Walter was shocked to discover just how ipetent his team was.


    "Sorry, Mr. Walter Gordon. We''ve done everything we could, but they''re too slick. They fed us fake leads, and we bit hard. By the time we figured it out and doubled back, they were gone-like they''d vanished into thin air..."


    ...


    Elsewhere, Julia lounged in a swanky vi, sweet-talking someone on a video call.


    "Honey, don''t be mad, okay? I know you''re just worried about me. But look, I''m totally fine. Plus, I''ll be home before you know it."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Her voice was dripping with sweetness, like she was talking through a mouthful of honey.


    The bodyguard who had just walked in caught a bit of her sugary tone and quickly looked down, giving her a respectful nod as he updated her, "Ms. Rearden, we''ve lost the tail."


    Julia''s face, which had been all smiles, turned to ice. "Good job. You can go now."


    With a dismissive wave, she sent the bodyguard scurrying out. As soon as he was gone, her sweet smile returned.


    On the screen, the man finally spoke up, his voice emotionless. "When are youing back?"


    "In a month," said Julia after a pause. However, seeing his expression darken, she quickly added, "No way, I can only give you two weeks max! I''ll zip right back to you in half a month, deal?" Julia''s voice was all sugar and spice, and she batted her eyshes for good measure. Even the toughest cookie would crumble a bit at that act.


    The guy on the other end of the video call seemed to thaw a little, but his words were set in stone. "One week."


    "One week? That''s way too quick!" Julia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, though her surprise squeaked out anyway.


    "Can''t we talk this over? I''ve still got a ton of stuff to wrap up here. That means the girl hasn''t gotten hereuppance... and I haven''t even finished the job you gave me for


    when I get back."


    en


    She was scrambling for reasons to stay put, but he was not having any of it. "Someone else will handle your job."


    Julia opened her mouth to argue, but his voice came through, crisp and sharp as ice, "Julia, don''t push my buttons."


    She knew all too well the price of ticking him off. She instinctively ducked her head. "Alright, alright, I''ll sort everything out this week and then I''m all yours."


    Her smile was a blooming rose, and


    she leaned into the camera, her voice a soft caress as she said, "You know, I''ve really missed you. It''s been ages. Did you miss me at all?"


    Sweet whispers were her secret weapon. Julia had snagged his attention with her looks, but it was her charm that kept her by his side. Seeing his expression warm up, Julia hung up, a weight lifted off her shoulders. She had bought herself some time, at least for a while.


    Julia could not figure it out. Flirting


    came so naturally to her with everyone else, but around Walter, all her clever tricks just vanished. She


    was left to navigate by pure instinct.


    en


    However, that did not matter anymore.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!