Chapter Seventeen

"What? Do you think I flirted with you? Look at you, do you think I have any interest in you?" Thomas looked at her with utter contempt and shook his head to show how terrible she was. "I look terrible. So what? You still hugged me!" Claire exploded with anger. This jerk was judging her by her appearance. If her dad hadn't forced her into a blind date with a man, she wouldn't have needed to scare him away with such wretched looks. It was not that she loved to look terrible. However, she was afraid that her dad would nag about what she had done, so she didn't dare to go home, although it was quite late now.

"Ha! Are you kidding me? Do you think I wanted to do that? I was just kind enough to help you when you were falling, or I wouldn't have touched you at all." Thomas looked coldly at the chick who turned on him. If his eyes could shoot laser beams, she would have been incinerated. Only he knew how hard she had slapped him as his cheek was still burning.

Claire hesitated for a while without a word. It appeared that what he had said was actually right. She knew she shouldn't have slapped him, but she wouldn't apologize for then, that didn't mean he was a good guy. Look how fierce he was now.

"Anyway, you shouldn't have hugged me," Claire argued and insisted that she did nothing wrong. We could already tell how competitive she was from her arguments with Stephen. She would never admit that she was wrong.

His face clouded, and his fists were so tight that blue veins stood out on them. Thanks to his ability to control himself, Thomas didn't punch her. He had never known an unreasonable woman like her.

Damn it! He should leave now and stop arguing with her like an idiot. With that, Thomas took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He flicked at the places that Claire had touched on his coat as if there were something dirty to remove. Then he glared at her before he started walking to his car. 'I'm not angry, really. I just want to kill that freaking woman.' he kept thinking.

Claire touched her neck. Oh, my God! It was so scary. She thought that man wanted to kill her just now. His eyes were so horrible Stephen Chu was much better than that jerk. He wouldn't be so cold and terrible no matter how angry he was.

Thomas was really unlucky today. he had only walked a few steps before Scott rushed out and ran into him as well. Claire was so surprised that she couldn't help putting her hands over her eyes. Oh, my God! Who was that guy? He actually dared to mess with that dangerous monster! He was really brave. 'Hope he won't get killed.' She thought.

"Damn it! Where are you rushing to?" Thomas shoved Scott away from him. His expression showed what mixed feelings he had inside. "Thomas, why are you so cold? I just touched you. Did you need to shove me like that?" Scott rubbed his nose. Damn it, had he run into an iron man? Why did it hurt so much?

Just before Thomas could say anything a snort of laughter suddenly drew their attention to Claire. They both looked at her, and she just wanted to slap herself, regretting that she had laughed at the wrong time. maybe he was truly cold, but she shouldn't have laughed at him/ She was digging her own grave.

"Yo! Isn't that Mr. Claire? Hello again! Small world, isn't it? Stephen just left, so you won't see him this time." Scott looked at Claire and smiled evilly. She looked bold and different today, but Scott was good at dealing with all kinds of women. "You know each other?" Thomas asked wonderingly.

Claire was shocked. Why hadn't she recognized that guy? She still remembered how he smiled ambiguously when she was arguing with Stephen Chu last time. "What do you say? Miss Claire, do you know me?" Scott was such a playboy that Claire wanted to slap him badly.

"You're a ladyboy! Of course, I know you!" Damn it! Except for that shameless Stephen, nobody had ever beaten her in a war of words. Scott was embarrassed. Claire was always tough. She would never give in. Thomas chucked to himself as an onlooker. Drama like this he refused to miss. It turned out that she treated everyone that way. Anyway, she really knew how to piss you off and then getaway.

'You must be really interested in me. You must have checked it secretly in person, or you wouldn't be so sure that I'm ladyboy." Scott grinned cheekily at her with an eyebrow raise. He had the typical smiling eyes of a cunning playboy. His sapphire blue earrings were even more bright and attractive in the neon light.

Claire was hypnotized by this guy and forgot to retort. She just looked at him like that, sticking out her beautiful lips. "Puppy love!" Thomas's cold voice woke her up. Oh, my God! He was really enchanting! Sucks! She was actually enchanted by a ladyboy.

Claire glared at Thomas and turned to Scott with a smile that she thought was charming. However, her makeup was too thick to show her beauty. Instead, it was a little scary now. Scott didn't know what she was going to do next, but he knew even Stephen was a little scared of this woman.

"Do you think I need to check it in person? Anyone who isn't blind can tell you're a ladyboy." So those who couldn't be all blind. With his lips curving in a masculine smile, Thomas glanced at the girl who looked bold and different now. He was wondering what kind of beauty she would be without her makeup.

"Are you always so competitive, Miss Claire?" Scott smiled instead of getting angry. Life was too boring. Sometimes he could have some fun fighting with a hot-tempered chick like her.

"Nope, just around guys like you." 'Humph! I don't like you. So what?' "With all due respect, could you please tell me when guys like offended you, Miss Claire?" Scott was curious, and when he was curious, he would ask any questions he had. He would definitely get to the bottom of the stuff that he didn't understand.

"Birds of a feather flock together. Do you know the saying? It means that you guys are not any better. You hang about with that bastard Stepehn all day." With that, she stalked off. Scott wondered why Claire had to leave before them every time.

Thomas watched her, lost in thought. 'Collateral damage.' he thought. 'I think our reputations just suffered collateral damage. We're not any better? Because of Stephen? What does it have to do with Stephen?'

