.”


    Mason raised a smile at Caleb’s words.


    Caleb chuckled, “A girl who’s in financial trouble but still refuses topromise for money. Do you think she would allow her boyfriend to cheat? Someone who is so strict about her own privacy, how could she tolerate her partner being a scumbag?”


    Facing Caleb’s question, Mason fell into deep thought.


    What was Le’s rtionship with Hunter, after all?


    Cooperation?


    What could Hunter offer her?


    Mason was lost in thought when Caleb, driven by curiosity, asked, “Does Le know that you were the one who sponsored her in the past?”


    “You guess,” Mason replied.


    “She probably has no idea. If she did, she wouldn’t treat you like that.”


    Mason remained silent.


    …


    The next day, when Le signed the contract, everything went exceptionally smoothly. Cindy didn’t give her any trouble at all. After signing the contract, they shook hands and exchanged a polite “Nice working with you” before leaving the meeting room.


    Le went back to her room to pack her suitcase. Her flight was scheduled for today, and after spending almost a week in East City, she had a pile of work waiting for her back at thepany.


    As she finished packing, she headed for the elevator. Just as she got in, two Ascend Group employees squeezed in as well. They were too preupied with their conversation to notice Le.


    “Did Miss Cindy get promoted?”


    “Promoted? More like demoted.”


    “Why? Wasn’t she doing well? I heard she signed several major projects for The Ramirez Group.”


    “She must have offended someone, but I don’t know which big shot she pissed off.”


    Listening to their conversation, Le couldn’t help but think more deeply. While others didn’t know who Cindy had offended, Le understood it all too well. She had also offended someone…


    When the elevator doors opened, Le got out after the two Ascend Group employees. She took out her phone from her pocket and nced at the message she had sent to Masonst night.


    There was no reply from Mason.


    Perhaps it was because of what she had heard in the elevator about Cindy, but Le couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Honestly, she couldn’t figure Mason out.


    He was ruthless and cunning, yet surprisingly tender and considerate at times…


    Thinking about that aspect made Le blush involuntarily.


    When the nended in Neo City at noon, Le saw Shirley waving at her from a distance. She walked over with her suitcase, and Shirley took her arm, speaking in a hushed tone, “Did you see Mason again in East City?”This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Le chuckled as Shirley helped her into the car, “He’s the client.”


    Le got into the passenger seat, leaving her suitcase outside. Shirley took it and ced it in the trunk before leaning in to ask, “You two… again?”


    Shirley’s question was cryptic, but Le knew exactly what she meant. Le didn’t answer, but her cheeks flushed slightly.


    Shirley, understanding Le’s situation, leaned against the car door and said, “Come on, you haven’t taken my words seriously at all? Aren’t you afraid that he…”


    Le raised her hand and gestured for her to stop, “Hold on, can I have a chance to exin?”


    “Go ahead,” Shirley replied as she got into the car.


    Le began to exin proactively. From how she was manipted by her colleagues into being drugged with Mason, to Mason’s indignation and demand for repayment.


    Le talked all the way, and Shirley listened attentively. Finally, Shirley couldn’t help but curse, “Is your boss out of his mind? ming you for something like this?”


    Le, however, didn’t share Shirley’s anger, “He was just handling business affairs. In the corporate world, can you really expect personal considerations?”


    Shirley shrugged, “So, are you just going to let it go like this?”


    “The person responsible has faced legal consequences. Delving further into it would only be punishing ourselves.”


    Le’s perspective was unique, and Shirley agreed upon hearing it, “Indeed, punishing oneself for others’ mistakes only leads to more harm.”


    Being drugged and forced into intimacy with someone she didn’t like was already a great harm. If she couldn’te to terms with it and remained trapped in those emotions, she would only hurt herself in the end.


    As they conversed, the car arrived at a restaurant in the city center.


    After parking the car, Shirley asked, “Do you think Mason will let you off so easily?”


    Le replied, “It’s hard to say.”


    Shirley lowered her voice, “Do you think he might like you?”