Chapter 13 Seduction
To get to the department, one had to pass through a boulevard lined with plane trees. Last night's snow had blanketed the crisscrossing branches, and with each gust of wind, the snowflakes slightly fluttered to the ground. Douglas held a black umbrella over her head, shielding her from the wintry mix.
The chilly weather had left the streets eerily quiet, with only a few solitary figures braving the chill. As they walked side by side, nearing the department, Regina suddenly slowed her pace. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Mr. Semona, I hope you don't mind, but could we practice something? My acting skills are not that good."
Douglas, a bit puzzled, agreed nonetheless. Regina rubbed her lips, then softly said, "Honey." Douglas froze; he was looking at her blushing cheeks, almost unable to believe his ears.
Regina hastily clarified, "Tasha was aware of our union. She's not exactly known for her retention, and I assumed the details would slip her mind, yet a month on, she still clings to that memory."
Douglas caught on that she was rehearsing the term of affection 'Honey' for him. A smile played on his lips as he replied, "Understood, Honey. I'll follow your lead." Regina momentarily faltered at Douglas's effortless reciprocation. She marveled at his adeptness, convinced he excelled at anything he put his hand to. As they pushed open the ward's door, they found Tasha pacing back and forth, murmuring to herself.
"Tasha!" Regina called out, but Tasha didn't look at her; instead, she looked at the man standing beside Regina. When she saw Douglas, her eyes were like saucers.
"Are you Regina's partner? ‘’
"Yeah," Douglas replied.
He placed the nutritional supplements he was holding on the table and then took out a velvet box, revealing a diamond bracelet inside. "This is my first visit, so I prepared a gift for you. I hope you will like it."
The unique design of the diamond bracelet, sparkling in the light, made it look quite expensive. Two days ago, Douglas had bid two million dollars for this bracelet at an auction.
"This is too precious!" Tasha exclaimed. "I can't take it!"
Douglas calmly said, "Please accept it stands for Regina. Your things will be her things from now on, and you surely want her to have a good life in the future as well." His words moved Tasha. She knew that although Regina's parents were wealthy, they had started a new family and were unlikely to share much of their wealth with Regina in the future.
Seeing Douglas's thoughtfulness for Regina, Tasha felt really happy that Regina had found such a good husband. Upon Douglas's insistence, Tasha tremblingly accepted the diamond bracelet. To reassure Tasha, Regina pursed her lips and didn't say much. After all, if she acted too polite, Tasha might start suspecting her relationship with Douglas.
They stayed in the ward for the morning. Douglas made some arrangements, including arranging for Tasha to be transferred to a better hospital and consulting with top doctors. Regina was very grateful for his efforts. However, she was unsure how to handle this relationship. Thinking about the potential awkwardness that might arise in the company, Regina felt distressed.
Upon entering the office on Monday, Regina was met with Lucia's jeering voice. "Regina, you've really outdone yourself! You had the audacity to fiddle with the boss's belt!" Word of Regina's deed had already made the rounds within the company, and she had braced herself for Lucia's inevitable ridicule.
With composure, Regina replied, "I was intoxicated at the time."
Lucia, however, scoffed inwardly, her thoughts dripping with contempt. 'Intoxicated? More like a convenient excuse to flirt with the boss!' Lucia mused. 'And here I was, puzzled why she showed no interest in Mr. Mill or the guy with the BMW. It's clear now—she's set her sights on Mr. Semona.'
Just as Lucia was about to say something else, Janet walked in. "There's a client from Frannice who wants to meet with Mr. Semona tonight. The people from the president's secretary's office said they want Regina to go along."
They all knew that if the office arranged it, it was most likely at Douglas's request. Lucia was extremely jealous and felt very aggrieved. She had always been in fierce competition with Regina, and she didn't think Regina was better than her, but Regina had successfully attracted our boss.
Lucia couldn't resist sneering, "The world's really changed. It was once about diligence, but now it seems to be about charming your way through."
Her voice was hushed, yet Regina caught every word. Regina, who had just settled at her desk, rose abruptly, strode over to Lucia, and said with a detached coolness, "I'm aware you're skeptical. Feel free to doubt my competence, but casting aspersions on Mr. Semona's character is where I draw the line."
Upon hearing Regina's words, Lucia realized that she had just slandered the boss's reputation, and her face turned pale. Janet glared at her, and Lucia immediately shut up, no longer daring to say anything. It was only when Douglas was about to go to the Frannice client in the evening that he found out that Regina was the interpreter arranged by the SP. The people in the office were all veterans, and each employee had been with the Century Group for more than five years, so Douglas usually wouldn't inquire about such matters.
"Mr. Semona, although Regina has only recently joined the company, she is very capable. Considering the importance of tonight's meeting, we discussed it with the head of the translation department before deciding to have Regina accompany you," the person from the SP explained, afraid that Douglas would not trust Regina. Douglas nodded, his expression still calm.
The SP representative suspected that Douglas's lack of enthusiasm might stem from an incident at the party where a tipsy Regina had requested a belt from him.
At the stroke of six in the evening, Regina found herself at the threshold of the president's office. "Mr. Semona," she greeted. Upon laying eyes on Douglas, Regina sensed an odd shift in her emotions—a peculiar sensation that seemed to validate Miranda's observation; her heartbeat quickened just slightly. She made a conscious effort to maintain her composure. Douglas played his part well, offering her only fleeting glances, ensuring not to overstep. He then slid into the sleek black Maybach, while Regina settled into the backseat of a polished black executive sedan.
Throughout the entire meeting with the client, Regina's performance was perfect. She was professional and composed, just like Douglas.
They had assumed the project was nearing resolution, but an unforeseen twist arose just as the meeting was drawing to a close.