Chu International Group was always jumping in the morning. Staff stuffed from place to place, some carrying files, others the mail, and still others their morning coffee. The clicks of keyboards and beeps of freshly booted computers filled the air. There was the unmistakable smell of clean carpets and printer dust. Yet no matter how busy they were the company was never messy nor noisy a unique working atmosphere.

Leah Yang showed up in the lobby of Chu International Group in a sexy outfit. Her mini-skirt perfectly displayed her long legs; the low-cut top revealed the curve of her large breasts; the curly hair cascading to her shoulders added more charm, and the make-up flattered her overall.

"Hello. I'm Leah Yang of Yang Foreign Trade. I have an appointment with your CEO." her voice was clear and flirtatious. Her face wore a sweet smile.

"Hello, Miss Leah. I need to report to the secretary division first." Receptionists always fawned over these rich ladies. After all, maybe one day one of them would become the CEO's wife.

Leah nodded with a smile, behaving perfectly as the daughter of a well-to-do family. Furthermore, she needed to make a good impression on the employees of Chu International Group so that she would have free access to the company.

The knocking on the door disrupted Stephen's work. He slightly frowned, leaned back, then said with some discontent. "Come in," he said, his voice thick with consternation. Then he took the coffee from the table and gave it a sip.

"Mr. CEO, Miss Leah is here to see you." Ava cast a glance at Stephen and whispered, "What? Leah?" Stephen knew she would come, but he never expected that she would come so soon.

"Yes, it's Miss Leah. Should we let her in?" Ava replied calmly. That poise reflected her professionalism as a secretary.

"Fine. Let her in." Stephen felt helpless. He didn't really want Leah to interrupt his work, but that appointment was his promise to others. Besides, even if he didn't want to do Jack a favor, he must do this for Brielle. After all, Leah was her step-sister.

"Miss Leah, the CEO will see you now." The receptionists smirked knowingly. That's the first time the CEO had ever let a woman come in since the CEO's son came over. it seemed that Miss Leah was different for their CEO.

"Thank you." She nodded, then walked into the elevator in high heels. Her curvy figure captured a lot of men's attention, bolstering her confidence. She always believed in her own charm. There was no way Brielle could compete with her.

When Leah appeared on the top floor, the woman gathered to watch. They were all discussing in hushed whispers who she was whereas Ava silently led her in, then left.

"Stephen, sorry for my sudden visit. I planned to call you, but I don't have your number," said Leah in a cutesy voice, looking at the handsome man before her. Her dulcet tones could have melted any man's heart.

"That's okay. I've promised to let you learn here, so there is nothing to be sorry about." Stephen sat still on the chair quite calmly as if he didn't notice how seductively Leah was dressed.

"Stephen, thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn here." Leah was a bit upset about Stephen's chilly response. She wondered why there was no "wow" expression on his face.

"That's okay. I will ask Ava to familiarize you with the corporate procedures. You will learn from her."

'Leah, I agreed to let you learn here, but I didn't promise to teach you myself, did I? Besides, Ava was quite familiar with the company and that will make her a great teacher.' Stephen thought to himself.

His words turned Leah's face pale. She never saw this coming. Instead of teaching her himself, Stephen pawned her off on a secretary.

"Stephen, will this work? I'm afraid that the secretary can't teach me useful things. After all, I'm here to learn to run a company, not how to be a secretly." Her seductive voice changed. Her composure cracked and desperation shone through.

"Then who does Miss Leah think will make a qualified teacher? Mr. Huang or Mr. Hughes?" He just didn't mention himself.

"Can you teach me?" Leah bit her lip gently and looked at Stephen pitifully. She was trying to change his mind.

"That's not possible. Miss Leah should know that we are a large company. As the CEO, I have too many things on my plate. I'm afraid I'm too tied-up to teach you." Stephen was never soft or patient with people he didn't care about. He sounded angry already.

"Okay then. I will learn from Ava. But I hope you can instruct me in your spare time." Leah compromised because she noticed Stephen's rising temper. She could only accept his arrangement to stay in Chu International Group. As long as she remained here, she would find the chance to get close to Stephen.

"Ahem, yes... Thanks for understanding. Ava will show you out now." Finally, Stephen dropped his stilted tone, talking more normally.

"Ava, come inside," he ordered coldly. He didn't even look at Leah. "Mr. CEO, what's the matter?" Ava walked in speedily, just like the way she worked.

"Ava, Miss Leah will learn the corporate management procedures from you. You need to teach her patiently."

I understand, Mr. CEO. Miss Leah, let's go." Ava would do everything Stephen told her without asking why. That's also why he gave Leah to her. If it is Mr. Huang or Mr. Hughes, they would get to the bottom of it. He didn't want to waste the time.

"Em. You can go now. Miss Leah, I wish you a happy stay with our company." Stephen said with a smile. He looked seriously at Leah making her heart racing fast. She wanted him even more eagerly.

"Thank you, Stephen." Leah coyly walked out behind Ava. She was happy to stay here. Stephen looked at Leah's figure quite confusedly. He didn't know what Leah really wanted. If what she wanted to be was him, she should give up the idea already, because he was her brother-in-law. And it was also unbelievable that Jack sent another daughter here. Had Jack forgotten that he was already the husband of one of his daughters? Or how else should Stephen interpret all his unusual and absurd moves?