Chapter 227
Chapter 227 The Master of Time Management
When Lucas arrived at the marketing department, Chloe was organizing the data and marketing copy
for the afternoon meeting. Lucas took her to a secluded spot and whispered, “Ms. Chloe, did you run
into Icarusst night?”
She paused, “How did you know?”
“The whole neighborhood is talking about it.”
During the elevator ride, Lucas filled her in on everything that had transpired in the homeowners’ group,
emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Mr. Joseph is extremely angry, so when you go in, it’s
important not to confront him directly. Speak softly, exin clearly, and try to soothe his anger with kind
words. I believe things can be resolved”
Nervously, Chloe fidgeted with her fingernails, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to push
open the office door.
“Jojo, it’s not what you think. Icarus and I just happened to bump into each other. He has a friend who
lives in our neighborhood.”
Seated on the sofa, Joseph nonchntly stretched out his long legs over the coffee table, his gaze
piercing and frigid. “Oh, what a remarkable coincidence. You seem to have a knack for stumbling upon
extraordinary situations.”
“I’m not lying to you. I really am–”
Her exnation was cut short by Joseph’s biting sarcasm.
“The master of time management, right?”
Who would have thought that a harmless joke would manifest into reality? Making time for flirtation
while taking the dogs for a stroll.
Chloe’s delicate face contorted with hurt as she bit her lip, struggling to find the words.
“Speak up!” Joseph’s impatience transformed into a stern reprimand. “Did you resort to hitting the dogs
because they interrupted your flirtatious encounter?”
“I didn’t cheat or harm the dogs. I was simply afraid that you’d misunderstand, so I didn’t mention it.
Toto and Oreo unexpectedly pulled me, and I lightly smacked them. Can you please refrain from
thinking of me in this way and have some trust in each other? Moreover, in the photo, there was no
inappropriate behavior between Icarus and me, right?”
Joseph stood up abruptly. His imposing figure advanced toward her, closing the distance with – each
deliberate step. With a sneer on his face, he assumed a dominant position and said, “There may be
nothing in the photos, but who knows what the surveince cameras missed-the unseen angles nobody
would know.”
A surge of injustice washed over Chloe as she was backed into a corner. She mustered her courage
and asked, “Is this how you truly see me?”
“A person who thrives on lies is concerned about others’ opinions?”
“That’s enough!”
1/3
Lucas prepared a cup of coffee for Joseph and brought it inside. Just as he was about to leave, his
phone started beeping. Without thinking, he instinctively reached for his phone to check the notification.
Half of Joseph’s daily trivial matters were handled by Lucas, including tasks rted to the homeowners’
group. The notification was from the property manager who had suddenly tagged him andter sent a
photo apanied by a mischievous emoji.
[Mr. Joseph, may we print this photo formunity promotion? Of course, we’d be happy to provide
you with the image rightspensation. I identally came across it while reviewing the surveince
footage yesterday. The image of you and your wife standing together is so beautiful as if you were
destined for each other.]
The photo captured Chloe and Icarus, looking very happy together and two Border Collies obediently
by their side. It perfectly depicted the ideal life that most people had in mind-lovers, pets, sunset, and a
wonderful atmosphere.
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
Other homeowners beganmenting.
[Both of them have such high levels of attractiveness. Can having a dog enhance marital rtionships?
I want one too.]
[Now that’s good looks and talents. Utilizing them for promotion will definitely boost the sales of houses
here.]
[I saw this couple passing by yesterday. The dogs misbehaved, and the female owner smacked their
butts. Hahaha]
Lucas’ hand holding the phone trembled. It was true that Ms. Chloe was the female owner, but Icarus
was not the male owner.
Joseph lifted the cup of coffee and took a sip, ncing at the stunned Lucas who was just standing
there. “Anything else?”
Trembling, Lucas stammered, “There might be something else…”
“What do you mean ‘might be?”” Joseph’s tone turned to one of displeasure. “Be efficient in your work.”
“Yes, sir.”
Joseph pinched his brow, his voice turning icy. “Is there something or isn’t there?”
Lucas did not dare to beat around the bush and handed the phone to Joseph, cing it in front of his
eyes. “Sir, please take a look. Can we agree to use it for promotion?”
Joseph lowered his gaze, his eyes gradually turning cold as they fell on the photo. With a loud
bang, the phone shattered into pieces. The screen waspletely ruined.
Lucas dared not speak. He simply thought, ‘Sir, that’s my phone!”
Joseph’s voice was chillingly sharp. “Summon Chloe here now.”
The Master of Time Management
When Lucas arrived at the marketing department, Chloe was organizing the data and marketing copy
for the afternoon meeting. Lucas took her to a secluded spot and whispered, “Ms. Chloe, did you run
into Icarusst night?”
She paused, “How did you know?”
“The whole neighborhood is talking about it.”
