Chapter 649: It's Getting More Interesting
Juniper had seen her fair share of trust fund brats and playboys like Ronnie. They were all the same—chasing after any pretty face they saw, only to toss them aside later. Falling for their "love at first sight" crap was a rookie mistake.
"Mr. Woods, you gotta be kidding me," Juniper shot back.
Ronnie picked up on her brush-off, but it only made him more interested. No woman had ever turned him down before. This was new.
She wouldn't be the first.
He was dead set on getting Juniper.
"Let's toast to our first meeting," Ronnie suggested.
"Mr. Woods, let me drink with you. Juniper's new to this scene and doesn't drink," Terry cut in.
"What kind of secretary doesn't drink? She needs to learn, and I'll be her teacher," Ronnie said, putting his hand on the back of Juniper's chair.
"But Mr. Woods..."
"Mr. Woods is right. Terry, you drink with us and let Juniper keep Mr. Woods company," Chris and Barry, two other big shots, chimed in, keeping Terry busy.
"Have a drink," Ronnie insisted.
Juniper had no choice but to down a glass of whiskey.
"Terry was lying. Juniper, you can hold your liquor just fine. No need to be shy."
"Mr. Woods, I can only handle one glass. I can't drink anymore."
"You little liar. I bet you can handle a whole bottle. I'm in a good mood today, so you gotta drink with me until I'm satisfied. Come on, have another glass."
Juniper knew Ronnie had shady intentions, but he was their big client. Terry had specifically told her not to piss him off. The Eilish Group and the Woods Group had a tight partnership for the next quarter.
With no other option, Juniper reluctantly drank. The whiskey was stronger than she thought, hitting her hard. After a few glasses, she felt dizzy. "I really can't drink anymore, Mr. Woods..."
"Just one last glass."
After downing the last glass, Juniper almost puked. She covered her mouth, "I need to hit the restroom."
She threw up in the restroom but still felt dizzy as she stumbled out, holding onto the wall.
"Are you okay?" Ronnie caught her, "You're drunk."
"I'm not drunk..." Juniper mumbled.
The last bit of her consciousness told her she needed to get back to the private room and find Terry, or things could get ugly.
"I... I'm not..." She insisted.
Everything went black, and she passed out.
Meanwhile, Terry, who had also been forced to drink a lot, felt his stomach churning. He was worried since Juniper hadn't come back and Ronnie's seat was empty.
"Terry, where are you going?" Chris blocked him.
"Yeah, we haven't finished drinking yet."
"I need to find Juniper," Terry said. Something was definitely wrong.
"Why are you looking for her? Don't mess up her and Mr. Woods' good time. She's just a secretary. If she makes Mr. Woods happy, it's good for the Eilish Group."
Terry hated this kind of behavior. The Eilish Group never made female employees do such things.
He shoved Chris aside and ran out, but he couldn't find Juniper anywhere.
With no other choice, Terry called Anthony, "Mr. Eilish, Juniper... Juniper was taken away by Mr. Woods."
Juniper, feeling groggy, sensed someone undressing her, and her chest felt cold.
She opened her eyes in a daze to see Ronnie unbuttoning her shirt, "Stop..."
"Awake? Good, I don't like it when they just lie there."
"Get off me, Ronnie!" Juniper snapped.
"Get off? On my bed? You new here or something? The Eilish Group practically handed you over as a bribe."
"No, they didn't... Let go of me, help..."
Juniper struggled, "Let go..."
"Bitch!"
"You're feisty. Soon, you'll be begging for more," Ronnie sneered, kissing her neck.
"Let go... help..." Juniper fought back helplessly.
She thought desperately, 'Anthony, save me.'
She'd rather die than have her first time be with someone like this.
Her shirt was ripped open, leaving her in just her underwear.
"White, so pure. I like it..." Ronnie was as excited as a wolf.
"Let go... Let go—" At that moment, the door was kicked open, and Anthony stormed in.
Ronnie didn't flinch but instead smirked, stepping back calmly.
"Mr. Eilish..." Juniper quickly ran to him, and Anthony draped his jacket over her.
"Mr. Eilish in the flesh. Is she your girl?" Ronnie laughed arrogantly.
"Stay away from her!" Anthony warned, then scooped Juniper up and carried her out.
Ronnie sneered. This was getting interesting.
Juniper cried in Anthony's arms, "Why did you come so late? I was so scared... I thought... I thought I was going to..."
She was so shaken that she momentarily forgot their professional relationship.
"I would never let anything happen to you!" Anthony promised solemnly. When he got Terry's call, he was frantic and rushed over. He couldn't bear to think of what might have happened... No, he would never let her get hurt.
Juniper's tears flowed uncontrollably.
Anthony carefully placed her in the car, "Do you want to go home?"
"No, I want to go to your place..."
Juniper thought to herself, 'I've been through so much today, why not be a little selfish? I need his comfort; I just want to be with him.'
"Okay," Anthony agreed immediately.
Back at his place, Juniper took a shower, sobering up and calming down.
"I'm done," Juniper said.
"Okay." Anthony sat on the living room sofa, his furrowed brow relaxing a bit when he saw her.
"Thanks for tonight."
"Don't go to any more of those social events."
"I know. Don't blame Terry; he tried to protect me. It's all Ronnie's fault. He made me drink so much, I almost..." Juniper bit her lip.
"Get some rest."
"You too." Juniper reluctantly glanced at him a few more times before heading to her room.
Anthony picked up his phone and called Terry.
"Mr. Eilish, is Juniper okay?" Terry asked nervously.
"She's fine."
"That's good. Otherwise, I would never forgive myself," Terry sighed in relief.
"Don't take her to any more social events."
"Okay."
"Cancel all cooperation with the Woods Group." Anthony's eyes were cold. He didn't like to resort to violence, but he wouldn't let Ronnie off easily.
"Mr. Eilish, please reconsider. Mr. Woods was wrong, but he's our biggest partner for the next quarter. This will affect future collaborations."
"Didn't you hear me? The Eilish Group will no longer work with the Woods Group."
"But this will harm our company's interests and long-term development."
"Do you think the Eilish Group will collapse without the Woods Group?"
"Of course not, but..."
"Enough, just do it." Anthony hung up the phone.
After hanging up, Anthony realized he cared about Juniper more than he thought.