During the elevator ride, Lucas filled her in on everything that had transpired in the homeowners’ group,
emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Mr. Joseph is extremely angry, so when you go in, it’s
important not to confront him directly. Speak softly, exin clearly, and try to soothe his anger with kind
words. I believe things can be resolved.”
Nervously, Chloe fidgeted with her fingernails, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to push
open the office door.
“Jojo, it’s not what you think. Icarus and I just happened to bump into each other. He has a friend who
lives in our neighborhood.”
Seated on the sofa, Joseph nonchntly stretched out his long legs over the coffee table, his gaze
piercing and frigid. “Oh, what a remarkable coincidence. You seem to have a knack for stumbling upon
extraordinary situations.”
“I’m not lying to you. I really am–”
Her exnation was cut short by Joseph’s biting sarcasm.
“The master of time management, right?”
Who would have thought that a harmless joke would manifest into reality? Making time for flirtation
while taking the dogs for a stroll
Chloe’s delicate face contorted with hurt as she bit her lip, struggling to find the words.
“Speak up!” Joseph’s impatience transformed into a stern reprimand. “Did you resort to hitting the dogs
because they interrupted your flirtatious encounter?”
“I didn’t cheat or harm the dogs. I was simply afraid that you’d misunderstand, so I didn’t mention- it.
Toto and Oreo unexpectedly pulled me, and I lightly smacked them. Can you please refrain from
thinking of me in this way and have some trust in each other? Moreover, in the photo, there was no
inappropriate behavior between Icarus and me, right?”
Joseph stood up abruptly. His imposing figure advanced toward her, closing the distance with each
deliberate step. With a sneer on his face, he assumed a dominant position and said, “There may be
nothing in the photos, but who knows what the surveince cameras missed-the unseen angles nobody
would know.”
A surge of injustice washed over Chloe as she was backed into a corner. She mustered her courage
and asked, “Is this how you truly see me?”
“A person who thrives on lies is concerned about others’ opinions?”
“That’s enough!”
She could not bear the weight of Joseph’s baseless usations any longer and pushed him away. He
took a step back, his waist colliding with the corner of a nearby cab, causing him to emit a stifled
groan of pain.
Filled with concern, Chloe hurried to his side, extending a hand to help. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize
there was a cab there. Are you okay?”
“Just leave me alone!” Joseph’s anger surged, and he impatiently pushed her away.
Chloe’s eyes dimmed with hurt, but sheposed herself. “Very well, I’ll leave. I’ll call Lucas toe
and check the injury on your waist.”
“Come back!” Joseph forcefully grasped her wrist and questioned, “Feeling guilty now?”
His persistent attitude drained Chloe of both physical and mental strength. She had just managed to
regain herposure earlier in the day after learning about what happened to her mother. And now,
she felt herself sinking back into the depths of her emotions.
“You’re the one who asked me to leave, and now you’re the one who won’t let me go,” Chloe retorted,
her voice tinged with frustration. “I’ve already exined myself, and if you still don’t believe me, what
else can I do?”
Her voice trembled with a sense of powerlessness as she continued, “I haven’t finished organizing the
data for the afternoon meeting I’m going back to my desk.”
Joseph’s gaze remained fixated on the red mark on Chloe’s wrist, stark against her fair skin. A mixture
of irritation and restlessness stirred within him.
Lucas watched as Chloe left, cautiously entering the room. “Sir, there was indeed no evidence of any
inappropriate behavior between Ms. Chloe and Icarus in the photos. The angle of the shot may have
created a misleading impression. After all, don’t we often see celebrity scandals based on such
misunderstandings in the media?”
Joseph coldly lit a cigarette. “Are you trying to defend her?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Lucas, aplete sycophant, awkwardly smiled. “You’re my boss, Mr. Joseph, not
Ms. Chloe. I’m simply analyzing the situation from an outsider’s perspective.”
Joseph maintained a fixed gaze, his silence permeating the room.
Sensing the need to borate, Lucas continued, “Moreover, Chloe only learned the truth about her
mother’s death this morning It has undoubtedly impacted her emotionally, and thus hermunication
with you may not be asposed as before.”
Joseph’s tightly furrowed brows rxed slightly.
Having said all that needed to be said, Lucas wisely refrained from further rambling. He quietly
exited the room, his mind set on purchasing a new phone at the mall.
As Joseph pondered the situation, he decided to make a video call to Nathan. On the other end of the
call, Nathan, amid dim lights and a bustling atmosphere, was holding on to a woman.
Joseph pressed his temple. “It’s too noisy.”
Nathan gently motioned for the woman in his arms to step back, signaling for silence. He turned on the
lights and inquired, “What happened? Did you have another argument with Chloe?”
Joseph sinctly recounted the day’s events, then posed the crucial question, “So, whose fault was
it?”